I have an '04 Tundra Access Cab with Door tweeters. I'm on my second set of 6-3/4" in-line component speakers, and I'm still getting a crackling noise from the system. It sounds like it's from the tweeters, but I'm not completely sure.

I have this deck: Kenwood Excelon KDC-X794 CD receiver at Crutchfield Signature (http://www.crutchfield.com/s_113KDCX794/Kenwood-Excelon-KDC-X794.html?ssi=0&tp=27783)

I had these in-line components to start with: JL Audio TR650-CSi Evolution™ TR Series 6-3/4" component speaker system at Crutchfield.com (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136TR650CS/JL-Audio-TR650-CSi.html?tp=106&nvpair=FFBrand%7cJL+Audio)

Then replaced 'em with these due to the crackling sound: Kenwood KFC-P709PS Performance Series 6-3/4" component speaker system — also fits 6-1/2" openings at Crutchfield.com (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFCP709/Kenwood-KFC-P709PS.html?tp=106&nvpair=FFBrand%7cJL+Audio&nvpair=FFBrand%7cKenwood)

My question is, what could be causing that sound? Is it the in-line crossover/filter? The deck? Something else?

The JL components didn't have that crackling sound for almost 2 years. Once it developed, I thought the tweeters were shot, so I got the Kenwoods. But the sound was there instantly with the Kenwoods, making me think it might have something to do with the deck (or any EQ adjustments in the deck).

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas you may have.

Ryan

A bad speaker connection can do that. One speaker, two or all four?

Did you solder the wire directly to the speaker terminals or crimp connectors on to slide over the speaker terminal? Either way, you should have both a tight mechanical connection with the wire to speaker terminal or wire to crimped lug and then soldered.

Also, check your wiring on the HU side or amp as well to insure good contact.

I thought the same thing when it started to crackle so I checked everything, but all connections are good.

That's why I started to think the first set of tweeters were shot. Then when the sound was still there with the new tweeters, I thought maybe I'm sending a bad frequency range to them. So, I spent half an hour tweaking the EQ with no luck.

Then I thought maybe it's the sheet plastic behind the door panel vibrating, but it's never done that before. Still stumped

Maybe there is a damaged spot in one of the speaker wires shorting to ground? :beatsme:

I thought the same thing when it started to crackle so I checked everything, but all connections are good.

That's why I started to think the first set of tweeters were shot. Then when the sound was still there with the new tweeters, I thought maybe I'm sending a bad frequency range to them. So, I spent half an hour tweaking the EQ with no luck.

Then I thought maybe it's the sheet plastic behind the door panel vibrating, but it's never done that before. Still stumped

I'd try the following:

1. Disconnect the speaker wires from amp or HU and use a AA battery to check each speaker (typically what I use to locate a particular speaker). Hold the wires to the battery and make sure they don't get loose and shake the wiring a bit to see if it's a connection problem; although it may only show up when the door and wiring is really vibrating. (This is optional as it just helps to locate the issue if you don't want to pull the door panel unless necessary)

2. Pull the door panel and crank your setup to hear the crackling and see if there is anything physical that might be creating the sound. Here you could also touch the wiring near the speakers to see if it causes the crackling sound.

It's unlikely the door panel itself would be causing a "crackling" sound; when the door panel vibrates, it's a lower resonating sound and you know when you hear it.

An intermittent bad solder joint in the HU could also be a problem. If you can swap out the head unit and the issue goes away, I'd see about returning it for a non-defective one or getting a replacement under warranty.

I might swap out the head unit tonight to see if I still get that noise through the system. Glad I kept the original 6-disc changer on the shelf!