Video: Infinity Kappa Speakers

Crutchfield Video — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Ken and Todd discuss Infinity Kappa car speakers in a Crutchfield video. Ken points out that the Kappa name has traditionally meant high-quality speakers, and the current offerings are no exception. The two talk about how the speakers feature a low-impedance...(read more)

Portable player + aux jack = unwanted noise?

ZakB — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:43:00 GMT

I put in a plug-and-play satellite radio recently, connecting it to my Dual XHD-6425 head unit through its aux input. With channel guide in hand, I began flipping stations in earnest, ready to program in my favorites. But something was happening — a "swirling" sound that got louder and faster as my engine speed increased.

First I disconnected everything, cleaned all my contacts, then reinstalled. No change. Tried turning the built-in FM modulator on/off. Still no change. Checked the antenna wire. Nothing. What was I going to say when everyone on my block found out that a guy that works at Crutchfield can't even hook up a portable satellite radio in his car?

I didn't have any luck finding a solution online, but I knew I couldn't be alone with this, and I took comfort in the fact that I'm lucky enough to work at a place full of experts who are trained to solve problems like this one.

And my expert co-workers came through for me. "It's a ground loop," I was told. "You need to move the ground wire from your cigarette lighter to the same place as the one from your stereo." Which, I am certain, is the right way to do it.

But I found an easier way, right on Crutchfield's website: the PAC SNI-1/3.5 noise filter. It's a little black box with male/female 3.5mm miniplugs that you stick between your player and your stereo.

The SNI-1/3.5 goes between your player and your stereo's aux jack.

I don't know what's in that little box, but whatever's in there completely killed the noise I was experiencing. Problem solved, and installation took 10 seconds, maybe 13. So if you've plugged in a portable player to your new stereo's aux jack, and you're hearing a hiss, a whine, a hum, or a click, this little black box could be the answer to your problems. After gushing about it, I tested it with a co-worker who was having a similar problem, and he promptly ordered an RCA version.

The PAC SNI-1/3.5 (left) has 3.5mm connections, while the SNI-1 (right) has RCA inputs/outputs.

Crutchfield Staff Reviews : car stereo

Video: Infinity Kappa Speakers

Portable player + aux jack = unwanted noise?