XTRONS android head unit background noise

[csaba.meszaros]

Hello Guys!

I bought this head unit for my B7 3.2FSI with BOSE audio:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XTRO...531c4c4do3tQOI

The connection was apparently plug and play, 4 RCAs need to be connected on the harness and all speakers are working including the subwoofer. The problem is that when the volume is on mute I can hear some humming from the speakers and also when I turn on the engine there is alternator sound coming out of the speakers. I have used this head unit for 1 month+ and it's a big improvement over the stock RNS-e, but since I am an audiophile this background/engine noise bothers me a lot!

Ordered a 4 channel ground loop izolator but it didn't help: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PC-...531c4c4do3tQOI

HELP!

Thanks in advance.

Mail from XTRONS:

You may require a ground loop isolators to cancel out background noise.

If the pitch increases with acceleration this could be feedback from the alternator and would require an Engine suppressor.

[oVeRdOsE]

Hi,

on my unit, I have very minimal background noise.

- nothing related to the alternator in my case.
- only when head light are on
- The noise does not increase with volume.

I really doubt its a rca ground loop issue.
its a internal chip issue, I do recall that Logitec computer speakers had the exact same issue, and was related to a bad chip design.

But yeah, In most case, on cars, with good head unit (pioneer/alpine/jvc/ etc) , the ground loop is on bad insulation on cables.

since my unit its not a big issue, I didn't investigate more on it.

[csaba.meszaros]

After posting this thread, I've seen on another one that you have exact the same head unit :)

You are right it's not RCA ground loop. That ground loop izolator was wasted money :( I don't get why those RCAs are needed on the HU cable? I plan to cut them down and solder the wires together to eliminate those RCAs. It could be placebo, but the noise is worse when the unit is in the dash, maybe it's touching something? I also plan to take out a few pins which are not in use just to make sure I minimize the pressure inside the dash and the possibility that some cables are touching which should not.

Next would be the BIG 3, but I've never done this before. Is this a good video to start? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnmXKjm3tZE

You asked about the reverse camera at a point, have you installed one? I have one installed in the trunk opener.

Thanks!!!

[oVeRdOsE]

I have a big 3, with 8ga cable. and I even ground the headunit box to the chassis. Just like I do in my other cars.

I have the noise, but its not that bad.

In the headunit huge thread here, most members got noise issue with those android units.
Everything seems to be related in the chip.

from XDA forums, some people reduce the issue :
- root and tweak the DSP/ amp option (mostly reduce overall gain)
- turn off the back light
- some good tweakable rca noise filter
- aftermarket amp (remove bose unit)
- better ground


but nobody found the issue, most people agreed that its a internal issue.

At home I have some TDA class D amp (for my DIY battery powered speaker box), and they are very fragile to interference.

[csaba.meszaros]

Removed all unused cables, removed RCAs, soldered everything back in place. Now the cables are nice, the HU has more space but the background noise is still there.

I have observed that it's only intense when the lights are on, it doesn't matter if it's the HIDs are on or off that weird background noise is present. With no lights there is almost no noise.

[oVeRdOsE]

Removed all unused cables, removed RCAs, soldered everything back in place. Now the cables are nice, the HU has more space but the background noise is still there.

I have observed that it's only intense when the lights are on, it doesn't matter if it's the HIDs are on or off that weird background noise is present. With no lights there is almost no noise.

are you able to turn off the backlight (red LED) ? for testing purpose.

[csaba.meszaros]

Did that from the menu, it didn't help :( I have an aftermarket led license plate light assembly installed with an integrated rezistor, it could be from that one?

[oVeRdOsE]

Did that from the menu, it didn't help :( I have an aftermarket led license plate light assembly installed with an integrated rezistor, it could be from that one?

no, I have OEM light.

Even Xtrons doesn't know, you're not the first member who ask them.

[csaba.meszaros]

I have also observed that when I turn off the lights, the screen is brighter a little bit and when I turn back on it gets darker. Could be that my battery is dead?

[Flygman]

Had the same when I had one. Mine was the ground not being proper.

[csaba.meszaros]

So what I have to do is to take out the ground pin from the quad-lock connector on the HU side, make the cable longer and find a proper ground for it?

I've seen that there are some nice bolts near the fuse box. Do you know another one that is closer to the HU?

[oVeRdOsE]

I have also observed that when I turn off the lights, the screen is brighter a little bit and when I turn back on it gets darker. Could be that my battery is dead?

no, this is a feature from the xtrons. night : screen goes darker.

Had the same when I had one. Mine was the ground not being proper.

this is in 95% of aftermarkets headunit the issue. But here, its not. Many many thread on that subject.

In fact , this must be a ground issue, but from the TDA chip inside.

[csaba.meszaros]

Took out the ground pin on the HU side, connected to a different ground close to the fuse box, it was worse than with the original ground. I start to believe it's not a grounding issue :( Weird thing was that the HU started even with the ground cable disconnected :-? Maybe it has more than one ground connections?

Next: Will try to remove the aftermarket LED license plate lights, as the noise intensifies with the lights ON and it's not affected by the HIDs ON/OFF position.

[oVeRdOsE]

Took out the ground pin on the HU side, connected to a different ground close to the fuse box, it was worse than with the original ground. I start to believe it's not a grounding issue :( Weird thing was that the HU started even with the ground cable disconnected :-? Maybe it has more than one ground connections?

Next: Will try to remove the aftermarket LED license plate lights, as the noise intensifies with the lights ON and it's not affected by the HIDs ON/OFF position.

do a google search ''android car static noise''. It will gives you a lot of ideas.

go to settings/car/factory setting/ code 126 /

- make sure under tab ''voice'' for radio is set at 10 (if you go bellow that, static noise will be worst)
- under tab ''other'' set the amp -6dB.

Remember when I said I have so little noise with HID ON, now its gone almost 100%.

[csaba.meszaros]

do a google search ''android car static noise''. It will gives you a lot of ideas.

go to settings/car/factory setting/ code 126 /

- make sure under tab ''voice'' for radio is set at 10 (if you go bellow that, static noise will be worst)
- under tab ''other'' set the amp -6dB.

Remember when I said I have so little noise with HID ON, now its gone almost 100%.

I've tried different values and it didn't change anything. Set everything under the voice tab to zero and the volume on 1 is more silent. Removed the aftermarket license plate lights and it didn't change anything :(

[csaba.meszaros]

Got a hint from an AutoHiFi shop owner to add a noise filter on the power line. He suggested to add a 20A, I'm going to pick up the 10$ part today and give a try.

When I told him what the problem is he just asked what did I expect from a Chinese unit :(

[csaba.meszaros]

I start to give up on this one. Got the noise filter for another 15$, took out the ground and power wire from the other connector(just that I don't have to cut wires) modified the harness installed. Same noise with headlights on. I'll attach a picture with the setup, maybe you guys spot an obvious problem. I've connected the filter to the same ground coming out of Audi connector, could be this one?

A guy who sells only android head units suggested to disconnect the orange wire from the connector(illumination wire), tried that one as well, it didn't work.

[ChanceA4Parks]

Read my replies on this page. It will help point you in the right direction. https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=833844

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Audizine mobile app

[ChanceA4Parks]

Also, your antenna is a ground source. Not a very good one I might add

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Audizine mobile app

[csaba.meszaros]

Latest message from the XTRONS support team was that I've got a defective head unit and if I send it back it will be replaced under warranty.

[robsilvr85]

Pretty good customer service for a Chinese brand. I just got one. Is of pretty much plug and play or should I have a shop install it?


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[oVeRdOsE]

Pretty good customer service for a Chinese brand. I just got one. Is of pretty much plug and play or should I have a shop install it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

plug and play.

You need the removal tools, get the universal kit, since the xtrons does not comme out so easy with OEM tools.

OEM use the hook shape, and the xtrons use the t shaped tool.

[robsilvr85]

plug and play.

You need the removal tools, get the universal kit, since the xtrons does not comme out so easy with OEM tools.

OEM use the hook shape, and the xtrons use the t shaped tool.

Thanks


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[csaba.meszaros]

Let us know if you get any static noise with headlights on. Thanks!

[robsilvr85]

I too got the static noise when I installed it. But an even worse issue is that now I have no sound! As I was placing it in the dash it was complete silence. I installed my Rnse back to make sure it wasn’t the amp and it worked just fine. Can anybody figure this issue out? Connected everything properly. Faulty head unit?


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[csaba.meszaros]

Make sure the AMP line is connected! It sends the signal to the amp to power on.

[robsilvr85]

It is. I checked with a multimeter and there is power. Something with the wiring or a faulty head unit most likely. Also I used s multimeter to check for voltage and the Amp-con was giving me around 3 volts. Is that right? I put my rnse back and it worked just fine which leads me to believe it’s the headunit


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[csaba.meszaros]

Milan from the XTRONS customer support sent me a firmware update for the MCU. I've updated the FW but it didn't help. Same background noise. My last hope is the Scosche SLC4 line-out converter. Ordered from the US, paid a lot of money on customs and shipping. Lets see.

[EvolutionArmory]

Don’t take this the wrong way. You bought a cheap headunit from Ali Express and it doesn’t work well. That’s what we call bad money. Now you’re spending more money to try to get it to work well. That’s good money.

Don’t throw good money at bad money. Cut bait and buy a quality headunit and adapters and harnesses from enfigcarstereo.com. They are US based but ship worldwide and the harnesses and adapters are worth the hassle.

My install parts cost as much as my headunit but I installed all my stuff in 15 minutes at night in December in my driveway and it all works perfect.

I just wanted to bring up that option.

[oVeRdOsE]

the issue here, is that a lot of people dont have issues with the latest versions.

However, it shouldn't be a surprise either, since most older version had these issues according to audizine , xda , google...

This product is very very nice for the price, but we should keep in mind that TPA's chips are very sensitive to interference.

[ksw_92]

I just installed a current-model XTRON (PB78AA4RP) unit. I've done a few of these Android systems in various cars and this one has pretty good build quality. I have the non-Bose Symphony stock radio (built-in CD changer) and XTRON wiring harness was fully plug-n-play. Most of my time was spent routing the GPS antenna (driver's side knee bolster had to come out) and the USB cables for stuff (glove box had to come out). The back of the new XTRON has a twin-FAKRA antenna connector but only one of the antennas signals is actually used. You'll need a DIN to FAKRA adapter if you have the older push-lock DIN antenna connector.

With ALL of these Android systems there is a little hiss from signal path noise. Remember that they are computers and the audio paths are digital with D/A and A/D converters of consumer grade. There's going to be dithering noise in the D/A output and the amps, being on the same power rails as the rest of the digital systems, will pick up some clock noise and such. I don't have any whine or sizzle from the speakers, engine on or off, and with a little tweaking of the eq in the settings menu I find the sound from the new system to be pretty decent.

[Matt Devo]

IWith ALL of these Android systems there is a little hiss from signal path noise. Remember that they are computers and the audio paths are digital with D/A and A/D converters of consumer grade. There's going to be dithering noise in the D/A output and the amps, being on the same power rails as the rest of the digital systems, will pick up some clock noise and such.

so is any modern AVR, and you get zero noise from them, even the cheap ones. Or from any brand-name head unit. This is a simple artifact of the combination of poor design and cost cutting (and probably poor QC as well, given the variation). Whether it's enough to bother someone is going to vary with the individual, but for me these units aren't even close to acceptable.

[csaba.meszaros]

Not sure how much is in the US, but shipped in the EU this HU was 385$. I believe this is not the cheap category. Also the devices is designed in the UK and manufactured in China like all the other head-units. I was willing to invest some money because I really love the UI of the device. It's well optimized and on higher volumes it sounds much better than the factory RNS-E. Still, being an audiophile it bothers me to hell that it has this background noise problem and I am going to return the device and ask for a refund. Not sure what the next step will be as I really hate the RNS-e.

People reported problems also with Pioneer and Kenwood aftermarket HUs, so it's not necessarily a "cheap Chinese" HU problem.

[EvolutionArmory]

I’m running a 270 dollar Pioneer headunit with Enfig harnesses and have zero audio problems.

Made in China doesn’t always mean bad. It’s just that the quality bar varies.....by a ton depending on that MFG’s standards.

[csaba.meszaros]

I just wanted to let you know that the Scosche SLC-4 solved my static background noise issue. Works like charm now. Very very little noise with headlights on but it's barely noticeable when the streets are completely empty and the engine is turned off. With the engine turned on I can't hear it anymore which is a big big improvement! The engine whistle is also gone! I am very very happy with my unit now :)

[robsilvr85]

I just wanted to let you know that the Scosche SLC-4 solved my static background noise issue. Works like charm now. Very very little noise with headlights on but it's barely noticeable when the streets are completely empty and the engine is turned off. With the engine turned on I can't hear it anymore which is a big big improvement! The engine whistle is also gone! I am very very happy with my unit now :)

Did you replace the RCA with that flat black piece for the SLC-4?


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[robsilvr85]

Got a new xtrons headunit and everything works great!! Was having some background noise when on mute before but when I taped everything up with electrical tape to make it more organized the noise is almost non existent. Sound is way better than my rnse and startup takes about a second.




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[flyfast]

When installing the XTRONS unit did you have to wire into the accessory wire? Or does the CANBUS take care of turning on and off the unit?

Thanks

[robsilvr85]

When installing the XTRONS unit did you have to wire into the accessory wire? Or does the CANBUS take care of turning on and off the unit?

Thanks

Complete plug and play so I would assume the canbus does.


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[oVeRdOsE]

Got a new xtrons headunit and everything works great!! Was having some background noise when on mute before but when I taped everything up with electrical tape to make it more organized the noise is almost non existent. Sound is way better than my rnse and startup takes about a second.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just remember that I've done the same thing. Ive taped the RCAs to make sure theres no metal touching something else... Is this why I have a very minimal static noise? I really doubt.