OK...over the last two weeks since I put my new audio system in, it was obvious that my alternator was not able to keep up with the current demands of the amps. When I put the system in, I ran a 0 gauge wire from the battery (-) to a solid ground and did the same in the rear for the amp grounds. I remembered today that in my haste I neglected to run an auxiliary ground from the alternator to the battery (-). I did this today and saw something strange:

The charging system voltage now hangs at a solid +14V with the car on & the amps off. This is ~0.2V higher than before the ground upgrade. The weird part is, before the upgrade, hard bass notes would drop the charging system voltage to ~+12V. Now, the same songs at the same volume drop the voltage to ~+10V.

What the crap happened?

 

It seems that you have eliminated some resistance in the amplifier circuit, and have generally improved the gounding. The system voltmeter is now reflecting a more accurate reading.

 

Makes sense. Also, less resistance means maybe the amp is working more at its full potential? Does it sound louder, better, cleaner?

 

I've tried listening to see if it sounds louder and/or better, but there's this one rattle that's driving me crazy. I thought the sub was blown, but then I realized there was a correlation between many different elements which must be present in order for the rattle/buzz to occur. I might sort it out today...probably passenger's side sail panel -- I don't have the screw in place.