[330Stevie]

It’s always interesting when people post what they state are the best settings for any audio.

Best advice is drive somewhere quiet, take a coffee then spend some time setting it up to your liking. We all hear differently. There are no right or wrongs at all.

I worked in a hifi shop when at uni, and one of the directors made the only valid point I’ve ever heard and that was along the lines of “unless you listen to all music flatlined as recorded then you are changing it to suit only your ear. If you like it flat and it sounds crap you haven’t spent enough money”

[ibasniper]

Originally Posted by mcscoobs

I have the HK set up in my F31. I'm actually really happy with it overall. However, I do feel like something is "missing", but can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I need to play around with the settings more. Back in the day, I always used to modify the ICE in every car I had, god knows how much I've spent, but was always premium brands (i.e. Focal & Rainbow).

Has anyone had the HK set up and then "upgraded" to improve the sound even further? If so, what did you upgrade to?

OMG...So glad i'm not the only one. I'm going down the route of Dynomat. I noticed some vibration outside in the sills, so figured if that's vibrating what else is doing it. So going to do the sill, all 4 doors, and possible pop the subs out and do underneath. sound deadening made a hell of a different on me E90 so figured it may be a cheap cost upgrade...

[winther1]

Originally Posted by ibasniper

OMG...So glad i'm not the only one. I'm going down the route of Dynomat. I noticed some vibration outside in the sills, so figured if that's vibrating what else is doing it. So going to do the sill, all 4 doors, and possible pop the subs out and do underneath. sound deadening made a hell of a different on me E90 so figured it may be a cheap cost upgrade...

I've got a roll of this and will try to pull off the sills tomorrow. Seems like just a lot of T30 screws and it will pop off
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VDQST...p_mob_ap_share

Was recommended this as a cheaper Dynamat alternative: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SOUND-DEA...Cclp%3A2334524

[flashollie]

https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/c...mwr/isub-bmw-2

I installed these yesterday. Noticeable improvement straight away. Bass is controlled and comes in when it should. Previously the HK subs bass would appear at the wrong time and then linger as a back ground buzz or interference. I have upped the bass to check and it's a much resolved more bass. This isn't how I'd listen to it but it helps demonstrate the improvements.

[winther1]

Originally Posted by flashollie

https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/c...mwr/isub-bmw-2

I installed these yesterday. Noticeable improvement straight away. Bass is controlled and comes in when it should. Previously the HK subs bass would appear at the wrong time and then linger as a back ground buzz or interference. I have upped the bass to check and it's a much resolved more bass. This isn't how I'd listen to it but it helps demonstrate the improvements.

Can the HK amp drive 2ohm or you had a second amp installed for the subs?

[flashollie]

Not a clue mate.

I bought these as plug and play so I assume it can do what you said.......

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by winther1

Can the HK amp drive 2ohm or you had a second amp installed for the subs?

I was just about to type the same response.
HK amp will overheat & subsequently fail.
2 ohm woofers are not compatible with it.

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

I was just about to type the same response.
HK amp will overheat & subsequently fail.
2 ohm woofers are not compatible with it.

https://www.focal-inside.com/bmw/en/...2012-2018-f31/

"* Focal Inside solutions are compatible with most original hi-fi option (Standard, Top Hi-Fi, etc.) except for subwoofers from the Harman hi-fi option."

Oh. So the term plug and play isnt quite right then if you have teh HK amp? I am sure the advice came from some where in this forum but I read it a while ago if I did read it.
This sucks then.

I guess I missed the bit about the HK amp not being compatible but the other amps were.
Hey ho live and learn

So solutions please?

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1763310

Bit pricey?!

[winther1]

Originally Posted by flashollie

https://www.focal-inside.com/bmw/en/...2012-2018-f31/

"* Focal Inside solutions are compatible with most original hi-fi option (Standard, Top Hi-Fi, etc.) except for subwoofers from the Harman hi-fi option."

Oh. So the term plug and play isnt quite right then if you have teh HK amp? I am sure the advice came from some where in this forum but I read it a while ago if I did read it.
This sucks then.

I guess I missed the bit about the HK amp not being compatible but the other amps were.
Hey ho live and learn

So solutions please?

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1763310

Bit pricey?!

It might be cheaper to sell the subs and get 4 ohms. But from reading t5pilot's detailed posts, you will get far better sound running the 2ohms with a separate amp. Surely there must be some cheaper options out there

[t5pilot]

Yeah, that Audison amp is great, but really for upgrading base audio. I don't think (off the top of my head) it's compatible with the MOST HK connection.
So, if you want to retain a plug & play solution, you ideally need 4 ohm woofers. The HK amp will drive those fine & because that's 3 ohms less than the stock woofers, they'll be louder.
If you can't return the Focals, you may struggle to sell them on, being 2 ohm.
In which case, you're going to have to think about keeping them & amping them separately, exactly as I did.
Or, if you can send them back or sell them, think about just separately amping the stock woofers. They are good units with additional amplification.
It really boils down to how much you're comfortable spending overall.

[winther1]

The 4-ohm ISUBBMW4 Focal subs:
Max. power 180W
Nom. power 90W RMS
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 83dB
Frequency response 35Hz-200Hz

For comparison, what are the specs for the HK subs?

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Yeah, that Audison amp is great, but really for upgrading base audio. I don't think (off the top of my head) it's compatible with the MOST HK connection.
So, if you want to retain a plug & play solution, you ideally need 4 ohm woofers. The HK amp will drive those fine & because that's 3 ohms less than the stock woofers, they'll be louder.
If you can't return the Focals, you may struggle to sell them on, being 2 ohm.
In which case, you're going to have to think about keeping them & amping them separately, exactly as I did.
Or, if you can send them back or sell them, think about just separately amping the stock woofers. They are good units with additional amplification.
It really boils down to how much you're comfortable spending overall.

I can't send them back. Bought them on a whim about a year ago. Ready to fit once car out of warranty.

So I'm stuck with them and from what you advise looks like I amping them separately. Which you may not be surprised to hear sounds like it is beyond my current skill set.

So what's my shopping list look like - I'm thinking of getting this done by a specialist.

[G50]

Type Subwoofer
Woofer 10" (200mm)
Magnet Neodymium
Cone Black Polyglass
Surround Butyl
Impedance 2Ω
Max. power 180W
Nom. power 90W RMS
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 83dB
Frequency response 35Hz-200Hz

Specs taken from the Focal Website... wouldn't have expected them to make a mistake like Woofer 10" (200mm)...

[Bigfish786]

I've not had my car long, so I'm still getting used to the HK sound. But first impression is not great.
I was expecting much more.
The focus had Sony.
The Mazda Bose.
So, after the first 335d came with standard audio I made sure the replacement had the HK setup.
Both the Sony and Bose systems sounded better.
It's not bad at low volume, but sounds disorganised at medium + volume.

Just glad the six pot makes a nice noise. 😊

[Ennoch]

And there was me happy with the system having come from a 18yr old Honda CRV and a 17yr old rattly Impreza with no sound deadening and a 10+yr old Alpine headunit! It's not as good as some, and not in the league of the Meridian in my dad's Evoque but it's still decent enough IMO, certainly up to the max volume I would choose to listen at while driving...

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

Yeah, that Audison amp is great, but really for upgrading base audio. I don't think (off the top of my head) it's compatible with the MOST HK connection.
So, if you want to retain a plug & play solution, you ideally need 4 ohm woofers. The HK amp will drive those fine & because that's 3 ohms less than the stock woofers, they'll be louder.
If you can't return the Focals, you may struggle to sell them on, being 2 ohm.
In which case, you're going to have to think about keeping them & amping them separately, exactly as I did.
Or, if you can send them back or sell them, think about just separately amping the stock woofers. They are good units with additional amplification.
It really boils down to how much you're comfortable spending overall.

So to amp the Focal subs I've been advised to fit the Audison SR 4.300 amplifier bridged. Looks to be 330 for the amp about 150 for for fitting and 45 for cables.
Any comments - is this decent kit and a decent price?

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by flashollie

So to amp the Focal subs I've been advised to fit the Audison SR 4.300 amplifier bridged. Looks to be 330 for the amp about 150 for for fitting and 45 for cables.
Any comments - is this decent kit and a decent price?

Tbh, that sounds quite good for doing the job, including the power & speaker cables.
As for the Amp... you can only go with what is compatible. You will have to take the fitters word for it. I don't know exactly how bridging works. That amp is rated to feed 4 x 130w @2ohm or 2 x 130w @2ohm + 1 x 260w @4ohm. So it may well be doable.
It certainly looks a versatile Amp, and Audison is good stuff.
But do properly double check. According to its spec sheet, it's NOT an option. Spec sheet is here: https://www.audison.eu/wp-content/up...Tech_Sheet.pdf

I'm sure your fitter won't end up stuffing you, as long as they're reputable.

[t5pilot]

But as G50 has pointed out... CHECK YOUR WOOFERS!

If they're 200mm they won't fit no matter what. I doubt even with a spacer it'll fit, there's not much room before hitting the seat base.
180mm is the size needed for our cars.

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

But as G50 has pointed out... CHECK YOUR WOOFERS!

If they're 200mm they won't fit no matter what. I doubt even with a spacer it'll fit, there's not much room before hitting the seat base.
180mm is the size needed for our cars.

Oh yeah thanks forgot, I did that they are in and fitted so they are definitely 180mm!

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by flashollie

Oh yeah thanks forgot, I did that they are in and fitted so they are definitely 180mm!

In that case are they definitely 2 ohm? Cos you obviously don't have the woofers you provided the link for.
Edit: Just looked again. The 10" size must be a typo. My bad, of course, 200mm is 8".
I remember now, you said you had them fitted.
I presume as they are, they're very overpowering & clippy? Driven from the HK amp?

[flashollie]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

In that case are they definitely 2 ohm? Cos you obviously don't have the woofers you provided the link for.
Edit: Just looked again. The 10" size must be a typo. My bad, of course, 200mm is 8".
I remember now, you said you had them fitted.
I presume as they are, they're very overpowering & clippy? Driven from the HK amp?

I wouldn't say over powering. Subdued and brief would be a better description.

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by flashollie

I wouldn't say over powering. Subdued and brief would be a better would be a better description.

So, they don't sound quite"right"?
That's what I would expect tbh. Yeah, if you just leave them like that, they will probably deteriorate until the HK amp gives up & fries.
Like I said, just check carefully if that Audison amp is actually compatible.
I remember my choices were very limited. I was fortunate, as I like Hertz stuff, it was the first manufacturer I checked.