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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Navigation, iDrive, Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics > Bimmer-Tech - Amp Upgrade - Base Stereo Only (F3x / F8x)
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      06-04-2016, 03:04 PM   #89
Lancelot
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Center speaker installation

Step 1:Ordering the grills from the dealer - DONE
Part #51459239291 for my 03/2014 F30

I happen to not exactly have the same grills as you, older model, so the place for the clips is different

Step 2:Cut into the dash - DONE
Check that there is indeed a space for a 10cm mid and a tweeter;
and there is indeed

Step 3: Order another Focal 100KRS kit - DONE

Step 4: mount the speaker & wires - coming next
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      06-05-2016, 12:33 AM   #90
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How did the cutting go? Any pictures? Did my template was of any use? Because you have the old model center cover...
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      06-05-2016, 01:37 AM   #91
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I'll provide some pictures later, I haven't completely finished the job, I cut out the center part where the speakers lie, but not yet the holes for the attachment points.

Your template was definitely useful in guiding for the center part, and in any case for giving me the method, and the confidence to go ahead

Cutting is actually not too difficult, but not very easy either:
material is composed of soft foam (abt 4-5mm thick) + 2mm hard plastic (ABS probably), which requires some efforts to cut into, in a very narrow space.

For the bigger part it was a 15min job with a cutter; now I think I need to buy a scalpel to manage the smaller holes.
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      06-05-2016, 07:00 PM   #92
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Amp Mode Settings

Got a 4gc with base audio - installed bav speakers. Next is the bimmer-tech amp - question - how to configure the MODE switches for base woofers and bav stage one?
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      06-06-2016, 03:38 PM   #93
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I think you can leave them alone until you have listened to your setup with the bimmertech EQ for the BAV speakers defined. Only then you'll know if you need a boost of the sound level, or just for the subs.
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      06-06-2016, 05:30 PM   #94
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Ok - installed the amp - front speakers gone! Is this because the signal went through the disconnected sub wire? What's the fix?

Thanks guys

Nelson - help pls
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      06-07-2016, 12:41 AM   #95
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The problem was these jumpers do need to put inline. Problem solved.
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      06-07-2016, 12:42 AM   #96
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New problem - when the stereo is on and I open the hatch the amp turns off

Thoughts?

It is wired correctly and all connections are solid as well...
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      06-07-2016, 03:34 AM   #97
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Where did you plug the 12V cable? The amp stays on most of the time normally.
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      06-07-2016, 03:57 AM   #98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lancelot
Where did you plug the 12V cable? The amp stays on most of the time normally.
Directly to the battery. I used to work in car audio so I am 100% positive on the wiring as per BimmerTech less than detailed instructions.

Wonder if it's a coding issue?
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      06-08-2016, 03:46 AM   #99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwjpn View Post
Directly to the battery. I used to work in car audio so I am 100% positive on the wiring as per BimmerTech less than detailed instructions.

Wonder if it's a coding issue?
Shouldn't be a coding issue for that. Where did you attach the earth lead?

I use this point just on the wheel arch as a secure earth point:

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      06-08-2016, 03:54 PM   #100
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Center speaker installation continued

Dash after cutout and speakers installed:

Not the prettiest job in the world... but it does the job.

Grill in position


And pushed into place:


Now i'm much more happy with the sound, no more this imbalanced level between a very close to the ear left speaker and a very far right speaker, it's much more even and enjoyable, despite what some purists say about the stereo image not being good with the center speaker, I like it a lot.
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      06-09-2016, 01:08 AM   #101
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Was it difficult to get the wiring at the center channel?
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      06-09-2016, 01:13 AM   #102
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No, not really; there is a hole underneath the speaker cradle, all you need is to remove the center trim, and guide the wires from the trunk.
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      06-09-2016, 03:54 AM   #103
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Brilliant! I plan to do the same. Just need to buy the speaker from BSW.

I think I should do my underseat subs first though.
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      06-10-2016, 04:21 PM   #104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lancelot View Post
No, not really; there is a hole underneath the speaker cradle, all you need is to remove the center trim, and guide the wires from the trunk.
What do you mean by center trim? The alu trim beneath the air vents?
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      06-11-2016, 01:28 AM   #105
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The whole block with center vents; i stuffed the crossover box in there as well
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      07-12-2016, 04:32 PM   #106
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help

Quote:
Originally Posted by beanbaguk View Post
This is really for owners who've upgraded their base stereo system with bavsound stage 1 kits, and then decided to upgrade to the Bimmer-Tech premium audio kit afterwards.

I've had HUGE issues getting my premium audio system to work. I won't go into a mass of details, but short of the long; I was getting a lot of clipping at 2/3 volume and above.

I've worked very closely with Bimmer-Tech who've been brilliant trying to suggest all manner of things to resolve the issue. (Cables, battery, configurations, everything).

Last night however I finally managed to get through to Bavsound and I think I found the cause.

The bavsound front mid-range speakers come with an in-line filter, (I am not talking about the tweeter cross-over filter), and this is used to improve the sound quality when the output is from a base stereo HU system which is very very low.

However, the new signal from the Bimmer-Tech amp is of course much more powerful and therefore, this filter is no longer required and will potentially cause problems, (including clipping).

The short of the long is it has to be removed.

(Hifi BSW S1 users will note this filter does not exist with their set-ups.)

Tonight I plan to remove this filter from my BSW speakers and I'm literally praying my new amp issues are all resolved!

I'll post an update on this as soon as I've completed the changes so unless you are feeling adventurous, please don't make any changes yourself until I've reported back.

Remember, you do all these changes at your own risk and I take no responsibility for my suggestions!!!

Fingers crossed this works!!!

beanbaguk,

Have you been able to resolve all your issues? Are you satsified with the bimmertech amp and is it worth the investment? much better sound or diminishing returns?

Am new to this forum and have a 2013 f30 with base stereo, upgraded with Bavsound stage 1 and ghost subs. Now I am looking to add the bimmertech amp.

Could you share the installation instructions/video you were developping?

thanks, greatly appreciated
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      07-20-2016, 11:09 AM   #107
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Hi does anyone know if the below cable comes with the standard base cable kit? or need to special order from Bimmertech? I plan to add the center speaker to my BimmerTech Base System which was installed by a shop and i don't remember if my cable was like below or not. Would like to know this info so i'll know what parts i need to prepare before hand. Thank you!

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      07-20-2016, 01:03 PM   #108
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These are three pairs of cable, you probably used two pairs for the underseat subs, the third pair should be left unwired for use; this is the one i used for the center speaker.
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      08-07-2016, 07:56 AM   #109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleBlackHawk View Post
Interesting find out. I also have ASD in my car with base sound system. I think ASD is standard on all F30 starting 2014. Currently i am using the harness come with the amp and no big issue except weak bass. (I talked a local shop who is the Match AMP authorized agent, and he said PP82 is not powerful enough to drive Focal Subs, but this is another story).

As for the harness, i suspect Bimmertech has taken the ASD wiring into account since all my speakers are making sounds.
To come back to this:
Bimmertech agreed to make a small harness that takes the signals of all the speakers at the ASD (yes, they are all there). That is a lot easier to install because the ASD is where you put the amp! (no need for a harness going all the way to the head-unit). It took some time because I had to deliver them the serial numbers of the ASD plug and then vacation etc.
Also this small harness creates an installation that has the exact same sequence as an OEM Hifi setup: HU > ASD > AMP > SPEAKERS. The harness is being shipped from USA to Poland, and then to me. ETA: not sure
I'm looking forward to the install and finally to test my new setup!
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      09-04-2016, 03:17 PM   #110
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New TUNE Alert :

F36 Gran Coupe with Full Bavsound speaker upgrade including ghost underseat woofers.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9...VpUcjZMbjZxOW8
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