[cptn_ahab]

Hi All

Has anyone experienced blown speakers with the Alpine upgrade? I had it installed by a dealer and the bass speakers have been replaced twice (after blowing) and the head unit replaced once.

BMW are telling me that they will honour the warranty (thanks BMW it runs out next month! ) but no more. They cannot tell me what is causing the fault though and are not prepared to investigate fully.

I read somewhere that the bass speakers are not replaced as part of the upgrade and that the head unit is too powerful(?) for them but am not sure if this is true.

If anyone could share any issues that they have had, that would be helpful - or let me know what I should do next - I'm planning on taking it to an independent for a full test at my cost.

Cheers

[mistryn]

One of the possibility comes to my mind is ohmage, i am not too in the know about this but if the amp/wiring is wired up with wrong ohmage that could lead too much power being sent to the sub/voice coils and causing to blow?

Just a thought (not saying this is the case)

[cptn_ahab]

Thanks a lot for the response. I'll have someone look at this.

[raf555]

I've had the alpine kit installed and the left side speaker / tweeter crackles or cuts out altogether quite regularly.... Annoying!!!!

Any ideas what it can be?

[mob17]

It might be due to the fact that your base stereo woofers are getting too much power. When i had them, i always had my XD gains low on them. I could never understand why the OEM Alpine upgrade didnt replace the woofers and powered the original ones with 80w.

It might be an idea to source some second hand L7 woofers. They are bigger but will fit in your existing enclosures. Some people have done this and have had good results, as they are bigger (8") and can handle more power.

Why was your HU replaced?

[cptn_ahab]

Not too sure really - when it went in for the first repair, I collected the car the speaker failed immediately so it went back in. At this point, the dealer was told by BMW to replace the HU presumably because they couldn't work out why it failed and thought that this would fix it.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have this checked out and see what can be done.

[BanziBarn]

Interesting post.

One of my woofers is popping and I was wondering where I stood with warranty and the Alpine update. I have an extended warranty though, so not sure how that will affect things.

I think the L7 subs are the way to go though as they're the same resistance as the standard ones.... expensive though. I wonder if BMW, if they agree to replace under warranty would allow you to pay the extra and get L7? I doubt it.

[makkan00]

I have seen few issues with BMW Alpine kits.

Worst: problem with few amplifiers of alpine kit. If your sub was cooked twice, then amp should be replaced before headunit.

Also consider what mob17 has mentioned. What settings are you bass and treble and what sort of volume are you on most of the time?

Here is trouble shoot guide for you guys who are having issues.
1- Check that your kit is installed by colour macthing the wires and not by manual of alpine kit (for LCI alpine kit).
2- If that is correct, please check your harness thoroughly. There may be a wire which is getting earth or due to pressure, it is exposed and getting earthed. (Raf555, especially you mate).
3- If you have installed by BMW, were you car coded to hi-fi (if applicable)?
4- Check the impedence of your drivers by voltmeter and make sure readings are same. If there is a difference, get a pair replaced under warranty. If you run out of warrnty, shop for used pair.
5- If your kit is still frying your drivers, then contact your kit provider and your amp should be changed if under warranty. If out of warranty, then no other options of living with it.
6- If all other measures are failed to resolve your issue, then exhange your head unit with yours mate and see if that helps.

If you follow these, you should be able to resolve the issues.

[raf555]

Took mine back to BMW specialist who fitted and he took doorcard off and had a fiddle with wires.... Result mo more cracking or cut outs well so far but it's only been 24 hrs!!

[AdrianSi]

Ive got L7 subs with my Alpine kit and imo the amp is too powerful even for the L7s. If you listen at loud volume and base much more than the 0 setting then I can fully believe that the base subs have blown. I have my bass set at about +2 bars and at high volumes you can hear the L7 subs starting to distort. I'm starting to think the alpine amp might be capable of driving sws-8's but that a whole other subject and debate!

Check the switch position on your amp. On the underside of the amp which will be velcoed in position. Do you have professional navigation or professional headunit?