[Technic]

Customer shows up with a botched MS-8 integration into his OEM Logic7 system. Main complaint: it just does not sound good. At all.

Equipment to be installed/re-installed:

- CDT CL-42SL front component set (new)
- CDT CL 4EX center coaxial (new)
- JBL MS-8 (reused)
- Alpine PDX-F4 (new)
- Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 (reused)
- JL Audio XD600/1 (reused)
- Musicar 12" enclosure with JL Audio 12W6 (reused)

Underseat woofers, rear and sides speakers are kept OEM. No OEM wires cut. 100% reversible back to stock.

For the MS-8 and OEM Logic7 integration my only recommendation is removing completely the OEM amp. This will take care of the three inherent problems with the OEM Logic7 interface with the MS-8:

- uneven high level inputs to the MS-8
- MS-8 Input Setup must be used to sum, de-EQ and low level convert the OEM amp outputs
- speed-dependent volume and equalization of OEM amp outputs

There are two options to remove completely the OEM amp: mObridge DA2 or decoding the OEM HU/iDrive to output HiFi signals (low level, full range, balanced signal outputs).

These are the notes for the decoding of the OEM Logic7 to HiFi process and install:

CDT slim 4" selected to replace shallow E92 front component set:


CDT installed in front doors (PnP):


OEM center speaker replacement:






HiFi conversion Quadralock RCA/remote turn on cable for OEM Logic7 systems:














Removal of OEM amp and MOST termination:










Final install:


Notes:

1) There is a slight improvement in clarity by just changing the front and center speakers and nothing else with the Logic7 system. The volume level is lower due to the increase of impedance (from OEM 2ohms to the CDT 4ohm) however raising the volume makes it up very nicely.

2) Customer forgot the MS-8 headphones/microphone, so no calibration after the install. However, the last MS-8 configuration was still there and it sounded right away louder and clearer than OEM. Bass and midbass was above and beyond OEM. All amp gains were kept at minimum.

Configuration was:

- PDX powering CDT front and underseat OEM woofers
- PBR powering rear/side OEM speakers and CDT center
- XD powering 12W6

3) Customer drove from Orlando to South Florida for the install. There was no noise, whine, pops or sound quality swings (due to OEM speed-dependent volume, no speed-dependent equalization with HiFi signals) in the 3 hour drive back. Clean sound all the way.

4) Next day customer calls and calibration steps are done by phone. Standard/default calibration for my MS-8 installs are...

Output channels:

- CH1 = Left front
- CH2 = Right front
- CH3 = Left rear
- CH4 = Right rear
- CH5 = Center
- CH6 = Left woofer
- CH7 = Right woofer
- CH8 = Mono Sub

Acoustic setup:

- skip input setup
- Sub = 1, subsonic at 20Hz at 24dB slope, low pass at 60Hz at 18dB slope
- Front = 2-way, 160Hz at 12dB
- Center = 1-way, 160Hz at 18dB
- Sides = 1-way, 160Hz at 18dB
- Rears = none

Calibration volume = -25dB

Main volume after calibration = -6dB

First calibration went great, customer extremely happy. Have not called back since.

[taibanl]

Did you advise him to do a post -cal gain adjust for midbass p or something else?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Did you advise him to do a post -cal gain adjust for midbass p or something else?

I only recommend further calibrations if the voices are not clear to the customer or the Bluetooth echo is unbearable. Other than that, I recommend adjusting the gains on the underseat woofer amp channels and/or sub or/and adjusting the 31-band EQ after a successful calibration.

[DDoles]

It was well worth the 3 hour drive to get it installed the right way. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. The musicar level 2 can be overpowering, but after making a few adjustments, I love the overall balance.

[bmw325i]

Is that extra wire that you ran with the rca's a ground, to reduce noise? Or is it your remote wire?

Also what part numbers did you use for the fiber optic loop?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Is that extra wire that you ran with the rca's a ground, to reduce noise? Or is it your remote wire?

Also what part numbers did you use for the fiber optic loop?

HiFi conversion Quadralock RCA/remote turn on cable for OEM Logic7 systems:

MOST termination loop P/N are posted in the forum.

[bmw325i]

I couldn't find a for sure answer on which parts I need for the termination loop, which is the reason I didn't do it when I recoded. I think I need 61136917978 and 61136917541.

Also you don't have any problems with noise running the remote wire with the RCA's?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

I couldn't find a for sure answer on which parts I need for the termination loop, which is the reason I didn't do it when I recoded. I think I need 61136917978 and 61136917541.

Also you don't have any problems with noise running the remote wire with the RCA's?

No noise...

[drinkcoke3]

what RCA cable is that to get the signal from the HU to the MS-8, and where can I get one? I need that for my setup!

[constantin_md]

I have just got a 2006 e90 4 doors and i hate that the car has idrive and ilogic 7. I was even thinking of replacing the dashboard console to non-idrive so i can install double din pioneer(i love those), but it is kinda scary to do the job, removing airbags and all that...
I'm glad i found this thread, but i'm confused about the "HiFi conversion Quadralock RCA/remote turn on cable for OEM Logic7 systems"
I see that it has only 4 channels.
What i would like to do is installing a 5 channel amp(front door, rear doors and underseat subwoofers in parralel) and 1 mono amp for a subwoofer in trunk.
Will Quadraloc RCA/remote cable be enough for this setup(maybe rca splitters?) and Is there any way to do this without buying the MS-8 or other sound processors? (pricey)
Also how is the reprograming done and what is the cost?
thank you

[om046498]

where did you get the RCA cable from? need it for my set up Technic

[Technic]

Originally Posted by om046498

where did you get the RCA cable from? need it for my set up Technic

That is my cable...

[om046498]

how much is it? i need one

[Technic]

Originally Posted by om046498

how much is it? i need one

Please use PM.