[tmac01]

Hello everyone,
this is my first post but I've been reading this forum for about 6 months now. I recently purchased a 2008 328i with the hi fi sound system and did a full upgrade. I first installed the SWS 8xi and I'm running them with a fosgate p300. I did that for a while but needed more bass so I installed a 10" JL W3 in a stealth box that I got off of eBay I love the look of it. I then added CDT Audio CL 41's and a fosgate 5 channel amp and its just missing something. It's somewhat muddy at times and then some songs sound decent. I need some advice on what could possibly be wrong. I also wanted to ask if the JBL MS8 would fix some of my problems like lack of mids and just a overall dull sound. I've spent hours tuning this system but just can't get that quality sound I'm looking for. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[cdgatti]

How do you have the crossovers set up between the sws and our cdt mids?

[tmac01]

Do you mean the CDT's crossovers ? Or the frequency settings on the amps ?

[tmac01]

I might need some suggestions Cdgatti to be sure I have them set up correctly. I would greatly appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks

[ctuna]

How about some info on the way you set it up.
Like a block diagram with all the settings.
Did you remove the original amp?
What are the specs of the fosgate amps?

[tmac01]

The SWS are being ran at two ohms at 150 watts x 2. The prime 5 R 600-5 cannel amp is being ran at 4 ohms to the front and rears at 50 watts X 4. The jl audio 10" jlw3 is being ran at 2 ohms @ 300 watts and the frequency level is to 60. I have the front components set at all pass and around a frequency of 100-125 I've tried both, the rears are set the same and the volume levels the same. The SWS's are set at a frequency of around 80 on LP I've tried different settings but this is the best I could get them to sound. It's just muddy with a little distortion. Most of this setup was done professionally but I was involved in the setup since I have experience installing car audio. I hope this helps
, thank you.....

[tmac01]

No I didn't remove the original amp that's where the signal is coming from. I forgot to add that. The signal to my amps is coming from the original amp.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by tmac01

No I didn't remove the original amp that's where the signal is coming from. I forgot to add that. The signal to my amps is coming from the original amp.

Pm technic for a harness. Delete OEM amp.

[tmac01]

I can't PM yet but maybe Technic will see this. Do you think this is my problem and can you explain to me exactly what the harness will do ? I want to be able to tell my install guy so he knows. Thanks

[tmac01]

One other thing I thought the harness was just to help you not have to cut wires it was just to make installing easier how would this harness affect my sound quality or make it better ? Thank you

[bmw325i]

Set a high pass on your front and rear speakers around 150 hz, and set the low pass on the sws to 150.

Removing your stock amp would be the right way to do it, but that amp doesn't accept balanced inputs.

[ctuna]

Using amp to drive another amp(of similar size) is not good.
You are amplifing all the negitive qualitys of original amp.
And the specs on the original amp are not that good.
With the Technic Harness and the proper level matching it
will be better. It would be even better if you didn't use a cheap
fosgate amp. If the guy that put this in the first place didn't know this
chances are you should seek help somewhere else.

The Harness plugs directly into the single plug that the OEM amp
plugs into and breaks out the signals so you can hook up any aftermarket amp (well 99%) and route the outputs to the speakers. Technics Harness also has a relay to buffer the amp turn on signal so multiple amps can be turned on .
But the basic purpose is not to have to cut into the wiring and mess it up and to make things easy.

If your amps do not accept balanced differential inputs you may need a level adapter of some kind.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by tmac01

One other thing I thought the harness was just to help you not have to cut wires it was just to make installing easier how would this harness affect my sound quality or make it better ? Thank you

The HiFi OEM amp outputs are already crossovered -front and rear at about 150Hz HP and underseat woofers at 150Hz LP.

What that means is that you are feeding high level, slightly EQ, already filtered signals as inputs to your aftermarket amps without any correction. That is where the muddyness is coming from.

The OEM HU/iDrive HiFi system outputs low level, full range, flat, low distortion, high voltage and balanced signals. That is the signal that you should be using as inputs to your amps.

The OEM amp got to go.

[tmac01]

Technic can I get a harness from you ? The place I took it to is a nice place just haven't worked on many BMWs. When I told them about the harness and read this to them they were like "ohhhh got it that makes total sense"

[tmac01]

Technic I sent you a PM ! Thank you

[tmac01]

Thank you Ctuna for your help and advice it's greatly appreciated. I wouldn't consider fosgate amps cheap their are far far more worse plus its what my budget allowed me. Thanks again !!!!!

[ctuna]

Technic can help you more than I can.
Its a business for him for me its just and interest.
And also it's really hard to find a standard audio shop
that understands BMW's .

[tmac01]

You can say that again Ctuna : )

[tmac01]

One more thing ! So the harness is bought from Technic ? I just wanted to be sure, thanks....

[ctuna]

Technic is the source for harnesses and other stuff.
I didn't think he first name was Tom though.

[tmac01]

Fixed ! Typing on my iPhone ! Okay I'll wait on his reply. Thank you Ctuna

[tmac01]

One more question ! I'm going to buy a guys MS-8 off of here and it comes with the harness I just need one correct ? Thanks