[Efficiently dynamic]

Hi all,

Really hoping someone knowledgeable in car audio can help me with this problem please.

My setup started as the basic system with bmw professional headunit and I arranged for a well-known and what I thought reputable company to install the following for me:
- focal krs 100 speakers in the doors
- alpine pdx f4 amp
- jbl ms8
- vibe slick 4 speaker as centre and to replace rear parcel shelf speakers
- mr Singh 4 channel harness
I left the subs as OEM as I thought it would be simpler to upgrade them later on when budget allowed.
All seemed to go well, the install is hidden and while the quality doesn't blow me away, it is a big improvement over what it was, although I am hoping to upgrade the underseats soon.

My problem is that every time I insert the key into the dash, there is a pop through the speakers and if I push the starter button, there is a loud "thud" which comes through the underseat woofers! It is so loud, it can be heard from outside the car!! If I just sit in the car without starting it, every 10 seconds or so there is a smaller thump noise but not nearly as bad as the start up thud. The only way I have found to stop it, is to mute the ms8 before I push the car starter button. Turning down volumes, switching inputs etc doesn't cure it.

So, I phoned up the installer company (who charged me a lot for the install) and they rather arrogantly denied there was anything wrong with their install and said it must be my products at fault. They said their install warranty therefore wouldn't apply and any troubleshooting would be chargeable!! To say the guy was rude would be an understatement! Suffice to say I will never go near their company again if that is the way they value customers!

Anyway, I have since spoken to two other companies both of whom have given me different advice; one seems to think it is because the wrong power source has been used from the cig lighter, but then started talking about 2ohms to 4ohms and the headunit and wiring being the
Iikely cause, and the other said he would need basically an open cheque to look at the install until he resolved the problem......I simply cannot afford this.

So, I am praying that someone on here with knowledge of the bmw setup along with the jbl ms8 can help me or at least point me towards someone who knows what they are talking about and can hopefully fix this problem. I am happy to pay for time, but not hundreds of £ just for someone to then turn around and tell me they couldn't find anything wrong. I am happy to drive almost anywhere to get this fixed.

Please, please, please can someone help.

Gaz

[Sparky68]

Bad earth somewhere.

[macck]

Sounds like the gain control may be to high on the amp. Did they level match the speakers when setting it up the jbl ms8. Also is the amp been turned on via the ms8.

[Efficiently dynamic]

Well to be honest they were less than complimentary about the MS8, calling it a "toy". They wanted me to use the audison bit processor but I had already bought the MS8. They definitely did not level match the speakers as I strongly suspect it was the first time they had installed one. Also I found that when I twisted my head, the sound "moved" and I don't think they even fully ran through each of the seating position settings properly. I have since done this and it sounds a lot better than it did but not perfect.
I remember the guy saying he had to tone down the centre speaker and the gain as it was too bassy.
What I really need is someone who knows all the tricks to get the best out of the ms8 and is good with electrics. I am ok at technical stuff, but know nothing about car electrics.
I can't get to the amp to see how it is powered as it is hidden in the left hand portion of the boot. How do I remove the trim easily?

[macck]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...jbl+ms8+thread

Some useful info in this thread. If you can get at the ms8 easier see if have used the amp supply feed.

[Rudz]

I have a setup with an MS8, heard pop's too when i started my car, Makkan00 the forum audio guru sorted it for me, pm him mate, he'll guide u on what needs to be done

[Efficiently dynamic]

Thanks for the advice and very re-assuring to know that there is a fix. I'll contact Sam now as have ready many good things about his work and am pretty sure he runs an MS8 himself.

Cheers,
Gaz

[Efficiently dynamic]

The thing I don't get is how a supposed professional installer could miss such an obvious thing. Of course I don't know the exact fix yet, until Sam can take a look, but can't wait to find out!

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by Efficiently dynamic

The thing I don't get is how a supposed professional installer could miss such an obvious thing. Of course I don't know the exact fix yet, until Sam can take a look, but can't wait to find out!

My install was done by a "so called professional" & had so many thumps, bangs and rattling subs that it was like having Ginger Baker in the car. The only thing that made the installer a professional was his ability to charge for his services.

Sam improved the whole setup 1000% by correctly adjusting gains etc but I still get the odd light thump, which I think is when the canbus switches off.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Efficiently dynamic

The thing I don't get is how a supposed professional installer could miss such an obvious thing. Of course I don't know the exact fix yet, until Sam can take a look, but can't wait to find out!

Unfortunately, there are only 1-2 proper tuners for MS-8 in whole UK. Its hardly recognized and appreciated in UK and most of the installers / people go for audison as recommended to you.


Problem is MS-8 here itself once you rule out the remote input into the MS-8.
Check the source of remote input into MS-8.

Other way of checking it would be to reduce the volume on MS-8 lower than -6db (so 6 - 10db) and if click disappears, then its defo MS-8.


Now two options to solve it:
1- go on MS-8 website and download the latest firmware of MS-8. Read all the instructions how to update the firmware on MS-8. And update it. (there is always a risk of bricking it).
Some old MS-8 had this well known issue and was resolved with the firmware upgrade.
2- If it does not resolve, then get rid of it and buy BNIB MS-8.

All the best.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by IanS100

My install was done by a "so called professional" & had so many thumps, bangs and rattling subs that it was like having Ginger Baker in the car. The only thing that made the installer a professional was his ability to charge for his services.

Sam improved the whole setup 1000% by correctly adjusting gains etc but I still get the odd light thump, which I think is when the canbus switches off.

Thanks Ian for your kind words.

Two possible issues if you get light thump.
1- If your amp is auto sensing and there is no remote wire installed, it might be culprit due to delay in turning on.
2- Check RCA cables going from one amp to another and the one going to main amp. If my memory serves me right, the RCA cables going from one amp to second wasn't top quality. Just press the aluminium terminal part to make it tight fit and see if that helps.

Good luck.

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by makkan00

1- If your amp is auto sensing and there is no remote wire installed, it might be culprit due to delay in turning on.

I think it is auto sensing, it originally had the remote trigger attached but said “professional installer” disconnected it in an effort to stop the thump – it didn’t work

Originally Posted by makkan00

2- Check RCA cables going from one amp to another and the one going to main amp. If my memory serves me right, the RCA cables going from one amp to second wasn't top quality. Just press the aluminium terminal part to make it tight fit and see if that helps.

Good luck.

Cheers, It doesn’t surprise me that he used sub-standard cables, I’ll have a look and maybe pick up some decent replacements, but I’ll check over the wiring.

He originally installed it with left & right channels the wrong way round – it had me quite foxed when I tried tweaking the balance