Blaupunkt Plug'N'Play Amp install.....

gIzzE · 07-27-2008, 06:10 PM

You really want 4ohm versions, you can then wire these as a 2ohm load to get the most out of an amps sub channel.

gIzzE · 07-27-2008, 06:12 PM

Just to add, 2 single voice coil subs can be wired as the following....

4ohm
Wired in parallel as a 2ohm load
Wired in series as an 8ohm load
Wired to each channel as 4ohm load.

2ohm
wired in parralel as 1ohm load.
wired in series as a 4ohm load.
wired to each channel as a 2ohm load.

scampos1984 · 07-28-2008, 11:18 AM

Thanks, I'll go for the 4 ohms

dazzapb · 07-28-2008, 12:48 PM

Fitted the amp on Sat, wow it was involved and scary, but very pleased with the results. Had problems routing the cable to the boot, so I routed it under the back seat (its pops out on the coupe with a big pull)

I managed to snap one of the plastic connectors (tiny groove) on the climate unit, don't think this is a big problem. I should of removed the trim (stop start button area) first, I found it much easier pulling this away from the start.stop button side.

Getting the trim strip back on by the seat wasn't easy and getting the oversize head unit back in was tricky (hope I'm not blocking the fan!)

Thanks Gizze & crimmson!, great help and great results.

The sound is warmer and louder, still have break up at max volume but I guess that the speakers and I have left all the dials at default on the 2 channel amp.

Cheers!!!!!

gIzzE · 07-28-2008, 02:26 PM

When you say you have left the dials on default what are they on??

You need the gain on the lowest setting 8v input I think it is.
You are matching the output level of the head unit with the input level on the amp, getting wrong can cause serious damage, you will hear it as distortion.

dazzapb · 07-29-2008, 05:47 AM

thanks gizze, the switches are level, hi pass and low pass. level is 8v, hi pass 10hz and low pass (off)

I seem to get distortion at high vol, (bass set to normal)

kend · 07-29-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzapb

thanks gizze, the switches are level, hi pass and low pass. level is 8v, hi pass 10hz and low pass (off)

I seem to get distortion at high vol, (bass set to normal)

I canot comment on the switch settings as I am a long way from my car.
I do get some distortion if I crank the volume up too high, I think this is were the stock speakers show their limitations.

CrimsonRedE93 · 07-29-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzapb

Fitted the amp on Sat, wow it was involved and scary, but very pleased with the results. Had problems routing the cable to the boot, so I routed it under the back seat (its pops out on the coupe with a big pull)

Thanks Gizze & crimmson!, great help and great results.

The sound is warmer and louder, still have break up at max volume but I guess that the speakers and I have left all the dials at default on the 2 channel amp.

Cheers!!!!!

Glad you had fun

I think the front speakers have trouble with the lower frequencies so if I get round to changing the subs I will increase the high pass frequency which should help them a little bit.

It is difficult to explain how it sounds, you know is is better but can't quite find the words

dazzapb · 07-29-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonRedE93

Glad you had fun

I think the front speakers have trouble with the lower frequencies so if I get round to changing the subs I will increase the high pass frequency which should help them a little bit.

It is difficult to explain how it sounds, you know is is better but can't quite find the words

is it worth moving the high pass frequency from 10Hz? as it is now? to try and reduce the break up?

gIzzE · 07-29-2008, 11:48 AM

Your factory subs will only go down to around 45hz so yeah up it now.

I then set the front speakers to cross over at around 120hz and the subs to cut in around the same when the earthquakes are added.

dazzapb · 07-29-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Your factory subs will only go down to around 45hz so yeah up it now.

I then set the front speakers to cross over at around 120hz and the subs to cut in around the same when the earthquakes are added.

Thanks mate,

I'm clueless re: this, just to sum up I have the 275 powering the fronts only.

I noticed that when I upped the Bass level on the head unit (almost to max) the sounds improved greatly, as the the subs were kicking in nicely.

So if the Hi pass is set to 10Hz (lowest) and 250Hz (highest) what Hz level should I try to set?

Cheers!

PS I suppose I could always replace the door speakers as a future mod?

CrimsonRedE93 · 07-29-2008, 02:08 PM

Good info from Gizze, the factory door speakers have a built in high pass filter set at around 50Hz for -3db (half volume) so it is too low when you have increased the power level.

I guess the subs have a low pass filter in them as well as they are wired in parallel with the front door speakers, but I am note sure what the cut off frequency is as I haven't had them apart yet

dazzapb · 07-29-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonRedE93

Good info from Gizze, the factory door speakers have a built in high pass filter set at around 50Hz for -3db (half volume) so it is too low when you have increased the power level.

I guess the subs have a low pass filter in them as well as they are wired in parallel with the front door speakers, but I am note sure what the cut off frequency is as I haven't had them apart yet

confused me even more

So, as you are talking to a moron what do you guys reckon I should do with the dials:

Leave level at 8v

hi pass is set at 10hz - what do I up this too?

Low pass switch is off - do I leave it like this? if not, what do I adjust the dial to?

Cheers guys!

gIzzE · 07-29-2008, 03:57 PM

Yeah, low pass off.

The speakers have their own crossovers in them, well resistors really, but they will cut out the frequencies they can't handle, having said that, the filter on the subs has a big slope on it so some frequencies could get through.

Easiest way to do it is play a tune with a deep bas note, something housey is good, put your stereo on bass -0 and adjust the high pass, you will hear when the bass is getting less, when you get to this point knock it back a touch, it will be around the 40-50hz mark I would guess.

MOB · 07-30-2008, 10:33 AM

I've bought a 555 and 5m cable from Bluespot.

Plan to fit it all at the weekend.

Thanks for a great thread gIzzE

TimsterC · 07-30-2008, 10:50 AM

gIzzE, I have the touring and I think I need a massive lump of plastic to put the tweeters in. It seems to go all the way along the top of the window line. Is this right?

MOB · 07-30-2008, 10:57 AM

Should only need the triangular plastic sections - it is separate to the door trim

Not expensive from BMW - see part numbers earlier in this thread

gIzzE · 07-30-2008, 12:52 PM

You do need the whole trim, the plastic surround and the tweeter grille.

dazzapb · 07-31-2008, 09:52 AM

gIzzE - thanks for the advice on the hi pass setting. I did some research on what it does, but I am wondering what the results would be from either setting it low or too high? I want to stop the midranges playing too much low freqs. So far the results of changing it "seem" to have made things worse.

Cheers mate

gIzzE · 07-31-2008, 10:06 AM

Normally you want to cross the subwoofer over as low as possible, this is so you can't tell it is in the boot, get up passed around 80hz and you start to tell the bass is coming from behind you and it sounds like a seperate speaker.
So in a normal install you crossover the sub at say 65hz and below and the front speakers at 65hz and above, because the crossover works on a slope so it is reducing the volume by roughly half every 5hz the two blend in well and you don't get a drop in volume as they crossover.

Now, with the new BMWs you can put the small subs up front, so we no longer have the problem of crossing over front speakers nice and low to loose direction on teh bass.
So I have set the fronts to cross over at 120hz and above and the subs to crossover at 120hz and below.
This means there is only upper mid range coming from the front speakers so they can go very loud!! Also 125hz from the subs is not a problem as they are up front anyway so they still blend seemlessly with the main speakers.

I have had a couple of car audio nuts in my car and they have been seriously impressed with the sound and even more so with BMWs speaker layout, it is a great design that can work really well.
No one wants bass in the boot, now you don't have to.

dazzapb · 07-31-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gIzzE

So I have set the fronts to cross over at 120hz and above and the subs to crossover at 120hz and below.
This means there is only upper mid range coming from the front speakers so they can go very loud!! Also 125hz from the subs is not a problem as they are up front anyway so they still blend seemlessly with the main speakers.

Cool! thanks, so as I have the standard subs would 120Hz be an option for me? or are the standard subs rubbish? I want to be able to play music louder from the mid and high ranges.

Ta!

gIzzE · 07-31-2008, 10:26 AM

What amp have you got??

Have have you got it wired up??

07-27-2008, 06:10 PM	#133
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	You really want 4ohm versions, you can then wire these as a 2ohm load to get the most out of an amps sub channel.
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07-27-2008, 06:12 PM	#134
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	Just to add, 2 single voice coil subs can be wired as the following.... 4ohm Wired in parallel as a 2ohm load Wired in series as an 8ohm load Wired to each channel as 4ohm load. 2ohm wired in parralel as 1ohm load. wired in series as a 4ohm load. wired to each channel as a 2ohm load.
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07-28-2008, 11:18 AM	#135
scampos1984 Spaniard member 3 Rep 197 Posts Drives: E90 & E91 320d Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madrid, Spain iTrader: (0)	Thanks, I'll go for the 4 ohms
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07-28-2008, 12:48 PM	#136
dazzapb Brigadier General 1050 Rep 3,154 Posts Drives: 2019 X3M Comp Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SW London iTrader: (0)	Fitted the amp on Sat, wow it was involved and scary, but very pleased with the results. Had problems routing the cable to the boot, so I routed it under the back seat (its pops out on the coupe with a big pull) I managed to snap one of the plastic connectors (tiny groove) on the climate unit, don't think this is a big problem. I should of removed the trim (stop start button area) first, I found it much easier pulling this away from the start.stop button side. Getting the trim strip back on by the seat wasn't easy and getting the oversize head unit back in was tricky (hope I'm not blocking the fan!) Thanks Gizze & crimmson!, great help and great results. The sound is warmer and louder, still have break up at max volume but I guess that the speakers and I have left all the dials at default on the 2 channel amp. Cheers!!!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2008, 02:26 PM	#137
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	When you say you have left the dials on default what are they on?? You need the gain on the lowest setting 8v input I think it is. You are matching the output level of the head unit with the input level on the amp, getting wrong can cause serious damage, you will hear it as distortion.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 05:47 AM	#138
dazzapb Brigadier General 1050 Rep 3,154 Posts Drives: 2019 X3M Comp Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SW London iTrader: (0)	thanks gizze, the switches are level, hi pass and low pass. level is 8v, hi pass 10hz and low pass (off) I seem to get distortion at high vol, (bass set to normal)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 11:48 AM	#142
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	Your factory subs will only go down to around 45hz so yeah up it now. I then set the front speakers to cross over at around 120hz and the subs to cut in around the same when the earthquakes are added.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 02:08 PM	#144
CrimsonRedE93 Major 108 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: Le Mans Blue E93 330d+ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Sussex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 320I SE [0.00]	Good info from Gizze, the factory door speakers have a built in high pass filter set at around 50Hz for -3db (half volume) so it is too low when you have increased the power level. I guess the subs have a low pass filter in them as well as they are wired in parallel with the front door speakers, but I am note sure what the cut off frequency is as I haven't had them apart yet
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 03:57 PM	#146
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	Yeah, low pass off. The speakers have their own crossovers in them, well resistors really, but they will cut out the frequencies they can't handle, having said that, the filter on the subs has a big slope on it so some frequencies could get through. Easiest way to do it is play a tune with a deep bas note, something housey is good, put your stereo on bass -0 and adjust the high pass, you will hear when the bass is getting less, when you get to this point knock it back a touch, it will be around the 40-50hz mark I would guess.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2008, 10:33 AM	#147
MOB Major 56 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: Alpine White M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (4)	I've bought a 555 and 5m cable from Bluespot. Plan to fit it all at the weekend. Thanks for a great thread gIzzE
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07-30-2008, 10:50 AM	#148
TimsterC Private 6 Rep 80 Posts Drives: '12 E91 318d & '16 F46 220d Xd Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 220d xDriv ... [0.00] 2005 Kawasaki ZX-10R [0.00]	gIzzE, I have the touring and I think I need a massive lump of plastic to put the tweeters in. It seems to go all the way along the top of the window line. Is this right? __________________ TimsterC 2012 E91 318d ///MSport : Titanium Silver : Towbar : Privacy Glass 2016 F46 220d xDrive Sport Gran Tourer B47 2.0d : Medeterranian Blue : Towbar : Privacy Glass
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07-30-2008, 10:57 AM	#149
MOB Major 56 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: Alpine White M2 LCI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northants UK iTrader: (4)	Should only need the triangular plastic sections - it is separate to the door trim Not expensive from BMW - see part numbers earlier in this thread
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07-30-2008, 12:52 PM	#150
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	You do need the whole trim, the plastic surround and the tweeter grille.
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07-31-2008, 09:52 AM	#151
dazzapb Brigadier General 1050 Rep 3,154 Posts Drives: 2019 X3M Comp Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SW London iTrader: (0)	gIzzE - thanks for the advice on the hi pass setting. I did some research on what it does, but I am wondering what the results would be from either setting it low or too high? I want to stop the midranges playing too much low freqs. So far the results of changing it "seem" to have made things worse. Cheers mate
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 10:06 AM	#152
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	Normally you want to cross the subwoofer over as low as possible, this is so you can't tell it is in the boot, get up passed around 80hz and you start to tell the bass is coming from behind you and it sounds like a seperate speaker. So in a normal install you crossover the sub at say 65hz and below and the front speakers at 65hz and above, because the crossover works on a slope so it is reducing the volume by roughly half every 5hz the two blend in well and you don't get a drop in volume as they crossover. Now, with the new BMWs you can put the small subs up front, so we no longer have the problem of crossing over front speakers nice and low to loose direction on teh bass. So I have set the fronts to cross over at 120hz and above and the subs to crossover at 120hz and below. This means there is only upper mid range coming from the front speakers so they can go very loud!! Also 125hz from the subs is not a problem as they are up front anyway so they still blend seemlessly with the main speakers. I have had a couple of car audio nuts in my car and they have been seriously impressed with the sound and even more so with BMWs speaker layout, it is a great design that can work really well. No one wants bass in the boot, now you don't have to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 10:26 AM	#154
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	What amp have you got?? Have have you got it wired up??
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