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      04-22-2016, 07:00 PM   #45
selmeralto
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanATL View Post
Just cranked up a Tower of Power CD. Makes me want to search Craigslist for a '76 Trans Am.
And that is a very funny line!
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      04-23-2016, 01:10 PM   #46
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I've added a few reflections about choosing between Bavsound and Eton/JLAudio in my initial post. Comments welcome.

Last edited by selmeralto; 04-23-2016 at 04:15 PM..
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      04-25-2016, 11:42 AM   #47
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So for those that removed the center speaker grill, did it pop right back in nice and flush? The reason I ask is that prior experiences with popping grill covers is that they tend to bend slightly after the first removal and never sit quite flush afterwards. I do have plastic panel removal tools and I'm experienced with pulling panels, door cards, etc. on prior cars.
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      04-25-2016, 12:19 PM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XutvJet View Post
So for those that removed the center speaker grill, did it pop right back in nice and flush? The reason I ask is that prior experiences with popping grill covers is that they tend to bend slightly after the first removal and never sit quite flush afterwards. I do have plastic panel removal tools and I'm experienced with pulling panels, door cards, etc. on prior cars.
It seems fairly sturdy. Mine went back in perfectly and sits flush. I don't notice any difference.
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      04-26-2016, 06:56 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck View Post
It seems fairly sturdy. Mine went back in perfectly and sits flush. I don't notice any difference.
Ditto. Just be sure you lift the cover off vertically and look to see that the tabs are correctly positioned as you lower the grill back.
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      04-26-2016, 01:18 PM   #50
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Thank you for the responses.
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      04-28-2016, 12:56 PM   #51
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Hi, Newbie here. Just wanted to say thank you to OP for the suggestion to disconnect the centre channel on the HK. I can't believe the difference. A MUST do mod for sure!
Thanks again.
Danny.
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      04-28-2016, 01:03 PM   #52
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Thanks. I can just pass your thanks on to others on the forum who suggested this before me.

You might want to try one or two of the other pieces of this puzzle. The system can be made listenable for relatively little money.
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      04-28-2016, 01:30 PM   #53
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I am certainly going to try some other pieces when time/money permits.

Regarding the Technic Active Sound harness, is this a better solution than just coding the Active Sound off do you think? I assume there is still potential for interference if you just code it off?

Also, I don't suppose you have any photos of the different areas that you've Dynamated?

Cheers.
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      04-28-2016, 01:41 PM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny_Shadow View Post
I am certainly going to try some other pieces when time/money permits.

Regarding the Technic Active Sound harness, is this a better solution than just coding the Active Sound off do you think? I assume there is still potential for interference if you just code it off?

Also, I don't suppose you have any photos of the different areas that you've Dynamated?

Cheers.
Actually, there has been a discussion of the merits of coding v. installing the harness. I don't remember the details but the upshot was that the harness was more effective. Perhaps someone on the forum can add the details.

Regarding the Dynamat I don't have photos now but I do plan on going back in if the weather holds in about a week and a half. If I get in I'll take some photos.

In the meantime I can say that my first run at it was to Dynamat as much of the metal as I could see by just climbing in the trunk and also getting to the metal when the seats are folded down. With Dynamat you don't have to cover every square inch/centimetre. I left a few open spots near the access holes, for example. It doesn't look sensational but the only way you'd see the Dynamat would be by climbing into the trunk and looking up. It's no big deal for me - sound reduction is the prize. The rest of my Dynamatting will be concealed by the trunk covers.
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      04-28-2016, 02:17 PM   #55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by selmeralto View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny_Shadow View Post
Regarding the Technic Active Sound harness, is this a better solution than just coding the Active Sound off do you think? I assume there is still potential for interference if you just code it off?
Actually, there has been a discussion of the merits of coding v. installing the harness. I don't remember the details but the upshot was that the harness was more effective. Perhaps someone on the forum can add the details.
People often hear a high-pitched hiss that is attributed to the ASD module. This does not seem to occur if you use the harness (the harness removes the ASD module from the signal path), but may still be heard if you code it out.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1181343
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Last edited by Zooks527; 04-28-2016 at 02:54 PM..
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      04-28-2016, 06:06 PM   #56
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Many thanks for this info guys. I figured the harness was probably the better solution.

One quick question about the harness - is there a specific one for the F22 HK? or is it a one type fits all? I don't want to order the wrong thing.

I've tried to buy the harness on the technic website, but it doesn't appear to work.
Is there another way to order?
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      04-29-2016, 04:07 AM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny_Shadow View Post
Many thanks for this info guys. I figured the harness was probably the better solution.

One quick question about the harness - is there a specific one for the F22 HK? or is it a one type fits all? I don't want to order the wrong thing.

I've tried to buy the harness on the technic website, but it doesn't appear to work.
Is there another way to order?
I do believe it's one-size, but make sure you detail to Technic what you have when you order..

The front page and sales pages of the Technic website doesn't appear to do much at all, and hasn't for the better part of a year. I used the very similar looking contact page ( http://www.technicpnp.com/contact.html# ) with a specific request to buy and got an email reply within a day.
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      04-29-2016, 07:32 AM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zooks527 View Post
People often hear a high-pitched hiss that is attributed to the ASD module. This does not seem to occur if you use the harness (the harness removes the ASD module from the signal path), but may still be heard if you code it out.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1181343
Yes, what Zooks says is true about the reduction in the high-pitched hiss.

But I thought I remember reading another discussion about another issue related to the coding v. harness discussion. Am I misremembering? This wouldn't be the first time.
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      04-29-2016, 09:37 AM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny_Shadow View Post
Many thanks for this info guys. I figured the harness was probably the better solution.

One quick question about the harness - is there a specific one for the F22 HK? or is it a one type fits all? I don't want to order the wrong thing.

I've tried to buy the harness on the technic website, but it doesn't appear to work.
Is there another way to order?
Some background on Technic: He is a pro car audio installer in the Miami area and was a very frequent contributor to both Bimmerpost and other BMW forums until last summer, when he ran into some issues regarding his status as a non-commercial forum member. He's kept a low profile ever since, and word is that he's no longer active (though his account is).

The only way to reliably order the ASD harness -- as well as another harness he makes to allow near-plug-and-play installation of an aftermarket amp (and retention of the stock harness in case you want to revert back to OEM) -- is to email him at the address listed on his website. He's responsive to emails.

By the way: He notes that installing the harness decreases bass response slightly on the subs on HK systems (not sure about Hi-Fi) -- enough to be noticeable, but not drastic. Apparently that's yet another benefit to installing the harness: the decrease in bass response is probably related to the use of the ASD module's power stage to augment the power that the subs receive. It's a good thing to get rid of that because basically that means BMW is bi-amping the HK subs with two power stages of unequal power output. That's not a good thing, folks -- and it makes me wonder if that technique is a big part of the source of the high noise floor, not to mention the subs' chronic propensity to simply not work on occasion.
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      04-30-2016, 12:06 AM   #60
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Disconnected the center speaker tonight. Uhhh yeah, good recommendation fellas. Much better. Replacing the rears are next then I think I'll be good. I'm not a huge audio guy.
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      04-30-2016, 05:30 AM   #61
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As I have the Bimmertech amp, I muted the center channel last night instead of unplugging. Does seem to widen the stage. I'll get more time on it this weekend.
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      04-30-2016, 07:56 AM   #62
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After driving the F87 M2 this weekend and looking at all it has to offer - I walked away a little disappointed with the HK system. Checked the forums and alas I was directed to this thread!

I've downed a few glasses of red reading through various threads and watching related videos.

selmeralto Are the Eton and JL plug n play like the Bavsound?

A lot of the threads regarding the BimmerTech amp refer to the HiFi system - just wondering if the HK amp is OK or needs replacing if one chooses Bavsound/Eton/Focal etc...

Now to look into deactivating the ASD....
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      04-30-2016, 08:19 AM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aust350z View Post
After driving the F87 M2 this weekend and looking at all it has to offer - I walked away a little disappointed with the HK system. Checked the forums and alas I was directed to this thread!

I've downed a few glasses of red reading through various threads and watching related videos.

selmeralto Are the Eton and JL plug n play like the Bavsound?

A lot of the threads regarding the BimmerTech amp refer to the HiFi system - just wondering if the HK amp is OK or needs replacing if one chooses Bavsound/Eton/Focal etc...

Now to look into deactivating the ASD....
Hi Aust350z.

Yes, both the Eton and the JL Audio are plug and play with the HK system and, at least in my opinion, no additional amplification is needed.

The Etons fit the front door mounts exactly, requiring no electrical or physical adaptors whatsoever - they come equipped with BMW connectors and fit in without any need for spacers or any other changes. Just take off your door panels, swap them in, and enjoy. The speakers are 4 ohms, just like the HK originals.

The JLAudios (also 4 ohms) for the rear deck require two very minor modifications. First, you have to twist off (on perforated lines) the two mounting tabs you won't be using. This takes about 5 seconds. Second, you need to connect the units electrically, which you can do by buying a BMW connector kit for US $10 or by just splicing into the existing car wires and using the connectors supplied by JL. The speakers drop in using the existing BMW screws without any further modification needed. All this can be easily done from the top. I doubt if the change would take you 30 minutes.

As to whether you'd want to add/change amplification after you change out the speakers and monkey with the sound deadening, I can only speak for myself. I listen to music loud and don't like noise or distortion. I have a high end stereo system in my home with large Magneplanar 3.6 speakers and enough wattage to dim the lights at the nearest airport. It's not the highest end system in the universe but it is pretty good. So I care about musical fidelity and listen carefully. For what it's worth, the changes I've made in the M235i are acceptable to me. I listen to my car system at volume and the sound is clean, has punch, and is natural sounding.

The Eton/JLAudio combination set me back about US $350. I know I could have spent US $1650 for the Bavsound/Bimmertech combo and even another US $500 to replace the underseat woofers. But honestly, I don't think these differences would warrant the cost. This is just speculation on my part, of course.

Hope this helps.

Last edited by selmeralto; 08-17-2016 at 07:34 AM..
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      04-30-2016, 08:36 AM   #64
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Hope this helps.
It does. Thanks very much for your detailed and informative reply.
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      04-30-2016, 09:04 AM   #65
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My pleasure.
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      05-01-2016, 07:03 PM   #66
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Why not put Etons in the rear too? Was it just cost or is there some difference in mounting?
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