[azw131]

Last week, I had Focal ISC-100's installed in my front doors. They were installed using a plug and play harness and spacers form one of our members here. The harness was soldered to the speakers for a solid connection. After the install, I noticed a faint very high pitch frequency that comes on as soon as I sit in the car. It sounds like when an older cable tv is on but the cable is off. The stereo/power don't even have to be on. The frequency is there as soon as the car is unlocked/awake, until it is locked again. It is a very faint noise and can't even be picked up by my iPhone's microphone. I listened to the rear deck speakers, and they seem to be making the nose as well (though not as much as the fronts). The noise does not get louder when the volume is up. With music playing, it can't really be heard, but it is beginning to drive me nuts because now I am always listening for it. It's one of those things that you never paid much attention too, but once you are aware of it, it becomes obvious. The shop that installed my speakers claims it is normal, but I really don't remember ever hearing it before. I want to bring it to the dealer to have it checked out, but am concerned they will blame the front door speaker replacements. I don't know whether they are at fault though, because the rear deck speakers are making the same noise. Has anyone experienced this/ how should I proceed.

[hyperzulu]

Not normal. Hiss is normal but not a whine. Sounds like maybe a cold solder connection, perhaps. I would have the shop prove this is normal by wiring one of the speakers without soldering (just bare wire from car to speaker) and see if it still makes the noise. If it doesn't, they need to fix it.

[azw131]

Originally Posted by hyperzulu

Not normal. Hiss is normal but not a whine. Sounds like maybe a cold solder connection, perhaps. I would have the shop prove this is normal by wiring one of the speakers without soldering (just bare wire from car to speaker) and see if it still makes the noise. If it doesn't, they need to fix it.

Thanks for getting back to me. That is what I'll do then.

[azw131]

UPDATE: The shop is checking out the car. They're describing it as a hiss more than a whine. Regardless, they connected the stock speakers back and it is still making the noise, although slightly less than the noise it made with the Focals. They say this is because the coax tweeter in the focal picks up more of the noise. I asked them if they thought it was normal, and they said it doesn't seem like it. I will be taking the car to the dealer with the stock speakers in it.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by azw131

UPDATE: The shop is checking out the car. They're describing it as a hiss more than a whine. Regardless, they connected the stock speakers back and it is still making the noise, although slightly less than the noise it made with the Focals. They say this is because the coax tweeter in the focal picks up more of the noise. I asked them if they thought it was normal, and they said it doesn't seem like it. I will be taking the car to the dealer with the stock speakers in it.

The system turns on to emit 'car sounds' (chimes, ASD, etc.) whenever you enter the car; this is what you're hearing even when the stereo is 'turned off'. It is simply the noise floor of the system, which is accentuated when better speakers are installed that can reproduce the higher frequency 'hiss' of the system noise better. It is totally normal. The solution to this is installing an aftermarket amp with a quieter noise floor, or (only in Hi-Fi systems) an inline noise filter.

[azw131]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

The system turns on to emit 'car sounds' (chimes, ASD, etc.) whenever you enter the car; this is what you're hearing even when the stereo is 'turned off'. It is simply the noise floor of the system, which is accentuated when better speakers are installed that can reproduce the higher frequency 'hiss' of the system noise better. It is totally normal. The solution to this is installing an aftermarket amp with a quieter noise floor, or (only in Hi-Fi systems) an inline noise filter.

With the stock speakers it is still making the noise though. Maybe I just didnt pay attention to it before. If that's the case, I shouldnt even bother going to the dealer. I had been considering the Bimmertech Amp which would solve my problems if what you are saying is correct, but if it isnt, and I spend the money on the Bimmertech Amp and still have the hiss/whistle then I'll be pretty unhappy.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by azw131

With the stock speakers it is still making the noise though. Maybe I just didnt pay attention to it before. If that's the case, I shouldnt even bother going to the dealer. I had been considering the Bimmertech Amp which would solve my problems if what you are saying is correct, but if it isnt, and I spend the money on the Bimmertech Amp and still have the hiss/whistle then I'll be pretty unhappy.

Correct. The hiss is coming from the noisy, low-quality OEM amp, and the mid-humped OEM speakers and DSP is partially designed to hide it. it's always been there; every 2-series owner has it.

The Bimmertech amp -- just about any aftermarket amp, really -- would likely reduce it because its signal-to-noise ratio is better. You would need to code the car to eliminate the ASD to run the Bimmertech amp, though. Coding is not needed with a JL Audio 600/6.

[azw131]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Correct. The hiss is coming from the noisy, low-quality OEM amp, and the mid-humped OEM speakers and DSP is partially designed to hide it. it's always been there; every 2-series owner has it.

The Bimmertech amp -- just about any aftermarket amp, really -- would likely reduce it because its signal-to-noise ratio is better. You would need to code the car to eliminate the ASD to run the Bimmertech amp, though. Coding is not needed with a JL Audio 600/6.

Well that about sums it up then. I spoke with the installer about it. I have the stock speakers back in there now. I have to decide whether or not to spring for the Bimmertech Amp before the group buy is over. If I get the bimmertech amp, I can have the Focals put back in and have an awesome sound system. If not, I'm going to be stuck with the crap, stock, one. Thank you for clearing up the fact that the noise is normal though, that saves me from wasting a trip to the dealer.

[moorfan]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Correct. The hiss is coming from the noisy, low-quality OEM amp, and the mid-humped OEM speakers and DSP is partially designed to hide it. it's always been there; every 2-series owner has it.

The Bimmertech amp -- just about any aftermarket amp, really -- would likely reduce it because its signal-to-noise ratio is better. You would need to code the car to eliminate the ASD to run the Bimmertech amp, though. Coding is not needed with a JL Audio 600/6.

Stupid question, but why don't you need to code off ASD with the 600/6?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by moorfan

Stupid question, but why don't you need to code off ASD with the 600/6?

The 600/6 has independent gain control for each channel; keeping the gain to the rear speakers dialed down to near unity keeps the volume of ASD, which is only pumped to the rear deck speakers, at tolerable levels. The Match amp that is the foundation of the Bimmertech package doesn't have gain adjustment.

What the Match amp does have that the 600/6 doesn't is full DSP adjustment. So it's an either-or proposition unless you add a separate DSP solution to the 600/6 installation.

[simoneves]

My 2013 E93 has the same whine/hiss whenever the car is "awake". Very audible once you notice it. It bugged me for a while, but I guess I got used to it. Obviously with the stereo on or the car running you don't hear it. Well, I don't. As somebody already said, with a different amp with perhaps more static gain, you're likely to hear it more.

[azw131]

Originally Posted by simoneves

My 2013 E93 has the same whine/hiss whenever the car is "awake". Very audible once you notice it. It bugged me for a while, but I guess I got used to it. Obviously with the stereo on or the car running you don't hear it. Well, I don't. As somebody already said, with a different amp with perhaps more static gain, you're likely to hear it more.

It's pretty crazy that BMW doesn't do anything to address this issue. It cheapens the general feel.

[moorfan]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

The 600/6 has independent gain control for each channel; keeping the gain to the rear speakers dialed down to near unity keeps the volume of ASD, which is only pumped to the rear deck speakers, at tolerable levels. The Match amp that is the foundation of the Bimmertech package doesn't have gain adjustment.

What the Match amp does have that the 600/6 doesn't is full DSP adjustment. So it's an either-or proposition unless you add a separate DSP solution to the 600/6 installation.

I can install what is listed as "gain" on each of the individual channels of my Match pp82dsp, but I am guessing this is output gain and not "input" gain? That's what makes the difference, no?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by moorfan

I can install what is listed as "gain" on each of the individual channels of my Match pp82dsp, but I am guessing this is output gain and not "input" gain? That's what makes the difference, no?

As I understand it, that's correct. ASD is introduced to the signal path after the power stage on the OEM amp; keeping output gain to a minimum on the 600/6 is what helps control the ASD volume relative to the overall volume. It's not a perfect solution, but it's workable.

What I'm not certain of is if the Audiotec Fischer software that comes with the Match amp (or the 'mode' switches on the amp) can help with that. My sense is that it cannot while still functioning as a full DSP system solution. That said, if you're running the software you've got Windows, so going one step farther and coding the car (and, thus, removing ASD) isn't much of a stretch.

[selmeralto]

Just to chime in (as it were) I get the very high frequency whine as well. I feel it almost as a sound in my neck rather than a pitch frequency I could identify. But it definitely comes on as soon as I start the system. What really bugs me is that after listening to the system for an hour or two, the whine stays with me a for a while after I leave the car.

Either that or it's aliens trying to get back in touch with me. That's what I get for not returning their calls.

[2msport]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Correct. The hiss is coming from the noisy, low-quality OEM amp, and the mid-humped OEM speakers and DSP is partially designed to hide it. it's always been there; every 2-series owner has it.

The Bimmertech amp -- just about any aftermarket amp, really -- would likely reduce it because its signal-to-noise ratio is better. You would need to code the car to eliminate the ASD to run the Bimmertech amp, though. Coding is not needed with a JL Audio 600/6.

Very nice man. Ive been playing with the idea of replacing the stock amp (HK) as its way under powered. I love having the N55 coded in so I'm not willing to give that up with the bimmertech. Do you recommend the 600/6? I saw you have to play with the gain for the rear speakers but will that throw off the balance of the rest of the sound/music? Is it a good solution for someone who wants to keep ASD?

Whoops. Sorry to thread jack. PM me if you get a second

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by 2msport

Very nice man. Ive been playing with the idea of replacing the stock amp (HK) as its way under powered. I love having the N55 coded in so I'm not willing to give that up with the bimmertech. Do you recommend the 600/6? I saw you have to play with the gain for the rear speakers but will that throw off the balance of the rest of the sound/music? Is it a good solution for someone who wants to keep ASD?

Whoops. Sorry to thread jack. PM me if you get a second

Naah; I don't consider the thread jacked ... but I'll PM you anyway.

[BWT]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Correct. The hiss is coming from the noisy, low-quality OEM amp, and the mid-humped OEM speakers and DSP is partially designed to hide it. it's always been there; every 2-series owner has it.

The Bimmertech amp -- just about any aftermarket amp, really -- would likely reduce it because its signal-to-noise ratio is better. You would need to code the car to eliminate the ASD to run the Bimmertech amp, though. Coding is not needed with a JL Audio 600/6.

I still get hiss from Bimmertech amp and it is a little more noticeable than the hiss from the stock HK amp. Overall, not too bad though.

[selmeralto]

Originally Posted by BWT

I still get hiss from Bimmertech amp and it is a little more noticeable than the hiss from the stock HK amp. Overall, not too bad though.

Very interesting discussion, especially the recent exchange between you and Viffermike.

Have you by any chance tried to isolate and eliminate the noise by adjusting the tuning for the Bimmertech? Viffermike's suggestion about the cause leads me to think that trying to fix this by tuning the amp won't work. But, if you tried it and it worked, you'd have the admiration and thanks of thousands of forum members.

Well, maybe not thousands, but at least a dozen.

[simoneves]

Originally Posted by selmeralto

Have you by any chance tried to isolate and eliminate the noise by adjusting the tuning for the Bimmertech? Viffermike's suggestion about the cause leads me to think that trying to fix this by tuning the amp won't work. But, if you tried it and it worked, you'd have the admiration and thanks of thousands of forum members.

Intuitively I would have thought it would be hard to "isolate" the noise using EQ, as it's white-noise with a high but wide frequency range, so the only option would be to reduce the high end which would not be acceptable. That said, the F22 HK tune seems to slash the high end anyway because of the harshness of the tweeters, so I'm surprised that the hiss isn't already being affected in a good way by that.

Again intuitively, reducing the channel gains on all the amp channels (using the software) by some equal amount (3-6dB) would reduce the hiss, although it would also reduce the overall available volume (so you'd have to turn up the HU more to get the same sound level). This would only work if the hiss is coming from something upstream of the amp, though. If it's coming from the amp itself, either because it's noisy or from interference, then this isn't going to help, but I would hope that wouldn't be the case with a device of this alleged quality!

When I get mine, I shall be doing this anyway, in the hope that it will keep the ASD sound at manageable levels.

[selmeralto]

It has also been suggested that eliminating the ASD, either by coding or by the harness, might have an effect on the noise. Since I have the harness but haven't yet installed it, I'll be interested to see if this helps. I'll report back when I have a chance to do the install.

Lots of folks have eliminated the ASD but what we need are reports from people who have noticed the high frequency sound, who have done the ASD, and who have looked for a difference after the installation. Not everyone has heard or noticed the offending sound.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by selmeralto

Lots of folks have eliminated the ASD but what we need are reports from people who have noticed the high frequency sound, who have done the ASD, and who have looked for a difference after the installation. Not everyone has heard or noticed the offending sound.

Sadly, I can only fill two of the three.

I noticed the sound on and off for the first 6 months I had the car. I installed the ASD harness in early December and the Bimmertech amp in late December. I can't hear it now with the car off or on, but I can't swear it went away at the time of either of the installs.

Two comments.

• I never noticed it in the past when stopped, just while driving and even then not all the time.
• About the same time I installed the Bimmertech amp, I also put my snow tires on. As I only noticed it in the past while driving and the current tires are a fair piece noisier than standard, they could be drowning it out.