[rwrwrwrw]

Thanks to selmeralto and others on this forum. I have been so disappointed with H-K audio in the 2er compared to the 3er.

I can't believe how much better the sound in the car is by disconnecting the front center speaker. It blows my mind that BMW would actually put this in the car. It serves no purpose and actually makes the stereo sound all washed out.

I disconnected and ordered my JL Audio coax rears. I am still in shock in the difference. LOL.

[garyt]

I agree totally, I disconnected the front middle speakers also and have been very pleased with the improvement. The separation is so much better and it no longer sounds muddled.

[mburg]

Is there a DIY on how to access the center speaker and then disconnect?

I have a '16 228xi

Thanks!

[kdog26372]

Originally Posted by mburg

Is there a DIY on how to access the center speaker and then disconnect?

I have a '16 228xi

Thanks!

It's quite simple, you would use a plastic trim tool to pry up the grill that covers the speakers. You will then see the speaker screws and simply unscrew them on the larger 4 inch speaker and you will see the wiring harness. Simply disconnect that harness from the larger speaker coming from the amp and that's it. The tweeter runs from the 4 inch speaker, so no power to 4 inch, no need to disconnect tweeter. 5 minute job at most.

[Redbeemer]

I have read quite a few posts regarding disconnecting the center speaker for improved SQ/separation on the HK system. However, one thing I am concerned about is how that might affect the voice instructions for the Navigation system. Do you have the nav. system and do you use the voice directions function? My understanding is that these voice directions come primarily over the center speaker and obviously I don't want to reduce or eliminate them by disconnecting the center speaker.
Thanks for your info!

[Jez-]

Originally Posted by Redbeemer

I have read quite a few posts regarding disconnecting the center speaker for improved SQ/separation on the HK system. However, one thing I am concerned about is how that might affect the voice instructions for the Navigation system. Do you have the nav. system and do you use the voice directions function? My understanding is that these voice directions come primarily over the center speaker and obviously I don't want to reduce or eliminate them by disconnecting the center speaker.
Thanks for your info!

Good point!!! I'd like to know this too.

[selmeralto]

Not to worry. The nav voice comes through loud and clear.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by selmeralto

Not to worry. The nav voice comes through loud and clear.

Phone too, everything works fine. I have a friend who builds very high end home systems (like million dollar theaters) and he gave me a long lecture the other day on why centers are never good for music. I didn't understand half of what he was talking about but disconnecting the center in the car is definitely the way to go.

[kdog26372]

Originally Posted by Redbeemer

However, one thing I am concerned about is how that might affect the voice instructions for the Navigation system. Do you have the nav. system and do you use the voice directions function? My understanding is that these voice directions come primarily over the center speaker and obviously I don't want to reduce or eliminate them by disconnecting the center speaker.
Thanks for your info!

Yes I have navigation and use both phone and voice instructions and all work the same with center disconnected. I also replaced the rears, so can't speak to the result with just disconnecting center and leaving all else stock, but it really cuts back on some of the harshness of the front and the separation of sound vs the muddy sound of the center is much improved. It's a 5 minute thing, try it, if you like it keep it, if not, plug it back in.

[DanG]

I too have nav and phone and a disconnected center speaker. Everything works fine. The center speaker received the combined input of the front right and left speaker. The HIFI system sounds much better with the center disconnected.

[P2]

[IMG][/IMG]

I can't get the clips to come out. What am I missing? I don't see a release tab either. Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by P2

[IMG][/IMG]

I can't get the clips to come out. What am I missing? I don't see a release tab either. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Push this in and pull the plug.

[P2]

Ok. Got it. Thanks.

[gr.crayola]

i don't have HK, should i still disconnect the center? or upgrade my tweeter first then disconnect the center?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by cbbplanet

i don't have HK, should i still disconnect the center? or upgrade my tweeter first then disconnect the center?

No matter which system you have, disconnect it. It makes a world of difference with either.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

No matter which system you have, disconnect it. It makes a world of difference with either.

Yes definitely do it. My home theater for instance is front left and right and rear left and right with a pair of subs. I've got conservative estimate 1500 lbs of hand built VMPS speakers. Yes it was all done before the fiancé moved in and said no way in hell.

Center is rarely a good idea and definitely not in the case of a car. All it does is mix the left and right and muddy everything up.

[PYTran]

So I did the disconnection and I really can't tell if I'm hearing better separation now or if my brain wants to justify the 10 minutes it took to do. Regardless, I appreciate the advice I got from this thread.

Also, kind of off topic but do you guys mess around with the tone in iDrive or do you leave all tone to +0?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by PYTran

So I did the disconnection and I really can't tell if I'm hearing better separation now or if my brain wants to justify the 10 minutes it took to do. Regardless, I appreciate the advice I got from this thread.

Also, kind of off topic but do you guys mess around with the tone in iDrive or do you leave all tone to +0?

You really need to mess with it once you do the active sound delete. If all you do is center delete you basically need a notch or two rear, one right (to optimize for driver) and bass / treble a little dependent on music you listen to.

[Prodigy.]

Jeez, getting that little blue plug off the speaker was a mission for me, took me ages, she just wouldn't budge, finally she gave in lol.

Can't say I can immediately tell a huge difference without the centre speaker but it's done now so will give it some time.

Anyone know if it shows up on any diagnostic that the dealer may do that the speaker is disconnected? Don't want them trying to reconnect it thinking there is a fault.

[BEM-S4]

Don't need to worry about anything at the dealer, mine helped me disconnect mine in fact. One tip I got from them when they were talking me through it, use some electrical tape to tape the disconnected wire to the connected one. Just in case you ever want to hook it back up, won't fall down someplace rattle around etc.

[Maynard]

Just got my trim pry tools, and going to try this over the weekend. What could be better than a mod that plays to my real strength - taking stuff apart and unplugging electronics. Bonus is that the weight reduction should be good for at least a .001 in the quarter, maybe even .002!

[Sleepydoc81]

I'm going to try this, this week. Thanks for the advice!