BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Coding / ConnectedDrive / Audio-Video / Electronics / Bluetooth / I-Drive & Nav
 
BPM
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-01-2012, 01:05 PM   #89
kmarei
Major General
kmarei's Avatar
Egypt
685
Rep
6,844
Posts

Drives: 2018 Audi RS5 coupe
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Reston, VA

iTrader: (34)

Garage List
2018 Audi RS5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
So I checked with the iPod. Seems that I can go louder with the sub at the same setting. With the iPod turned all the way up and the amp at the 9 o'clock position, it does seem louder than before.
my guess would be one of the 4 wires going from the harness into the plug that fits into the LC2i is loose.
that means you are only getting one channel worth of input
double check the 4 wires going into the plug
__________________
Appreciate 0
      03-01-2012, 01:08 PM   #90
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by kmarei View Post
my guess would be one of the 4 wires going from the harness into the plug that fits into the LC2i is loose.
that means you are only getting one channel worth of input
double check the 4 wires going into the plug
Will do although I swear I've done this 5 times now.
Appreciate 0
      03-01-2012, 01:56 PM   #91
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Will do although I swear I've done this 5 times now.
Use a multimeter and check harness connections to LC2i.
Appreciate 0
      03-01-2012, 02:02 PM   #92
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Use a multimeter and check harness connections to LC2i.
What parameters should I use? Ohms? Is there a specific voltage range?
Appreciate 0
      03-01-2012, 05:26 PM   #93
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
What parameters should I use? Ohms? Is there a specific voltage range?
Continuity mode...
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2012, 08:35 PM   #94
BIGW0RM
You got my money?
BIGW0RM's Avatar
No_Country
3007
Rep
4,590
Posts

Drives: Ice Cream Truck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ///OC

iTrader: (14)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3  [9.50]
Great! Now my subs are down on power and sound like crap! Sounded fine and now the bass is just gone. Sounds distorted too. Not happy. I suspect it's the lc2i.

Joy!
__________________
2022 G80 M3 Competition X / 2020 Range Rover Sport P525 / 2023 Ford Raptor
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2012, 07:22 PM   #95
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILSMKU View Post
Great! Now my subs are down on power and sound like crap! Sounded fine and now the bass is just gone. Sounds distorted too. Not happy. I suspect it's the lc2i.

Joy!
I have now replaced every part of the setup aside from the harness and the sub box. I don't care for the LC2i at all. From feeling the terminals on the left side of the unit, I worry that this is where the issue lies and that the connector may not be attached very firmly to what I assume is a circuit board inside the unit. I ditched the XD600/1 amp in favor of an HD750/1 and got another LC2i and a new 12W3v3-4. I am waiting on a response from VP as to whether I can fit a W6 sub in their box as well and I will ditch the W3. I haven't begun researching another option to the LC2i but will this week.

The question that has also continually come up in my mind in addition to a component issue is that since we have to use speaker level inputs is that any changes we make on the equalizer and tone settings in the iDrive affects the signal going to the LC2i. What bothers me about this is that whatever signal is being fed to the oem subs are being fed to the LC2i. So if we increase bass at all via iDrive either with the bass setting or eq settings, we are therefore altering the signal to the LC2i. I am not sure how this plays out once we start changing the settings on both the LC2i and whatever amp you use. I am wondering if we are effectively filtering the signal twice which could then effect the output we are getting.

All-in-all, everything works ok now but not exactly to my satisfaction. I am still not happy as to how much I have had to turn the gains up.

ILSMKU, if you are free this week, maybe we can get together and troubleshoot things.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 12:01 AM   #96
BIGW0RM
You got my money?
BIGW0RM's Avatar
No_Country
3007
Rep
4,590
Posts

Drives: Ice Cream Truck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ///OC

iTrader: (14)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3  [9.50]
I got some help from Technic and for me, turning the threshold dial from OFF to full blast and back worked!!!

Now let's see if it holds steady. Im pretty sure they slowly lost power last time. I'll monitor and report back.

Tech I'll hit you up on PM.

Thank you Technic.
__________________
2022 G80 M3 Competition X / 2020 Range Rover Sport P525 / 2023 Ford Raptor
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 08:02 AM   #97
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

The main reason of the LC2i with the EPS system OEM amp is its capacity to withstand 40V peaks at its inputs. Your OEM amp woofer outputs are capable of peaks in the 30V range.

This is what could happen with a passive LOC in the long term even when it is custom-build to withstand 30V:



I retired that LOC more than a year ago and moved to the LC2i just for this particualr reason.

My suggestion is:

- set AccuBASS gain to minimum
- set AccuBASS threashold to fully clockwise

That should give you "normal" bass. I do not like any of the Audiocontrol bass manipulation circuits (Epicenter and now AccuBASS) because they do not serve any purpose in our BMW. Actually, they cause problems like the one you are experiencing. And after doing this adjustment you will notice why: the AccuBASS seems to be adjusting itself after time, getting to the point of attenuating all the bass. This is quite difficult to find out under testing as I do not test devices for days, less so for weeks to catch up crap like this.

By setting the threashold to max -according to Audiocontrol- the bass level is "locked" and no AccuBASS effect is applied. Quite confusing but that's Audiocontrol.

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
I have now replaced every part of the setup aside from the harness and the sub box. I don't care for the LC2i at all. From feeling the terminals on the left side of the unit, I worry that this is where the issue lies and that the connector may not be attached very firmly to what I assume is a circuit board inside the unit. I ditched the XD600/1 amp in favor of an HD750/1 and got another LC2i and a new 12W3v3-4. I am waiting on a response from VP as to whether I can fit a W6 sub in their box as well and I will ditch the W3. I haven't begun researching another option to the LC2i but will this week.

The question that has also continually come up in my mind in addition to a component issue is that since we have to use speaker level inputs is that any changes we make on the equalizer and tone settings in the iDrive affects the signal going to the LC2i. What bothers me about this is that whatever signal is being fed to the oem subs are being fed to the LC2i. So if we increase bass at all via iDrive either with the bass setting or eq settings, we are therefore altering the signal to the LC2i. I am not sure how this plays out once we start changing the settings on both the LC2i and whatever amp you use. I am wondering if we are effectively filtering the signal twice which could then effect the output we are getting.

All-in-all, everything works ok now but not exactly to my satisfaction. I am still not happy as to how much I have had to turn the gains up.

ILSMKU, if you are free this week, maybe we can get together and troubleshoot things.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 09:28 AM   #98
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
The main reason of the LC2i with the EPS system OEM amp is its capacity to withstand 40V peaks at its inputs. Your OEM amp woofer outputs are capable of peaks in the 30V range.

This is what could happen with a passive LOC in the long term even when it is custom-build to withstand 30V:



I retired that LOC more than a year ago and moved to the LC2i just for this particualr reason.

My suggestion is:

- set AccuBASS gain to minimum
- set AccuBASS threashold to fully clockwise

That should give you "normal" bass. I do not like any of the Audiocontrol bass manipulation circuits (Epicenter and now AccuBASS) because they do not serve any purpose in our BMW. Actually, they cause problems like the one you are experiencing. And after doing this adjustment you will notice why: the AccuBASS seems to be adjusting itself after time, getting to the point of attenuating all the bass. This is quite difficult to find out under testing as I do not test devices for days, less so for weeks to catch up crap like this.

By setting the threashold to max -according to Audiocontrol- the bass level is "locked" and no AccuBASS effect is applied. Quite confusing but that's Audiocontrol.

Unfortunately for me, the AccuBASS threshold was already at full clockwise and the AccuBASS gain was already at full counterclockwise.

What about my mention of the signals coming from the OEM in the first place? If the signals being sent to the OEM subs are already being filtered by the iDrive either via the Bass setting or the EQ, do we need to compensate somehow when adjusting the settings on the amp for the aftermarket sub?

Is there a higher end unit than the LC2i even if it's made by another company?

On the LC2i, I am currently using the Main Output for the RCAs since the sound increased when I swapped between using the Bass Output and the Main Output. Is this what you suggest?
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:28 AM   #99
BIGW0RM
You got my money?
BIGW0RM's Avatar
No_Country
3007
Rep
4,590
Posts

Drives: Ice Cream Truck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ///OC

iTrader: (14)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3  [9.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILSMKU View Post
I got some help from Technic and for me, turning the threshold dial from OFF to full blast and back worked!!!

Now let's see if it holds steady. Im pretty sure they slowly lost power last time. I'll monitor and report back.

Tech I'll hit you up on PM.

Thank you Technic.

Well that didnt last long! Got in my car this morning and bass was totally missing. I pulled over, pulled an RCA out and back in, it kicked in a little bit. but nothing close to what it was the day before. I then checked the LC2i and guess what... its smells funny. Like burnt electronics.

WONDERFUL JOY!
__________________
2022 G80 M3 Competition X / 2020 Range Rover Sport P525 / 2023 Ford Raptor
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:40 AM   #100
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILSMKU View Post
Well that didnt last long! Got in my car this morning and bass was totally missing. I pulled over, pulled an RCA out and back in, it kicked in a little bit. but nothing close to what it was the day before. I then checked the LC2i and guess what... its smells funny. Like burnt electronics.

WONDERFUL JOY!
I honestly think the LC2i is just a crappy unit. That's why I was asking him if he knew of a higher quality unit.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:45 AM   #101
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Unfortunately for me, the AccuBASS threshold was already at full clockwise and the AccuBASS gain was already at full counterclockwise.

What about my mention of the signals coming from the OEM in the first place? If the signals being sent to the OEM subs are already being filtered by the iDrive either via the Bass setting or the EQ, do we need to compensate somehow when adjusting the settings on the amp for the aftermarket sub?

Is there a higher end unit than the LC2i even if it's made by another company?

On the LC2i, I am currently using the Main Output for the RCAs since the sound increased when I swapped between using the Bass Output and the Main Output. Is this what you suggest?
Go back to the bass output and try it. In the meantime I will contact my supplier and find out if your unit can be replaced under warranty.

The OEM amp output signals are being split between the underseat woofers and the LC2i. Therefore any iDrive bass adjustment will affect both paths.

That's the way it works regardless of the LOC used in any sub install just because of the signal split.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:46 AM   #102
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
A quick searched netted the Audison bit one. Not sure if that will work for us or not. Looks like a much nicer unit though.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:49 AM   #103
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Go back to the bass output and try it. In the meantime I will contact my supplier and find out if your unit can be replaced under warranty.

The OEM amp output signals are being split between the underseat woofers and the LC2i. Therefore any iDrive bass adjustment will affect both paths.

That's the way it works regardless of the LOC used in any sub install just because of the signal split.
I don't want another one, thanks though. I bought one from Musicar which they are now sending me a replacement for as well as the one I bought last week. I honestly just have no faith in this unit.

I will try the Bass Output per your suggestion. Does this mean that I need to use the Main knob or Bass knob to make my adjustments?
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:54 AM   #104
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
I don't want another one, thanks though. I bought one from Musicar which they are now sending me a replacement for as well as the one I bought last week. I honestly just have no faith in this unit.

I will try the Bass Output per your suggestion. Does this mean that I need to use the Main knob or Bass knob to make my adjustments?
Bass knob...

The only units that I know can withstand 40V are... Audiocontrol.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 10:59 AM   #105
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
A quick searched netted the Audison bit one. Not sure if that will work for us or not. Looks like a much nicer unit though.
The bit one is a full DSP processor and not just a LOC. I used one with the EPS OEM amp once... I had to add an Audiocontrol LC6i in between to block a bass distortion (the 30V peaks again) over the tweeters in the bit one.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=74
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 11:05 AM   #106
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
The bit one is a full DSP processor and not just a LOC. I used one with the EPS OEM amp once... I had to add an Audiocontrol LC6i in between to block a bass distortion (the 30V peaks again) over the tweeters in the bit one.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=74
So is that mObridge unit that VP talked about in his thread gonna be the savior that we need?

Seems like the mobridge DA1000 is the ticket.

Last edited by THE TECH; 03-05-2012 at 11:14 AM..
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 12:07 PM   #107
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
So is that mObridge unit that VP talked about in his thread gonna be the savior that we need?

Seems like the mobridge DA1000 is the ticket.
You can do this and save $700: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651998
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 12:09 PM   #108
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Doesn't that require adding more amps though?
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 02:03 PM   #109
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2258
Rep
12,985
Posts

Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Doesn't that require adding more amps though?
If you get the mObridge unit then it is $700 and the same replacement of the OEM amp with at least 8-channel aftermarket amplification.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2012, 02:20 PM   #110
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
If you get the mObridge unit then it is $700 and the same replacement of the OEM amp with at least 8-channel aftermarket amplification.
So you are saying that for the same $700 instead of buying the mobridge that it would just buy the aftermarket amps? Or am I confused?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:08 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST