[NormanHomes]

Wired in a sub to my 320d the other day (55 plate with idrive)

Its fully working however im not entirely satisfied with the quality, basically it doesnt seem relative, for example when the music is low, the sub will still be loud/overpowering, and when the music is cranked up the sub isnt as loud as it should be?

I spliced in some wires to the speakers under the seat and ran them to a RCA converter in the boot

Is there anything i can do to improve the quality? what does a high/low frequency converter do as i just have a straight adapter and read somewhere its worth using one of those?

any help appreciated
cheers

[Foreman05]

What type of sub/amp combo r u running? Sounds like your amp doesn't have enough power to push the sub at the high volume level. If it sounds good at low volume and crap at high volume I'm sure that's the issue. Never buy a sub/amp combo based on max output or max watts. The rms on your sub should be fairly close to the rms on your amp. It would also be ok if your amps rms was a little higher than your sub...just don't blow your sub up lol.

[NormanHomes]

the sub and amp are vibe ones ive had them years in loads of different cars however ive always used it with an aftermarket headunit as well this is the first time ive had to splice in an RCA output

it doesnt sound good at low volume its way too over powering Lol like you would hear big rumble and low voice, then when you crank it up you will hear the speakers loud but the sub wont be relatively loud, if this makes sense?

[Foreman05]

I've never used a line out converter (LOC) but maybe your rca's are hooked up backwards? I have never hooked an amp up that way either. Sorry I can't think of anything else

[jwise36]

check your gain settings on your amp, this can happen as the factory head unit may have a different output from your aftermarket one

[NormanHomes]

What do you mean by gain settings? as not too clued up about amps

do you recon the way its wired in is optimal or is there a better method?

cheers

[fdriller9]

What system do you have?

My l7 system has 70w sub outputs so I needed a loc that could handle that. I went with one that could handle 60w and it's been fine.

Sounds like your loc just can't handle to input from the hu at higher volumes.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by NormanHomes

the sub and amp are vibe ones ive had them years in loads of different cars however ive always used it with an aftermarket headunit as well this is the first time ive had to splice in an RCA output

it doesnt sound good at low volume its way too over powering Lol like you would hear big rumble and low voice, then when you crank it up you will hear the speakers loud but the sub wont be relatively loud, if this makes sense?

The reduced quality is likely because of the input source. Splicing into the wire and converting RCA is the cause.

Originally Posted by NormanHomes

What do you mean by gain settings? as not too clued up about amps

do you recon the way its wired in is optimal or is there a better method?

cheers

Each amp has a few knobs or adjustments for Level and Gain. Find those knobs and adjust them. I recommend 1/4 to 1/2 on most amps for gain or level.

If you go to high it will either sound like garbage, be too overpowering, and or overheat the amp.


The ideal method is having a head unit with RCA. I'll let others chime in though maybe there is something else you can do.

[NormanHomes]

Originally Posted by *********

What system do you have?

My l7 system has 70w sub outputs so I needed a loc that could handle that. I went with one that could handle 60w and it's been fine.

Sounds like your loc just can't handle to input from the hu at higher volumes.

Its the standard business navigation/idrive radio

Its not so much the top end that annoys me its when i have the music low but the sub is still rumbling over it Lol

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

The reduced quality is likely because of the input source. Splicing into the wire and converting RCA is the cause.



Each amp has a few knobs or adjustments for Level and Gain. Find those knobs and adjust them. I recommend 1/4 to 1/2 on most amps for gain or level.

If you go to high it will either sound like garbage, be too overpowering, and or overheat the amp.


The ideal method is having a head unit with RCA. I'll let others chime in though maybe there is something else you can do.

normally id always just stick in an aftermarket HU and be done with it but not an option in this instance with the idrive unit

I played with the adjusters when i fitted it but didnt really take too much notice ill have another look and see if i can see the gain knob, cheers for the advice

[wray24]

Can I jus ask what the vibe sounds like in the can planning on get 1 fitted i no your havin a problem but jus thought I would ask

[NormanHomes]

its a 12" slick that i have. excellent sub and you can pick them up cheap brand new. Ive had it for years and wouldnt change it, sounds better then any others ive had

[wray24]

I used to have 2 12" vibes I loved em so planning on get another so thanks for the info might have to a slick now