[GL888]

Hi guys,

When you are upgrading the 7 chan amp how would you connect the centre speaker? L or R or is there another option?

Thanks

[GL888]

Any takers on this?

For those that installed the jl Audio 8 channel amp how did you connect the center speaker?

Thanks in advance.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by GL888

Any takers on this?

For those that installed the jl Audio 8 channel amp how did you connect the center speaker?

Thanks in advance.

For the XD800/8 you will need:

(5) RCA splitters = (4) single female to double male (FTDM) + (1) single male to double female (MTDF)
- Harness front RCA (L/R) + (2) (FTDM) = (2) sets of front RCA = (2) Left and (2) Right = CH1 and CH2
- Harness rear RCA (L/R) + (2) (FTDM) = (2) sets of rear RCA = (2) Left and (2) Right = CH4 -> CH8
- Harness front RCA (L/R) + (1) (MTDF) = 1 single RCA = Left + Right = center channel = CH3

XD800/8 suggested settings:
- gain CH1 -> CH6 = minimum
- gain CH7 -> CH8 = 9 o'clock
- input setup = 8ch required

- CH1 = front left = HP 200Hz
- CH2 = front right = HP 200Hz
- CH3 = center = HP 200Hz
- CH4 = not used
- CH5 = rear left = HP 200Hz
- CH6 = rear right = HP 200Hz
- CH7 = underseat woofer left = LP 200Hz
- CH8 = undersear woofer right = LP 200Hz

[Fronzdan]

Which = buy a Technic harness.

[GL888]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Which = buy a Technic harness.

That's exactly what i've done.

[GL888]

Originally Posted by Technic

For the XD800/8 you will need:

(5) RCA splitters = (4) single female to double male (FTDM) + (1) single male to double female (MTDF)
- Harness front RCA (L/R) + (2) (FTDM) = (2) sets of front RCA = (2) Left and (2) Right = CH1 and CH2
- Harness rear RCA (L/R) + (2) (FTDM) = (2) sets of rear RCA = (2) Left and (2) Right = CH4 -> CH8
- Harness front RCA (L/R) + (1) (MTDF) = 1 single RCA = Left + Right = center channel = CH3

XD800/8 suggested settings:
- gain CH1 -> CH6 = minimum
- gain CH7 -> CH8 = 9 o'clock
- input setup = 8ch required

- CH1 = front left = HP 200Hz
- CH2 = front right = HP 200Hz
- CH3 = center = HP 200Hz
- CH4 = not used
- CH5 = rear left = HP 200Hz
- CH6 = rear right = HP 200Hz
- CH7 = underseat woofer left = LP 200Hz
- CH8 = undersear woofer right = LP 200Hz

Thanks Mate.

[2blu]

Please share your thoughts on this setup when all is done !

[mangoriver]

I recently got a BMW 335i 2014. This has a HIFI system. I did upgrade the audio system. I had an installer do this. But I have been very unhappy, have been hearing a bad Hiss noise.

My setup is as below

1. Rockford fosgate 360.3 Sound Processor
2. JL XD 5 channel Amp
3. Focal Speakers

The installer connected the output of the OEM amplifier to the Sound Processor. We left the Factory OEM amplifier to drive the Center speaker. He did not use the woofers under neath the seats either.

The JL Amp drivers the front, rear and subwoofer in the trunk.

After I started seeing the HISS noise, I started reading the forums.. My Bad, should have done earlier.

The installer was telling me that the OEM amplifier cannot be bypassed in the BMW as lot of functions are controlled by this, please educate me on this. I dont seem to agree with the installer.

I have few questions

1. Can I bypass the factory OEM amplifier and connect the BMW Head unit directly to the Sound Processor, the sound processor does have 8 channels and also can accept both balanced and unbalanced inputs
2. I only have a 5 channel Amplfier, so should I buy another amplfier to drive the center channel and 2 speaker under the seats (if needed)
3. Will my bluetooth work? I dont have navigation in the car.

Currently, there is also lot of disturbance when I talk over the phone as well. I am also not sure if the Head unit is causing the HISS or is this the factory OEM Amp?

Please help!

[GL888]

Originally Posted by mangoriver

I recently got a BMW 335i 2014. This has a HIFI system. I did upgrade the audio system. I had an installer do this. But I have been very unhappy, have been hearing a bad Hiss noise.

My setup is as below

1. Rockford fosgate 360.3 Sound Processor
2. JL XD 5 channel Amp
3. Focal Speakers

The installer connected the output of the OEM amplifier to the Sound Processor. We left the Factory OEM amplifier to drive the Center speaker. He did not use the woofers under neath the seats either.

The JL Amp drivers the front, rear and subwoofer in the trunk.

After I started seeing the HISS noise, I started reading the forums.. My Bad, should have done earlier.

The installer was telling me that the OEM amplifier cannot be bypassed in the BMW as lot of functions are controlled by this, please educate me on this. I dont seem to agree with the installer.

I have few questions

1. Can I bypass the factory OEM amplifier and connect the BMW Head unit directly to the Sound Processor, the sound processor does have 8 channels and also can accept both balanced and unbalanced inputs
2. I only have a 5 channel Amplfier, so should I buy another amplfier to drive the center channel and 2 speaker under the seats (if needed)
3. Will my bluetooth work? I dont have navigation in the car.

Currently, there is also lot of disturbance when I talk over the phone as well. I am also not sure if the Head unit is causing the HISS or is this the factory OEM Amp?

Please help!

Mate, it sounds like this guy really complicated things.

Why didn't you go 2x 4chan amps instead?

[mangoriver]

I should have done more research and educated myself. I can surely get one more 4 channel amp, but the issue now is to first get rid of this hiss. Can anyone tell me if bypassing the OEM AMP the right thing to do.

[GL888]

I'm definitely not the resident audio expert, but my guess would be to take it to someone to fixed the mess this guy caused.

[cdgatti]

Does the center channel in the hifi system use true center channel signal or is it only a dumb sum of L+R?

[GL888]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Does the center channel in the hifi system use true center channel signal or is it only a dumb sum of L+R?

Sum of L+R

[bri1042]

And it muddles channel separation like mad. Evil thing.

[Technic]

I tried another setup for a center channel that worked better than the prior suggestion:

(4) RCA splitters = (4) single female to double male (FTDM)

- Harness front RCA (L/R) + (2) (FTDM) = (2) sets of front RCA = (2) Left and (2) Right = CH1 and CH2 (Front), CH3 + CH4 (center, bridged)
- Harness rear RCA (L/R) + (2) (FTDM) = (2) sets of rear RCA = (2) Left and (2) Right = CH5 -> CH8

XD800/8 suggested settings:
- gain CH1 -> CH6 = minimum
- gain CH7 -> CH8 = 9 o'clock
- input setup = 8ch required

- CH1 = front left = HP 200Hz
- CH2 = front right = HP 200Hz
- CH3 + CH4 = center = HP 250Hz
- CH5 = rear left = HP 200Hz
- CH6 = rear right = HP 200Hz
- CH7 = underseat woofer left = LP 200Hz
- CH8 = underseat woofer right = LP 200Hz

You may think that it is crazy to bridge 200W RMS into a center speaker. However, there is no bass going to that speaker at 250Hz HP, gain is at minimum and in reality the actual volume to that speaker is relatively at the same level of the fronts'.

Of course, it helps to replace the single OEM mid with either an aftermarket coaxial or a component set (mid + tweeter).

For just a center fill for phone and Navigation voices this is quite efficient.

[focal]

I have a 5 channel Alpine PDX amp…two for the front components, 2 for underseat and a mono channel for the future sub. for the rear and center channel, added this economical/small alpine 45x4

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ktp-445u

[davegill]

Do you happen to know if all Alpine amps have balanced inputs? I'm looking at the PDX-5 and the PDX-4

Originally Posted by focal

I have a 5 channel Alpine PDX amp…two for the front components, 2 for underseat and a mono channel for the future sub. for the rear and center channel, added this economical/small alpine 45x4

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ktp-445u

[Technic]

Originally Posted by cheesecakepapi

Do you happen to know if all Alpine amps have balanced inputs? I'm looking at the PDX-5 and the PDX-4

Yes, they are.

[JP1906]

My suggestions are:

First, check the gains on the amp and make sure they are not turned up too high? When you start the car, is the "Gong" sound pretty loud? If so, turn down the gains on the amp. If you're using the "bass module" remote for the JL amp, adjust this as well where there is no hiss.

If this does not solve your issue, second suggestion:

1. Disconnect the 360.3
2. Buy a Technic harness (if not purchased already)
3. Connect the technic harness directly to the JL amp
4. The 360.3 may actually be your problem, so remove this from the entire install.

Trial and error.

Originally Posted by mangoriver

I recently got a BMW 335i 2014. This has a HIFI system. I did upgrade the audio system. I had an installer do this. But I have been very unhappy, have been hearing a bad Hiss noise.

My setup is as below

1. Rockford fosgate 360.3 Sound Processor
2. JL XD 5 channel Amp
3. Focal Speakers

The installer connected the output of the OEM amplifier to the Sound Processor. We left the Factory OEM amplifier to drive the Center speaker. He did not use the woofers under neath the seats either.

The JL Amp drivers the front, rear and subwoofer in the trunk.

After I started seeing the HISS noise, I started reading the forums.. My Bad, should have done earlier.

The installer was telling me that the OEM amplifier cannot be bypassed in the BMW as lot of functions are controlled by this, please educate me on this. I dont seem to agree with the installer.

I have few questions

1. Can I bypass the factory OEM amplifier and connect the BMW Head unit directly to the Sound Processor, the sound processor does have 8 channels and also can accept both balanced and unbalanced inputs
2. I only have a 5 channel Amplfier, so should I buy another amplfier to drive the center channel and 2 speaker under the seats (if needed)
3. Will my bluetooth work? I dont have navigation in the car.

Currently, there is also lot of disturbance when I talk over the phone as well. I am also not sure if the Head unit is causing the HISS or is this the factory OEM Amp?

Please help!