Standard Radio not adequate with top down

Latvianstallion · 10-22-2009, 08:17 PM

So what would be the best way to upgrade the stereo in my E89 N54? I got the sport and premium packages with HD radio but it still seems kind of lame. I need some volume but I don't want to compromise the design of the car. I guess I could deal with amps in the trunk since I can't put much in there anyway.

teagueAMX · 10-22-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latvianstallion

So what would be the best way to upgrade the stereo in my E89 N54? I got the sport and premium packages with HD radio but it still seems kind of lame. I need some volume but I don't want to compromise the design of the car. I guess I could deal with amps in the trunk since I can't put much in there anyway.

Most people that got the Premium stereo system have been pretty satisfied with it so I'm curious about the specifics issues.

There's a couple of links on the forum for upgrading the base system due to lack of volume and sound quality especially when the top is down, but so far I haven't seen a Premium stereo system upgrade.

Vintage · 10-23-2009, 11:20 AM

nothing personal and I know stereos can be much better than the Premium System, but maybe you should have your hearing checked as the Premium System is very loud. I have never turned it all the way up because I truly think it may damage my hearing

Memphis1 · 10-23-2009, 12:58 PM

i've noticed something weird as if the radio lowers its own volume, like a sound check... im still trying to figure it out. you can notice how loud it goes when you set to a loud level and then go to the menu that controls the gong, the radio shoots up in volume and its very clear.

twin turbo · 10-23-2009, 01:45 PM

There is an adjustable volume control that is speed based. I think it is called S-VOL. Volume goes up and down according to speed or ambient noise (not sure which). It's in the menu with the bass/treble settings. I finally turned mine all the way down because I didn't like the way it was automatically adjusting the volume.

teagueAMX · 10-23-2009, 04:04 PM

I've never liked those systems either, but maybe that's Latvianstallion's issue with his Preimum system.

Vintage · 10-23-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

i've noticed something weird as if the radio lowers its own volume, like a sound check... im still trying to figure it out. you can notice how loud it goes when you set to a loud level and then go to the menu that controls the gong, the radio shoots up in volume and its very clear.

you are spot on and it is very annoying on the base system as it lowers the volume at speed - I know it sounds crazy but if you crank it up some computer literally then lowers it as if saying "no that is a little too loud for this crappy system"

richard in NC · 10-23-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

you are spot on and it is very annoying on the base system as it lowers the volume at speed - I know it sounds crazy but if you crank it up some computer literally then lowers it as if saying "no that is a little too loud for this crappy system"

Does the base radio have a "speed volume" setting? I have the premium sound but still had to change that setting to get more volume at speed. Mine is now adjusted that it gets a bit too loud at speed with the top up but does stay listenable with the top down, even at interstate speeds.

Latvianstallion · 10-23-2009, 08:25 PM

I will fiddle with the volume controls some more. Perhaps i don't have it set correctly. Incidentally, I have turned the gong down as low as I can but would like to turn it off altogether. Can I do it? I sometimes have groceries piled in the front seat and the gong goes off for about half my trip home.

DrJason · 10-25-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

i've noticed something weird as if the radio lowers its own volume, like a sound check... im still trying to figure it out. you can notice how loud it goes when you set to a loud level and then go to the menu that controls the gong, the radio shoots up in volume and its very clear.

I've noticed something like this when the radio picks up the HD signal and switches from the regular signal

twin turbo · 10-25-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphis2012

i've noticed something weird as if the radio lowers its own volume, like a sound check... im still trying to figure it out. you can notice how loud it goes when you set to a loud level and then go to the menu that controls the gong, the radio shoots up in volume and its very clear.

I noticed what you are referring to tonight. It's not the S-VOL as I stated above. It's almost like the stereo has a distortion sensor. I brought a CD with me tonight during my evening drive. Some songs would start nice and loud and then all of the sudden the volume would drop significantly. It seemed to me like it would happen when the bass would kick in. I think the amplifier has an overly sensitive protection circuit. Years ago, I installed stereo's for a living and I have never experienced this exact problem. Really wierd...

Vintage · 10-25-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twin turbo

I noticed what you are referring to tonight. It's not the S-VOL as I stated above. It's almost like the stereo has a distortion sensor. I brought a CD with me tonight during my evening drive. Some songs would start nice and loud and then all of the sudden the volume would drop significantly. It seemed to me like it would happen when the bass would kick in. I think the amplifier has an overly sensitive protection circuit. Years ago, I installed stereo's for a living and I have never experienced this exact problem. Really wierd...

agreed - seems to be a distortion detector of some type that throttles the volume back when the amplifier is taxed too much

lightning · 10-26-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twin turbo

I noticed what you are referring to tonight. It's not the S-VOL as I stated above. It's almost like the stereo has a distortion sensor. I brought a CD with me tonight during my evening drive. Some songs would start nice and loud and then all of the sudden the volume would drop significantly. It seemed to me like it would happen when the bass would kick in. I think the amplifier has an overly sensitive protection circuit. Years ago, I installed stereo's for a living and I have never experienced this exact problem. Really wierd...

haha sorry for this noob question, but.. so what does the S-Vol do? i experience the same prob as all of u!!

teagueAMX · 10-26-2009, 07:48 AM

It's a setting that allows the stereo volume to increase as your speed increases to compensate for road noise, wind, etc.

Memphis1 · 10-26-2009, 09:39 AM

do you guys think there's a break in period for the speakers too? maybe it will gradually let you raise it higher...

Vintage · 10-26-2009, 10:57 AM

never heard of such a thing; so, I doubt it

10-22-2009, 08:17 PM	#1
Latvianstallion Latvianstallion 5 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2009 z4 s35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	Standard Radio not adequate with top down So what would be the best way to upgrade the stereo in my E89 N54? I got the sport and premium packages with HD radio but it still seems kind of lame. I need some volume but I don't want to compromise the design of the car. I guess I could deal with amps in the trunk since I can't put much in there anyway.
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10-23-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
Vintage Colonel 381 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	nothing personal and I know stereos can be much better than the Premium System, but maybe you should have your hearing checked as the Premium System is very loud. I have never turned it all the way up because I truly think it may damage my hearing
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10-23-2009, 12:58 PM	#4
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 93 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	i've noticed something weird as if the radio lowers its own volume, like a sound check... im still trying to figure it out. you can notice how loud it goes when you set to a loud level and then go to the menu that controls the gong, the radio shoots up in volume and its very clear.
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10-23-2009, 01:45 PM	#5
twin turbo Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	There is an adjustable volume control that is speed based. I think it is called S-VOL. Volume goes up and down according to speed or ambient noise (not sure which). It's in the menu with the bass/treble settings. I finally turned mine all the way down because I didn't like the way it was automatically adjusting the volume. __________________ 2020 BMW M340i xdrive 2016 BMW M4 (sold) 2015 BMW M4 (sold) 2014 Audi RS5 (sold) 2012 Audi TT RS (sold)
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10-23-2009, 04:04 PM	#6
teagueAMX Colonel 62 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	I've never liked those systems either, but maybe that's Latvianstallion's issue with his Preimum system.
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10-23-2009, 08:25 PM	#9
Latvianstallion Latvianstallion 5 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2009 z4 s35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: columbia, SC iTrader: (0)	About that gong...... I will fiddle with the volume controls some more. Perhaps i don't have it set correctly. Incidentally, I have turned the gong down as low as I can but would like to turn it off altogether. Can I do it? I sometimes have groceries piled in the front seat and the gong goes off for about half my trip home.
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10-26-2009, 07:48 AM	#14
teagueAMX Colonel 62 Rep 2,087 Posts Drives: Some are road worthy Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: So Cal, USA iTrader: (0)	It's a setting that allows the stereo volume to increase as your speed increases to compensate for road noise, wind, etc.
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10-26-2009, 09:39 AM	#15
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel 93 Rep 1,838 Posts Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	do you guys think there's a break in period for the speakers too? maybe it will gradually let you raise it higher...
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10-26-2009, 10:57 AM	#16
Vintage Colonel 381 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	never heard of such a thing; so, I doubt it
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