Strange Harmon Kardon problem...

[M3west]

Hi Guys,

I have a strange Harmon Kardon audio issue that I can not get sorted. It is REALLY spoiling the car.

When I bought the car I requested BMW replace the dot matrix on the radio face as it was "bleeding", kind of looked like the matrix was going on in the display ! To my surprise they replaced the head unit...score I thought....

Now I am not 100% sure if the problem was there when I took delivery of the car as the head unit was replaced few days after the car was trucked from JHB.

What happens is when playing CD/Radio you can turn the volume to say 40%, as you pass 40% the bass drops out almost completely. As you get to about 80% the bass starts to become more noticeable again but really needs to be LOUD...almost uncomfortable. AS you then drop the sounds back down to 40% the bass comes in 100% and starts to distort so badly that you immediately have to go to 0% and back up again.

So I took it back to the dealer and said this is not correct, they "made some changes" and assured me it was sorted. Quick test...same. Went back in again for a service and they promised to sort......same problem. Workshop Manager tells me "they are all like this" BULLSHIT. I tell him he needs to get this sorted, they put a claim in for a new HK amp and Sub. Three weeks later I get a new Amp, Sub and they do a full software upgrade (Amp costs R15K and Sub 5K).

I am not able to collect the car and they deliver to my house, I get home....and BOOOOOM....it's still the friking same !!!!! Sounds like total shit !

Please note that this happens when bass is set to minimum !!! forget 50%it distorts like its 180 degrees out of phase

So I going to Auric BM for a quick opinion, they suggest the car should go to Combined Electronics in Durbanville. Now my issue is I do not want some punk driving my car to them and back.

So, new head, new amp, new sub, new software and still nothing suggestions before I hand my baby over to a houligan to drive???

:argh:

Thanks

 

[zama]

At 1st when turning the radio on does it distort badly, but after turning up the volume the distortion disappears completely and it gets better as you put it louder?
I have similiar problem, high uncomfortable volume sounds perfect but low volume not too good.

I've also noticed sometimes after palying the radio and then turning it off while driving I hear a loud buzzing sound from the speakers.

 

[MikeR]

Its clipping the AMP, basically cutting the power output.
I dont Know those Amps but there should either be a software or hard switch to allow the extra power through at the higher volumes.

 

[M3west]

No, sounds fine. Its only when you turn it up that the bass drops. then sounds OK, but tinny as the bass has dropped. The awful when turning back down.

I do not get a buzz.

At 1st when turning the radio on does it distort badly, but after turning up the volume the distortion disappears completely and it gets better as you put it louder?
I have similiar problem, high uncomfortable volume sounds perfect but low volume not too good.

I've also noticed sometimes after palying the radio and then turning it off while driving I hear a loud buzzing sound from the speakers.

---

Brand new amp, would have thought it was sorted.

Is there a cable that is possible mixed up causing signal's to be out of phase?

Its clipping the AMP, basically cutting the power output.
I dont Know those Amps but there should either be a software or hard switch to allow the extra power through at the higher volumes.

 

[yunuso]

i would have them check the head unit, its the only link in the system they havent changed................or did the actually change the amp?
did you see it after they changed it ? the dealers sometimes claim to do things they actually dont do!

 

[M3west]

The head is new, that was the first part they changed.

How can I be 100% sure they actually changed the amp and sub?

I did receive a copy of the invoice, total came to R23K with new front disks/pads etc.....

i would have them check the head unit, its the only link in the system they havent changed................or did the actually change the amp?
did you see it after they changed it ? the dealers sometimes claim to do things they actually dont do!

 

[LPM320]

I once read some time ago that the Harmon Kardon systems used Alpine manufactured head units, while Blaupunkt made the rest. There were also some minor changes made to the head units as time went on. Maybe the second headunit installed in your car isnt compatible with the rest of the system?

 

[M3west]

Thats an interesting point...

I am taking her in on Monday and told the dealer they can keep her until the problem is fixed!

The only nightmare is that they are going to have to drive my car into town to take it to a specialist.....HATE the idea of someone driving my baby

I once read some time ago that the Harmon Kardon systems used Alpine manufactured head units, while Blaupunkt made the rest. There were also some minor changes made to the head units as time went on. Maybe the second headunit installed in your car isnt compatible with the rest of the system?

 

[Sankekur]

I once read some time ago that the Harmon Kardon systems used Alpine manufactured head units, while Blaupunkt made the rest. There were also some minor changes made to the head units as time went on. Maybe the second headunit installed in your car isnt compatible with the rest of the system?

The HK sound system is only an amp and speakers.

 

[M3west]

Just a quick update. This is now sorted. Seems I got two faulty radios and the third one did the trick!

Bonus I got a new HK sub and AMP!

Sounds good but HK is still not the best in the 46. My Discovery has Logic7 HK....thats flicking ROCKS!!

 

[abmi0000]

Glad you got it sorted :thumbs:

Yeah, I have Logic 7 too... Very good quality! :=):