Purchasing an M3, but no bass!

Burstey · 04-26-2014, 08:11 PM

Hey guys, I went to go look at an M3 today and purchased it. It's a 2011 and Mineral White. I immediately fell in love with the car. One of the things I noticed though was the upgraded stereo system. It has the upgraded stereo system, but one of the things I noticed was no bass at all in the car. I went through the settings and reset the audio levels and even tried turning it up, but still nothing. I was wondering if this is a major issue, or something minor. Thanks guys!

powerbait · 04-26-2014, 08:19 PM

My 2010 has the standard system and has fairly impressive bass with the stock under seat woofers, I would think the upgraded system would out do them or at least match it in the bass department. Was the upgrade a retro fit? Maybe the previous owner has a system and disconnected the stock woofers.

IzzyGray · 04-26-2014, 08:21 PM

Depends on much of an audiophile you are. I have the upgraded stereo on the M3 and it's decent but the Audi's B&O system sounds better.

Burstey · 04-26-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerbait

My 2010 has the standard system and has fairly impressive bass with the stock under seat woofers, I would think the upgraded system would out do them or at least match it in the bass department. Was the upgrade a retro fit? Maybe the previous owner has a system and disconnected the stock woofers.

The bass just wasn't there. It wasn't there at all. I could tell right away that there was something wrong, because it sounded very good, but was just missing the bass. There was some hiphop and rap saved into the car so I doubt that the previous owner disconnected the subwoofer. I know it's not gonna blow me out of the seat, but it sounded about as good as my iPhone speaker.

rjd598 · 04-26-2014, 08:42 PM

second time this week i'm saying this. the e9x had a good run

Harry Da Hamster · 04-26-2014, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxxx

First world problems

Yesterdays joke

Burstey · 04-26-2014, 09:11 PM

Another thing to note it is the Premium option if that makes a difference.

Someone? · 04-26-2014, 09:40 PM

i got PS and my shit bumps like ah doom truck.

Burstey · 04-26-2014, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibmike

i got PS and my shit bumps like ah doom truck.

That's what I've heard! So I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong, because I wan't that premium sound quality.

Mthrice · 04-26-2014, 10:52 PM

Probably a problem with your amp. Mine cut out a couple times on hot days, but eventually came back on. Wouldn't say its a common problem, but ive heard this before.

Burstey · 04-26-2014, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Probably a problem with your amp. Mine cut out a couple times on hot days, but eventually came back on. Wouldn't say its a common problem, but ive heard this before.

It was about 60 degrees when I went to go look at the car, and the car hadn't been started in 2 days. I think it might be an amp problem. That was my first thought.

coloradoe92m3 · 04-26-2014, 11:53 PM

Especially she still or parked the Dirac thumps hard. When driving it gets drown

pkimM3r · 04-26-2014, 11:54 PM

i recommend turning the music off and listening to the engine.

Chris M4CS · 04-27-2014, 07:55 AM

Perhaps the previous owner had a separate sub/amp to give his hip hop more low end. If they did, they could have cut the factory harness to accomplish this. I would check to see if the woofer under the front seats are actually still hooked up and playing. If you turn your stereo up pretty good, you should be able to hear or feel with your hand to see if the driver is playing. Good luck.

Amirsm3 · 04-27-2014, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxxx

First world problems

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd598

second time this week i'm saying this. the e9x had a good run

If it's not there "at all" then you could have a loose connection. Did the level of bass change when you adjusted it in the iDrive menu? If the low range isn't distorted in any way, shape or form ...you're just being nit picky.

LarThaL · 04-27-2014, 11:25 AM

I have at times felt like "where's the bass?" with my enhanced premium sound. Once I even put my hand down over the sub to make sure I could feel some vibration coming out of it.

What I have found is that the system is definitely capable of bass, but if it isn't in the recording, you can't easily add more bass, especially deeper bass. After listening to some tracks with heavier bass, it was definitely there. Of course, it will never sound like a 12" aftermarket unit in a sealed trunk box.

Burstey · 04-27-2014, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amirsm3

If it's not there "at all" then you could have a loose connection. Did the level of bass change when you adjusted it in the iDrive menu? If the low range isn't distorted in any way, shape or form ...you're just being nit picky.

It didn't change at all. I even put on se heavy bass songs and went to the menu to change the bass level and I noticed no difference at all between the lowest and highest setting.

Burstey · 04-27-2014, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I have at times felt like "where's the bass?" with my enhanced premium sound. Once I even put my hand down over the sub to make sure I could feel some vibration coming out of it.

What I have found is that the system is definitely capable of bass, but if it isn't in the recording, you can't easily add more bass, especially deeper bass. After listening to some tracks with heavier bass, it was definitely there. Of course, it will never sound like a 12" aftermarket unit in a sealed trunk box.

I could just tell something was wrong. I wasn't expecting any real bass out of the car but it literally sounded as good as my iPhone speaker. I talked to the dealer and they could tell something was wrong too. So they're gonna go ahead and fix it for no cost. I'll have the car in a few days and finally be able to enjoy this machine.

Lerxst M4 · 04-27-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burstey

Hey guys, I went to go look at an M3 today and purchased it. It's a 2011 and Mineral White. I immediately fell in love with the car. One of the things I noticed though was the upgraded stereo system. It has the upgraded stereo system, but one of the things I noticed was no bass at all in the car. I went through the settings and reset the audio levels and even tried turning it up, but still nothing. I was wondering if this is a major issue, or something minor. Thanks guys!

I followed this thread to a T and found the settings to be fantastic and really brought out the sound of enhanced premium audio.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428114

Your mileage may vary.

Denk · 04-27-2014, 12:14 PM

I think the standard system sounds better than the premium. The premium sounds too thin, clinical.

Lerxst M4 · 04-27-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denk

I think the standard system sounds better than the premium. The premium sounds too thin, clinical.

Respectively disagree...with the proper settings on the EPA of course.

-Ryan- · 04-27-2014, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MineralWeiss

Perhaps the previous owner had a separate sub/amp to give his hip hop more low end. If they did, they could have cut the factory harness to accomplish this.

That would be my guess. Aftermarket subs removed and sold before the car was sold.

04-26-2014, 08:11 PM	#1
Burstey Private First Class 16 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2011 MW e92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Kankakee, Illinois iTrader: (0)	Purchasing an M3, but no bass! Hey guys, I went to go look at an M3 today and purchased it. It's a 2011 and Mineral White. I immediately fell in love with the car. One of the things I noticed though was the upgraded stereo system. It has the upgraded stereo system, but one of the things I noticed was no bass at all in the car. I went through the settings and reset the audio levels and even tried turning it up, but still nothing. I was wondering if this is a major issue, or something minor. Thanks guys!
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04-26-2014, 08:19 PM	#2
powerbait postimus minimus 31 Rep 94 Posts Drives: M3 addiction Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: FL iTrader: (8) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [10.00] 1998 BMW M3 [8.75] 2010 BMW M3 [9.37] 2006 BMW M3 [10.00]	My 2010 has the standard system and has fairly impressive bass with the stock under seat woofers, I would think the upgraded system would out do them or at least match it in the bass department. Was the upgrade a retro fit? Maybe the previous owner has a system and disconnected the stock woofers.
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04-26-2014, 08:21 PM	#3
IzzyGray Lieutenant 27 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (3)	Depends on much of an audiophile you are. I have the upgraded stereo on the M3 and it's decent but the Audi's B&O system sounds better.
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04-26-2014, 08:42 PM	#5
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	second time this week i'm saying this. the e9x had a good run
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04-26-2014, 09:11 PM	#7
Burstey Private First Class 16 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2011 MW e92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Kankakee, Illinois iTrader: (0)	Another thing to note it is the Premium option if that makes a difference.
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04-26-2014, 09:40 PM	#8
Someone? Perception is King 131 Rep 1,703 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (8)	i got PS and my shit bumps like ah doom truck. __________________ Perception and Reality are Two totally different Things.
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04-26-2014, 10:52 PM	#10
Mthrice Lieutenant 106 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 15 M3 Tanzanite/Blk, 15 GT3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (1)	Probably a problem with your amp. Mine cut out a couple times on hot days, but eventually came back on. Wouldn't say its a common problem, but ive heard this before. __________________ 2008 M3 BRP 2:08.4 Big Willow 1:37.8 SOW CW 1:29.0 Chuckwalla CW 2:07.4 LS 1:46.7 ACS 2:00.7 2010 GT-R BRP 1:55.3 Big Willow 1:32.0 SOW CCW 1:23.4 Chuckwalla CCW 2:02.5 Chuckwalla CW 2:00.1 LS 1:41.2 ACS 1:50.6
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04-26-2014, 11:53 PM	#12
coloradoe92m3 Banned 30 Rep 496 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: u.s iTrader: (0)	Especially she still or parked the Dirac thumps hard. When driving it gets drown
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04-26-2014, 11:54 PM	#13
pkimM3r Banned 205 Rep 7,298 Posts Drives: m3 saloon in granny mode. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lost angeles iTrader: (0)	i recommend turning the music off and listening to the engine.
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04-27-2014, 07:55 AM	#14
Chris M4CS First Lieutenant 27 Rep 313 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW M4CS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	Perhaps the previous owner had a separate sub/amp to give his hip hop more low end. If they did, they could have cut the factory harness to accomplish this. I would check to see if the woofer under the front seats are actually still hooked up and playing. If you turn your stereo up pretty good, you should be able to hear or feel with your hand to see if the driver is playing. Good luck.
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04-27-2014, 11:25 AM	#16
LarThaL Colonel 336 Rep 2,940 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	I have at times felt like "where's the bass?" with my enhanced premium sound. Once I even put my hand down over the sub to make sure I could feel some vibration coming out of it. What I have found is that the system is definitely capable of bass, but if it isn't in the recording, you can't easily add more bass, especially deeper bass. After listening to some tracks with heavier bass, it was definitely there. Of course, it will never sound like a 12" aftermarket unit in a sealed trunk box. __________________ **Audi S6 Audi S3 * Porsche Cayman GTS* --Former BMW M3 owner**
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04-27-2014, 12:14 PM	#20
Denk Brigadier General 1006 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 2021 X5M Join Date: May 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (2)	I think the standard system sounds better than the premium. The premium sounds too thin, clinical.
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