[Drummin]

I’m having an issue with crackling and distortion in all speakers and I believe tweeters also (HiFi) The crackling only happens on certain songs, mainly songs with piano in them and only when the volume is turned up past half or so after which it gets distorted so bad it’s unlistenable. This is a rather new issue and seems to be getting worse each day. I first thought it was the amplifier but I had no signs of any liquid in the rear and the connections looked fine. I ended up ordering a used one on eBay to see if the issue was consistent and after replacing it, it is still happening. I was going to order the alpha one (I know there are better options but I like plug and play) but I don’t feel like dropping 1200 bucks if it doesn’t solve the issue. Any way to test?

[ctuna]

Which sound system do you have .
If you have If you have Top Hi Fi aka Logic 7 the sound comes
over the Fiber Optic Bus .
If you have Hi Fi it is analog signals. from the Head Unit.
Have you tried re seating the connectors to the Head Unit.
Which Head unit do you have?
Also res seating the speaker connectors might be a good idea.

If this system is new to you it starts to distort when you slam it really bad (Hi Fi )
The amp is really weak and so are the speakers. No way you can get to 3/4 volume
without distortion . BMW Specs there system's at peak power with 10 percent distortion .

It will usually sound harsh at anything past 1/2 volume.

Also the amps from Bimmertech and Bavsound are just repackaged Audio Tech Fisher
Match Series Amp/DSP's the one from Bavsound is locked down so you can't tune it.

BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/

base system wiring pre/post 3/09
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...tDpLJPcGkw_ui_
Base System Guide
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253

You could put a O scope or a small speaker on the output of the head unit to see
if you can still detect noise.

[Drummin]

It’s just hifi not top hifi and the professional head unit (not an expert here). Also this system is not new to me I’ve had the car for almost two years and in that time I’ve had the aux volume on the middle setting, Spotify on the loud setting, and the volume completely maxed and there was essentially no distortion. Like I said this is a newer isssue that seems to be getting worse each day. I now have Spotify on regular, aux on one below medium and it distorts/crackles on 3/4 volume and above on certain songs. A year ago it wouldn’t do that even on louder settings.

[ctuna]

I would re seat all the connectors first and do visuals on the wiring.

I had a Hi Fi system and it was crap whenever I turned it up . Just harsh and no top or bottom end. I couldn't turn it much past half without it hurting my ears. And certainly couldn't have the windows down and play music.

[Drummin]

Forgive my stupidity here but do you mean take out the head unit and unplug/reconnect all of the connectors? Also like I said this is a new issue I’ve been able to blast it and it sound relatively clean up until now.

[ctuna]

You changed out the amp and I take it that did not help .
It might be that the new one is no good.
I used to work in Electronics and it's surprising how many times bad or corroded connections can cause problems.
Just re seating a connector or board can often solve the problem although it's not satisfying .
Other than that without changing out parts for known good ones you don't have a path to do anything that I can see.
You could put and O scope on the signal and maybe determine how bad the waveform is either clipping or has noise on top of the signal but I am guessing you don't have on of those or may not no how to use it .
You would measure both the Input and output wave forms at the amp.

[Drummin]

I appreciate the help. I think I’ll go ahead and get the bimmertech one as I’d like an upgrade either way when this gets solved and that will eliminate that possibility but I can try re seating the connectors also which I assume you mean just unplugging and plugging back in the connectors on the head unit?

[ctuna]

The speakers to .
Doing a good visual on all these components and connectors
is not a bad idea . I would check again for water on the amp to .

[Drummin]

I’ll do that although I will say the amp area is bone dry with absolutely zero signs of any water ever being in there. I just wasn’t sure if others had this issue with all speakers at once distorting and turning out NOT to be the amp or if it was the amp every time.

[ctuna]

When they start to sputter and in all cases the first thing to check is the
amp . Also visualizing everything is the easiest first step in all cases that saves you a ton of trouble.

[Drummin]

Is there any options for an amp upgrade that don’t cost an arm and a leg aside from bimmertech/match? Fcp has a stock one for 700 and I feel like for that or a little more I could find something solid. I’ve been looking everywhere but I’m not a master audio tech here just have basic knowledge and the bimmertech/match is the only option that seems to come up. Wouldn’t even mind if it wasn’t plug and play.

[ctuna]

If you have the Logic 7 setup it's painful to retrofit .
You are pretty much locked into that unless you are willing
to do a ton of work and spend some serious cash if you want
a quality result.
You can get the used L7 amp's on Ebay .
The Hi Fi setup(not L7 ) is the one that easiest to mod but again
if you want quality you will have to drain your wallet unless
you are and expert or lucky .

[Drummin]

I have just the standard HiFi. Just was curious if there was a cheaper option other than bimmertech/match. 1300 seems insane for an amp to me.

[ctuna]

The Bimmertech and Bavsound amps are just rebranded Audio Tech Fisher Match Series DSP/Amps . You can use cheaper stuff but don't go to cheap.
If you go real cheap you may not be doing yourself any favors.

You need something that will interface with plus or minus 5 volt pre outs.
You need a 6 channel amp .
You need to do the research .

[Drummin]

I have been doing research there is just information that is all over the place, some that applies and some that doesn’t and it starts to get very confusing. Like I said I apologize im not an expert which is why I posted here looking for someone with an abundance of knowledge on this to simple it down to just tell me, “you need to get a 6 channel amp, take the speaker signals that go into the stock amp and plug them into the aftermarket 6 channel amp”.