Volume issues on my sound system

Gary07110 · 09-29-2014, 02:15 PM

Hey guys, I have a 2008 Si roadster with 38000 miles. A real beauty. Over the last month I've been experiencing intermittent volume control problems. I can increase the volume up to a certain point and then no more. I'm afraid it may be the amp. It's the same whether it's my iPod, cd or radio. Anyone else experience this before? And what was the diagnosis? Many thanks!

StickMon · 09-29-2014, 03:14 PM

I may have the same problem, but I was never sure if something was broke or if it was supposed to be that way.
I have the "Top-HiFi", and while it sounds great, I was always underwhelmed with the peak volume.
It's the first sound system of any kind I've ever had where you couldn't turn it up loud enough to go non-linear and get distorted.

I also noticed that when it's cranked full tilt, it gets suddenly a little louder when I drop below 11 mph.
I also, also noticed that if I turn up the bass, there's a little more bass, but a much more pronounced decrease in everything else, like it's total power limited, and robbing the mid-range to feed the bass.
Putting those 2 together, I think I've discovered that it's pre-programmed to crank up the bass a little when you exceed 11 mph.

I've haven't pursued it, because it still gets pretty loud, and at my age I should preserve my hearing and leave loud enough alone.

Gary07110 · 10-04-2014, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure if we have the same issue though. I experience an increase in volume over 40 mph but that's the only time and I think that's normal. Otherwise I can't raise the volume very loud and I can't believe that's how it's meant to be. But thanks!

Steeler · 10-04-2014, 04:51 PM

The HiFi amp has circuitry that increases and decreases the volume automatically depending on vehicle speed(you may already know this)
It sounds like that circuitry may be messed up.

Is there sign of any water in the battery well?

Gary07110 · 10-05-2014, 07:43 PM

I haven't checked for water in the battery well. Why do you ask?

Steeler · 10-05-2014, 08:00 PM

Water gathers in the battery well due to ineffective draining from the convertible top.The audio amp lives there and will fry when wet.
I replaced my amp but before putting it in place I drilled 4 - 1/4" holes in the bottom of the battery well to allow drainage.

Gary07110 · 10-10-2014, 06:22 PM

I see.. Thanks. I didn't check it but will now before I replace mine if necessary. Did you replace yours with a stock amp? Or get something better?

Steeler · 10-10-2014, 07:16 PM

Stock amp
Didn't want to mess with the wiring to adapt an after market amp
OEM is not cheap though

09-29-2014, 02:15 PM	#1
Gary07110 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2008 Titanium Z4 3.0si Roadste Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: nutley,new jersey,USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4 3.0 SI Road ... [0.00] 2008 Z4 3.0 SI [0.00]	Volume issues on my sound system Hey guys, I have a 2008 Si roadster with 38000 miles. A real beauty. Over the last month I've been experiencing intermittent volume control problems. I can increase the volume up to a certain point and then no more. I'm afraid it may be the amp. It's the same whether it's my iPod, cd or radio. Anyone else experience this before? And what was the diagnosis? Many thanks! __________________
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09-29-2014, 03:14 PM	#2
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	I may have the same problem, but I was never sure if something was broke or if it was supposed to be that way. I have the "Top-HiFi", and while it sounds great, I was always underwhelmed with the peak volume. It's the first sound system of any kind I've ever had where you couldn't turn it up loud enough to go non-linear and get distorted. I also noticed that when it's cranked full tilt, it gets suddenly a little louder when I drop below 11 mph. I also, also noticed that if I turn up the bass, there's a little more bass, but a much more pronounced decrease in everything else, like it's total power limited, and robbing the mid-range to feed the bass. Putting those 2 together, I think I've discovered that it's pre-programmed to crank up the bass a little when you exceed 11 mph. I've haven't pursued it, because it still gets pretty loud, and at my age I should preserve my hearing and leave loud enough alone. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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10-04-2014, 11:21 AM	#3
Gary07110 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2008 Titanium Z4 3.0si Roadste Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: nutley,new jersey,USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4 3.0 SI Road ... [0.00] 2008 Z4 3.0 SI [0.00]	Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure if we have the same issue though. I experience an increase in volume over 40 mph but that's the only time and I think that's normal. Otherwise I can't raise the volume very loud and I can't believe that's how it's meant to be. But thanks! __________________
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10-04-2014, 04:51 PM	#4
Steeler Colonel 2429 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	The HiFi amp has circuitry that increases and decreases the volume automatically depending on vehicle speed(you may already know this) It sounds like that circuitry may be messed up. Is there sign of any water in the battery well? __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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10-05-2014, 07:43 PM	#5
Gary07110 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2008 Titanium Z4 3.0si Roadste Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: nutley,new jersey,USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4 3.0 SI Road ... [0.00] 2008 Z4 3.0 SI [0.00]	I haven't checked for water in the battery well. Why do you ask? __________________
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10-05-2014, 08:00 PM	#6
Steeler Colonel 2429 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Water gathers in the battery well due to ineffective draining from the convertible top.The audio amp lives there and will fry when wet. I replaced my amp but before putting it in place I drilled 4 - 1/4" holes in the bottom of the battery well to allow drainage. __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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10-10-2014, 06:22 PM	#7
Gary07110 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2008 Titanium Z4 3.0si Roadste Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: nutley,new jersey,USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4 3.0 SI Road ... [0.00] 2008 Z4 3.0 SI [0.00]	I see.. Thanks. I didn't check it but will now before I replace mine if necessary. Did you replace yours with a stock amp? Or get something better? __________________
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10-10-2014, 07:16 PM	#8
Steeler Colonel 2429 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Stock amp Didn't want to mess with the wiring to adapt an after market amp OEM is not cheap though __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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