HK Sound System Question

[M3rocket]

I've replaced the midrange speaker in passenger door three times -- each time getting a replacement used speaker from Bavarian Auto Recyclers, Inc. They've honored their 6-month warranty and sent replacements at n/c because each one had degraded foam that holds/dampens the speaker in the frame.

They're sending me a 4th one today, but the rep suggested the distortion/vibration noise the speaker's making could be coming from my amplifier. This seems unlikely to me because the distortion/vibration only occurs during certain songs and sound pitches, plus the other midranges in the car work fine.

Has anyone run across amp issues he's suggesting? I think he's blowing smoke and it's the worn-out foam that's at fault.

[dshilkit]

those mid-ranges are a known weak spot...if you're replacing with used, it's not surprising they keep dying. i don't buy the amp issue, either, but i suppose anything is possible.

[kornkid8600]

If it's occurring during some tracks its definitely a speaker problem. If you look at it try blowing at the speaker cone. I bet you will find a small tear, and that tear is good enough to cause annoying distortion/crackling.

[lesl]

I've been successful in re-edging the midrange. The kit was only few bucks.

[metro32168]

I've been successful in re-edging the midrange. The kit was only few bucks.

same here,
i rebuilt the edges of the speakers and they sound fine.

[Chokingdogs]

The amp issue they're suggesting is nonsense.

While it is possible an amp can have an individual channel go bad, I highly doubt the amps in these cars have individual channels for each speaker.

If it was the amp, it would happen all the time, during any song, to all speakers powered by that channel. It wouldn't discriminate between different tunes on an individual speaker.

[olemiss540]

Why put that much head-ache into a shotty system in the first place. Spend a little extra on some aftermarket replacements and you wont have to worry about them again and they will sound amazing compared to your old system. Brouse the audio forum and spend 3 or 4 hundred and you will never look back! Rebuilding shitty paper midranges??!! Really? doesnt seem a time well spent to me....

[AngryWhopper]

Why put that much head-ache into a shotty system in the first place. Spend a little extra on some aftermarket replacements and you wont have to worry about them again and they will sound amazing compared to your old system. Brouse the audio forum and spend 3 or 4 hundred and you will never look back! Rebuilding shitty paper midranges??!! Really? doesnt seem a time well spent to me....

I agree.

[BMWmusic]

Good point.

[olemiss540]

You should also re-do your door panels while replacing with aftermarket options. I used Focal 6.5" components for the fronts and 2 - 8" IB woofers in the rear for my setup and re-did the door panels with new clips, gorilla glue and gorilla tape/clamps and my interior leads to smiles instead of frowns... no more rattles!

[M3rocket]

I've been successful in re-edging the midrange. The kit was only few bucks.


same here,
i rebuilt the edges of the speakers and they sound fine.

Where to buy such a kit -- Radio Shack? Sounds worth a try....

And thanks everyone for the comments -- I hear the common sense in just buying new components -- and confirming my hunch it's not the amp.

Since I spent the 60 bucks for the speaker and they're willing to keep sending me replacements at n/c, I'm going to keep trying or eventually have them refund the cash.

[carbon monoxide]

You can all ways swap your speaker with the oppisate door. If the noise switches over than you know it's the speaker. If the noise remains on the same door it would be your amp. G/L

[olemiss540]

Where to buy such a kit -- Radio Shack? Sounds worth a try....

And thanks everyone for the comments -- I hear the common sense in just buying new components -- and confirming my hunch it's not the amp.

Since I spent the 60 bucks for the speaker and they're willing to keep sending me replacements at n/c, I'm going to keep trying or eventually have them refund the cash.

The only issue with this plan is having to take off the M3's JUNKY door panels soo often. Pretty soon, there wont be anything left. Also, the suggestion to swap sides of speaker sounds like a good one...

[M3rocket]

Yeah, live & learn, right? I just found Bavarian Soundwerks sells a pair of new midranges for the e36 with rubber surrounds and non-paper cones for $110. Should have done this in the first place and saved the headache....

[Esteban213]

Good for you.

[m2pc]

Yeah, live & learn, right? I just found Bavarian Soundwerks sells a pair of new midranges for the e36 with rubber surrounds and non-paper cones for $110. Should have done this in the first place and saved the headache....

This. I did that several months ago and haven't looked back. The paper OEM speakers simply just don't hold up after 10+ years of sitting in the sun, heat cycling, etc.

BSW is a great company that really makes some great products. I plan to eventually replace all the other speakers in the car with BSW units.

[kornkid8600]

I did change out my HK midranges with BSW. They are fantastic. Just those two speakers alone made a gigantic difference, tons more bass and treble. I wouldn't say they are the best speakers especially with the rest of the current system staying in tact, but they are 100x better than the HK ones.

[Halston Pitman]

We do offer the midranges, if you have any questions please let me know! They are backed by a 4 year warranty as well as being a signifigant improvement over the factory :)

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product/489/323/BMW-E36-Midrange-Front/