[Nicklaeton26]

Hi all,

So I had my stock 6 speakers upgraded yesterday, see post in audio section. Have since found that the active sound, which replicates the engine noise and plays it through the under seat speakers has also been amplified by the upgrade.

Although this sounds great trust me it's not. In mid and sports mode it now sounds extremely loud inside as if I'm running a straight through exhaust. So be aware if amplifying the under seat speakers.

The only way around this so far is to drive in green mode. Going to research and play with settings more next weekend to try and sort this out. Called the dealer and they didn't relaise the mini had it, but when they checked they said it actually did.

 

[uke]

That's interesting. How would the Active Sound ever get into the audio stream your speakers are receiving, unless the Active Sound is not just the little speaker in the back but also makes use of the standard audio system?

If so, adding an enhanced amplifier and speaker system, and equalization, would amplify and modify the AS signals as well, and not necessarily to good effect as you appear to be discovering.

I find it hard to believe that BMW hasn't imagined that people might be running their sound through add-on components. I wonder if there's a way to modify the Active Sound, or disable it?

 

[Nicklaeton26]

When I spoke to Mini they said the BMW 135M has active sound and plays engine sound through under seat speakers, so he suspects that they have done the same in the cooper S hence why it's now really loud.

He did suggest they could re-programme it to not be so loud but he would need to check with service guys on Monday.

In the mean time I have turned down the bass from the amp on the under seats and hoping that's make a bit if difference although not ideal, as my music will take a hit.

Anyone with another ideas will be greatly appreciated, as I hate green mode which is the only way I can find of turning it off.

 

[Angib]

All the info I've seen on the Active Sound System has said that it is produced by a dedicated speaker in the left rear wing, as shown in the Real OEM diagram, with its own feed. Which makes me wonder if your audio install guys may have picked up the wrong audio feed - if just replacing the underseat speakers, that shouldn't be easy to do, but it seems worth asking.

 

[Nicklaeton26]

Yes I saw that diagram too, which is what is throwing me as like you said it should be separate from everything else. The under seats are definitely amplified and the door speakers too. The amp is only a 4 channel so it couldn't power anything else. I will rattle my brain a bit more to think how the **** they have amplified the engine sound. Like i said it's definitely electronic as is green mode it's quieter.

 

[Nicklaeton26]

Found some brilliant info on the American forum. It's does use the car audio system to play the sound as I thought. Need to find a way to sort now

 

[Hat]

Interesting, good find

 

[fatherfork]

ASD can be disabled in the ecu code but you'll need e-sys and an Ethernet to OBD cable to do it. Here's the thread at NAM.

 

[siriuszero]

As you can see from the wiring diagrams, the ASD is integrated into the audio system and all the speakers.

There is supposedly a fuse you can pull to disable ASD without coding. If you want to code, you can configure the intensity of the effect or turn it off altogether.

I assume you found the diagrams from http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/f56-hatch-talk-2014/276043-how-to-defeat-active-sound-design-asd.html. There's some info on disabling ASD, but I can't get my hands on a F5X to test.

 

[Nick-MCS-VO]

I have read a bit up on the coding side of things today, and although its looks complex initially there are some pretty clear instructions out there. I am still going to ask my dealer if they can disable it for me, and save the potential headaches.

One thing that is crossing my mind is how the HK system works. The specialists that fitted my audio system have wired it in the same way the HK system would be, yet my ASD is being amplified abnormally. How come the HK system doesn't do this i wonder?

 

[TX1911fan]

Do all MCS have under seat speakers or only those with the upgraded sound system?

 

[Hat]

they all have them

 

[profiteroles]

does the standard cooper?

 

[Peter]

What i read is that only the 4 cilinders have it.

 

[Nicklaeton26]

You will be able to see a grill under the seat if you have then under seat speakers. They are not obvious to hear in the standard set up but if you can see a speaker grill then you do have them.

 

[profiteroles]

You will be able to see a grill under the seat if you have then under seat speakers. They are not obvious to hear in the standard set up but if you can see a speaker grill then you do have them.

my understanding is that all F56s have under seat speaker grilles. However, not sure if they just play music or the active sound as well in my 1.5L cooper - the engine sounds loud enough for them to be playing it

 

[jeremybingham]

They all have under seat bass speakers.

 

[GregoryK]

Just bypass it. I made a harness that still lets the Canbus see the ASD box. Technics on the BMW forum sells them and they work on the F56 - same exact wiring. $65 US
Greg

 

[Nicklaeton26]

Just bypass it. I made a harness that still lets the Canbus see the ASD box. Technics on the BMW forum sells them and they work on the F56 - same exact wiring. $65 US
Greg

Cheers, Greg! I will have to search for that now. Its been a couple of weeks with my Mini sounding like it has a big american engine under the hood. I hate the fake sound and have had 1 too many people comment on the engine noise through bluetooth calls.

If you have a link to where they sell that loom it would be amazing. Cheers, Nick

 

[GregoryK]

Cheers, Greg! I will have to search for that now. Its been a couple of weeks with my Mini sounding like it has a big american engine under the hood. I hate the fake sound and have had 1 too many people comment on the engine noise through bluetooth calls.

If you have a link to where they sell that loom it would be amazing. Cheers, Nick

Nick, You will need to sign up for an account to send him a private message. He can be quick or slow but will reply. Technic


http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15668583#post15668583


This unit is basically plug and play but you may have to change the cover to the plugs as BMW use very slightly different slots ( you can probably use a knife - I purchased this on
61138364862 cover cap really 2-967385-2 or just take the harness to you dealer.


Good luck the car is quiet though. Be warned.


A new Exhaust could fix that though!


Greg