Help -- Sounds like blown sub, but it is not

[TonyKanz]

Hey all, thanks in advance....I'm at a total loss on this one.

2015 M4, with the HK sound system.

Factory sub woofer on drivers (left) side sounded blown. Classic motor-boating sound for base instead of a crisp clear signal.

Ordered the bavound ghost subs....installed and powered up....Now i'm getting the exact same blown sub sound on the bavsound sub.

I swapped the left / right subs and confirmed that it is specific to the left side placement and not the sub itself. I then went back and tried both the factor subs in the right side and left.....All 4 subs sound blown out on the left side and are fine on the right.

Question -- what/how do I check next?

Anyone else experienced something like this?

Thanks!

[Encanto]

Originally Posted by TonyKanz

Hey all, thanks in advance....I'm at a total loss on this one.

2015 M4, with the HK sound system.

Factory sub woofer on drivers (left) side sounded blown. Classic motor-boating sound for base instead of a crisp clear signal.

Ordered the bavound ghost subs....installed and powered up....Now i'm getting the exact same blown sub sound on the bavsound sub.

I swapped the left / right subs and confirmed that it is specific to the left side placement and not the sub itself. I then went back and tried both the factor subs in the right side and left.....All 4 subs sound blown out on the left side and are fine on the right.

Question -- what/how do I check next?

Anyone else experienced something like this?

Thanks!

Check for water damage in the OEM amp.

[TonyKanz]

10-4....Sorry if this is dumb.....what would water damage in the OEM amp look like?

[shadoww]

I don't thing it is water damage issue

[Encanto]

Originally Posted by TonyKanz

10-4....Sorry if this is dumb.....what would water damage in the OEM amp look like?

Water damage will look like a blown woofer… water gets into the OEM amp, either causing short circuits or oxidation of contacts in the PCB, damaging the amp circuitry. You may not see any watermarks on the outside of the amp chassis, but the water will be inside of it.

[Budget M3]

Whether damaged by water or not, the problem is definitely originating with the amp. Your best bet is to find a used (known good) amp as a drop in replacement. Many on here who have upgraded from the HK system should have used ones for sale.

[Encanto]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

Whether damaged by water or not, the problem is definitely originating with the amp. Your best bet is to find a used (known good) amp as a drop in replacement. Many on here who have upgraded from the HK system should have used ones for sale.

You would want to know if there is a water leak in the trunk so the replacement amp may be damaged as well.

[Budget M3]

Originally Posted by Encanto

You would want to know if there is a water leak in the trunk so the replacement amp may be damaged as well.

Of course that would be prudent. There are many things that can cause a factory amp to go belly up, though, and water intrusion in a BMW that is less than 10-years old is, IMHO, very unlikely.

[Encanto]

Originally Posted by Budget M3

Of course that would be prudent. There are many things that can cause a factory amp to go belly up, though, and water intrusion in a BMW that is less than 10-years old is, IMHO, very unlikely.

In my professional experience, water-damaged OEM amps are more prevalent than any other fault. OEM amps are quite durable otherwise.