General suggestion when you're trying to diagnose/repair complex systems--

When you find something you think is a problem, follow through with analysis: can the thing I've found produce the symptoms I'm seeing?

Particularly whe we're working with complex systems, the tendency is to think "I've found it!" whenever we find something that might be wrong. Okay, assume you have found the problem -- does it result in the symptoms I'm seeing?

-------------------

Doubt if it's the ground wire. If the bass600 starts up and runs at low volumes, the ground wire is most likely fine. If the ground wire is flaky, the bass600's internal switching power supply won't run. Won't - can't cause the radio to shut down.

Positive to the centers of the RCA connectors is generally correct, but I insist they're the wrong approach here.

Try the hi level inputs!

I just wandered out to the car with my cheezy multimeter, and verified that on the bass600, the shield connectors on the RCA jacks are indeed connected together.

That means using the low-level (RCA) inputs shorts the two negative amplifier outputs together.

Not going to work!

When you play complex enough music, where there is a big difference in signals between channels, and you're playing it loud, the amplifier's self-protection circuitry is going to be triggered.

So, use the hi-level inputs, or put a small resistor (47 ohms, 100 ohms, something in that range, the same in each leg) in all the legs so you're summing voltage sources (rather than shorting current sources).

 

Thanks, I'll try switching to the high level inputs tomorrow. I'll let you know how it works.

 

Follow up:

Left everything the same but changed to the HIGH output on the Boss Bass600, works flawlessly!

Ipod, CD, Radio, cranks without cutting out, must be the RCA inputs as you said K6rtm!

Thanks for you Help!

Regards,

Claus

 

Hi everyone, thanks for the all the great info in this thread. Just ordered a Bass600 from Amazon for $89.99 out the door

I'll post pics once it's installed.

 

OK, so I have re-read the entire thread and am confused if I should use the high or low level inputs on the Bass600. I have the HiFi option and it seems that everyone has a different answer.

 

Did you not read my last 2 posts? I thought it was pretty much Black & White, Use the high outputs or it'll cut out on you.

 

Use the high-level inputs.

 

It confuses me as well. Low-level inputs didn't work for me. High-level inputs (RCA jacks) are working fine.

Edit: Oops, I'm really confused. Got things backwards. I'm using the RCA jacks. They are low-level inputs, not high-level.

 

Thanks!

Also, I just got my Bass600 even though I ordered from Amazon on Sunday and used the free shipping option.

I am hoping I can get this installed over the weekend and will let everyone know how it goes.

 

hey guys, i'm new here as i just bought a 2009 Mini cabrio. I have been reading all the pages you all have been writing about installing a Boss in the car. I think i am ready to do the job. i know you need a special tool to push the pins out of the X9331. But i have not seen any reference to how i can get this tool or how do i get the pins out to make the switch or attach the sub wires to the existing speaker wires. need some help please. K6rtm, anyone? Thanks

 

robin casady, i read in your post that you 'pulled the pins out of the X9331'... were you pulling from the male or female side? i am having problems getting the pins out. any help with that? thanks

 

I think I pulled the female sockets when I originally added the Bass600. IIRC, I ended up using a Torx bit. Don't recall the size.

There is a discussion of tools in the Channel Swap thread.

However, IMO, the best way to tap into the X9331 connector is to not pull any pins at all. Spend the $$ and buy the parts for both sides of the X9331 connector. Make a pass-through connector that has wires coming off of it for the Bass600. This what I ended up doing when I added an Image Dynamics Q 450.4 amp. Although an expensive way to do it, the advantage is that you don't alter anything in the car and can go back to stock simply by unplugging your pass-through connector.

Part numbers:
61131378139
61131376204 12 ea.
61131378137
61131376193 12 ea.

 

I just want to thank everyone again. Enjoying the full sound. I can hear every instrument pretty clearly. Took a while to adjust the levels since my front speakers were already providing nice clear midrange bass. My carpc has a software equalizer that helped me get the sound I wanted. I basically tweaked down the midrange bass, kept the lows, brought out the midrange treble a bit. My 3.5" fronts had nice ear piercing highs to top it off. I know I'm not using appropriate wording, but my non-audiophile ears are very happy. I also have the rears completely faded off now. I fade it back every now and then to appreciate how much the oem speakers stunk. Like mud. I highly recommend front speaker replacements coupled with the BASS600 as a relatively easy and inexpensive diy mod (under $300).

 

Where is everyone mounting these units? pics?

 

People have gotten them out with all sorts of tools; depends on how handy you are with small tools.

The thread has the BMW (mini) part number for the sleeve (a piece of thin wall stainless tubing by the looks of it), and for the whole tool. You can fit the sleeve into a standard tap handle, like the one you'd use for a 6-32 tap.

Or, if you're in the Silicon Valley area, drop me a PM and swing on by!

 

Or do like I did and tear apart a standard ole telescoping antenna like those found on little TVs, FM radios, boom boxes and the like. Depending on the antenna, one of the sections fit perfect.

 

Robin - Thanks for the info on the BMW parts, i will see if i can get them at a local BMW parts dealer. if not available there, i'll order them from your link you posted. Thanks again.

k6rtm - thanks for the offer in Silicon Valley, but hard to do as i'm in Switzerland

10zero - thanks for the idea too.

just wanted to say thanks to all of your posts on installing the sub. i'll be installing it soon.

 

10zero - did you push out the male or female pins with the antenna?

 

I'm over in Basel every few years to visit friends for Fasnacht -- don't know if we're going in 2010 or not just yet.

--bob

 

GREAT info, thanks!! Where do the wires come out of this pass thru connector after you make it? Picture? It looks like you just took a male and a female and put them together, so I can't understand where you get the wires to come off it... ?

I need somebody to do this on LI. Anyone want to install replacement speakers and a small subwoofer/amp on LI? Have cash, need bass!!

 

When you wire the male and female connectors together (allowing some wire length between them) you add a second set of wires to the pins for the audo wires. So, the eight audio pins have two wires soldered on to each. One goes to the female connectors and one goes to the Bass600.

 

hey bob, if you are in Basel in 2010...let me know.. we'll hook up for some beers.

-- caleb

 

Gotcah, thanks. I had in my mind the 2 connectors were plugged into each other back to back somehow, didn't think about putting wires between them... makes more sense now, thanks.

Is there enough room in their for the 2 new connectors and wires? Somebody mentioned the space might be an issue... ?

 

You have to have enough length in the pass-through connector wires to move one set above and forward of the original location. I'd suggest at least 12 inches of wire between the two. This is from memory. Best to check it out yourself.

 

What's stopping me from tapping into the x9331 connector, but instead of tapping OFF of the connector, re-route the front speakers from the connector into the Boss, and the out of the boss back to the x9331 connector and on to the amp. This way I/we could use the filter on the Boss amp to remove the bass from the front speakers, and let the mini built in amp (hi fi) remove the bass from the rear speakers.

You guys elouded something similar, but not sure if this is what you ment...?

Would this work?