Navigation & Audio Alpine iDA-x305 in a 2006 Cooper S
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Neutral
Joined: Sep 2009
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Alpine iDA-x305 in a 2006 Cooper S
Hi, i'm new here and looking for advice.
I see that quite a few people here have the Alpine iDA-x305 or similar models. I bought mine from Crutchfield and had it installed at Meyer Emco close to where I live. I love the navigation, screen, etc. I have the Harmon Kardon system in my Mini so I was looking forward to some strong sound like I'd had with the built in CD player.
I have been relentlessly disappointed. However, judging from what others here are saying it seems like there's either something wrong with my setup or i'm needing to adjust some setting somewhere. I have already changed about every setting I can find including all the high pass stuff, the Hz settings for bass and treble, etc. The sound continues to be tinny treble and muddy bass with almost no mid at all. It's so shrill at times in fact that I have to turn the volume down when I simply shouldn't have to. It kind of breaks the heart. I had wondered if maybe the built in amp just wasn't strong enough but I'm not seeing anyone else with similar problems.
Anyone got any ideas?
I see that quite a few people here have the Alpine iDA-x305 or similar models. I bought mine from Crutchfield and had it installed at Meyer Emco close to where I live. I love the navigation, screen, etc. I have the Harmon Kardon system in my Mini so I was looking forward to some strong sound like I'd had with the built in CD player.
I have been relentlessly disappointed. However, judging from what others here are saying it seems like there's either something wrong with my setup or i'm needing to adjust some setting somewhere. I have already changed about every setting I can find including all the high pass stuff, the Hz settings for bass and treble, etc. The sound continues to be tinny treble and muddy bass with almost no mid at all. It's so shrill at times in fact that I have to turn the volume down when I simply shouldn't have to. It kind of breaks the heart. I had wondered if maybe the built in amp just wasn't strong enough but I'm not seeing anyone else with similar problems.
Anyone got any ideas?
Last edited by orionxl; Sep 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM.
Hi there,
First off, how did the installers enable the HK amp to work with your new HU?
I'm pretty sure the only way to get the HK amp working with an aftermarket HU is to get either the "HK Enabler" from mike the mini, or buy the "eAmp Module" from EAS (http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...ucts_id=1871); I installed the latter which is a little pricey, but it shipped from the US as oppose to the UK. Both are similar "modules" in which you have to crimp wires to the existing radio harness.
If the installers enabled the amp in a different way, this may be the reason why the sound isn't good. They may have even bypassed the HK amp, something you may want to ask your installers.
The second thing I found to make a difference, is the HU itself. I started my system off with the Eclipse CD5030. It was a great HU, but even after tweaking all the high/low pass filters settings (I also added a sub) and EQ settings, the sound was just "ok" but way too bass heavy.
Since Crutchfield has an awesome return policy, I decided to try out the Pioneer BT710. I dropped that HU in and what a difference! The sound is much more balanced and definitely not as bass heavy like the Eclipse. With the built in crossover features on the Pioneer, I now have my system tuned to sound very good (8 out of 10)- I would say at least as good as the OEM HK system except lower bass and bass that I can feel (thanks to the 2 JL 8"s, I'm running).
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
First off, how did the installers enable the HK amp to work with your new HU?
I'm pretty sure the only way to get the HK amp working with an aftermarket HU is to get either the "HK Enabler" from mike the mini, or buy the "eAmp Module" from EAS (http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...ucts_id=1871); I installed the latter which is a little pricey, but it shipped from the US as oppose to the UK. Both are similar "modules" in which you have to crimp wires to the existing radio harness.
If the installers enabled the amp in a different way, this may be the reason why the sound isn't good. They may have even bypassed the HK amp, something you may want to ask your installers.
The second thing I found to make a difference, is the HU itself. I started my system off with the Eclipse CD5030. It was a great HU, but even after tweaking all the high/low pass filters settings (I also added a sub) and EQ settings, the sound was just "ok" but way too bass heavy.
Since Crutchfield has an awesome return policy, I decided to try out the Pioneer BT710. I dropped that HU in and what a difference! The sound is much more balanced and definitely not as bass heavy like the Eclipse. With the built in crossover features on the Pioneer, I now have my system tuned to sound very good (8 out of 10)- I would say at least as good as the OEM HK system except lower bass and bass that I can feel (thanks to the 2 JL 8"s, I'm running).
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
yeah, is probably a issue with the HK... I have the 305 in my MCS 06 and it works and sounds great. I did not have the HK system though and I am told that complicates things for the install.
I also do have the bluetooth module and that is fantastic... makes all the work worthwhile.
The only problem or thing I don't like is that you lose the data information when listening to the radio with the Alpine; eg no more station id, song info.
I also do have the bluetooth module and that is fantastic... makes all the work worthwhile.
The only problem or thing I don't like is that you lose the data information when listening to the radio with the Alpine; eg no more station id, song info.
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