Alpine IDA x305s problems?

swamper

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good evening chaps
so ive had the above head unit for years...its always sounded very thin with very little in the way of bass...no real top end.....just rubish really...
so ive had it in my head to have a look into this....so i bought a cheap new sony head unit for 20 quid...and it sounds great...it has all the bass and top end ...sharp..everything...however...i cant stand the look of it...awful cheap rubbish...!
so i looked back into the Alpine...this is supposed to sound fantasic....but its awful.
ive compared the wires from the Sony and there the same...
I know we have a built in amp in the footwell...could this be causing problems?
Anyone have any ideas before i buy a new head unit..?

Also can anyone share what there using so i can gauge what i might be looking at if i buy new...?
cheers
 

Rudyrov

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My first suggestion would be to check the phasing of the speakers, that is making sure that all the positives are going to positives and negatives to negatives, any error with that basic wiring will place one or more speakers out of phase, that will make for no bass because the signals are 180 degrees out of phase. Hope that makes sense.
Find the wiring diagram for the radio and note the proper set up / wire colors, check the speakers to make sure they are connected properly with respect to the radios polarities.
Here is one of the many videos available on U-tube.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ItwQNV6Ad8
 

swamper

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yeah it does make sence... i have compaired the looms from the sony to the alpine and they look the same...same wires in the same place...but i suppose the head units are diffrent.
thanks for the reply
 

Rudyrov

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Well, it all has to lign-up. The easiest way to see if this is a problem in your "thin sound" is to just use one speaker at a time. You didn't mention how many speakers in your system, but if it were only 2 as an example, set the balance control to just the left or the right speaker and see if the sound is improved, if its 4 speakers, set the sound to the front left or rear right, etc. By only hearing one speaker at a time you eliminate phasing of multiple speakers, it's just a quick and dirty test, for best results use one of the apps or gadgets you can procure to actually test. Or take it to a shop and have an expert take a free look at it.
 

swamper

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i think is going to the shop.....i found a company near me that install top end stuff in cars and the like....i spoke to him and as soon as i said Z3 he said he did loads with the same problem years ago...
im not one for letting ppl do work on my car as ive done most off the stuff myself...but loom stuff :whistle:
 

Sean d

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I've rewired my entire system, I installed 4 new speakers, sub and amp, i love it
 

swamper

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I've rewired my entire system, I installed 4 new speakers, sub and amp, i love it
i read your thread about it and it was very interesting...but i don't fancy stripping everything out.....and once the door cards have been removed you can always tell.
also with the top down at some miles an hour....i think i might miss the finer details of Vivaldi's four seasons :whistle:
 
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