[greddm]

Adding a couple of amps to my base stereo system (2010 e90). I've purchase 2 metra harnesses so I can run the wiring to the trunk and back.

My question is that the metra harnesses dont seem to have all the connections they should. Has anyone got pics or dealt with this? I couldn't find anything on the search, also cant find a wiring diagram for the base system (only hifi and logic 7).

Additional details

Speaker inputs to AudioControl LC7i, from there to a 2 channel amp (under seats) and a 4 channel amp (doors and rear).

Thanks

[ctuna]

Most people go with the Technic Harness here.
As its made for a BMW specifically .

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586

Base System Upgrades
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266
http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1003810
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771

The following link is one of the better examples of how to do a base system
correctly. And tells you why this is the best approach. Other options are listed in the
examples in the above links.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234

The underseats and the front doors are wired in parallel and run off the front channels
of the deck or idrive. The rear channels run off the rear channels from the deck.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit

[6spdcoupe]

A harness from technic would be the best/most efficient approach.

An LC7i or any other summing device has zero advantage for Base (stereo) as there is nothing to sum and it does not correct the nasty OE eq curve. Correcting that would come in the way of (typically) a DSP of choice.

[greddm]

Originally Posted by 6spdcoupe

A harness from technic would be the best/most efficient approach.

An LC7i or any other summing device has zero advantage for Base (stereo) as there is nothing to sum and it does not correct the nasty OE eq curve. Correcting that would come in the way of (typically) a DSP of choice.

From what I've read, the front channel is full signal, with inline crossovers. The LC7i will take the front and back signal and sum them into one. At least thats what the reading material leads me to believe. If thats not the case I guess a JL audio CleanSweep would fit the bill.

[greddm]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Most people go with the Technic Harness here.
As its made for a BMW specifically .

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586

Base System Upgrades
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266
http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1003810
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771

The following link is one of the better examples of how to do a base system
correctly. And tells you why this is the best approach. Other options are listed in the
examples in the above links.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234

The underseats and the front doors are wired in parallel and run off the front channels
of the deck or idrive. The rear channels run off the rear channels from the deck.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit

Thanks for the links. I used to install stereos professionally (although it's been 14 years) so I wanted to do it myself so I could learn the ins and outs of this particular system.

[ctuna]

If you want to do it without cutting wires
The Technic Harness is the best way . If you want
to duplicate it you would need some expensive crimpers
and connectors. Although connecting a stereo is not that different
than it was 14 years ago the complexity of the cars and
the way the stereo is integrated with the rest of the car can
be and usually is. Speakers that fit in these is limited due to the
thin doors and there is and eq problem with the base stereo that
requires a frequency flattening device or processor to correct,
unless you can find away to recode the radio or idrive for low level
flat outputs . And what 6speed said about the LCI.

A basic upgrade of the base system looks like what is in the following link
and explains what is going on with the eq problem

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234


BMW stereo types
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865
electical e90 pdf
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU
http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872

Install procedures
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=door+wires
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=911595
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...9&postcount=19
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571803
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+install

http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e90
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...DIY+door+panel
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=553388
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=speaker

[greddm]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Speakers that fit in these is limited due to the
thin doors and there is and eq problem with the base stereo that
requires a frequency flattening device or processor to correct,
unless you can find away to recode the radio or idrive for low level
flat outputs . And what 6speed said about the LCI.

I've already installed DLS components in the doors and SWSs under the seats (currently not running since the amps are not installed.). I already have the LCi so I may just have my HU recoded to HiFi - I'll just have to see what is the most economical at this point (recode or get a cleansweep).

I've also found the pin-out for the factory harness so I should be able to get everything else connected now (eq problems aside). I can handle "complex" as long as I can find all the information I need. This forum has been a great resource, and I appreciate all the help!

[6spdcoupe]

The LCi, in blunt terms is useless. It won't doing anything for Base and nothing is needed for HiFi. The wiring is very straightforward and the only obstacle is the huge, smiley face, eq applied.

[greddm]

Originally Posted by 6spdcoupe

The LCi, in blunt terms is useless. It won't doing anything for Base and nothing is needed for HiFi. The wiring is very straightforward and the only obstacle is the huge, smiley face, eq applied.

I'm not sure what im missing about LC7i, this is from the product description and sounds like exactly what I need:

"Many factory systems actually turn the bass down as you increase the volume, because the cheap factory speakers can't take it, subsequently removing much of your music's power and punch. AudioControl developed a patent pending AccuBASS™ circuit that restores the bass the factory radio erased, giving you much fuller and more enjoyable sound. The AccuBASS is applied to the subwoofer output channel, so your sub amp can have the entire, restored signal to work with."

Don't I just need something that will take my line level inputs and restore the bass like this?

[6spdcoupe]

Originally Posted by greddm

I'm not sure what im missing about LC7i, this is from the product description and sounds like exactly what I need:

"Many factory systems actually turn the bass down as you increase the volume, because the cheap factory speakers can't take it, subsequently removing much of your music's power and punch. AudioControl developed a patent pending AccuBASS™ circuit that restores the bass the factory radio erased, giving you much fuller and more enjoyable sound. The AccuBASS is applied to the subwoofer output channel, so your sub amp can have the entire, restored signal to work with."

Don't I just need something that will take my line level inputs and restore the bass like this?

It doesn't like what you need at all. Not even a little bit.

First you need to understand the eq curve. Try this image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_...ey_Face_EQ.png

Does it appear that the bass or bottom end are lacking or need restoration ? Negative. You need to flatten that curve, something that the LCi does Not do, at all.

[Makeuwunder]

Originally Posted by greddm

I'm not sure what im missing about LC7i, this is from the product description and sounds like exactly what I need:

"Many factory systems actually turn the bass down as you increase the volume, because the cheap factory speakers can't take it, subsequently removing much of your music's power and punch. AudioControl developed a patent pending AccuBASS circuit that restores the bass the factory radio erased, giving you much fuller and more enjoyable sound. The AccuBASS is applied to the subwoofer output channel, so your sub amp can have the entire, restored signal to work with."

Don't I just need something that will take my line level inputs and restore the bass like this?

I am running lc7i in my car and I haven't had an issue at all. I also have the logic7 system in my car. I am only using it to run two JL AUDIO 12w6v2. All I did was tap into the wires for the under seat subs and I can control the amount of bass correction as the volume gets higher. U don't have to use the summing if you don't want to. It has internal switches you can change by taking the cover off. It really is a great device if used properly.

[ctuna]

No L7 no need for using the L7 amp as a preamp
which is kind of an inelegant solution anyway.