Sounds like a blown speaker....from OUTSIDE the car...?

[TPLSM3]

So I've noticed that when I get out of the car but still have the radio going (standard base system), the sound system just sounds horrible! It really sounds like a blown speaker when you're outside of the car. Does not matter if I have the windows up or down. I know I've read somewhere that the subs underneath the seats have enclosures that are vented to the chasis. I'm not sure if that's why it sounds bad from outside the vehicle, but it sounds perfectly fine from inside the car. Am I losing it or are the rest of you guys experiencing the same?

I wanted to upgrade the subs under the seat, but if it's only going to make it worse, I definitely don't want to do that.

[randomquickness]

you are not alone...sounds like garbage outside the car

[matt]

indeed, thats because of the woofers underneath the seat using the doors as resonance body.

some isolation would help you.

[PUREPHAZED]

Originally Posted by matt

indeed, thats because of the woofers underneath the seat using the doors as resonance body.

some isolation would help you.

"isolation". My wife makes the same mistake.
In english it would be insulation.

M

[Gray135i]

Haha, isolation is correct there too. Park the car outside of your house, turn the radio up and then isolate yourself inside the house. It sounds much better that way. The OP is correct though, the premium sounds like crap as well. Its amazing how all bass is completely canceled as soon step out of the car. When I get some more time, I plan to take at least one of the seats and sub out to get a better look in the enclosure.

[tiintegra]

Who cares what it sounds like outside the car? As long as it sounds great when your inside the car!

[PA135i]

+ 100 ^^^^ ..

[randomquickness]

actually, I do care what it sounds like outside the car because I'm always listening to the car audio system when I am drying it and cleaning the wheels/tires (which thanks to bmw brake dust takes a while)

[yourfriend]

it's just the body vibrating. i have a friend who has 2 12's in the back of his 530i and when you're right next to it all you hear is the body buzzing with the bass. if you move to a far away place you just hear ridiculous bass. cars in general get a buzzing noise when the bass is high if you're standing directly outside of it.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by randomquickness

actually, I do care what it sounds like outside the car because I'm always listening to the car audio system when I am drying it and cleaning the wheels/tires (which thanks to bmw brake dust takes a while)

Try rolling the windows down. In any event - it is what it is.

[moff]

Premium setup also sounds terrible from outside.

When I am driving in the city I can only imagine what pedestrians are thinking... cheap ICE... due to the bad rattling.

Sounds great inside though!

[TPLSM3]

Sounds like that's just the way it is unfortunately. Even with the windows rolled down, it still sounds horrible. It really does just sound like blown speakers or cheap ICE. My previous show car BMW M3 never had issues like that (was running full aftermarket ICE). I'll mention it to my BMW dealer next time I'm there for service and see what they say. Maybe there's a fix...

[60Driver]

From outside I get a buzzing from the passenger door. The buzzing is really irritating to listen to when I'm washing the car, doors locking / unlocking and lights blinking in joy. But it sounds like crap and I, too, wonder what people think as I drive by. Car rich, stereo poor?

[aus]

I hope other forums don't get a hold of this thread. They'll be laughing at 1 owners forever bitching out how bad their stereo sounds OUTSIDE the car.

[siddhartha]

Originally Posted by aus

I hope other forums don't get a hold of this thread. They'll be laughing at 1 owners forever bitching out how bad their stereo sounds OUTSIDE the car.

If we are paying a premium price for a showy car, it's only natural to expect that it should sound showy as well.

[MrBimmer]

is it possible for someone to record a video with a few scenarios to hear what it sounds like? windows up, windows down, max bass setting, max volume setting, etc. i ordered the hi fi system with my car and i cant wait to hear it but i don't like the idea of the stereo sounding cheap from the outside. I can imagine that a powerful system will rattle the license plate ... maybe that's what you people are hearing.

[Lester]

It is what it is. If you are concerned that people will think your music sounds crappy while you are driving by, then turn it off, and let them listen to the exhaust.

[MrBimmer]

Ive been doing some looking around and i came across a video that was demoing the sound deadening capabilities in a 745i. its really hard to find videos of people playing the sound system in their cars.

Anyhow, notice when the windows are up, the car sound like its rattling or shaking apart even. But when he puts the windows down, you hear the full sound of the bass( that is if you have a 200 watt speaker system w/ 8 inch and professional sound in your computer). Is that rattling sound similar to that of the 135i ?

[Aladinnu]

You need to remove the plastic under the door that covers the floor and you will find plastic holders loose that let the bass enclosure breathe around them. You can replace them or get some sound tape and cover them and all will be fixed. The woofer uses the floor as enclosure.