It's all about the bass (or lack of it).

Mac_Gaz

Mac_Gaz

A 2.2 in Estoril Blue
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 11, 2016
Points
72
Location
Washington - Tyne and Wear
Model of Z
Z3 2.2i Sport
Any hints or tips on this one would be appreciated.

My newly purchased 2.2 came with a Sony Xplod GT315C head unit fitted, I've tried every setting under the sun but I cannot get any real volume or bass whatsoever.

The unit plays from all sources, however there is no drive at all, it's extremely weak, even when you push the volume up.

All speakers seem to be wired and working, including the centre unit, but none of them produce any bass.

Duff head unit amp?
 
Before I was looking after his Z3, my brother had a similar head unit fitted by Halfords. They lost the base in the process. They used the wrong type of converter cable apparently. In fact it's still like it as I've never got round to fixing it - not that I know what the fix is off the top of my head.
 
I put a new set of Vibe speakers in mine and it sounds fantastic, a few members on here have heard it, the bass is great as is the top end. I was going to fit a sub but there is no need for one.
 
Mac_Gaz said:
Any hints or tips on this one would be appreciated.

My newly purchased 2.2 came with a Sony Xplod GT315C head unit fitted, I've tried every setting under the sun but I cannot get any real volume or bass whatsoever.

The unit plays from all sources, however there is no drive at all, it's extremely weak, even when you push the volume up.

All speakers seem to be wired and working, including the centre unit, but none of them produce any bass.

Duff head unit amp?
Click to expand...
Think of listening to that beautiful exhaust and you roar down the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..Actually, sorry but I don't know too much about the radios...........Frankie
 
Last edited:
Mac_Gaz said:
Any hints or tips on this one would be appreciated.

My newly purchased 2.2 came with a Sony Xplod GT315C head unit fitted, I've tried every setting under the sun but I cannot get any real volume or bass whatsoever.

The unit plays from all sources, however there is no drive at all, it's extremely weak, even when you push the volume up.

All speakers seem to be wired and working, including the centre unit, but none of them produce any bass.

Duff head unit amp?
Click to expand...

What source are you using for sound?

Can you try a loan head unit for comparison
 
The Sony one looks terrible with its awful animated neon display so I'll be replacing it soon.

I just think it's a bit strange that it's not pumping out any lows at all. The suggestion from @mrscalex sounds plausible, I'll check it out.
:thankyou:
 
there maybe a amp built into the car that's not coming on as the remote for the head unit is not working?
just a thought :)
 
Possibly as Rob says an incorrect cable used which does not supply the Amp with a power feed so it cannot work. Definitely worth looking into, especially if it was fitted at Halfords.

Tony.
 
Check your wiring and make sure that the polarities are correct, that is Speaker + is connected to Radio or amp + output and Negatives are connected to negatives. A mismatch in polarity will result in no bass output because he speakers are out of phase with each other, in effect this cancels out bass.
 
Sean d said:
I put a new set of Vibe speakers in mine and it sounds fantastic, a few members on here have heard it, the bass is great as is the top end. I was going to fit a sub but there is no need for one.
Click to expand...
Which Vibe speakers did you use?
The Halfords website has several different types (eg 6" "Replacement" for £11.99, or "Slick component" for £60).
I'm looking for an easy swap to enhance sound quality, particularly the bass (as I can just about hold a screwdriver, but not a lot more!).
If you could set out the exact type and size, and whether its just a case of unscrewing the speaker grille and swapping the speakers over, I'd be grateful.
 
Sean d said:
I put a new set of Vibe speakers in mine and it sounds fantastic, a few members on here have heard it, the bass is great as is the top end. I was going to fit a sub but there is no need for one.
Click to expand...

What about the mid range?? Surely bass isn't everything, unless you are 17years old and want to impress??? your mates. Surely the Holy Grail is an overall balanced sound, not a distorted sound. My Hi Fi amplifier has NO tone controls, just a straight through path, so as not to distort the input!

(Other opinions are available.)

Bonzo.
 
Bonzeau said:
What about the mid range?? Surely bass isn't everything, unless you are 17years old and want to impress??? your mates. Surely the Holy Grail is an overall balanced sound, not a distorted sound. My Hi Fi amplifier has NO tone controls, just a straight through path, so as not to distort the input!

(Other opinions are available.)

Bonzo.
Click to expand...
The bass is only there if you want it, the whole range sounds great.
 
5UG said:
Which Vibe speakers did you use?
The Halfords website has several different types (eg 6" "Replacement" for £11.99, or "Slick component" for £60).
I'm looking for an easy swap to enhance sound quality, particularly the bass (as I can just about hold a screwdriver, but not a lot more!).
If you could set out the exact type and size, and whether its just a case of unscrewing the speaker grille and swapping the speakers over, I'd be grateful.
Click to expand...
The front are 5.5 inch from what I remember and the rears are 4, the fronts are 120 watt and the rears 80, they are on a thread somewhere on here, I'll take a look later.
 
There was no bass whatsoever on my issue and the mid range wasn't too good either, hence me posting the original question.
 
Mac_Gaz said:
The Sony one looks terrible with its awful animated neon display so I'll be replacing it soon.

I just think it's a bit strange that it's not pumping out any lows at all. The suggestion from @mrscalex sounds plausible, I'll check it out.
:thankyou:
Click to expand...

The Sony units are normally pretty good.You can turn off the disco lights display in the settings.
 
Sean d said:
I have a Sony HU and love it
Click to expand...

I had one in my Z3 too Sean, I thought it was good. Just the trashy lights thing bugged me but easy to turn off.

Tony.
 
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