15951

My IS350 w/ML only has 1,400 miles, but today I was listening to music and turned the volume up to around 40. The bass is still there, but it sounds distorted. I sat in the back seat, and it sounds like the speaker is "flapping" when it hits on occasion. Most of the time it's clean, but it sounds like it's struggling. I don't know how else to explain this.

Usually a blown sub will either rattle badly or do nothing at all. That's not the case here - still plenty of noise and vibration. Anyone else w/ML experiencing sub noise when at high volume levels? I'd say I'm overdoing it at that sound level, but my wife has a Ford Escape with a Mach 300, and the bass in her vehicle would make the ML system run away with its tail between its legs.

Let me know if anyone else is experiencing same, and whether this sounds like a blown speaker. Thanks.

j|michael

my ml subs are blown and i've never listened to music above 45. i'm very unimpressed for how much i spent. i plan on taking it in soon.

15951

Update: I think my sub is fine. I played a couple of DVDs tonight at 40-50 in volume, and they were incredible. The CD causing the noise is 7-8 years old, and the distortion may be in the recording.

The ML system seems to reproduce everything with great clarity for a factory system...accordingly, it also makes any flaws in recorded music very obvious.

jsquared

i think mine are blown too... not too sure... all i know is the sound in the rear is a lot more rattly(is that a word?) than before and it doesn't sound like there is much bass in the back as there used to be. gonna take it in next week when i get stuff done at the dealership.

seems like its more common that i thought. i've read a more than a few posts before about problems with ml and the sub.

Jatt

Man are you kidding, I listen to alotta trance n drumnbass, if the speakers are sounding like that, that sucks, already scaring me before I get the car. If you have nav, is it still possible to change the audio system itself? I mean since the nav is programmed with the audio system, is it possible to change or no?

Technique

It's very simple to remove the factory sub and add an aftermarket sub/amp if you desire...

jsquared

i'm adding an two JL W3V3 10" subs, and a 500/1, and 300/4 amp with a JL cleansweep.

i'm pretty sure it's possible to change out, just a lot of work. i remember reading a post about how the guy was a real audio enthusiast, so he changed out speakers, etc.

Technique

What's the 300/4 amp for?

jsquared

it's for the stock audio system... i guess you can say a tune-up for the ML.

dan206

Over the weekend mine blew mids and tweets sound fine woofer sounds ok at low levels but after u get mid to high vol sounds like an *** flapping. Looks like they put some girly woofers in these *****. Got an appt on Thurs to get it looked at. I had a 328i with the HK system cranked that shiet loud as hell never blew... Other than that.. that car was nothing but a POS.

Technique

So you're going to amplify the stock speakers with a JL Audio amp? Can the stock speakers handle that kind of power?

I guess it makes sense though, since a 500/1 for 2 10" subs is a lot of power and the bass would probably drown out the stock system. I bet it will sound nice, provided the stock speakers can handle the 300/4...

LIG134

iTrader: (1)

Mine was blown. I got it replaced at no charge. Just make the appt to get it done.

ES3

Curious how obvious it was yours was blown? I dont' notice any problem with the base, but will definitely want to keep my eye out for it!

VikH

iTrader: (5)

I think mine are blown too. I never turned the volume past 40. At low levels with a lot of bass (Nelly - Country Grammer) the woofer rattles a lot. I'm gonna sit back there and make sure its not the pillars.

Technique

I know mine isn't blown because it sitting in a box in my closet