Alpine 7894 Too Loud?

[Tommy R]

I installed an Alpine CDA-7894 months ago and I'm disappointed with the lack of volume range. Starting from silence at the zero setting, it's too loud by the 6 or 7 setting. And the settings go up to 30 or 40. This makes fine tuning volume very difficult or impossible.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I need to look at my manual to see if there's a gain control (either internal or external) to adjust this....

Thanks,
Tommy

[BJO]

if it's too loud, then you are too old :) j/k

is the loudness setting on? are you using the internal amp or an external one?

[Tommy R]

:finger22: ;)

I need to look into the internal amp deal. I would think I'm using it since I don't have an external amp, however, I'm running the stock speakers throughout so perhaps they're amplified? I wonder if all that amplification could help account for the alternator whine I hear. :mad:

I don't remember the loudness setting, but I don't recall it making that big of a difference in the system's overall volume.

Tommy

[Driven ///M3d]

Tommy, worse thing you did was use stock amp. it is NOT designed to be used with an aftermarket DECK....you need a real tech with a multimeter to try and fine tune what you have. or buy an amp with adjustable gain controls...and power speakers from there. the Deck is not your problem. :shake:

[MMNJTWA]

yeah get rid of thefactory amp

[Tommy R]

I'd happily get rid of the factory amp (or bypass the head unit's). Is there only one factory amp or are there multiples? Time to pull out the Bentley and look up this stuff (assuming audio junk is in there)....

Thanks,
Tommy

[Androulakis]

With an alpine 7984 you have 4v preouts right?

Here is the right way to wire it to properly power the stock amp.

Strip 4 rca cables, and wire the center core to each speaker + wire, and the shield to the speaker - wire. Then plug the rca's into the head unit's preamp outputs...do not use the speaker outputs of the head unit.

If you rip out the factory amp, there is no way to power the existing speakers in the car without building a passive 3 way crossover.

That is what I would do, and the factory amp wont hit the input limiter so quickly. Another option would be a line level converter to lower the voltage on the speaker outputs, but in the case of a 4v preout setup, its not needed.

George

[al_r]

I agree with George re: using the RCA outs to your existing amp. If you do want to use the HU amp and bypass the BMW amp, I can provide you the wiring for your '92.

[Tommy R]

Originally posted by al_r
I agree with George re: using the RCA outs to your existing amp. If you do want to use the HU amp and bypass the BMW amp, I can provide you the wiring for your '92.

Thanks! I'd appreciate that. Feel free to e-mail me... :)

Tommy

[Androulakis]

Please understand the front uses 3 separate speakers - they are crossed over electronically (in the amp) so eliminating the amp is going to require you using a passive crossover..

Take care,

George

http://www.parts4sale.com/bmw/E36/1992Stereo/10spkr92.jpg

[eXpLiCiT]

I installed an Alpine CDA-7894 months ago and I'm disappointed with the lack of volume range. Starting from silence at the zero setting, it's too loud by the 6 or 7 setting. And the settings go up to 30 or 40. This makes fine tuning volume very difficult or impossible.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I need to look at my manual to see if there's a gain control (either internal or external) to adjust this....

Thanks,
Tommy
Im having the same problem after installing my Alpine 7894. I tried the RCA method but they sounded too soft. So I connected the speaker outputs back instead then decided to just use the bass boost on my JL 500/1 that powers my 10" W7 to match the volume on the HK speakers. So is the only way of fixing this problem going with aftermarket components and amps?

[jay00f4]

With an alpine 7984 you have 4v preouts right?

Here is the right way to wire it to properly power the stock amp.

Strip 4 rca cables, and wire the center core to each speaker + wire, and the shield to the speaker - wire. Then plug the rca's into the head unit's preamp outputs...do not use the speaker outputs of the head unit.

If you rip out the factory amp, there is no way to power the existing speakers in the car without building a passive 3 way crossover.

That is what I would do, and the factory amp wont hit the input limiter so quickly. Another option would be a line level converter to lower the voltage on the speaker outputs, but in the case of a 4v preout setup, its not needed.

George

This is exactly it.