Amplifier location
 

I have a 2011 35D with the base audio system. Do I have an amplifier? If so, where is it? I have looked in the rear cargo area. Removed both left and right side covers. I can see the telematics TCU on the left side, bou there is nothing else in there.

Should be in the left side rear trunk area. Sure its not underneath the combox or TCU ?

Nope, nothing there except the TCU. Begining to think there is no amp for the base system. No wonder the volume is so low.

OK, confirmed with certainty. On my 2011 35 D, there is no amplifier at all. Everything is done by the head unit. Total of 6 speakers. 2 under seat subs, and 1 speaker in each door. No tweeters.

Time to start the upgrade process.

Do you have a head unit with nav (large 8.8" screen) ?

Yes I do

Very interesting, and very puzzling. I've yet to see a CIC that included an amplifier. Parts database still shows a single part # for the CIC.

Oh well. Guess they must have made a change somewhere.

I just installed a custom system last week on my 2011 premium. base audio. There is no a,plifier, in the usual location. All the power comes from the HU..

Hope this helps, as we were puzzled for a bit as well...

Dealing with similar situation, 4 mid-range speakers, 2 sub-woofers and no amp...
This ingenious space saving setup produces the worst quality sound I ever experienced.

icenutz, it would be very interesting to get some details about your install... I have upgraded speakers to BSW but without good amp sound clarity is still far from perfection.

Anyone else can share an experience with upgrade? Any good installers in NY area?

there are plenty of threads here on the factory base sound system...
I personally did extensive research on upgrading my standard system because I heard the premium sound system was nothing to brag about and really not worth the extra cost...

I even looked at the BSW (which was popular and promised a plug and play unit for my year but they never produced it in time...)

I researched extensively on other units that would fit in the exact same layout without modifications and came across a couple of options.

I eventually replaced all factory speakers and tweeters and the stock amp... and I managed to get it to work exactly the same as the stock unit with regards to the integration to the head unit display and controls...

tons of research.. can't remember the exact make/model I installed but i was pretty satisfied with the new setup... from a outsider's perspective you can't tell because it's all sitting in the same spots as the original factory unit... nothing appears to be changed..

It was a great experience but it could have used a bit more bass..

others have gone through greater lengths and performed complete overhaul of the factory units.. not sure on results though..

it really all depends on what you want to accomplish... (subtle changes or ghettofabulous)

i not longer have the vehicle because it has been traded in for my new ride (which i am waiting "patiently" for..) so i can't tell you what i installed...

check older threads for ideas... again, many have done this and have documented them in detail..

I have the "premium" setup and while it is not totally terrible I would like to upgrade for better clarity/sound distribution but don't want to do a total redo of the system.

So my question is whether just replacing the amp will provide better sound clarity?

Thanks

Thank you for reply drod!

What I am looking for is the sound clarity. I previously owned e65 with base sound and e38 with premium and both are far better then my current setup in terms of clarity. Because of very basic amplification on a head unit level the sound is distorted and missing details.

Without a doubt BSW speakers are better then stock ones but real bottleneck is the absence of good amp. Also signal is most probably filtered in the head-unit to compensate for the absence of tweeters, mid-channel etc.

Based on my research mObrige MOST digital pre-amp can be used to replace original amp and communicate "clean" signal from head unit to an aftermarket amp but if (in my case) signal is filtered in the head unit these changes needs to be probably reversed before getting in to aftermarket DSP unit or amp.

Unfortunately so far I cannot find any technical docs or clear references to my downgraded setup (the best doc that I found outlines setups with HiFi and premium HiFi amps - and I have neither). This leaves lots of "grey" areas and I want to make an educated choice... and fix the clarity problem without investing large sum in to a beautiful but expensive system similar to what Reus offers for example.

Preferably I would simply use audio installer's help but need to find one that can do a clean and professional (no "crazy glue" used :yikes:) install and calibrate system.

Any audio installers in NY/NJ area you can recommend?