stereo v poor - no bass

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laurabird66

New Member
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4
Hi
New to the forum so hoping you can help.
Just got a 1999 1.8 freelander which has a kenwood head unit and 6 harmon kardon speakers. Advertised as a premium sound system but I think it's pretty useless. No bass, althought there is a slight change when I adjust the settings, nothing significant, also tried a different head unit - no change.

There is nothing in the book about the audio and I've struggled to find info/spec online.

All the speakers work so the connections seem ok. There is a lead with connecter in recess under the boot - is something missing?

Not exactly tech savvy so any help appreciated.

Laura
 
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I would suggeest getting a sub, although others might be along to tell yer how to get the best out of the system as is.Good luck.
 
The Harmon Kardon system in my last Discovery had a Sub Woofer fiited in the rear door and, I'm sure that I have read on here somewhere that the Freelander version has a Sub fitted in the boot locker.

Sadly I only have the standard LR system in my Freebie, so cannot check for you.
 
I have a 2004 hse it has a sub in the boot locker. Maybe thats missing?? you say there is a lead in there? but no sub? The standard Harmann Kardon sound system is great no earth shaking bass but great clarity. If I remember the standard headunit has a sub output to power the sub in the boot locker. Maybe a look behind the headunit to see if you have the wire, will hopefully shed some light on wether you 'should' have a sub.
 
There is nothing in the boot locker except a possible sub connector (it's pretty wet in there and the connector has a loose wire & is corroded)

I took off the door panels to have a look at the speakers - they can only connect 1 way so I'm guessing the polarity is ok..there was some dampness there though. Also the tweeter covers - really had to put my ear to those to hear anything.

It's not the factory fitted one so I don't know if it would have had a sub connection.
On the kenwood there is a red & white phono type socket on the back but I can't see any spare cable/connector inside the dash.

As I don't know anything really about subs/amps, I wanted to ask you guys before I head out and buy new speakers to seeif that makes a difference.

( I saw 4 jaguar HK on ebay - woud they fit?)

Thanks for your help btw
 
Sounds like the sub has been removed.You dont need an amp unless you change and up rate all the speakers
 
the red and white phonos are the signal output to run to an amp..bear in mind if you decide on an amp and you mount it in the boot you need to run a signal cable from the phonos on the head unit all the way to the boot and you will also need to run a positive supply feed to the amp.lots of cable and time routing all the wires,you may be more successfull upgrading the existing speakers
 
On our's there is a sub with two speakers fitted under the lid of the recess in the boot. The lead should have a four pin connector .
It's lilkely that the system has been removed after it was submerged . It's probable that the two rear door speakers are disconnected and the cables run to the plug and onto the speakers mentioned above.
I've got a new plug connector to fit as ther original item is corroded like yours.
 
Your Kenwood headunit should sound good on the HK speakers if all was in good order. Sounds like the rear door seal has given up and let the water in poss damaging the previous sub in the boot, the old water and electric trick! This in turn probably fecked the original head unit and by the sounds of it some of the speakers you still have working or not as the case my be. Upgrading the speakers in their current positions would be the first port of call, however if there is damaged wiring that maybe harder to do - Electric - water - funny smell and Poooof!!
 
Thanks for all your advice guys

I've found out that the original HK system consisted of 4 door speakers & tweeters, boot sub, amp and factory head unit. I've been told that the original speakers were not designed to work without the help of the sub/amp so this explains why the bass is so poor connected up to an aftermarket headunit.
I've renewed all the connectors, bought new speakers and mounting adapters which has very nearly solved the issue....only the adapters are too deep and I can't get the door panels back on!

I'd been to an audio specialist, told him the story and he ordered these adapters for me
Autoleads SAK-1207 - BMW Mini 2001> Front Door 130mm Speaker Adaptor Kit
said they were compatible with the freelander.
When I picked them up I thought they looked deep (1.5") but he assured me they were ok.
Well I've googled this item tonight and have found they fit the Discovery but nothing about the FL.

So this time my question is, should I try to make some sort of adapter myself as I can't even get the specialist to get it right!?

Thanks again
 
fettling it yourself will always be best, as you know exactly what you are trying to achieve. If you do a search on here for "freelander speaker upgrade" or similar, there a few threads. one is quite detailed, with a summary of what speakers will fit, and which will fit with a bit of fettling.

could always go back to the specialist with the adaptors and say "could you make them fit then please, or I will have my money back as the item you have supplied is neither correct nor fit for the purpose I described, please"

good luck, it's as irritating as fibreglass pants when your stereo doesn't work properly.
 
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