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      07-03-2025, 05:40 PM   #1
whenasked
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Bowers and Wilkins sound quality

Since a week, the audio from B&W system in my 2021 740 feels underpowered or not having enough base.

I have an appointment on Monday. Any diagnostic procedure I could do myself in the interim?

Thanks
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      07-03-2025, 07:42 PM   #2
BlkGS
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What kind of music do you listen to? They don't do super deep bass for rap.music and similar.
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      07-04-2025, 12:03 AM   #3
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Test Your Speakers Like A Cambridge Audio Engineer
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      07-04-2025, 07:18 AM   #4
c1pher
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I had to put it in I think it was studio mode with surround on to get it where I wanted. I will double check my settings and post on it.
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      07-08-2025, 01:30 PM   #5
whenasked
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Update, service advisor reporting that both subwoofers are bad and will need to be replaced. Thanks to extended warranty
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      07-09-2025, 01:33 AM   #6
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B&W not all it's cracked up to be.
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      07-11-2025, 06:59 PM   #7
whenasked
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Dealer replaced subwoofers. Still feels crappy. Back to dealer. I asked them what are the chances of both subwoofers going bad at same time and have they checked the amplifier. Looks like gone are the days where diagnostic means finding the root cause rather than throwing parts at it.
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      07-12-2025, 02:55 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whenasked View Post
Dealer replaced subwoofers. Still feels crappy. Back to dealer. I asked them what are the chances of both subwoofers going bad at same time and have they checked the amplifier. Looks like gone are the days where diagnostic means finding the root cause rather than throwing parts at it.
Most so called auto technicians are just parts changers. They have no analyzing abilities. Though there is usually one tech who is a shop foreman and most of them know their stuff.
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      07-12-2025, 05:07 PM   #9
allinon72
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Even for the parts changers, the first step is to scan the car in ISTA. An amplifier issue would throw a fault for that system.
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      07-12-2025, 06:34 PM   #10
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THere is a graphic equalizer. The first thing I would do would be to put the Graphic Equalizer in a U shape so the lowest bass and the highest high are boosted. This made a bit difference for me. Then I need the volume at a least halfway to get a great sound.

I would assume you have already done this and are still having problems with the low bass.

Last edited by Timmer-Bimmer; 07-12-2025 at 09:21 PM..
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      07-13-2025, 08:36 AM   #11
whenasked
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmer-Bimmer View Post
THere is a graphic equalizer. The first thing I would do would be to put the Graphic Equalizer in a U shape so the lowest bass and the highest high are boosted. This made a bit difference for me. Then I need the volume at a least halfway to get a great sound.

I would assume you have already done this and are still having problems with the low bass.

Yes. Front side is clear. Rear side output is boomy and muddy. I had several buddies listening into the car and everyone said something is off.
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      07-23-2025, 10:36 AM   #12
whenasked
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Update from dealer, amplifier getting replaced
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      07-23-2025, 04:58 PM   #13
whenasked
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This was the diagnosis: Cause: BATTERY CHARGER SHORT TEST FOUND FAULT CODE. B7F480 AUDIOAMPLIFIER
(BOOSTER): NO CONNECTION. COMPLETED TEST PLAN ANDFOUND THE AMP IS NO LONGER OUT
PUTTING AS MUCH POWER AS ITSHOULD BE. .
Correction: REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED AMPLIFIER TO VEHICLE
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      07-24-2025, 12:47 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whenasked View Post
This was the diagnosis: Cause: BATTERY CHARGER SHORT TEST FOUND FAULT CODE. B7F480 AUDIOAMPLIFIER
(BOOSTER): NO CONNECTION. COMPLETED TEST PLAN ANDFOUND THE AMP IS NO LONGER OUT
PUTTING AS MUCH POWER AS ITSHOULD BE. .
Correction: REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED AMPLIFIER TO VEHICLE

...............and?
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      07-24-2025, 02:29 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whenasked View Post
This was the diagnosis: Cause: BATTERY CHARGER SHORT TEST FOUND FAULT CODE. B7F480 AUDIOAMPLIFIER
(BOOSTER): NO CONNECTION. COMPLETED TEST PLAN ANDFOUND THE AMP IS NO LONGER OUT
PUTTING AS MUCH POWER AS ITSHOULD BE. .
Correction: REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED AMPLIFIER TO VEHICLE
Thank you for sharing the diagnosis and result, it might be of help to someone else having a similar issue.
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      07-24-2025, 06:52 AM   #16
Ugly Kar
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I think it sucks and not worth it. I'm sure others will disagree.
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      07-24-2025, 10:38 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ugly Kar View Post
I think it sucks and not worth it. I'm sure others will disagree.
but have you heard the HK?
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