My experience with 95 vs 99 Audio (archive)

A couple of months ago I was test driving a 99 740il with DSP and right off the bat I noticed that the sound was markedly diffeent from that in the 95 that I owned at that time. Paper thin is the excat desription that I would have used to describe it. I belive that may point to a difference in the earlier amps vs the newer ones. My 95 clearly had more powerful bass and impact. In the 99 It's as if they tried to refine the sound so much, to the point that it loses to much.

Does anyone know if the amp for the premium sound system (DSP with CD player) has adjustments that are possible for the crossover? Something that will rebalance the frequency to bring up the low end? I'm not referring to the frequency adjustments possible from the DSP control mdule in the dash.

Here's why I ask. In my quest for perfection, I may have goofed. The audio system in my '97 740i was generally outstanding. It didn't suffer the weak bass mallady about which so many folks have complained. It's only quirk was that the DSP amp would sometimes go on by itself between uses (meaning, I'd turn on the audio system and it would be on even though it was off when I last listened to music).

BMW updated the amp to correct for this problem so before my new car warranty expired, I decided to have it taken care of. The new amp, which I presumed would be identical to the old amp sonically, sounds thin as paper. Most of the low end is gone and now I've got the sound everyone complains about.

The dealer (they're great, by the way -- Passport) thinks there may be a simple fix of adjusting the crossover and they're looking into it. Anyone out there know anything about this? Or, did I make a big booboo by not leaving well enough alone?

Thanks.

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