Question about switching stock amplifiers

GoodGuyAvi · 03-25-2020, 07:43 PM

Gentlemen's i got HiFi Audio system in my 2019 X3. (Its one below the HK)
I found used HK amplifier, which is also from 2019 bmw x3. My question is can i swap it plug and play !? I think it should sounds better right? I don't think i have to re-program anything right?

Thank you for help

gugin · 03-25-2020, 07:56 PM

I don't think that's possible. The HiFi audio amplifier is connected to the headunit via analog cables. The HK amp is connected using proprietary digital interface, called MOST. I doubt that you have the MOST cable installed in the car if you don't have the 688 HK option. But I may be wrong. A car audio installation shop may know if the harness that connects the head unit to the amp in the back is standard for all X3s or depends on the type of audio system installed in the car at the factory.

GoodGuyAvi · 03-25-2020, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

I don't think that's possible. The HiFi audio amplifier is connected to the headunit via analog cables. The HK amp is connected using proprietary digital interface, called MOST. I doubt that you have the MOST cable installed in the car if you don't have the 688 HK option. But I may be wrong. A car audio installation shop may know if the harness that connects the head unit to the amp in the back is standard for all X3s or depends on the type of audio system installed in the car at the factory.

Damn 😔

gugin · 03-25-2020, 08:07 PM

Yeah, I know--it totally sucks. Gone are the days when you could buy the cheapest Camry or Accord and then upgrade it on the cheap to your heart's desire. With BMW (and probably other German cars), you are stuck with how the car was optioned at the factory. Any upgrade that requires new hardware is prohibitively expensive.

GoodGuyAvi · 03-25-2020, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

I don't think that's possible. The HiFi audio amplifier is connected to the headunit via analog cables. The HK amp is connected using proprietary digital interface, called MOST. I doubt that you have the MOST cable installed in the car if you don't have the 688 HK option. But I may be wrong. A car audio installation shop may know if the harness that connects the head unit to the amp in the back is standard for all X3s or depends on the type of audio system installed in the car at the factory.

This is my connection vs HK
I didn't disconnected the cables but it looks the same if im right?

gugin · 03-26-2020, 12:03 AM

I don't think your photo of the HK amplifier is correct. It seems to show the ASD module, not the amp. See the second photo on this page for the connections on the HK amplifier: https://alpincars.com/en/amplifiers/...8-2622876.html The connector in the upper right corner is the MOST interface (see here: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...ier/1VnYgsuKRh)

Your amplifier should look like this: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...ier/1VnYqbFtrQ There is no MOST interface, so there likely is no MOST cable going from the head unit to the area of the amplifier in your car. But check it. If it's there, then things will be a lot simpler.

03-25-2020, 07:43 PM	#1
GoodGuyAvi Captain 1496 Rep 841 Posts Drives: G80 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Private Island iTrader: (0)	Question about switching stock amplifiers Gentlemen's i got HiFi Audio system in my 2019 X3. (Its one below the HK) I found used HK amplifier, which is also from 2019 bmw x3. My question is can i swap it plug and play !? I think it should sounds better right? I don't think i have to re-program anything right? Thank you for help Last edited by GoodGuyAvi; 03-25-2020 at 07:48 PM..
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03-25-2020, 07:56 PM	#2
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	I don't think that's possible. The HiFi audio amplifier is connected to the headunit via analog cables. The HK amp is connected using proprietary digital interface, called MOST. I doubt that you have the MOST cable installed in the car if you don't have the 688 HK option. But I may be wrong. A car audio installation shop may know if the harness that connects the head unit to the amp in the back is standard for all X3s or depends on the type of audio system installed in the car at the factory.
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03-25-2020, 08:07 PM	#4
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I know--it totally sucks. Gone are the days when you could buy the cheapest Camry or Accord and then upgrade it on the cheap to your heart's desire. With BMW (and probably other German cars), you are stuck with how the car was optioned at the factory. Any upgrade that requires new hardware is prohibitively expensive.
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03-26-2020, 12:03 AM	#6
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	I don't think your photo of the HK amplifier is correct. It seems to show the ASD module, not the amp. See the second photo on this page for the connections on the HK amplifier: https://alpincars.com/en/amplifiers/...8-2622876.html The connector in the upper right corner is the MOST interface (see here: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...ier/1VnYgsuKRh) Your amplifier should look like this: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...ier/1VnYqbFtrQ There is no MOST interface, so there likely is no MOST cable going from the head unit to the area of the amplifier in your car. But check it. If it's there, then things will be a lot simpler.
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