I have the Alpine system in my 22 GC L Summit and the front driver side door rattles so much with bass I'm losing my mind. Seems to stem right from the seat controls on the top front part of the door panel. A bummer to pay so much for a car then have to hear this every time I listen to music. Thinking of taking it to the dealer for a fix but seems like such a battle.
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Anyone else with the McIntosh system have vibrations in the front door panels?
- Thread starter Sarge
- Start date
Sarge
Well-known member
Does it basically sound the same as the videos I posted in this thread? It seems like the design of the switches allows them to rattle, especially if it's doing it on the Alpine system as well. The McIntosh door speakers pump quite a lot of bass, but mine now do it at lower volume levels too, and as the volume rises, the rattles spread further around the door panel. Such a shame.
Trailrated
Well-known member
That last video - that's a blown speaker for sure.I'm not sure if these dropbox links will work on here, but here are a few videos of what I'm talking about. These are songs that consistently produce the mid bass frequency that causes the rattling without a lot of other higher frequency sound to camouflage it. The top one shows the problem most clearly, the next two show that it remains, even at lower volume levels. Not what anyone spending this much money on car audio is bargaining for...
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Sarge
Well-known member
It sounds like that, but it sounds fine on other songs (no distortion). It's just certain frequencies are just right to cause all the rattles.
Some songs there's no rattling, some songs only hit those frequencies occasionally, other songs the whole song is just a mess. So I really don't think any speakers are blown. It's loose stuff on the backside of the door panel.
I've installed my own high end audio systems in boats, RV's, cars, etc. I use pretty high end gear (JL Audio, Focal, etc) and I know what to listen for, and this just mostly sounds like there's a bunch of rattles.
It's a real shame, because the McIntosh system is otherwise absolutely excellent for an OEM setup (bass heavy on some things at mid volume, but EQ fixes that).
Some songs there's no rattling, some songs only hit those frequencies occasionally, other songs the whole song is just a mess. So I really don't think any speakers are blown. It's loose stuff on the backside of the door panel.
I've installed my own high end audio systems in boats, RV's, cars, etc. I use pretty high end gear (JL Audio, Focal, etc) and I know what to listen for, and this just mostly sounds like there's a bunch of rattles.
It's a real shame, because the McIntosh system is otherwise absolutely excellent for an OEM setup (bass heavy on some things at mid volume, but EQ fixes that).
FlyingAvocado
Well-known member
I just tried playing Big Bad Trumpet Player in my MY22 SR and I was able to reproduce some slight vibration from the door handle on the front passenger side, but it is nowhere near as pronounced as you have in you video. However, I had the EQ flat. It kicks in around the same level of 16-17 and goes up a little bit more as the volume increases, but I don't seem to have it in the rear passenger doors or door pockets like you did. I haven't had enough drive time in it yet to really test it out, but I am hoping to get a better sense of it this weekend. I'll try out Lakewood Jam and see what I get as well.I'm not sure if these dropbox links will work on here, but here are a few videos of what I'm talking about. These are songs that consistently produce the mid bass frequency that causes the rattling without a lot of other higher frequency sound to camouflage it. The top one shows the problem most clearly, the next two show that it remains, even at lower volume levels. Not what anyone spending this much money on car audio is bargaining for...
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As for other rattles, I have a single rattle from the cup holder door when closed but isn't an issue when open so it's a very minor issue.
FlyingAvocado
Well-known member
Well, last night I went for a drive and tested out the sound system much more thoroughly, I have all the same rattles. 🫤 Most of the time it's not an issue, but as Sarge pointed out, certain songs with specific frequencies, are much more noticeable. The sound system quality is really quite good though.
Mine is like this with the alpine system
Yes it sounds exactly like your video and seems to be coming from the same area. Im sure its not as good as the McIntosh, but the Alpine system has some pretty serious bass as well. Odd thing is that its not all bass that causes the rattling, it seems to be just certain bass notes. The song I found that causes it the most is Jay-Z Can I Get A, makes the whole car rattle something terrible. I had a 2019 GC with upgraded sound system/subwoofer and there wasn't a single rattle in that vehicle.
Sarge
Well-known member
Thanks for posting a song title that recreates it. It would be nice if others who have this issue can state what songs are particularly bad, so others can compare.
So far it seems like the seat memory switches vibrate (that's where mine started), and then it spreads from there. Also, as noted, some vehicles were assembled with the wrong door panel clips, devoid of the felt pads that were apparently intended to also stop rattles. Mine rattles more when the door is open and the panels are compressed against the rubber seals. Some vehicles also have defective door seals.
So far it seems like the seat memory switches vibrate (that's where mine started), and then it spreads from there. Also, as noted, some vehicles were assembled with the wrong door panel clips, devoid of the felt pads that were apparently intended to also stop rattles. Mine rattles more when the door is open and the panels are compressed against the rubber seals. Some vehicles also have defective door seals.