Aftermarket audio advice

Boosted Josh · 11-02-2009, 01:56 PM

I need some help from the audio guru's here.

My car has the "enhanced premium sound" but like many of you I've found it lacking.

I have from a previous installation in an old car:

JL 10w7
JL 500/1
JL 450/4
Mb Quart QSD216 component speakers (these were some nice speakers, I don't know how they stack up these days)

In the last car I had the 450/4 pushing the Mb Quart's only using 2 of the 4 channels. It was a small car and I never felt like I needed a rear fill.

And the 500/1 was obviously pushing the 10w7

I'm not particularly interested in doing a complete tear out but would like some options from those more experienced as to what I should do.

I'd like to use what I have to it's best advantage but I'm pretty sure the Mb Quart's are not going to fit anywhere without major surgery since they are 6.5".

I want something that is simple and clean. I've been reading up on the SWS 8's and I like that option because it keeps everything looking factory. On the other hand since I've got this 10w7 sitting in my closet I'd like to get some use out of it. I don't know if the 500/1 would be a suitable amp to push the SWS's.

If I was to just add the 10w7 and the 500/1 to the stock system I'm not sure it would sound good. I don't know if the stock setup can keep up with the w7.

An option that had been suggested to me by the audio shop on my old car and I'm assuming would also apply if I wanted to pull the stock speakers was to use the 450/4's front channel to push the front stage (I don't know what will fit) and then use the rear channel to push a 8w7. I'm not sold on this scenario because that means buying a new sub and a new set of component speakers.

Anyway, bottom line is that I'd like to keep it as clean an simple as possible, use the stuff I have if possible, and of course have it sound good.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Boosted Josh · 11-03-2009, 09:35 PM

OK so maybe cliff are in order?

Should I:

a) Replace the stock 8's with the SWS 8's and push them with the 500/1 if that amp will work.

b) keep the stock 8's as mid bass and add the 500/1 and the 10w7. Can this be tuned to sound good?

c) dump it all and do components up front and the 10w7

quality_sound · 11-05-2009, 03:40 AM

You really don't have enough amp channels to power everything you need unless you replace the OEM door speakers with a 4" component set. If you do that, then you can use the "rear" channels of the 450/4 for the SWS-8s, the "front" channels for the 4" components, and the 500/1 for the 10W7.

mdrobc13 · 11-05-2009, 08:50 PM

I'd be careful with messing around with the electronics on this car. My installer has done alot of high end vehicles and IF you have idrive and premium sound then you should think twice about adding a bunch of stuff you propose to the car as you run a great risk of uleashing electronic demons that may cause you more grief and headache down the road with the car. Basically he says that so much is integrated electronically with this new M3 that he almost hates to work on them cause unless you just replace the WHOLE sound system they keep poping up with new problems in one place or another or electronic functions that become difficult to hardwire in an OEM fashion (so he ends up going more the full replacement route when he's done the few e92's and a few Z4's that he's worked on.) He says that its definately MORE complicated than the old e46 m3's!

The setup you propose is gonna need more amps and thus will involve more wiring/pass thrus if you want good clean/digital sound and thus clean and simple may not be as easy as you want/desire. Good luck.

808MGuy · 11-05-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

I'd be careful with messing around with the electronics on this car. My installer has done alot of high end vehicles and IF you have idrive and premium sound then you should think twice about adding a bunch of stuff you propose to the car as you run a great risk of uleashing electronic demons that may cause you more grief and headache down the road with the car. Basically he says that so much is integrated electronically with this new M3 that he almost hates to work on them cause unless you just replace the WHOLE sound system they keep poping up with new problems in one place or another or electronic functions that become difficult to hardwire in an OEM fashion (so he ends up going more the full replacement route when he's done the few e92's and a few Z4's that he's worked on.) He says that its definately MORE complicated than the old e46 m3's!

The setup you propose is gonna need more amps and thus will involve more wiring/pass thrus if you want good clean/digital sound and thus clean and simple may not be as easy as you want/desire. Good luck.

Your installer sounds like he just doesn't want your business or he's setting you up to buy a bunch of equipment you don't really need. It has been documented heavily on this site what is possible for improving on the premium or the base sound systems. Its really not that hard once you really understand what's going on.

quality_sound · 11-06-2009, 07:21 AM

^^^Bingo.

Boosted Josh · 11-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Its really not that hard once you really understand what's going on.

I don't know of any shops that I can rely on who know what is going on.

I feel like if I don't tell them exactly what they need to do and how to do it that I'll end up with a mess.

I certainly don't want to cause any problems with the car, especially crazy electrical gremlins.

mdrobc13 · 11-23-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Your installer sounds like he just doesn't want your business or he's setting you up to buy a bunch of equipment you don't really need. It has been documented heavily on this site what is possible for improving on the premium or the base sound systems. Its really not that hard once you really understand what's going on.

I am not talkin about a speaker swap out here....that's prettyr straightforward but redoing the whole audio-sound system for better sound. You basically have t take apart the car's current system to do so. I didn't say its impossible but difficult IF you a) want to maintan a clean OEM look B)it does increase the risk of electronic problems down the road especially with other OEM systems. c)it'll be likely waay more than the $1200 premium audio upgrade which IMHO is not great but better than previous iterations seen in the e46 and e36's. Just my 2 cents...its your $$ and car so spend away!

808MGuy · 11-23-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

I am not talkin about a speaker swap out here....that's prettyr straightforward but redoing the whole audio-sound system for better sound. You basically have t take apart the car's current system to do so. I didn't say its impossible but difficult IF you a) want to maintan a clean OEM look B)it does increase the risk of electronic problems down the road especially with other OEM systems. c)it'll be likely waay more than the $1200 premium audio upgrade which IMHO is not great but better than previous iterations seen in the e46 and e36's. Just my 2 cents...its your $$ and car so spend away!

You can replace everything in the system downstream from the HU pretty easily and keep it stock looking. IMO, there is little benfit from replacing the HU with an aftermarket. The signal from the OEM HU is clean, high voltage, and already routed to the trunk where the signal can be easily tapped and run into aftermarket amps. The only risk I see for electrical problems would be if you muffed the tap of the OEM signal. It will likely be more than $1200 for a system to be considerably better. I've already put something together that is less than $2000 which I am in the process of installing. It will be significantly better than the premium sound with much more control over the signal than what is possible with the options provided in the OEM premium sound. You could spend a lot more than that if you choose to take it a little further and start relocating speakers to the kick panels but you don't need to do that unless you're looking for the ultimate in staging.

quality_sound · 11-23-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

I am not talkin about a speaker swap out here.

Neither are we. We both have some experience with this. Trust me, we won't steer you wrong.

Technic · 11-23-2009, 03:31 PM

IMO:

1. 450/4:
- ch 1-2 = a pair of SWS-8 (2- or 4 ohms version, it does not matter as the 450/4 puts out the same 150W RMS from 1.5-4 ohms)
- ch 3-4 = drive the front OEM speakers

The center and rear OEM speakers will be run by the OEM amp.

I would recommend an LC6i to sum the front and underseat woofers OEM amp outputs, low level convert them and then input this signal into the 450/4. That way you could at least tune the front stage a little bit with the 450/4 built in crossovers.

No need to defeat the OEM amp processing if you do not want to do much more involved installation.

2. 500/1:
- custom trunk sub, like this:

bigben082376 · 10-04-2011, 05:39 PM

I am looking for a harness to add an aftermarket amp/amps to my 08 m3 im not sure if i have stock or premium sound package? also is the sub enclosure pictured above available for the opposite (amp) side of the trunk?

Technic · 10-04-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben082376

I am looking for a harness to add an aftermarket amp/amps to my 08 m3 im not sure if i have stock or premium sound package? also is the sub enclosure pictured above available for the opposite (amp) side of the trunk?

Is this a Sedan or a Coupe?

bigben082376 · 10-05-2011, 11:39 AM

it is the coupe with idrive not sure if its premium sound package or not but I was told it was when purchased.

Technic · 10-05-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben082376

it is the coupe with idrive not sure if its premium sound package or not but I was told it was when purchased.

If the speaker cones are yellow and the grills silver then it is the Enhanced Premium Audio.

bigben082376 · 10-05-2011, 01:03 PM

ok so yes i have the premium package with idrive 08 m3 e92 coupe how can i get a harness from you?

Technic · 10-05-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben082376

ok so yes i have the premium package with idrive 08 m3 e92 coupe how can i get a harness from you?

I responded to your Visitor's message...

11-02-2009, 01:56 PM	#1
Boosted Josh Private 14 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2014 Raptor, 2016 M4 stripper Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Birmingham, AL iTrader: (1)	Aftermarket audio advice I need some help from the audio guru's here. My car has the "enhanced premium sound" but like many of you I've found it lacking. I have from a previous installation in an old car: JL 10w7 JL 500/1 JL 450/4 Mb Quart QSD216 component speakers (these were some nice speakers, I don't know how they stack up these days) In the last car I had the 450/4 pushing the Mb Quart's only using 2 of the 4 channels. It was a small car and I never felt like I needed a rear fill. And the 500/1 was obviously pushing the 10w7 I'm not particularly interested in doing a complete tear out but would like some options from those more experienced as to what I should do. I'd like to use what I have to it's best advantage but I'm pretty sure the Mb Quart's are not going to fit anywhere without major surgery since they are 6.5". I want something that is simple and clean. I've been reading up on the SWS 8's and I like that option because it keeps everything looking factory. On the other hand since I've got this 10w7 sitting in my closet I'd like to get some use out of it. I don't know if the 500/1 would be a suitable amp to push the SWS's. If I was to just add the 10w7 and the 500/1 to the stock system I'm not sure it would sound good. I don't know if the stock setup can keep up with the w7. An option that had been suggested to me by the audio shop on my old car and I'm assuming would also apply if I wanted to pull the stock speakers was to use the 450/4's front channel to push the front stage (I don't know what will fit) and then use the rear channel to push a 8w7. I'm not sold on this scenario because that means buying a new sub and a new set of component speakers. Anyway, bottom line is that I'd like to keep it as clean an simple as possible, use the stuff I have if possible, and of course have it sound good. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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11-03-2009, 09:35 PM	#2
Boosted Josh Private 14 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2014 Raptor, 2016 M4 stripper Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Birmingham, AL iTrader: (1)	OK so maybe cliff are in order? Should I: a) Replace the stock 8's with the SWS 8's and push them with the 500/1 if that amp will work. b) keep the stock 8's as mid bass and add the 500/1 and the 10w7. Can this be tuned to sound good? c) dump it all and do components up front and the 10w7
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11-05-2009, 03:40 AM	#3
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	You really don't have enough amp channels to power everything you need unless you replace the OEM door speakers with a 4" component set. If you do that, then you can use the "rear" channels of the 450/4 for the SWS-8s, the "front" channels for the 4" components, and the 500/1 for the 10W7.
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11-05-2009, 08:50 PM	#4
mdrobc13 Colonel 341 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: Made in Bavaria Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! iTrader: (8) Garage List 2021 BMW X3e [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 [9.00]	I'd be careful with messing around with the electronics on this car. My installer has done alot of high end vehicles and IF you have idrive and premium sound then you should think twice about adding a bunch of stuff you propose to the car as you run a great risk of uleashing electronic demons that may cause you more grief and headache down the road with the car. Basically he says that so much is integrated electronically with this new M3 that he almost hates to work on them cause unless you just replace the WHOLE sound system they keep poping up with new problems in one place or another or electronic functions that become difficult to hardwire in an OEM fashion (so he ends up going more the full replacement route when he's done the few e92's and a few Z4's that he's worked on.) He says that its definately MORE complicated than the old e46 m3's! The setup you propose is gonna need more amps and thus will involve more wiring/pass thrus if you want good clean/digital sound and thus clean and simple may not be as easy as you want/desire. Good luck. __________________ '22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black) '16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten
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11-06-2009, 07:21 AM	#6
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	^^^Bingo.
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11-23-2009, 03:31 PM	#11
Technic Lieutenant General 2306 Rep 13,010 Posts Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (18)	IMO: 1. 450/4: - ch 1-2 = a pair of SWS-8 (2- or 4 ohms version, it does not matter as the 450/4 puts out the same 150W RMS from 1.5-4 ohms) - ch 3-4 = drive the front OEM speakers The center and rear OEM speakers will be run by the OEM amp. I would recommend an LC6i to sum the front and underseat woofers OEM amp outputs, low level convert them and then input this signal into the 450/4. That way you could at least tune the front stage a little bit with the 450/4 built in crossovers. No need to defeat the OEM amp processing if you do not want to do much more involved installation. 2. 500/1: - custom trunk sub, like this:
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10-04-2011, 05:39 PM	#12
bigben082376 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 08 m3 interlagos blue Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: reisterstown MD iTrader: (0)	I am looking for a harness to add an aftermarket amp/amps to my 08 m3 im not sure if i have stock or premium sound package? also is the sub enclosure pictured above available for the opposite (amp) side of the trunk?
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10-05-2011, 11:39 AM	#14
bigben082376 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 08 m3 interlagos blue Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: reisterstown MD iTrader: (0)	it is the coupe with idrive not sure if its premium sound package or not but I was told it was when purchased.
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10-05-2011, 01:03 PM	#16
bigben082376 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 08 m3 interlagos blue Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: reisterstown MD iTrader: (0)	ok so yes i have the premium package with idrive 08 m3 e92 coupe how can i get a harness from you?
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