E82 Speaker upgrade?

[schrodinger]

Anyone done this?

I have the BMW Business CD with MP3 player and aux in, think its the base model. The sound quality is VERY dissapointing... sounds like a cheap citi golf from the '90's.

I have mailed rivonia car sound, but has anyone got any advice or caveats with the sound? Not looking for SPL or subs and stuff, just want decent sound and maybe a small sub / bass tube in the boot. Thats it.

 

[sash]

a bass tube is not going to improve your sound quality.

I suggest first decide on how much you want to spend then consider what is in your budget to replace.

consider the following:
replace front speakers with decent splits
replace underseats with better mid woofer

if still not sufficient then you can consider adding an amp an thereafter addign a sub.

 

[Brett6ll]

Maybe Google the Alpine upgrade, it's a split upfront with amp to power the system and guys seem to say it's a decent upgrade. Should be able to DIY. Otherwise you need to go after market especially if you want big bass

 

[vjx]

Bought a set of 8 Bavsound speakers for my E90 stereo. It's amazing clear sound running in stock Alphine radio.

 

[schrodinger]

I upgraded with the "stage 1" option from rainbow audio at rivonia car sound. It was around R4500 just for front splits and rear speakers. Worth it - sound is way better, but still lacking bass...

apparently there already sub's under the seats, which i want to DIY upgrade.

Any suggestions welcome!

 

[Anarchy05]

I would also like to do this kind of upgrade, i have MB Quarts in the frond not sure of the rears


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[Spiro]

what size speakers are in the locations ? should we plan a DIY...



Sash... when we gonna sort your new cabbie out ??

 

[schrodinger]

I think they are 4" and there are only 4 (in my car anyway). The upgraded speakers from bavaudio / rainbow are very pricey, but the sound is MUCH better.

The sub's under the seats are shallow mount (5cm I believe) and are 8". There are pioneer replacements and focal as well as rainbow, but I have heard very mixed opinions. On the intertubes the pioneer are apparently the TS-SW841D and there are also earthquake SWS-8, I havent found them locally yet but think they are around R2k or less each. Will look into that - a sound place told me that the focal's are on order only and around R8k.... EACH!! so like, to hell with focal lol

The only other option is a sub and amp in the boot, which has the usual drawbacks of space intrusion and will probably be overkill for me. So I guess I am gonna look into the pioneer / earthquake option...

 

[sanesh21]

Nice thread, the thing with rainbow and bavaudio that attracts is the direct fitment, plug and play replacement of our oem speakers.

For those who don't want to go up cutting and splicing the oem wiring, what if we purchase the oem wiring harness adaptor and then utilise 4" 2way mids from other brands like jbl/Sony etc? And then the under seat sub options as mentioned above.

This will be a much cheaper option with still great sound quality.

I've seen these adapters go quite cheap on eBay.


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[schrodinger]

FYI I am going to (hopefully) pick up the JBL GT probass 12 active sub and tap into the speakers at the rear. Importing the earthquakes are around R8k, the JBL is around R3k and its DIY and will provide much better bass.

If someone has tried other brands for the satelites with good results and an easy fit then by all means, go for that option. I was a bit miff at spending R4500 just on a few 4" speakers but I felt I had no choice, the OE sound was rubbish and I was promised the rainbows will make a huge difference, which they did.

As for bass, I guess to each their own, I dont want a cheap & nasty option but there is a snowballs chance in hell that I am spending R16k on improving the bass. R3k for a traditional sub in the boot and all the bass I could ever want (plus its also something you move over to the next car or sell, the built in subs and satelites stay with the car...)

 

[shaheenk]

I just dropped my 135 off for a system.

I found you can use a regular 6in in the floor , with a bit of working they fit.

I am using hertz 3in drivers in the doors and a set of tweeters up top.

I am going the MS8 route but also have an amp and woofer being installed.

 

[sash]

what size speakers are in the locations ? should we plan a DIY...



Sash... when we gonna sort your new cabbie out ??

WHen you are available....i tried the fibre glass sub and failed.., will be trying again but might have to go with full false floor.

---

the earthqeake SWS is available in SA speak to Ksingh on the forum

 

[schrodinger]

I went with the 12" active JBL in the boot. Sound is good, but I am using probably 10% of its potential.

I am still gonna investigate the under seat sub upgrades cos I hate a boot sub. Just need to find an affordable 8" shallow mount sub locally...