Upgrade sound with PDC?

[Webmaster]

Hi all. I'm new here and new to BMW.
I've got a 2008 320i 6M Exclusive in Sparkling Graphite. Needless to say It's the best car I've owned to date.
So the car is stock but I want to upgrade the sound system as it sucks.
The headunit is BMW Professional with the standard HiFi speaker package.
So far I had all 4 door and rear shelf speakers changed to Polk Audio db401 coax. This is a substantial improvement over stock sound but I'd like to go a little further.
I have been quoted R7500 for a Polk MM 8" sub and custom box in the boot floor, Cadence 5ch amp (5ch for PDC stereo effect), 4x Polk db401 (already fitted), 2x RCA converters and wiring and labour.
What have you guys done? Is this a fair price?
Soundmatch says this system is equal if not better than the Logic7/HK option.
I want to keep the install looking as stock as possible. I'm aware of the BSW drop in package from the States, but I think it's too expensive.
Any advice or component suggestion will be welcome from you learned bunch!
Thanks in advance.

 

[DieselFan]

Theres an 8inch sub under each of the front seats why not just replace that?

 

[Webmaster]

Theres an 8inch sub under each of the front seats why not just replace that?

Soundmatch said they would keep the stock underseat subs as midbass units, with the new boot sub doing sub-bass duty. The 4" coax will do mids and high. I'd prefer to keep the boot as a boot!
Q - are the underseat subs active? On their own amps?
Could I just fit an amp and aftermarket underseat subs and do away with a sub in the boot cavity?
The amp will need to drive (the subs?) and 4 speakers.
Thanks

 

[sash]

The speakers under the seats are in fact mid bass drivers, changing these would work but not give you what you are looking for.

I changed mine to the ground zero ones, while its much better it canot go that low. Adding an amp will help but not sure how effective it will be. I am considering adding just an amp for the subs.

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[Webmaster]

The speakers under the seats are in fact mid bass drivers, changing these would but give you what you are looking for.

I changed mine to the ground zero ones, while its much better it canot go that low. Adding an amp will help but not sure how effective it will be. I am considering adding just an amp for the subs.

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Thanks Sash! I think I will try your option first. Change the underseats and amplify every speaker in the car. The BMW Professional HU has crappy output. I'm a bit of an audiophile btw! If I find bass lacking then I will go ahead and put a sub in the boot. Will post pics and advice as I go along.

 

[sash]

Thanks Sash! I think I will try your option first. Change the underseats and amplify every speaker in the car. The BMW Professional HU has crappy output. I'm a bit of an audiophile btw! If I find bass lacking then I will go ahead and put a sub in the boot. Will post pics and advice as I go along.

Sorry, i noticed i posted incorrectly, i corrected it above, I dont think 2 x 8" under the seat can replace 2 x 8" in the boot. The issue that most BMW's have is getting bass into the cabin, this can be corrected by building specific boxes and removing the ski hatch. If you are like me and dont want to remove the hatch, the 8's will do.

When changing the underseat sub, ensure there is enough dynamat or similar and seal the enclosure proper. The SWS and ground zero 8's are about 100w rms each, so when I do decide to go with the amp, it will be minimum 100w rms to the sub.

 

[Webmaster]

Thanks Sash! I think I will try your option first. Change the underseats and amplify every speaker in the car. The BMW Professional HU has crappy output. I'm a bit of an audiophile btw! If I find bass lacking then I will go ahead and put a sub in the boot. Will post pics and advice as I go along.

Sorry, i noticed i posted incorrectly, i corrected it above, I dont think 2 x 8" under the seat can replace 2 x 8" in the boot. The issue that most BMW's have is getting bass into the cabin, this can be corrected by building specific boxes and removing the ski hatch. If you are like me and dont want to remove the hatch, the 8's will do.

When changing the underseat sub, ensure there is enough dynamat or similar and seal the enclosure proper. The SWS and ground zero 8's are about 100w rms each, so when I do decide to go with the amp, it will be minimum 100w rms to the sub.

Sure, 2x8" in a box will always beat the underseat ones. I listen mainly to jazz, blues and rock. I'm not looking for panel shaking bass.
What I initially wanted to do is just fit a 4ch amp for the door and shelf speakers, but Soundmatch said I need a 5ch to integrate PDC into the system, which allows for an additional sub.

I don't understand why a 4ch amp can't be used with PDC. It would be perfect for what I want. The underseat mid-bass are active (have own amp) so all I want/need is to amplify the rest.

Have to do more reading to see how this system can be integrated.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[sash]

I dont think the standard hi-fi package has an amp, my e60 does not have an amp in the trunk, everything plays of the headunit. This is noticeable when the volume is turned up and the distorion starts. I was recommended a 6ch (basically a 4ch and 2ch for subs on one power supply) amp to drive each speaker, but the cost at the time made me put a hold on it and just upgrade the speakers.

 

[Webmaster]

I dont think the standard hi-fi package has an amp, my e60 does not have an amp in the trunk, everything plays of the headunit. This is noticeable when the volume is turned up and the distorion starts. I was recommended a 6ch (basically a 4ch and 2ch for subs on one power supply) amp to drive each speaker, but the cost at the time made me put a hold on it and just upgrade the speakers.

Hey Sash. I've trawled through my boot and I can't find an amp for the underseat subs. I now see they run off the HU which explains the distortion.
Quite a lot of distortion at moderate levels hey?
My setup would be a 5ch amp (R3499) - 1ch for a new boot sub, 2ch for the rear speakers and 2ch split between l/r underseat midbass and front door speakers.
The cost of it all also put me off, but I want it done properly and am willing to wait a bit.
Sound aside, I'm sooo loving the car. What an upgrade!

Thanks for the advice Sash.

 

[sash]

My setup would be a 5ch amp (R3499) - 1ch for a new boot sub, 2ch for the rear speakers and 2ch split between l/r underseat midbass and front door speakers.

I didnt think of this... the ground zero upgrade i put in can be run as 2 way split( mid on the door and tweeter on the a pillar, selectable on crossover at the mid to mid bass and tweeter) with a sub( selectable on crossover at the sub to be sub), by adjusting the crossovers, it can also be run as a 3 way setup where the sub is setup to be mid bass, the mid just mid and tweeter.
In both setup the sub is powered separately making it a 2 way active split ( if i remember correctly-)