Minor Audio Upgrade (updated 12/7/2020)

[JimsZ]

Wow, I bet that cost a packet... Looks ace though

Im still procrastinating on the door speakers...


Would you recommend going with the Eton B100N or trying something else?

[Pbondar]

Wow, I bet that cost a packet... Looks ace though

Im still procrastinating on the door speakers...


Would you recommend going with the Eton B100N or trying something else?

Of course there are many options..the Eton is a well proven if not cheap option...they are optimised for BMWs as well as others..

I would go with them again....

The improvement especially on the crispness and sound field were very good..they just show up the woofer a bit and the subwoofers a lot...

[Dru2000D]

How much was all that if you don't mind me asking?! Looks like a seriously interesting swapout for the standard speakers

[john-e89]

Well done on keeping the faith....!!

Tbh seeing all that my inclination would be/is to install a standalone system but running off the standard head unit thus keeping the idrive etc, through a digital processor to two amps using all new wiring right through so not chopping into the OEM loom at all, I can’t help thinking it wouldn’t be a great deal harder to run new cables in after all the faff you’ve already had. Maybe wrong but that’s what I’m thinking if I keep my E89.

Anyway damn good effort.

[Pbondar]

How much was all that if you don't mind me asking?! Looks like a seriously interesting swapout for the standard speakers

Well it was as follows approx...

Match DSP amp £600
Alpine subwooofer amp £125
Door speakers £225
Rear Speakers £205
Centre Speaker £110
Woofers £180
Subwoofers £330
Sample mic £125


Plus soldering iron/connectors/wire etc £50 ish

Plus probably around 10 man days total effort..

Not cheap....

[Dru2000D]

Holy cow cack!! That's a serious upgrade. Hats off to you though
When do we get a hi def demonstration video? Looking forward to hearing the sound on it (won't be the same not in person to be fair)

[Pbondar]

Well done on keeping the faith....!!

Tbh seeing all that my inclination would be/is to install a standalone system but running off the standard head unit thus keeping the idrive etc, through a digital processor to two amps using all new wiring right through so not chopping into the OEM loom at all, I can’t help thinking it wouldn’t be a great deal harder to run new cables in after all the faff you’ve already had. Maybe wrong but that’s what I’m thinking if I keep my E89.

Anyway damn good effort.

I think that given the fact that the. Match 7 DSP BMW is NOT plug n play for an E89 and the amount of internal bodywork needed to be removed to fit all the speakers then your plan is not a bad option.....at the end of the day once you start going into a DSP type amp and not even high end speakers then you are into a £1500-£2000 pain...mind you that’s less than one 35is turbo..

The Audiotechncia stuff is rebadged by 2 high end US BMW specialists and is good stuff..obviously people like Alpine n others do this stuff as well...

Depends how much of a pioneer you want to be...?

[Pbondar]

Holy cow cack!! That's a serious upgrade. Hats off to you though
When do we get a hi def demonstration video? Looking forward to hearing the sound on it (won't be the same not in person to be fair)

Thanks, I think the key point which you can’t capture on video is that you can have a splendid sound stage with the roof down whilst you are doing 120mph down a German autobahn....or even at 60 mph around the Scottish Borders...

Roof up you could argue that it’s overkill ...but I like to drive my z4 roof down whenever possible and I do love my MOR music so a great combo..anyway you can’t take it with you..

It’s nice to listen to your 6 pot but the novelty wears off whilst I can work my way through 4000 tracks on 11 speakers with 800 watts rms..over 2000 watts peak music power with only the damage to my already damaged hearing....heh heh

[Dru2000D]

I love the Borders. I was up in Berwick-upon-Tweed just over a week ago. Took a trip to Jim Clark's motorsport museum in Duns. Lovely roads to drive along. Pity I was in my dad's Suzuki Liana and not the Zed Saying that, he proper gunned it down those roads. Bit scary!!

[Pbondar]

I love the Borders. I was up in Berwick-upon-Tweed just over a week ago. Took a trip to Jim Clark's motorsport museum in Duns. Lovely roads to drive along. Pity I was in my dad's Suzuki Liana and not the Zed Saying that, he proper gunned it down those roads. Bit scary!!

Yes great roads, generally few fixed / mobile cameras and few police focussed on traffic...plus not much aggressive / anti social driving means you can tramp on without much fuss in an area the size of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire with only a 20th of the population

Only a couple of choke points means relatively fuss free progress can be made most of the time...

Some great scenery and generally roads in good condition...

[mcbutler]

Spongebob squarepants theme music will sound awesome on it

[Pbondar]

Spongebob squarepants theme music will sound awesome on it

I think I’ll decline adding that to my library...but thnx for the suggestion

[john-e89]

Well done on keeping the faith....!!

Tbh seeing all that my inclination would be/is to install a standalone system but running off the standard head unit thus keeping the idrive etc, through a digital processor to two amps using all new wiring right through so not chopping into the OEM loom at all, I can’t help thinking it wouldn’t be a great deal harder to run new cables in after all the faff you’ve already had. Maybe wrong but that’s what I’m thinking if I keep my E89.

Anyway damn good effort.

I think that given the fact that the. Match 7 DSP BMW is NOT plug n play for an E89 and the amount of internal bodywork needed to be removed to fit all the speakers then your plan is not a bad option.....at the end of the day once you start going into a DSP type amp and not even high end speakers then you are into a £1500-£2000 pain...mind you that’s less than one 35is turbo..

The Audiotechncia stuff is rebadged by 2 high end US BMW specialists and is good stuff..obviously people like Alpine n others do this stuff as well...

Depends how much of a pioneer you want to be...?

Well exactly, you’re Columbus and a guinea pig all rolled into one...certainly made me think of the route I said earlier given your trials and tribulations....

[Dru2000D]

The roads between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Duns are amazing. Unfortunately I didn't bring the Zed up as was suffering O2 sensor issues and didn't want to burn the cat out driving it that far with dodgy fuelling.

My dad however in his Suzuki Illiana or whatever the tank is called gunned it down there, I was in the back feeling a bit sick as it's not the smoothest of motors!!

Seriously impressive setup though, I love my music when driving and would love to have the passion (aherm funds) to do that. Spongebob with full bass sounds like a treat haha

[john-e89]

How much was all that if you don't mind me asking?! Looks like a seriously interesting swapout for the standard speakers

Well it was as follows approx...

Match DSP amp £600
Alpine subwooofer amp £125
Door speakers £225
Rear Speakers £205
Centre Speaker £110
Woofers £180
Subwoofers £330
Sample mic £125


Plus soldering iron/connectors/wire etc £50 ish

Plus probably around 10 man days total effort..

Not cheap....

Not willy waving but I’d be very interested to hear what that lot sounds like compared to the Burmester in the Boxster, a rather mad outlay of.....*cough*...£2700....It has a class D sub amp then a 850 watt class A/B amp for the rest, silk domed tweeters, Air motion transformers mids etc, it sounds very very good, for the outlay plus the fact it’s factory fitted so no need to rip the car apart it’s worth it imo, I don’t begrudge to price for the sound quality, would make an interesting comparison to yours.