Annoying DSP

B

boyee

Member
 Bristol
Hi,

I have a BMW Z4 with DSP set-up. I have just purchased it and i assumed it would be a breeze to replace the OEM head unit with aftermarket and simply use the speakers that are in there (don't sound too bad for now). But this seems to be the case from a days Googling.

I have as kit laying around Gen P2 amp/p69 subs, 6.5s comps, 4" comps, kenwood HU and plenty of cable. I am after the easiest set up so i can have USB stick, or similar plugged used for music and ideally DAB, bluetooth etc that the Kenwood HU gave me.

My main three questions are...

1. Can i replace/disconnect OEM HU and amp with aftermarket, using the original speakers and wiring?

2. I have seen a bypass method using the OEM HU tapped into the DSP system by the CD changer for an X5 on youtube, is this possible?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pF12Ey26Qs

3. Give up and spend more money on adapters as shown below...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DICE-ACC-BMW-DSP-Adaptor-Kit-for-BMW-5-7-Series-M5-X3-X5-Z4-Z8-/321413706168?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4ad5bff1b8

If you could give me any advice, it would be appreciated!

Best Regards,
Andy
 
The 10 speaker unit (DSP or standard) is notoriously difficult to replace/upgrade I'm afraid.

There aren't many members who have tried it.
 
Ive only seen this, but havent tried it
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=67364&hilit=sk93#p992028
 
Thanks for the link Johnny....I have tried the search function but I was the problem!

That's definitely a route I will consider when the DSP packs up.

Though its not bad, it is a bit muddy in terms of quality.
 
1: yes you can.

I've done the AMP replacement, and it's really not hard at all.
You WILL need to spend time identifying which wire does what at the amp, but all the baloney about it being a digital feed from the headunit, or the subwoofers being weird voltages etc, is exactly that = total baloney.

The ONLY complicated bit is the cd changer (if you have one), and even then, it's only a problem if you have a pre-facelift version (with the coax cable)... but then it's just the case of buying one of the DICE converters for about £60 and routing it into the back of the headunit.

The amp can definately be replaced.
I have done this, and it's still working perfectly.

If you are replacing the headunit at the same time as the amp, then life is even easier.. run the preouts down from the headunit to the amp (passenger side is best, as there's a nifty pass-through hole from behind the seat to the boot!), hook up the existing speakers to the amp, and away you go... you even have a proper "switch" feed down there already to control the amp's power.

In regards to the existing speakers, I have the full carver setup; all the speakers and the two subs.
these are hooked up to my aftermarket amp and, trust me on this, sound a thousand times better for it.
The subs are literally awesome now.. if you crank the Headunit bass up to max, you get panel rattle and the exterior mirrors become completely unusable! (if that's your thing)
The clarity is perfect, and the staging of the audio can be made spot on with the amp.

you WILL need crossovers for the door mids and tweeters, as they cannot handle full range and don't have inbuilt passive crossovers - so make sure you don't blow em!


The whole process of replacing the amp, without any prior knowledge, took me and a audio shop tech four hours to replace - the vast majority of the time was spent identifying the two preout feed wires and identifying / pairing up the existing speaker wires.
If you're replacing the headunit as well, you could probably do the whole job in about the same time.

If you're around the nottingham area, I'd be happy to meet up and demonstrate what I did and the sound quality/clarity..
 
Thanks for the reply!

I have a brand new Kenwood that is bells and whistles that I have hardly used, so this is sounding right up my ally. Though I do have navi system which I'm guessing will make it unusable with aftermarket.

Now some questions...sorry!

I do have the multi changer but will have no need for it I'm also pre face lift, so is it necessary to use the dice converter?

I have speakers with crossovers' could these be used? Or do I need ones that have adjustment?

With the switch you mention, what do you ,ran by this?

Lastly, I wish I was close! I'm Bristol based. Oh and what year is your zed?

Thanks
Andy
 
Sk, did you piggy back on the two set of mids to the amp? I'm just trying to figure out how you got ten speakers on a 5 channel amp.

I'm looking into the jbl ez5, has built in crossovers which will be useful. I was speaking to a mate and he said I may have problems with low volume due the difference in resistance (ohm)? I hate electronics, I'm mechanical so I can do the installation but I'm scratching my head how you wired the factory wires to your amp. I'm definitely putting in my HU so that'll be easy for that.

Any chance of pictures of the speaker wires to amp?
 
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