Standard audio: 6 speakers, no subwoofers, no speakers in the doors
Hifi: 10 speakers (including 2 subwoofers)
Top Hifi: upgraded 10 speakers (including 2 Carver technology woofers)
All speakers are made by Philips. The “Carver” woofers are also made by Philips but rumours are that they were designed by Bob Carver like his Sunfire woofer series.
The woofers in the Hifi system have an impedance of 2 ohms
The woofers in the Top Hifi system have an impedance of 10 ohms
All speakers have got a good efficiency (dB/W/m), so keep in mind that in most cases when you replace them with aftermarket ones, the sound pressure level will suffer.
The amp on the Hifi and Top Hifi system is located next to the battery in the trunk.
Top Hifi (also called Premium Audio or Carver):
The Top-HiFi audio system consists of following components:
• Radio Business-CD or CID
• Top-HiFi amplifier
• Front left and right low-range speakers (woofers)
• Front left and right high-range speakers (tweeters)
• Front left and right mid-range speakers
• Rear left and right mid-range speakers
• Rear left and right low-range speakers (woofers) in Carver technology
• CD changer (optional)
Top-HiFi Amplifier
With regard to its functionality, the Top-HiFi amplifier corresponds to the previous DSP
amplifier as already used in other model series. The special features on the E85 are the two high voltage output stages (30 V) for the Carver woofers.
The Top-HiFi amplifier has 2 analogue inputs (left and right). In addition, the Top-HiFi amplifier
features a digital input for the CD changer connection (coaxial cable). This arrangement
achieves a higher signal quality.
The top HiFi amplifier is installed in the luggage compartment next to the vehicle battery.
Carver woofers (low-range speakers), rear
The Carver woofers have a diameter of 160 mm and a paper cone in Carver technology.
The maximum load capacity is 100 W. The Carver woofers cover a frequency range from
30 Hz to 150 Hz.
The rear Carver woofers are accommodated in the partition behind the seats. The resonance
volume is approx.10 l.
Carver Woofer Operating principle:
High sound pressure is required for achieving a rich bass. The Carver woofers (low-range
speakers) produce this sound pressure with their small diameter by increasing the
displacement of the diaphragm. The sound pressure is produced by movement in the volume
of air.
The volume of air moved is derived from the diaphragm area multiplied by the displace-
To date to achieve this, the largest possible diaphragm area (diameter of the speaker)
was used in conjunction with relatively low displacement (approx. 3-10 mm). A matching
resonance volume is additionally required.
In vehicle construction applications, this technology leads to a conflict between vehicle
design and vehicle equipment: Due to the design and comprehensive level of equipment,
there is little package space available for large bass speakers.
Carver technology represents a new approach in solving this problem. Thanks to Carver
technology, a high sound pressure is produced with a small speaker diameter by increasing
the diaphragm displacement (approx. 30 mm).
Due to the greater diaphragm displacement Carver woofers (low-range speakers) require a
higher voltage supply than conventional speakers.
A special DSP amplifier with high voltage output stages (30 Vrms) is required for the Top-
HiFi audio system. It is necessary to greatly increase the magnetic force in order to achieve
greater diaphragm displacement. The solenoid was adapted accordingly. A high magnetic
force also means that a high back emf is produced in the solenoid (back emf Uemf=B.l.v).
The back emf counteracts the output voltage of the amplifier thus reducing the effective
voltage at the solenoid.
It is not possible to operate Carver speakers with the amplifiers (radio output stages 6 Vrms)
previously used.
