Audio upgrade plans

T

TurboLozza

Member
 North Yorkshire
I'm going to be upgrading my standard system (basic professional) and am considering my options at the moment. I will probably retain the head unit to maintain functionality, so my initial question is whether the upgraded BMW hi-fi system uses the same or a different head unit? My thinking being that if the upgraded system is good and uses the same head unit, then it is probably OK to keep this. Hopefully someone can answer this?

Laurie.
 
The head unit should be the same, although there are sat nav or non-nav variants. The main differences are the amp in the boot, the speakers, sub and cabling.
 
That's interesting, as in that case I will probably go for Blaupunkt P&P amp and new speakers which will be much cheaper than trying to retrofit OEM kit.
Does anyone have recommendation or experience of installing better speakers?
 
I am about to install my new Blaupunkt P&P amp, I bought the amp itself via a mate in the US. From this guy on ebay (who won't ship to the UK) :

4 way : http://cgi.ebay.com/BLAUPUNKT-THA475PNP-Thin-Series-Car-Amplifier-/230549908166
or
5 way : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230551601945

All in with the extension wires (bought from someone else on ebay in the US) inc shipping it was about £125! :D :D :D

I bought my head unit break out loom from the UK seperately - might be better to buy the loom and extension from Bluespot though http://www.bluespot.co.uk/car-audio.aspx/7607622016l-amplifier-loom

Let you know Friday afternoon how the install has gone. I'll take photos! As for speakers, I've heard a few say the stock speakers aren't that bad, so going to live with them for a bit, maybe look at tweeters, or possibly replacing all of them - but sticking to just the amp for now.

David
 
This is the route I'm hoping to go down as well. Just need to research my local installers as I'm new to the North West.
 
Might find this helpful? Found it earlier...instructions with pictures

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310508
 
Asty said:
I take it the install didn't go well?
Click to expand...

Actually it went quit well, just not had chance to do write up yet, sorry.

Took loads of photos of virtually every step, so need to resize and stick on a web page before i post back here.

Very pleased with results.

David
 
Hi david, have you managed to upload the pictures from the audio upgrade? Hows the sound improvement - i presume louder and better clarity from the speakers? Does everything function well with the idrive/nav/connectivity systems? Interested to know how you set-up the 5-channel amp etc?
 
Hi there, just an update, bit of a change in direction with my install, I have managed to source some HERTZ 3 way component speakers for a nice price and plan on installing those in the car soon (was originally sticking with the OEM speakers, but couldn't resist the Hertz' as have heard some good things about them).

As a result I've also managed to get hold of another amp that I'm planning on using instead of the Blaupunkt.

The Blaupunkt was removed after a week or so of being in the car, nothing wrong with it, but the new amp is more suitable.

Anyway, the Blaupunkt THA475PNP AMP is now for sale for £135 inc shipping (to mainland UK postcodes).

I appreciate above I said it cost me £125 to buy, but I have since had a £20 customs bill, so the £135 I am asking simply covers what the amp cost me, and is still a bargain compared to what Bluespot want (£200).

Anyone interested in the amp, let me know £135 inc shipping. See here :

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=24534

David
 
Maniac said:
David,

When you say the new amp was more suitable than the blaupunkt, in what way was it?
Click to expand...

Wasn't a case of 'more' suitable, just different I guess.

The Blaupunkt is a class D amp, and in some instances class D amps can cause a slight dip in FM performance (it can be down to how you've laid the wires in the car), I experienced this a little as I live in a very hilly area, and the FM isn't too great anyway here, so it did slightly affect my FM. Nothing most would worry about to be honest, but I am super fussy. Hence I have bought a different amp that isn't class D, and that doesn't cause the slight FM issue.

Still a bargain for someone : )

David
 
Got it. I did read elsewhere a 50/50 response to some of these amps on FM signal being affected. Not an issue for me however as I have DAB (there's no mention of them affecting the DAB frequencies) so I'll look into the fitting of this a little more and let you know if I'm interested.
 
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