Changing OEM front speakers

[bmwangler]

I agree with others on the Forum that the best sound system in the Z4 is the sound of the engine (most of the time that's what I listen to )

My car is fitted with the standard 6 speaker system which is the best standard system I've had in any car, nevertheless I think I'd like to replace the footwell speakers for a better quality pair, which should improve the sound (they're a decent-sized speaker, after all).

Any one done this? Any recommenations for speakers? And is there much involved in getting to them (i.e. how DO you get to them????)

I'd be really interested in feedback on this guys :wink:

 

[bmwangler]

Any thoughts on this ?

 

[Wondermike]

Hmm I thought I had posted on this yesterday but never mind.

IIRC if you have the 6 speaker system then the door speakers are just grilles with nothing behind them - are these the ones you are thinking of?

 

[PawnSacrifice]

With the six speaker system you have two in the door, two tweeters and two behind the seats.

Think you need the door cards off to get to those. That will also give access to the tweeters. Not sure about the two behind the seats, in terms of access.

Am sure there was another thread very similar to this one? Was sure I'd see a post by Wondermike, but can't find it now :?

EDIT: Sorry, a little confused as I had speakers in my new door cards, the car must have had the upgraded system... Mike is right about the doorcards being blanked off.

 

[Wondermike]

Ah sorry you are saying footwell and not door. Would it be easier to put some speakers into the doors instead, the footwell ones seem to be tucked away?

 

[PawnSacrifice]

Hmm I thought I had posted on this yesterday but never mind.

You did, that was what I saw. Something odd going on - your post wasn't there when I posted.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Def. check if you have any speakers in the door. My 6 speaker system came with:
2 in the footwells
2 tweeters in the mirror housings
2 rear speakers

Despite me preferring the engine note and saying so, I did a simple upgrade as advised by the local audio shop and fitted some quality (4" iirc) door speakers instead of blanking plates, fed off the tweeters as I had the door cards off for a project. Made a world of difference.

Standard BMW door speakers are 3 bolt and often on ebay, but can easily be adapted to take a 4 bolt speaker

 

[Wondermike]

Yep adding door speakers sounds like a good plan. To change the footwell ones it looks like you would need to remove the whole panel, which probably wouldn't be that hard.


Trim panel leg room - BMW parts catalog

 

[PawnSacrifice]

Just had a look on the TIS, not hard but a bit of a faff...
Driver's side

• remove the remove the trim for the pedal assembly
• remove entrance strip cover (inner)
• remove side panel trim > remove bonnet leaver, 2 screws (item 4 and the one on the end) > pull out the bottom of the panel and unclip the boot release. Then remove the panel.

Passenger's side

• remove the remove the trim for instrument panel, bottom right
• remove entrance strip cover (inner)
• remove side panel trim > 1 screw (on the end) > pull out the bottom of the panel. Then remove the panel.

EDIT: Better still have a look here - Online BMW TIS

...I did a simple upgrade as advised by the local audio shop and fitted some quality (4" iirc) door speakers instead of blanking plates, fed off the tweeters as I had the door cards off for a project. Made a world of difference.

Nice May do that with the speakers that were in my new doorcards.

 

[bmwangler]

Thanks very much guys, all questions and more answered

Interesting that the addition of speakers in the blanked-off door grilles made a big difference (cj10). I take it there's enough power for the extra speakers from the standard head unit (i.e. without adding an amp)??

the reason for my suggestion about upgrading the Footwell speakers is that they are decent-sized units (6.5") I believe - and an upgrade to really good-quality units of that size should sound really good????

 

[navid.v]

Def. check if you have any speakers in the door. My 6 speaker system came with:
2 in the footwells
2 tweeters in the mirror housings
2 rear speakers

Despite me preferring the engine note and saying so, I did a simple upgrade as advised by the local audio shop and fitted some quality (4" iirc) door speakers instead of blanking plates, fed off the tweeters as I had the door cards off for a project. Made a world of difference.

Standard BMW door speakers are 3 bolt and often on ebay, but can easily be adapted to take a 4 bolt speaker

CJ,

not hijacking the tread just a relevant question apart from the door speakers,do you need extra wiring to add 2 speakers or like most other stuff they are pre-wired?as I have the same standard setup.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Thanks very much guys, all questions and more answered

Interesting that the addition of speakers in the blanked-off door grilles made a big difference (cj10). I take it there's enough power for the extra speakers from the standard head unit (i.e. without adding an amp)??

the reason for my suggestion about upgrading the Footwell speakers is that they are decent-sized units (6.5") I believe - and an upgrade to really good-quality units of that size should sound really good????

I'm no audio expert, so just went to the local specialist and asked if anything could be done to improve the sound without amps, headunits, etc. Result was a pair of reasonable quality speakers in the doors. Clearly there is no specific control over them from and amp (aside faders, base/tone, etc.) and they just take a general audio feed, however they work well and given the location in the doors not the footwell and creating an 8 speaker system make a big difference. I also sound lined the doors as part of an overall 'door' project.

I'm not advocating it as the way to go and for better results am sure you need headunits, amps, better cabling, etc.

Navid.v - There is no loom already there so I simply spliced into the feeds going to the mirror and routed a cable to the door cards, avoiding the window mechnism.

 

[aquazi]

Adding to the existing system would be the approach i would take... before replacing the exisiting speakers.

Depending on how you want the improve the sound (clarity/ bass) then might be easier to simply add two rear 6x9 speakers in the cubby holes... as they have easy access from within the boot.

Or take the CJ approach and add door speakers... but in either case i would amp the feed... alpine sell compact 2 channel amps, which could easily fit beside the battery (or if you have bluetooth then in the cradle on the firewall - which is where the bmw one sits)

I actually find the footwell ones pretty good... produce almost equal amounts of bass as the rear subs.. if anything i find the rear subs to be inadequate.

 

[bmwangler]

Looks like the CJ route then - seems to be the best ""bang for buck" option.

Useful info chaps

 

[Richard!]

I am going to be installing some front speakers later next year. I have already installed some 6x9 subs in the rear cubby holes.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14499

I was able to get some second hand Dynaudio System 340's. They will be driven by a Genisis amp and I have an old eq around to get it tuned in nicely.