Speaker upgrade / sub the Lazy way

T

T400

Member
Hi

I have the standard speaker setup in my 56 Z4
I have sat nav
cd changer
and the
mfsw

im looking to upgrade the speakers / add a sub to give it some oooomph

Ive read most of the posts about a DIY install and Im afraid its beyond me.

Is there anywhere/anyone that you could reccomend to carry out the task for me.

I know it seems a cop out, but id rather pay someone to do it than haver me fudge it badly
 
Also a budget would be good, for a quick simple uprgade i'd look at adding an active subwoofer in the boot, something like the Alpine SWD-2000
 
I'd go the active subwoofer route then with a budget of £200. The stock speakers are pretty good and not worth upgrading unless you plan to spend hundreds on them or amp them.

The SWD-2000 or similar would be ideal in a Z4, they dont take up alot of space and use high level inputs although i would recommend getting an adjustable high to low level adaptor and take the feed from the back of the headunit.

Theres a few places in Leicester that i use that could fit a subwoofer to your car for your £200 budget.
 
start bidding

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALPINE-SWE-1000-ACTIVE-SUB-WOOFER_W0QQitemZ270544715741QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_Car_Speakers_PP?hash=item3efdb8bfdd

Or buy one now

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-8-600-Watts-Super-Slim-Active-Subwoofer_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem414dd94012QQitemZ280478957586QQptZCarQ5fSubwoofersQ5fEnclosures
 
I have the SWE-1000 in my mk1 mr2 and although very good for its size it has its limits, i had the SWD-1600 before that and again very good but is very limited in its output. I would recommend atleast a 10" subwoofer in a small box in the boot instead of an under seat style.
 
I'm in the midlands and have a SWD-1600 from another car about to go on ebay.

I think it's meant to be in the cabin though, perhaps under the passenger seat.
 
3-Way components start at about £100 for something like JBL.

What car do you plan to put the 6x9's in? The reason i ask is I'm not a fan and often there not needed.
 
un1eash said:
I'd go the active subwoofer route then with a budget of £200. The stock speakers are pretty good and not worth upgrading unless you plan to spend hundreds on them or amp them.

The SWD-2000 or similar would be ideal in a Z4, they dont take up alot of space and use high level inputs although i would recommend getting an adjustable high to low level adaptor and take the feed from the back of the headunit.

Theres a few places in Leicester that i use that could fit a subwoofer to your car for your £200 budget.
Click to expand...

Thank you for all your answers so far;

Active sub looks like the most common solution, 1000/1600/2000?
How much would i be looking at for amping my speakers?
Im after some oomph and clarity really. Is that too much of an ask for my bracket?
 
un1eash said:
3-Way components start at about £100 for something like JBL.

What car do you plan to put the 6x9's in? The reason i ask is I'm not a fan and often there not needed.
Click to expand...

in the zed. i want to have a carver 'style' setup. what type of speakers go in the storage compartments behind the seats?

so for around £100 would i get something decent i.e. better than the bmw one - i currently don't have any speakers in the doors (2-way setup?).
 
T400 said:
Thank you for all your answers so far;

Active sub looks like the most common solution, 1000/1600/2000?
How much would i be looking at for amping my speakers?
Im after some oomph and clarity really. Is that too much of an ask for my bracket?
Click to expand...

I'd go for the 2000 in the boot.

The problem with trying to add an amp to run the speakers while keeping the stock headunit is that it has no Amp outputs. You have to then look at line drivers like alpines cleansweep or audiocontrols LC series which cost £££ to provide the signal to the amps. You could try using the high level inputs on an amp but ive never liked the results.

I agree though the stock 6 speaker system does lack that clarity and does seem to be missing some mid range and oomph.
 
peddy said:
un1eash said:
3-Way components start at about £100 for something like JBL.

What car do you plan to put the 6x9's in? The reason i ask is I'm not a fan and often there not needed.
Click to expand...

in the zed. i want to have a carver 'style' setup. what type of speakers go in the storage compartments behind the seats?

so for around £100 would i get something decent i.e. better than the bmw one - i currently don't have any speakers in the doors (2-way setup?).
Click to expand...

The carver setup has bass drivers in the storage compartments and the 4" mids in the door, quite a few people fit 6x9's here but i think a full range speaker is just wasted behind the seats. I have/would concentrate on upgrading the fronts (2 or 3 way) and adding a small subwoofer. If you can amp the fronts aswell it will be even better. We're lucky in the Z4 as the fronts are 6.5" where as most BMW's only have 5.25" up front so you can get some real volume and bass from the fronts.

ps. I have my tweeters in the door where the mid would go to reduce seperation from the speaker in the kick panel.
 
You could go for an active 10" sub, either behind the seat or in the boot, but thats going to be for a budget one, about £100, anything up to £200 for a good one

A budget 3 way system (which I would not reccomend, stick with the stock) as mentioned about another £100

Decent 3 way system, Hertz or similar etc more like £200

A good amp anything up to £300

Then theres the fitting of it, £ no idea

With mention to the cleansweep, I ran one and to be honest it did not improve things that much,BMW head units stay pretty consistent across the power band
 
I have a Cleansweep + Alpine PDX4.150 + Focal 3 ways, love it.

You won't get a 10" behind the seats, several have made boxes in the boot for them - there's a great example in the FAQ. :thumbsup:
 
un1eash said:
I'd go for the 2000 in the boot.


I agree though the stock 6 speaker system does lack that clarity and does seem to be missing some mid range and oomph.
Click to expand...


These replies have been EXACTLY what I was after :thumbsup:

Ok i'll go with the 2000 i reckon

2 more things and then i'll leave you alone (doubt it)

1- how much should i be paying for one
2- how do you install it ? (basic jist)

Hmmmmmmmmm Subbby
 
The SWD-2000 new should be around £180, if buying from a shop you should be able to get a wiring kit thrown in aswell.

The way i'd wire it up would be to use a high to low level adaptor like this....

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-connects2-ct3103_p-22749.htm

I'd wire this upto the rear speaker outputs on the back of the headunit. Then you run a twin phono lead from here into the boot (very easy), Then you need power and an earth which you can take direct from the battery. Then the last bit is a remote wire to turn it on when the ignition it on and for this there is a purple/white wire behind the carpet in the boot you can use.
 
un1eash said:
The way i'd wire it up would be to use a high to low level adaptor like this....

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-connects2-ct3103_p-22749.htm

I'd wire this upto the rear speaker outputs on the back of the headunit. Then you run a twin phono lead from here into the boot (very easy), Then you need power and an earth which you can take direct from the battery. Then the last bit is a remote wire to turn it on when the ignition it on and for this there is a purple/white wire behind the carpet in the boot you can use.
Click to expand...

Top beans!

I think I'm nearly there, I might even attempt it myself.....

The low level adapter - how does that fit into the back of the headunit? is it a clippy loom that plugs in to the wiring or do i need to slice and splice into wires?

and one final one (doubt it :oops: ) the remote wire, is that in the boot then already? going into a rear stock speaker or just hanging around ready for sub action?

Cheers again, this really is cool of u
 
I use blade connectors to tap into the speaker wires...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_216731_langId_-1_categoryId_165626

very easy to use and remove later without causing any damage. I'll try and find the wiring diagram for the speaker wire colours.

The remote wire is used for something else, not quite sure but i think its to do with the cd changer/nav but it is a perfect wire to use as its only live when the ignition is on.

Ps. It shouldnt be to hard to attempt yourself and if you need any help you know where we are.
 
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