updating 6 speaker setup

my local hifi shop put a covered mdf over the cubby hole apertures - and we fitted 2 kenwood 6x9 subs with a 2 channel amp - im quite pleased with the result -- i plan to swap the 2 channel for a 4 channel and add some speakers to the doors

you still cant drive down the motorway at 90 with the roof down and hear music loud - but its much improved on standard
 
NeilP said:
Is there any reason you specifically want a 3 way kit aside from there being a provision for one?
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head there. No real reason, although I'm open to recommendations for speakers.
Both focal and hertz have been mentioned on here with good results.
 
for the money you spend on a 3 way kit (hertz esk for example) you can get one model higher in 2 way form (hertz hsk)

Personally from experience, 3 way set ups are hard to get right, sure people just slap them in and away they go, but to get them sounding as they should isn't easy.

With audio, adding more means more to go wrong, so keep it simple.

Pick a 3,4, or 5 channel amplifier, upgrade the front with 2 way components.

Then with the remaining channels, look into rear speakers subs. With the 3 or 4 channel, they will be bridged for either a sub in the boot or behind the seats.

With a 5 channel, you've the option of having mids and highs behind the seat too and then a sub in the boot.

Most importantly though is to actually use an amp. It's not about just being able to go loud but it gives you headroom with your music. While the factory amp would be near maximum output, most aftermarket amps will still be able to put out more power, reducing your chance of clipping the signal and doing damage to your speakers.
 
NeilP
Good advice. I had the door card off at the weekend so just need to buy some speakers.
My plan is to take things one step at a time, but the amp may be the next thing.
Thanks
 
I've been looking hard at this as I'm intending to add some dynamat-type material to the inside of the doors to give them a bit more 'solidity' when shutting. While I've got the door card off, it seems sensible to add the door speaker but I would prefer to do this without rewiring the whole car - I like a bit of music but I don't need to shake windows or burst the eardrums of little old ladies while they're indoors feeding the cat

These seemed like a safe option as they are intended as direct replacements and have the BMW 3-hole fitting - bit pricey though

I've settled on, and ordered, the Hertz DiECi cdx100.3, they're a slim, 2-way, easy to drive (92 dB SPL) speaker and I managed to get them for under £45 inc delivery so they're not going to break the bank - they are normal 4-point fixing though, so i'll have to get around that, but, from anecdotal evidence, it doesn't seem to be a major issue.

If this works OK, I might have a look at replacing the footwell speakers and the door triangle tweeters later in the summer
 
Took out the cubby holes on mine and fitted rear speakers in there,run cable direct from hesd unit (easy job) not using standard rear speakers now,sounds better,cheap upgrade.
 
I can not stress enough to stay away from mb quart and all those maxxsonic brand, a lot of money for quite honestly not a lot of product. It's not as bad as say Boss, Vibe, Edge and such but still not worth the price charged.

If anyone is looking into direct bmw replacement, Gladen Audio offer some nice solutions.

PerryGunn, have a look at Silent coat if you're considering sound dampening. As a previous diehard Dynamat fan I felt to go for a change and I was not sorry! It's more reasonably priced, goes on as easily as dynamat and does an equally good job.

How do you plan to wire them up? Do you have an aftermarket headunit?
 
NeilP said:
I can not stress enough to stay away from mb quart and all those maxxsonic brand, a lot of money for quite honestly not a lot of product. It's not as bad as say Boss, Vibe, Edge and such but still not worth the price charged.

If anyone is looking into direct bmw replacement, Gladen Audio offer some nice solutions.

PerryGunn, have a look at Silent coat if you're considering sound dampening. As a previous diehard Dynamat fan I felt to go for a change and I was not sorry! It's more reasonably priced, goes on as easily as dynamat and does an equally good job.

How do you plan to wire them up? Do you have an aftermarket headunit?
Click to expand...
Well I got that right then :thumbsup: I've already got Silent Coat Extra - the 4mm thick stuff rather than the standard 2mm, I went for the thicker version as I wanted to add mass to the doorskins

I'm just going to splice into the tweeter feed, I don't want an aftermarket headunit or an amp as I want to keep everything as close to stock as possible
 
PerryGunn said:
NeilP said:
I can not stress enough to stay away from mb quart and all those maxxsonic brand, a lot of money for quite honestly not a lot of product. It's not as bad as say Boss, Vibe, Edge and such but still not worth the price charged.

If anyone is looking into direct bmw replacement, Gladen Audio offer some nice solutions.

PerryGunn, have a look at Silent coat if you're considering sound dampening. As a previous diehard Dynamat fan I felt to go for a change and I was not sorry! It's more reasonably priced, goes on as easily as dynamat and does an equally good job.

How do you plan to wire them up? Do you have an aftermarket headunit?
Click to expand...
Well I got that right then :thumbsup: I've already got Silent Coat Extra - the 4mm thick stuff rather than the standard 2mm, I went for the thicker version as I wanted to add mass to the doorskins

I'm just going to splice into the tweeter feed, I don't want an aftermarket headunit or an amp as I want to keep everything as close to stock as possible
Click to expand...

IIRC the tweeter feed is crossed over and relatively high (to protect the tweeter)

you won't get a whole lot of mid from them unfortunately.
 
NeilP said:
PerryGunn said:
NeilP said:
I'm just going to splice into the tweeter feed, I don't want an aftermarket headunit or an amp as I want to keep everything as close to stock as possible
Click to expand...

IIRC the tweeter feed is crossed over and relatively high (to protect the tweeter)

you won't get a whole lot of mid from them unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
As I understand it, on the basic 6 speaker setup, the feed that comes through into the door is full range and there is an in-line capacitor close to the tweeter to create a high pass filter

Other people, including cj10jeeper, have done this with the basic system and have confirmed that they get full range from the new door speaker
 
NeilP said:
that's perfect then!

will you be disconnecting the tweeter?
Click to expand...
Not to start with, I'll see what it sounds like and decide then - the tweeter can be disconnected with just the triangle removed so it's very quick to do
 
You might find some cancellation issues or too much high end.

I like my high crisp and sharp but I found the oem setup a little uncomfortable especially given how high they are.

Either way, take pics and post a review! Would be interested in seeing how you take your audio upgrade forward!
 
NeilP said:
You might find some cancellation issues or too much high end.

I like my high crisp and sharp but I found the oem setup a little uncomfortable especially given how high they are.

Either way, take pics and post a review! Would be interested in seeing how you take your audio upgrade forward!
Click to expand...
This isn't supposed to be an audio upgrade :roll: I'm taking the doors apart mainly to add mass to the door skins to make them sound less tinny when closed, the additional speakers are an extra that I'm doing while the doors are apart - I don't even listen to that much music in the car, too busy :driving: and the Alpina exhaust sound is soooo nice

That said, I'll let you know how it goes - we've got a weekend in Wales in mid June so will probably get a chance to listen properly on the journey
 
Well, with an extra pair of hands provided by my son, we tackled the driver's door this afternoon and added sound deadening and a door speaker - the door now feels as solid as the doors in my old E39 and closes with a satisfyingly meaty thunk rather than a whimpy and tinny plink and the additional speaker adds a lot to the sound, it won't satisfy those of you that spend serious money on in-car music but it's a definite improvement and very good value for money.

I didn't take pictures today as we were feeling our way through the process but I'll take some tomorrow when we do the passenger door and then do a proper write-up
 
Anyone know what size screws are behind the grab handle?

I took my drivers door card off today but these had already been removed.

Edit: Found what i'm looking for

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT53&mospid=47799&btnr=51_4912&hg=51&fg=50
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom