Upgrading the soundsystem
- Thread starter relic222
- Start date
Budget mate? And what you after?
Many will tell you that it's lost in a soft top but as always with audio it comes down to budget. I've had many cars and many systems, but best set up is always the best front components you can afford and a decent sub and amp.
That being said those 3 items can be costly!
Many will tell you that it's lost in a soft top but as always with audio it comes down to budget. I've had many cars and many systems, but best set up is always the best front components you can afford and a decent sub and amp.
That being said those 3 items can be costly!
A
Anonymous
Guest
Would be difficult but possible to upgrade IMO.
The Top Hi-Fi DSP (Carver) which I have in my ///M is pretty darn good to be honest, once you have the EQ set up properly. I have experience of a lot of BMW systems and this is (surprisingly) pretty good.
It goes loud enough and sounds decent enough for me to be happy with it.
It would be easier to find a car with the system installed really but if you wanted to upgrade, you would may be best off perhaps using some of the Top Hi-Fi DSP (Carver) bits and pieces such as the speaker locations. I would look to go this way because it keeps the install looking OEM.
You would need to install a decent amp, which could be mounted in the rear bulkhead area where the DSP amp lives. You would need to get the signals from the head unit to the amp and them back from the amp to the speakers. Would be fiddly and a few headaches but possible.
The Top Hi-Fi DSP (Carver) which I have in my ///M is pretty darn good to be honest, once you have the EQ set up properly. I have experience of a lot of BMW systems and this is (surprisingly) pretty good.
It goes loud enough and sounds decent enough for me to be happy with it.
It would be easier to find a car with the system installed really but if you wanted to upgrade, you would may be best off perhaps using some of the Top Hi-Fi DSP (Carver) bits and pieces such as the speaker locations. I would look to go this way because it keeps the install looking OEM.
You would need to install a decent amp, which could be mounted in the rear bulkhead area where the DSP amp lives. You would need to get the signals from the head unit to the amp and them back from the amp to the speakers. Would be fiddly and a few headaches but possible.
If you want to upgrade your best starting with the base 6 speaker system. You can't really mess around with the 10 speaker systems because of the amp and the digital signal it recieves from the head unit.
As above, a decent set of 2 or 3 way components up front, leave the rears stock and put a decent sub or two in the boot.
The only thing seperating the cabin from the boot when the roof is up is a plastic parcel shelf so you will get plenty of bass in the car.
As above, a decent set of 2 or 3 way components up front, leave the rears stock and put a decent sub or two in the boot.
The only thing seperating the cabin from the boot when the roof is up is a plastic parcel shelf so you will get plenty of bass in the car.
i have the 10 speaker set up but im looking to have a little change and upgrade for more bass, i will be replacing the front speakers with amped components, upgrade a few of the other speakers and run 2 x subs behind the seats. what size would i be able to fit behind the seats 8" i havent physically had a look at the space but want a rough idea as subs are pretty deep compared to normal speakers. any suggestions, pics or help would be great. im looking at keeping the standard headunit with the convertor that converts speaker cable to rca connections.
if you have the 10 speaker system, you really do NOT need to upgrade the speakers... just swap out the amp.
anyone coming to the national is more than welcome to hear my system, on which I just replaced the amplifier.
Guarantee you wont get a better sounding system without spending mega money on it.
Yes, Carver/DSP is the best OEM solution, but the difference between the DSP amp and a decent, well set up aftermarket amp is astonishing.
I'm not ever running the rear mid speakers any more, as there's very little point.
anyone coming to the national is more than welcome to hear my system, on which I just replaced the amplifier.
Guarantee you wont get a better sounding system without spending mega money on it.
Yes, Carver/DSP is the best OEM solution, but the difference between the DSP amp and a decent, well set up aftermarket amp is astonishing.
I'm not ever running the rear mid speakers any more, as there's very little point.