hmmm, well thanks for that. i think they were of course referring to a system consisting ONLY of their Stage One speaker suite, but my comment/question was based on the following statement from their FAQ:
source:
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/k...et+amplifier+with+your+Stage+1+Audio+Upgrade?
*****************************
Can I install an aftermarket amplifier with your Stage 1 Audio Upgrade?
"Our Stage 1 Audio Upgrade is not compatible with aftermarket amplifiers. That's because we've designed it from the ground up to work with the factory amplifier, power output, wiring, and built-in crossovers found in your vehicle. By eliminating the factory amplifier, you'll also eliminate the factory crossovers and change the frequencies and amount of power each speaker receives, meaning they won't be operating in their ideal range and are likely to be damaged, or at minimum sound pretty terrible. While it is theoretically possible to install an aftermarket amplifier and crossover configuration that would be compatible with our Stage 1, it is not something we would be able to provide information on or support in any way. It would also void our 100% satisfaction guarantee and the product warranty.
That said, for certain vehicle applications we do have a plug and play amplifier upgrade in development. As of August 21st, 2008, the vehicles for which we have a planned amplifier upgrade in development for are:
•99-06 3 Series / M3 (E46)
•00-06 X5 (E53)
Vehicles for which we are considering a plug and play amplifier upgrade are:
•97-03 5 Series / M5 (E39)
•04+ 5 Series / M5 (E60) - Standard Audio only
•07+ 3 Series / M3 (E90/91/92/93) - Standard Audio only
•02-06 Mini Cooper / Cooper S
If you'd like an upgrade for these vehicles, you can vote for them on our site by clicking the "feedback" button found on the right-hand side of every page and vote for what you want us to develop!
With regards to an ETA for these products, we do not yet have a release date. We are getting closer and closer daily, but we don't have a specific release date at this time. Here's why:
At BSW, we have a philosophy that anything we create and sell should be as close to perfect as possible before we release it. During the product development process, with each prototype version of a product, we find new changes, adjustments, and improvements that we can make.
In general, this means that our product development cycle is fairly long, and that the date at which a product will be available changes as we move through the development process. Instead of giving you a specific date, we'd rather say that this product will be available when it meets our exacting standards of quality and performance -- when its worthy of your BMW!"
******************************
So basically what i'm getting from this is that they intentionally designed their system to be uber-efficient so as to provide a standalone speaker switchout that wouldn't require more power, but the tradeoff is low power-handling, and i'd prefer a hole-for-hole speaker switch - preferably of the same brand and driver construction for maximum continuity - that could take a lil more wattage as i require every square inch of my trunk for my dj work (i know, a dj who can't use a sub due to needing the trunk for gear.. a cruel irony, yes?).
So if i was gonna go the MB Quart or any other mfgr route, i'd want them to include a midrange driver for the door in one of their setups. My fave studio monitors are Focals who also make awesome car gear, but alas, only 2-way. Which i actually prefer, but not when i've got a 2" hole in my door that needs a driver in it whether i like it or not - at least that's how i see it; i know some just disconnect it and Paul from BSW himself said they've gotten great results with that mid unplugged and some aftermarket power put to the BSW tweets and kick-panels, but for various reasons that just doesn't set well with me so i might be stuck just using the Stage One rig and settling for less power... i mean it IS an M3 afterall, no use crying too much over lost volume when i spend the majority of my driving time preferring to listen to the music of my engine!!
's jus that, being a dj an' all, peeps 'spect me to have a kickin' stereo and it's easier just to have one than to 'splain why i don't, ya noz?
plus it HAS been years now since the first day i got the car and proceeded to blow those mids on the way home from the dealer and i'm just trying to avoid a repeat given it takes me so long to replace blown speakers :rofl: