Sound System Improvement Stage One

Hi Evlengr,

Can you please let me know what Infinity component speaker is pictured in the photo 5 of your post 44?

Thanks,
Adri

Originally Posted by el_duderino

You like bright.

I categorically disagree with your description of the Focals. The best that will fit in an X3 is the Morel Hybrid Ovation comp set. Totally different sound than the Focal, bot bright or hard at all.

El duderino,

Are you referring to Hybrid Ovation 5 Comp - Morel 5" 2 Way Component System ? And if not, which exact model?

Thanks,
Adri

Adri they are an older set of the Kappa series. It seems the newer design does not fit well because of depth issues and the diameter of the magnet.

Nothing but a 4 inch or 100mm will fit without cutting and some elaborate changes.

I can tell you hands down the Alpine will fit and the newer models area bit better.

Sonicelectronix is a very good web site for stereo gear. They are around 30% or more cheaper than anyone else I have seen.

Crutchfield is a good reference for descriptions that are not confusing and written in more every day terminology.

Please feel free to PM if I can help more.

I have since modified my viewpoint somewhat and can explain nice ways to improve your sound system and keep the stock head unit and its features. This keeps prying eyes from prying out your sound system and aesthetically it is pleasing to most.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

I have since modified my viewpoint somewhat and can explain nice ways to improve your sound system and keep the stock head unit and its features. This keeps prying eyes from prying out your sound system and aesthetically it is pleasing to most.

Please do share. I'd love to know of any new ideas too!!!

Hi Evlengr,

Thanks for the great post!

I just bought a 2008 X3 3.0 si from the states (I live in Canada now). I'd like to plan for a stereo upgrade and your post provides a lot of info.

I read that HU or H/U stands for Head Unit, but what does BT stand for?

Also, sorry if you stated this and I missed it, but is there a particular amp you recommend?

Do you practice Aikido? I take Aikikai here in Canada.

Sincerely,

Ted

Hi all,

Just an update on my upgrade findings

I took the left rear door apart yesterday and fitted a 4" (100mm) Coax Speaker of approx 50mm depth without major problems. I can now see what Evlengr means and I have to agree that this size is certainly the maximum size possible in these doors.

I will now be looking at getting some better quality component speakers in there to use as Mid-Hi only and then start moving gradually to the under seat Low and eventually a Sub in the trunk.

One more question for you....

When I check in the Rear left part of my trunk I only have a Bluetooth module in there. Definitely no Amplifier and also definitely no spare connectors that I could use to add an Amplifier and or a CD Player for multiple discs and or a Navigation DVD Unit. Now, if I wanted to add an Amplifier, where would I get the audio input from? And also where would I get access to all of the current speakers cables from? Behind the Business CD Radio? How can this Original source power 3 ways per channel (Front, Rear and Under Seat Subs) without an Amp? or his the Amp somewhere else?

Under the Arm Rest in the front there is the Aux Input, but I would have liked to have found the CD Changer input as well and I do not seem to see it under there. I would have liked to have avoided having to rewire the entire car!!! in particular, if I place the Amp/Amps in the trunk, I would then have to run cables from there to all the speakers! I would have thought that they had allowed for the Amp in the rear and have all the speakers cables also running from there. Is it possible that they only do that if you have a stereo upgrade??? Seems strange.

I look forward to your feedback.

Thanks again,
Adri

Evlengr,
Can you let me know how much mounting depth we have in those front and rear doors please? Alpine SPS-400 is discontinued and SPS-410 is taking too long to show up on crutchfield or local stores. I am trying to find some good 4" ones and mounting depth is holding me up. Don't wanna open the door twice. Please and thank you.

EDIT: If you could let me know the depth of stock speaker then that would work too. I know you had a picture of it with tape measure but I can't find it.

Originally Posted by adri

When I check in the Rear left part of my trunk I only have a Bluetooth module in there. Definitely no Amplifier

Thanks again,
Adri

Unless your car is different, the amp is up high in the same compartment where the bluetooth module is located, and it is mounted on its side, around the shoulder area of the back seat. The bluetooth module is mounted at the bottom of the compartment.

By the way, I have Focal speakers installed in all 4 doors, pricey speakers, but they sound great, and fit was no problem at all

Originally Posted by enamoured

Evlengr,
Can you let me know how much mounting depth we have in those front and rear doors please? Alpine SPS-400 is discontinued and SPS-410 is taking too long to show up on crutchfield or local stores. I am trying to find some good 4" ones and mounting depth is holding me up. Don't wanna open the door twice. Please and thank you.

EDIT: If you could let me know the depth of stock speaker then that would work too. I know you had a picture of it with tape measure but I can't find it.

The alpine were an 1 13/16 to be exact, but had a small bit of wiggle room I suspect 1 7/8 would work as well. Biggest problem is not only the depth but diameter of magnet. I will have to measure that as well as I think surtech got nailed by that calculation.

The originial kappa series used a custom neodymium magnet which is very small and the newer were the right depth but larger magnet.


Sorry havent been keeping up. Normally I would have upgraded sounds system again since its summer time, but house shopping.

Wife and daughter are being very specific in what they want. Me I just want a nice garage I can put down an epoxy floor and a work area, Lol.

@ Surgtech, thank you for your reply. Yes, you are correct, the Bluetooth is there but I have no Amp. Does this mean that all the speakers are run straight from the Source Unit in the Dash? And if so, does this mean that my car is not pre-cabled for an Amp in the trunk?

Also, can you please provide exact details/Model No. of the Focals you have in the 4 doors?

@ Evlengr, I know exactely what you mean with the Garage!

Thanks again,
Adri

I'd like to be able to play my ipod through my business radio...Help, please!

Originally Posted by Coach90245

I'd like to be able to play my ipod through my business radio...Help, please!

Wow. You could at least do a little search, no? I've read topics on the best ways to do it: aux in, ice link and dension. I've got the Dension, works great.

Continuing on topic, I'm about to go about my upgrades in a different way than I've seen suggested. I'm adding a nicely amplified sub-box in the trunk and I'm amplifying the all the original speakers. My installer guarantees good results. If I don't like it I'll only pay for the sub-box and he'll sell me some focals at cost price. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Hi Martin,

When you get this done, can you please let us know:

1) where he would get the Stereo Audio Input for the Amps from?
2) the location where he will install the amps for the the door speakers?
3) how he will route the speakers cables

Thanks, Adri

Originally Posted by adri

Also, can you please provide exact details/Model No. of the Focals you have in the 4 doors?

I have the Focal VRS-100 slim speakers. They are not cheap, $600 a pair US, but they do sound great. I left the stock woofers under the seats, and had an amp installed to power them solely, and another amp to power the 4 Focal speakers, and I am very happy with how it sounds.

I can't even begin to imagine what is powering your speakers, having no idea if Australian imported X3's have different stereo configurations, good luck figuring it out.

Chris

Originally Posted by martim

Wow. You could at least do a little search, no? I've read topics on the best ways to do it: aux in, ice link and dension. I've got the Dension, works great.

Continuing on topic, I'm about to go about my upgrades in a different way than I've seen suggested. I'm adding a nicely amplified sub-box in the trunk and I'm amplifying the all the original speakers. My installer guarantees good results. If I don't like it I'll only pay for the sub-box and he'll sell me some focals at cost price. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I highly recommend you don't stick with original speakers Attached are the speakers that are in your X3. They are not even up to some of the worst speakers in their class.

They are still using paper and plastic, and magnets weigh nothing.

Chances are you will blown them within the month if you play it loud.

ps Adri here is a good depth perspective.

Originally Posted by adri

Hi Martin,

When you get this done, can you please let us know:

1) where he would get the Stereo Audio Input for the Amps from?
2) the location where he will install the amps for the the door speakers?
3) how he will route the speakers cables

Thanks, Adri

use the original speaker cables and tap into it from here (see pics)

Hi Evlengr,

And thank you again for all your help.

Unfortunately I do not have the Amp in the Trunk. The only thing in the trunk is the Bluetooth box. The BT plug seems to only have a couple of Yellow and Black twisted pairs (not 4 or 6 as I would expect, 2 Front, 2 Rear and 2 Under Chairs Sub). Here are some pictures for you.

Do I have to assume that the speakers cables are just behind the Stereo in the Dash???

Thanks,
Adri

Great info Evlengr, have you or anyone else tried installing a 10 inch sub in the driverside rear storage thing (where the main Bluetooth componat is)? I have seen it done once on cardomain but I was not able to get any info on how it was done. I like the system how it is now just looking to get a little more bass without changing much, any ideas?

Hi Quizzle, yes this is at present my intended approach to for the Sub in the trunk. I am planning on building a Sub box similiar to the one shown in this article

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...78#post6134178

which probably is what you are referring to. If I can place all the Amps in the bottom tray as I intend, I might even try to extend the Sub Box to use the space over the wheel arch, normally used to fit the OEM Amp. This should provide adequate air volume to the Sub.

If I only could plug into the speakers from the trunk as shown in Evlengr pictures!!!

Adri

Originally Posted by adri

Hi Quizzle, yes this is at present my intended approach to for the Sub in the trunk. I am planning on building a Sub box similiar to the one shown in this article

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...78#post6134178

which probably is what you are referring to. If I can place all the Amps in the bottom tray as I intend, I might even try to extend the Sub Box to use the space over the wheel arch, normally used to fit the OEM Amp. This should provide adequate air volume to the Sub.

If I only could plug into the speakers from the trunk as shown in Evlengr pictures!!!

Adri

Ahhhh I see, I wish I could give you some sort of advice but your closer then I am lol. Hopefully you figure it out soon.

Here is the pic someone had asked on where and how to install amps or additional audio gear (aka amps).

Make sure your back seats are in the fold down position.

When you first pull up the hatch cover where the battery resides you will see three plastic tabs at equi-distant points from left to right. They are circular and pull up easily.

If you look closely at the pic I posted there are three spots that use a conventional nut and bolt attachment.

I don't know the exact size but an adjustable wrench will do in a pinch. Carefully reach forward while propping up the panel and undo.

Then simply pull the panel up and out and voila. A boat load of room that is directly next to the battery. Can't ask for a better connection as they goright to the common ground and positive terminal. What makes this so nice is no motor hum on acceleration and nice clean power then is very constant.

Hope this helps.

EE

After a week with a sub in the trunk and amplified original speakers I'm confident to say: pretty good for the price!! I was going to exchange the speakers before I amplified them in order to spread the costs but I'm now convinced I did better to amplify them 1st! I'll only be replacing the original speakers if they blow, which Evelengr has told me they will...

Sound wise the difference is staggering. There is truly a lot more sound where it was all muddled before and I have a lot more volume to play with. Before amplification I was listening to some stuff on full blast and felt a lot was missing from the music and now I'm listening to it at half or 2/3 and everything is there, although can be a bit harsh on the highest notes. If I do raise the volume to extremes, distortion and clipping will occur, but my ears might bleed too. Half or 2/3 really is as far as I'll want to take it. ;-) The Sub really adds all those bass notes that were severely lacking, without being overpowering. It's really adding to the sound & not being obvious about it's existence.... although when it pumps you really feel it!

So what was done? I have a 5 channel amp in the rear left corner with good thick cables to all 4 speakers + 12" sub in a vented box. Behind the head unit adapters were installed so RCA's could be taken to the amp in the rear. I was told the amp is "running in low gear" and if/ when I replace the original speakers I'll be able to get a lot more juice out of it. I've lost fader capabilities on the head unit (now on amp) as it now allows me to fade out the 4 speakers to only hear the sub...

I'm very very happy with my setup right now! :-)

Hey all - first post in here!
I'm in Australia & I have an 06 model X3.
I have already replaced the head unit with an Alpine CDA-117E, fitted an RE Audio XT1600.4 amp (100Wrms X 4) and a 10" Rainbow Hammer in a sealed enclosure. My front stage is still running from the Alpine head unit.
The Aussie X3's did not get the premium sound package the American's get.
I did not get an amp in the car with the stock audio and have Phillips 4" paper coned mid's in the doors without tweeters! It is just horrible!
I am in the process of upgrading the front stage.
I'm typically on a tight budget & can either:
1. Fit some quality 4" coaxials (Morel/ AD's) in the front doors to replace the horrible Phillips mid, power them from the amp & be done with it.
2. Buy a quality 2 way split system but with a 3 way crossover instead - to run the stock under seat woofer
3. Buy a 2 way split system with a 2 way X-over and run the under seat woofers active from the high passed rear channels of my 4 channel amp (via 'Y' splitter RCA's). I'll need to get an additional mono amp for the sub.
4. Try find a 3 way system from overseas that fits in the budget
A few questions if you guys will be so kind to answer?
*Might you know the ohm rating of the stock under-seat woofers?
*Did you run new cables through the door grommets to the door mid & tweeter? I have a hunch that there are capacitors in-line somewhere for the mid & the woofer...

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated - as I can't find any guys in Oz who know much about the X3's!

Cheers

Daz.

Originally Posted by deafwish

Hey all - first post in here!
I'm in Australia & I have an 06 model X3.
I have already replaced the head unit with an Alpine CDA-117E, fitted an RE Audio XT1600.4 amp (100Wrms X 4) and a 10" Rainbow Hammer in a sealed enclosure. My front stage is still running from the Alpine head unit.
The Aussie X3's did not get the premium sound package the American's get.
I did not get an amp in the car with the stock audio and have Phillips 4" paper coned mid's in the doors without tweeters! It is just horrible!
I am in the process of upgrading the front stage.
I'm typically on a tight budget & can either:
1. Fit some quality 4" coaxials (Morel/ AD's) in the front doors to replace the horrible Phillips mid, power them from the amp & be done with it.
2. Buy a quality 2 way split system but with a 3 way crossover instead - to run the stock under seat woofer
3. Buy a 2 way split system with a 2 way X-over and run the under seat woofers active from the high passed rear channels of my 4 channel amp (via 'Y' splitter RCA's). I'll need to get an additional mono amp for the sub.
4. Try find a 3 way system from overseas that fits in the budget
A few questions if you guys will be so kind to answer?
*Might you know the ohm rating of the stock under-seat woofers?
*Did you run new cables through the door grommets to the door mid & tweeter? I have a hunch that there are capacitors in-line somewhere for the mid & the woofer...

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated - as I can't find any guys in Oz who know much about the X3's!

Cheers

Daz.

Although I have covered this "ad nauseum" here we go again.

First as the original post says. Change the speaker. Agreed the originals are completely garbage and are worse than entry level Ford vehicles. The Alpine sps-400 fits perfectly, Boston Acoustic S45, and some of the Infinity Kappa reference series.

Buy an interface module like this: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-Gray-LC6.html

You can keep the mid subs under the seat and just add power and tune the xover.

Add a low profile 10" sub in a closed cabinet.

The subs under the seats are 2 ohm.

Here's where I would start.

Speakers first, then see what you think. If not enough then continue with processor and amps, and finally 10" sub.

Pm me for more details.

I saw the SPS-400 is discontinued. Alpine's website lists a SPS-410. No idea if the dimensions are identical.

You can certainly find the SPS-400 online however.