Replacement speakers for E70?

I have the Hifi (Logic7) system in my 2008 X5 and I have been waiting for BSW to get some of their speakers in stock for quite some time. In lieu of the BSW speakers, I am going to get a set of other 4" component sets to go in the front doors to test the improvement in sound quality over the stock speakers. Has anyone already done this and if so can you tell me what brand/model you used and if you are happy with them? I've been looking at some sets with the same power ratings as the stock system (50W RMS) to try and keep the input balanced.

I 've already purchased the Earthquake SWS-8XI subs to replace the factory subs which I'll be doing 2 days. For those that are interested, I'll post my experience with those subs.

Thank you for your help!
Chad

Originally Posted by X5Convert

I have the Hifi (Logic7) system in my 2008 X5 and I have been waiting for BSW to get some of their speakers in stock for quite some time. In lieu of the BSW speakers, I am going to get a set of other 4" component sets to go in the front doors to test the improvement in sound quality over the stock speakers. Has anyone already done this and if so can you tell me what brand/model you used and if you are happy with them? I've been looking at some sets with the same power ratings as the stock system (50W RMS) to try and keep the input balanced.

I 've already purchased the Earthquake SWS-8XI subs to replace the factory subs which I'll be doing 2 days. For those that are interested, I'll post my experience with those subs.

Thank you for your help!
Chad

The problem is not your 4" speakers (you can keep those), the problem is your OEM amp processing. And the OEM amp outputs 40W max to each of those mids, not 50W RMS.

You cannot directly replace your OEM woofers (4ohms) with the SWS-8Xi (2ohms), your OEM amp is not stable at 2ohms in the woofer outputs. You need to add an aftermarket amp in between the OEM amp and the SWS-8Xi, especially when the SWS-8Xi also require some 150W RMS as they are not that sensitive. The OEM amp provides only 70W max at 4ohms for the OEM woofers.

I would suggest the JBL MS-8 Logic7 processor/8-channel amp to bypass the OEM amp and power all the OEM 4" mids and a separate 2-channel amp for the SWS-8Xi.

Technic -

Thanks for your reply - someone had told me that Logic7 system subs were 2-ohm, but after reading your post and searching a little more I can see that they are 4-ohm speakers. In your opinion would it be worth putting an aftermarket amp in to drive the SWS-8Xi's or should I get a different sub altogether?

I had also talked to one of the local shops a couple of weeks ago about upgrading my system, and they also recommended the JBL MS-8 and at the time I thought they were just trying being salespeople. Does just making that change make that large of a difference? If so, it would certainly be worth the $800 to me. I saw in another post that you can make an MS-8 to OEM harness including the Logic7 system - does that allow for a 'plug-and-play' connection for the MS-8? How much do you charge and what is the availability of those?

Lastly - Does anyone have any recommendations for an 8-channel amp that won't overpower the stock speakers if I choose to stay with them? I will likely eventually replace all of the stock speakers anyway - but I'd like to at least give the stock ones a shot after Technic's comment.

Thank you!

Chad

Hi Chad

The JBL MS8 is a 'processor' and will take the speaker level inputs from the stock head unit/amplifier and utilise clever algorithms to remove the factory set equalisation, boost the signal voltage output and I believe it can 'sum' inputs. This means you can then use much higher quality and more powerful amplifiers and speakers than the oem 'weedy' in comparison units. The latest generation of BMW oem audio equipment is certainly better than older, but still nothing 'fantastic'

There are no aftermarket 8 channel amplifiers that I've seen, even if there was, they wouldn't offer it with low RMS output figures. If you use the MS8 into say a configuration of front full range, rear speakers full range and a subwoofer output, you could then look at mid priced 2 or 3 way components for the front and perhaps Co-axials for the rear and a decent subwoofer (I know you've already got the Earthquakes) this would mean you'll get clarity, power that's handled by the new aftermarket speakers and I daresay the end result will mean you writing here and other forums that you really like the sound ! If you 'must' stick with the oem speakers, then whichever amplifiers you get you'll need to turn the gains down on them so as to not pop the oem speakers and then of course that means you'll have less volume in relative terms, which is probably more of a compromise, especially if you've got such a capable processor in the shape of the MS8.

I'm a little vague on the exact audio setup of the newer BMW's, so forgive me on that - my specialist area is E39/E46/E53 and E38 era cars - It's very hard to recommend things here as typing them all out would take pages and pages. I'd suggest looking at the USA centric car audio site at http://caraudiomag.com/ to get a feel of what is available. You can then cross reference stuff here, and ask local reputable dealers so that you can make an informed choice of direction.

Cheers, Dennis!

Originally Posted by X5Convert

Technic -

Thanks for your reply - someone had told me that Logic7 system subs were 2-ohm, but after reading your post and searching a little more I can see that they are 4-ohm speakers. In your opinion would it be worth putting an aftermarket amp in to drive the SWS-8Xi's or should I get a different sub altogether?

Use the SWS-8Xi if you are not planning to use a dedicated trunk sub, use midbass drivers (Rainbow X-Plain W200, Kicker SSMB8 or Jenhert XE 200) if you plan to use a trunk sub.

I had also talked to one of the local shops a couple of weeks ago about upgrading my system, and they also recommended the JBL MS-8 and at the time I thought they were just trying being salespeople. Does just making that change make that large of a difference? If so, it would certainly be worth the $800 to me. I saw in another post that you can make an MS-8 to OEM harness including the Logic7 system - does that allow for a 'plug-and-play' connection for the MS-8? How much do you charge and what is the availability of those?

MS-8 market price is in the $500/$600 range.

Custom MS-8 to OEM amp/connector harness price depend on configuration. PM with your desired setup and I quote you a price.

Lastly - Does anyone have any recommendations for an 8-channel amp that won't overpower the stock speakers if I choose to stay with them? I will likely eventually replace all of the stock speakers anyway - but I'd like to at least give the stock ones a shot after Technic's comment.

Thank you!

Chad

The only 8-channel amp in the market today is the MS-8. Anything else require at least two aftermarket amps. A DSP processor is required to sum and neutralize your OEM amp internal filtered and processed signal outputs.

Technic - sent you a PM

The configuration I'm trying to go with is:
JBL MS-8 going to:
JL Audio XD600/6 (six channel amp) --> 6 sets on the drivers & passenger side.
JL Audio XD200/2 --> SWS-8Xi subs under both seats
- And I haven't figured out what to do with the front center channel yet -

DennisCooper - thanks for your response. I am going to replace the OEM speakers, but I'm going to do it in stages since I'd like to use Focals which aren't cheap (and my wife is already complaining about the other changes I've made to the X5 (M sport trim package). And my experience with BMW audio systems is also in the E39 era. I retrofitted the widescreen navigation into my E39 which took the better part of 16 hours. It actually had a pretty active thread on bimmerfest under my old username (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71978).

I'll reply with my opinion of the sound at each stage of the upgrade.

Thanks,
Chad

Good information in this thread! I also found (but forget the name of) a DSP that replaces the factory amp and mimics all the factory functions of the amp!

Let me see if i can find it...