New Boston Acoustic SC50 speakers and BMWTips

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

I'm having some Alpine SPR-50C's installed in my front doors on Wednesday. Should sound a little better than the stock stuff.

If you get the chance, ask them if the connector board (speakers are connected to it) located inside the door panel is a simple pass-through OR does it contain crossovers for the speakers.

When the panel is off you can see the top of the board with speaker and some other connectors plugged into the top of it. I am curious as to what is on the bottom side which may simply be connectors that lead to the OEM amp.

Is the OEM amp truly a ten channel amp with built in crossovers OR are the crossovers located on the bottom side of the connector board located inside of the door panels, or both?

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I think I already know the answer but I will verify my thoughts once the door cards come off.

Stupid question, but why can't you just swap out the speakers using the factory wiring? The connectors are similar, I'm sure I'm missing something but its worked in my 3 series and in any of my other cars. I have the dsp system and want to upgrade my front doors with the sc50 speakers. Actually I have ordered them ready...

Originally Posted by Nline6

Stupid question, but why can't you just swap out the speakers using the factory wiring? The connectors are similar, I'm sure I'm missing something but its worked in my 3 series and in any of my other cars. I have the dsp system and want to upgrade my front doors with the sc50 speakers. Actually I have ordered them ready...

I used all the factory wiring when I installed the SC50's front and rear.

Are the DSP speakers the same? If replaced with BSW speakers is there a big noticeable difference in quality of sound. BSW also advertises a subwoofer. Has anyone installed this? Comments?

Originally Posted by JimLev

I used all the factory wiring when I installed the SC50's front and rear.

That's music to my ears. Thanks

Hi

Joelgk - you'll have to search to see if anyone has used the BSW subwoofer for the E39's - I'm sure there's a few who've posted up about it. The general thing is that many owners will have used better subwoofers and speakers and amplifiers compared to the BSW's offering in terms of money spent and products specifications/capabilities. As for the DSP speakers, if you haven't got DSP in your car, it's a big job to retrofit all the oem stuff needed for it. The speaker drivers themselves are different to non DSP setups as well. Overall sound from the DSP is mediocre in many owners views. Some don't mind it but almost all of those who say that also mention they're not too interested in musicality or sound quality as well i.e just want something to listen to. You will get much better sound quality if you use aftermarket speakers and amplifiers etc. If your car has a non DSP setup, and you get the BSW upgrade, then yes, you will notice a significant increase in quality as they make the best of the 'feeble' oem amplifier RMS power output, but they are quite 'expensive' overall.

Nline6 - as above, you can use the oem wiring if you wish. I've always used higher grade specific speaker cable in all of my car hifi installs. Not talking the expensive stuff, just usual upgraded speaker automotive speaker cabling.

Cheers, Dennis!

Thanks Dennis, I will probably just use new connecters and the factory wires. I beleive that re wiring will be more trouble then its worth? I could be wrong, But I am looking to keep the swap simple. I cant much hear the rear speakers anyway so I am leaving them be for now. Thanks for the quick reply guys.

Originally Posted by Nline6

Thanks Dennis, I will probably just use new connecters and the factory wires. I beleive that re wiring will be more trouble then its worth? I could be wrong, But I am looking to keep the swap simple. I cant much hear the rear speakers anyway so I am leaving them be for now. Thanks for the quick reply guys.

You will notice the difference. You can also use the connectors on the speaker wiring in your car. You'll just have to use a flat screw driver to expand the connectors to fit the new SC50s. A word of advice....go to the dealer and get a half dozen plastic door panel clips. You'll undoubtedly crush a couple of them putting the panels back on.

Check these links out ..................

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...light=speakers

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...light=speakers

http://retro.nextmill.net/bmw540/fronts.htm

Mine is fitted with OE DSP system, so will also check out after market speakers. The sound quality is mediocre and need an upgrade. Need to know exact sizes though when I go shopping for better quality speakers.

Very Informative thread here, thanks for the info!

Additional wiring information.