Update base stereo 528

I'm lovin' my 2012 528i with one quibble -- stock stereo is terrible!

I've had premium sound on previous cars and hate to say that the stock system doesn't have the articulation or prescence that a sound system should have in a $60k car.

If i were custom building, I would have done the premium sound, but unfortunately my local dealer had my ideal car (minus sound) so I went for it.

How easy is the DIY to upgrade the front tweeters? Also, are their parts of the premium sound I can upgrade, eg. equalizer, amplifier, speakers, etc. I dont need the low end to be upgraded (eg. don't need another sub) just want more clarity in the mid range and high end...

Not sure I would want to mess with the interior and swapping out speakers etc...

I did an upgrade on my previous 2008 328..I added a JL 8W7 sub in a custom box that dropped into the spare tire area (not visible when looking in the trunk)..Added Focal mids and tweeters along with a JL amp for the sub and speakers..Used a signal processor off the factory head unit (NAV)..Sounded amazing and was a fairly simple install..If you looked at the car you would have no idea there was any after market components..I still have the gear and may add it to my F10..Nothing sucks more than bad audio! (not booming bass but good quality audio)

Originally Posted by harryj

I'm lovin' my 2012 528i with one quibble -- stock stereo is terrible!

I've had premium sound on previous cars and hate to say that the stock system doesn't have the articulation or prescence that a sound system should have in a $60k car.

If i were custom building, I would have done the premium sound, but unfortunately my local dealer had my ideal car (minus sound) so I went for it.

How easy is the DIY to upgrade the front tweeters? Also, are their parts of the premium sound I can upgrade, eg. equalizer, amplifier, speakers, etc. I dont need the low end to be upgraded (eg. don't need another sub) just want more clarity in the mid range and high end...

I completely agree. PA is the only thing I regret on not getting. I had it in my 335i and the difference is noticeable. Please keep us updated on the upgrade. I'd love to know what I can do without replacing the head unit of course.

Unfortunately, there's very little incentive for BMW to upgrade the base stereo when they have an option that improves it which also puts a few extra $K in their pockets.