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F48 Audio Upgrades?

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18K views 29 replies 9 participants last post by  marcthedark  
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#1 ·
I'm thinking about a budget upgrade for the wife. Has anyone tackled the F48 yet? Does technic have a plug and play harness?
 
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#5 · (Edited)
I was just wondering the same thing.

I just switched out my 4 series for an X1. In the 4 I had added an 8 channel JL amp (XD800/8v2), a JL subwoofer amp (XD300/1v2), JL cleansweep, and a 10 inch JL sub.
It was great, really great. When I sold the 4 series, I sold it with everything but the 10inch trunk sub, that easily was detachable. The X1's system sounds better than the stock in my 4 series (although they're probably the same systems), but there's almost no bass and little mid.

I'd like to upgrade the audio on the X1, but I don't have the budget to do the old setup ($2k), and since the X1 doesn't have an insulated trunk I don't think it would need as much power.

I was thinking that an 8 channel amp, like the JL XD800/8v2 ($650) would do the trick. Bypass the center speaker and run the sub off the main amp. There'd be no independent sub volume control, but if someone sets it up correctly (not me), it might workout fine.

Anyone have any advice?
Thanks!
 
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H
#7 ·
I have been rolling around with the stock X1 sound system for several months now, and aside from the absence of "transparent" treble frequencies and the lack of mid-range control, I have found it to be pretty great overall - plenty of bass, plenty of volume and dynamic range. I have toyed with the thought of retrofitting it with a fancier system, but I really can't imagine that the improvement in sound, if any, would be justified by the financial investment. After all, the quality of any system is limited by its source, which in my case is the music on my phone transmitted via Bluetooth. Does anyone have any real-world before/after experience with this? Is there a dramatic improvement?
 
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#8 ·
Do you have the HK stereo or HiFi? We have Hifi and I think it lacks big time in the highs and lows. Tonality is definitely lacking too.

For reference. My e90 came with Hifi. But unlike the X1's Hifi it has the tweeters in the doors.

My first upgrade was the speakers and amp. I chose the MB Quarts 200.3BMW due to near plug and play in factory locations. Amplification came from a JL Audio 700/5 (got it for a good deal, would rather have 600/6 but what can you do). It was a huge improvement over stock. Next step was adding a subwoofer. 10" Audiofrog sub corner loaded. This didn't make as big of difference as the mb quart set came with the underwear woofers and added quite a bit of bottom end.

Driving around with this setup was fine for a while. I didn't think I would even upgrade the e90 as I have with all past cars but the bug eventually bit and bit more.

Next upgrade was a DSP. I went with the minidsp c-DSP. Great product for thr price. It made a huge difference as I felt my stereo needed EQ. Time align mtn was a bonus.

Last upgrade was the JL audio HD750/1 to power the sub. Thought the 300 watts from the 700/5 sub channel wasn't quite getting it done. It's great now. Just wish the e90 truck wasn't so insulated (I don't have ski pass through or fold down seat).

As for the F48. I was to do something similar to the e90. Probably the same mb quart set (or a dot setup) get new window sail panel that will hold a tweeter or just drill a hole in the existing ones. Not sure if the underseat sub is identical to the e90, will have to take a look. I'd like to add a sub as I feel the X1 environment would be great with a small sub. Maybe a prefab JL micro sub. My other thought is to fiberglass a sub enclulosure into the left pocket in the truck/hatch area.
 
M
#17 ·
Are you in NYC? You could come out and listen....
Better speakers have a lower efficiency > the factory amp can not work them as needed.
This amp has EQ, DSP, .... And more power which hopefully is enough with the stock speakers.
Speakers without amp doesn't make sense so my thinking is:
Amp first and then if not happy add better speakers ( all or just HK tweeters or underwear subs or ....) as the amp install is easy (replace stock) and combining it would not save installation costs.
Wish me luck (my last car had Jehnert doorboards with 4 woofers per side) :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
M
#18 ·
First impression it sounds as if someone removed a curtain that was hanging over the speakers. Stock could be a little muddy but that is gone now. Higher volumes are doable without the sound "falling apart" ( hard to describe what happens when you get at the limits). Good and bad recordings now can be identified.
Let's see if I do the Jehnert Flatline next or a 8 inch underseat (stock 6.5) and replacement 3.5 speakers (Don mentioned the company but I forgot ).
Will know more after driving around for a week. Definitively an improvement but ..... Sometimes I can't help myself ;)


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M
#19 ·
Unexpected Creations came through again. Couldn't help myself and went for another upgrade. 8 Jehnert Glatlines and PHD for the mid/high. Didn't go for the whole Flatline kit as I didn't want to add tweeters (running wires new triangles to house the tweeters etc.) to make it easier to reverse at the end of the lease.
Nice smooths voices, don't miss the tweeters and some nice bass added.
If anyone wants to upgrade call Don


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#21 ·
BimmerTech wanted $1050 for the amp and harness. Don installed (including adjustment/tuning) the amp for $900 > I saved money, didn't need to try to install and the tuning was done by a professional (who has done may BMWs before)


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#24 · (Edited)
marcthedark said:
BimmerTech wanted $1050 for the amp and harness. Don installed (including adjustment/tuning) the amp for $900 > I saved money, didn't need to try to install and the tuning was done by a professional (who has done may BMWs before)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
You said in a previous post that you had the HiFi system so our PP82DSP kit (with PnP harness etc.) is $899 shipped. Installation takes minutes.

$1050 is for cars that do not have the amp and prewiring and require additional parts. US spec F48s always have an amplifier, so this price is only for some non-US spec cars.

Finally, our BimmerTech PP82DSP is different than all other PP82DSP units available anywhere else. Our version has been modified exclusively for us by Audiotec Fischer to work better with the factory BMW HiFi system and will let you use the full power of the amplifier.
You can buy it only from BimmerTech.

Unexpected Creations is our partner and I am sure you are happy with their work, but I had to clarify the information posted in this thread.
 
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#25 ·
Clarify? I was quoted $1050 from you directly via email. So why was that? An error (to my possible disadvantage ?

Hi,

Our amp should fit your car only it is not pre-wired so you'll need to buy it with additional harness.
The cost is going to be $1049 shipped.
We'll send you detailed instructions after the purchase.
The installation is reversible, don't worry about that.

If you're interested, please let me know. I'll send you instructions to pay by PayPal.

Kind regards,
Piotr Fursa



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#26 ·
marcthedark said:
Clarify? I was quoted $1050 from you directly via email. So why was that? An error (to my possible disadvantage ?

Hi,

Our amp should fit your car only it is not pre-wired so you'll need to buy it with additional harness.
The cost is going to be $1049 shipped.
We'll send you detailed instructions after the purchase.
The installation is reversible, don't worry about that.

If you're interested, please let me know. I'll send you instructions to pay by PayPal.

Kind regards,
Piotr Fursa

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I quickly checked the email you sent us and you did not provide us with the VIN but you said you had the standard sound system. It was our mistake to assume you had the stereo system which is standard for non-US spec cars. We should have confirmed it with your VIN.

As you can see Piotr said you were not prewired and this is why you were quoted $1049.

So yes, I just wanted to clarify that.
 
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#27 ·
Standard = standard in the US (as why would I know / care what variations are sold all over the world ). There is the option of HK without this option it is the standard system sold.

So yes, I just wanted to clarify that.


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P
#28 ·
marcthedark said:
Standard = standard in the US (as why would I know / care what variations are sold all over the world ). There is the option of HK without this option it is the standard system sold.

So yes, I just wanted to clarify that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Of course you do not have to care about it and it was our mistake that we did not ask for your VIN to confirm your car spec. I am sorry for that. I have already sent a message to my colleague to make sure it won't happen again.

We sell our products worldwide and there are many non-US members on this forum, so standard is not always the US standard.
 
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