Speakers/amp/etc

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

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Guys,

I've almost done this on several occasions before but hopefully I'll actually get round to it this time.

Now I've finally got my nav install sorted thoughts turn to uprating the rest of the audio setup in my car. Trouble is I've no idea whats what, what I need, or, well, anything. I don't even have a budget as I don't really know what it all costs.

My nav unit apparently has preout's and sub-out etc.

I'm guessing I'm going to need an amplifier and some speakers. I'd like to impove the bass as well but I'm keen to avoid a sub if possible because it'll be a bit of a pain given the boot is sealed.

The front speakers are 5.25" and the rear speakers, located on the parcel shelf, are 6x9's as standard.

How does all this stuff wire in anyway? I upgraded the speakers in my Mondeo and it was super easy and plug and play - I just took the old ones out and put new ones in but as this time I want to use an external amp I'm guessing it wont be so easy. I'm going to need to run cabling from the front of the car to the amp in the boot and then presumably all the way back from the amp to the front of the car again?

Car is an E39 5 Series.

I am NOT an audiophile but I don't want crappy sound quality. I'm currently listening to music through a Logitech 6.1 PC setup thinking 'This isnt bad!' if that gives you any idea of my level of audiophileness :p
 
[TW]Fox;21767480 said:
I am NOT an audiophile but I don't want crappy sound quality. I'm currently listening to music through a Logitech 6.1 PC setup thinking 'This isnt bad!' if that gives you any idea of my level of audiophileness :p
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Given this, do you feel the audio is currently lacking in any way?
 
Fox,

I have no idea what sort of sound you get at the moment, nor how BMW have things set up, but I'd imagine you must have more speakers than just that in the front, surely some tweeters for the high range?

I'd imagine including an amp £500 all in would get something that is a noticable step up? The stock BMW stuff should be pretty fair surely?

Did the e39 not have a better stereo retrofit option?
 
If it's just a lack of bass, just adding an active sub may be enough if it otherwise sounds okay to your ears. See if your headunit has a high-pass filter to divert the low signal from the rest of your speakers. I nice punchy 10" won't take up much space, and can still easily be heard from a sealed boot.

If you're going to install it yourself, it's pretty easy. Just need to buy an amp installation kit, basic tools and a few spare hours. There might even be custom enclosures specific to your car.
 
Been a while since I was into the car audio scene, but firstly set yourself a budget. Get the easy stuff out of the way first, cables mainly. To save on space/wiring etc look for a quality 4 channel amp that has around 100w rms per channel £150-£200 for a decent one.
Then your probably looking at £100+ for front and around £100 or just under for rear.
Knowing you, you'll likely want to keep it all the same brand name. Look at JL Audio / Pioneer / Alpine, those were all great back when I was into car setups.
Make sure you check the depth of the speakers before you buy as some of those 6x9's can have pretty hefty magnets on em!
 
You won't get low accurate bass without a sub. Even an 8 in a good box will totally transform the sound.

Sealed boot won't matter, metal won't even slow down those waves

Personally I recommend you do the sub and amp first. You then remove the bass from the existing speakers making them sound better, meaning you may not have to upgrad anything else at all after that
 
Is there any way to do the sub thing without making my boot look like I hang around in McDonalds carpark?

Guess its just a case of connecting the sub-out from the head unit to the amp, and then the amp to the sub?
 
Anyone got any experiences with the slim under seat active subs?

Might be worth looking at, it's never going to be as good as a full on boxed sub but I reckon it'd do a decent job for most people.
 
[TW]Fox;21767918 said:
Is there any way to do the sub thing without making my boot look like I hang around in McDonalds carpark?

Guess its just a case of connecting the sub-out from the head unit to the amp, and then the amp to the sub?
Click to expand...

You will also need to wire a power cable from the battery. This is the trickiest part, but google around for people that have done this in your car, you can hopefully find a pre-existing hole between the engine compartment and cabin. You'll need to lift the plastic trim/carpet along the bottom of the door openings to run the cables. You need to do this on both sides as the power cable should not run along the RCA audio signal cables, otherwise you'll have noise.

If you can't find any pre-existing hole, you may need to drill one. I've never had to do this, as I've always been able to find something already there to run the cable through.
 
SMed said:
You will also need to wire a power cable from the battery. This is the trickiest part, but google around for people that have done this in your car, you can hopefully find a pre-existing hole between the engine compartment and cabin. You'll need to lift the plastic trim/carpet along the bottom of the door openings to run the cables. You need to do this on both sides as the power cable should not run along the RCA audio signal cables, otherwise you'll have noise.
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My battery is in the boot, so this bit is dead easy.
 
Ev0 said:
Anyone got any experiences with the slim under seat active subs?

Might be worth looking at, it's never going to be as good as a full on boxed sub but I reckon it'd do a decent job for most people.
Click to expand...

I dunno, most new cars have a lot of stuff under the seats. I don't know if I'd be able to get anything under my Passat seats. I'd have to google.
 
[TW]Fox;21767967 said:
My battery is in the boot, so this bit is dead easy.
Click to expand...

Then you're winning already, that's the hardest part. You still need to run the RCA cables and power remote wire, but those can be run together without noise/interference so you only need to pull the trim/carpet on one side of the car and that will be whichever side you decide to put the sub.

A little punchy 8 or 10" sub will be absolutely fine for all but the bassiest of music. Unless you're really into very loud hip-hop/dubstep, it will be fine.

Do the sub first, and see how it sounds. Does your headunit have a high-pass filter? (ie filters out the bass from the door speakers)
 
You'll need your speakers and an amp to start with with

Depends on budget but Alpine, pioneer, focal, Jl audio and Rockford fosgate are all reputable brands. As said a 10" active such will require less room if that's the route you decide to take but a passive sub and a 5 channel amp will take up the same space and require slightly less wiring.

You'll need to run a fused +be cable from battery to amp location using the largest cable you wish to use, along with a ground cable of the same gauge to the body of the car.

You'll then need an amplifier remote cable from your nav unit, this is usually blue to run to the amps location as well, then finally the RCA cables from nav unit to the amp.

How many pre outs/sub outs does your nav unit have? 3 would be ideal as this will giver your front rear fader as well as the ability to turn the sub on/off if the nav unit has the function. If it only has 2 sets of pre outs one of those being a sub out you can use an RCA splitter cable.

As your not the sort to skimp I'd personally go for the following, providing the speakers aren't too deep.

caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/6696.html

caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/15517.html

caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/15529.html


caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/15604.html

caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/14034.html

Plus an additional 2 pairs of RCA leads
 
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