Sound system upgrade
Discussion
Just add some bass and you'll be fine 
YOu'll need a mono amp (300W into 2 ohms) that accepts line-level inputs and an 8" sub (4 ohm Dual Voice coil rated to 300W +) in a 9-10 litre box that'll fit nicely in the boot and a couple of small electrolytic capacitors to bass-block the standard speakers. About £350 fitted unless you do it yourself.
That'll make a HUGE difference to how everyhting sounds and its NOT intrusive bass either, just rounds the system out nicely.
Alternately, something like an Alpine bass-box (Alpine SWD-1600) under one of the front seats would also do the trick (about £225 fitted)
YOu'll need a mono amp (300W into 2 ohms) that accepts line-level inputs and an 8" sub (4 ohm Dual Voice coil rated to 300W +) in a 9-10 litre box that'll fit nicely in the boot and a couple of small electrolytic capacitors to bass-block the standard speakers. About £350 fitted unless you do it yourself.
That'll make a HUGE difference to how everyhting sounds and its NOT intrusive bass either, just rounds the system out nicely.
Alternately, something like an Alpine bass-box (Alpine SWD-1600) under one of the front seats would also do the trick (about £225 fitted)
Thanks for the advise fellas, I guess a trip along to the local audio shop is called for. Carbon black, I bought a 530d M Sport complete with all the toys other than the hi fi upgrade which I truly regret. I moved from a Bose system in my 911 which when I swithed it on was excellent. (the 911 has it's own soundtrack as I'm sure you know!)
Cheers
Steve
Cheers
Steve
Easiest thing to do to improve the sound quality, is to change all the speakers. I did this with my M3, straight swap of the current speakers, (which meant tweeters in the rear parcel shelve extra, as the standard system does not have any) with DMS reference speakers, cost about £400. Kept everything else same. Have noticed the sound quality is far better, much better trebble and mid. Obvioulsy it doesnt add much extra base, so would have to spend probably the same again and put a sub in the boot, but not that bothered about that.
Its the simple way to do it, without anything being intrusive, and the standard system easily copes with the speakers. (Satnav pro and 6cd changer is my standard system)
Its the simple way to do it, without anything being intrusive, and the standard system easily copes with the speakers. (Satnav pro and 6cd changer is my standard system)
The new BMW range's have an attempt at decent hifi, with 8" speakers under the front seats, running off a small amp. Whilst this often sounds passable at low volumes, the sheer cheapness of the components used means that these subs start flapping around aimlessley, breaking up well before the rest of the speakers.
A simple solution, is as suggested, to add a decent subwoofer system to the car. We have done a few of these and it works very well for what it costs. You can cap off the under seat speakers so they don't play below say 70hz, and then add a decent sub to fill in the bottom end.
Budget around £500 inc fitting and you should be fine.
www.sqplus.com are very good and not a million miles from you if a trip to the south east is out of the question!!
Cheers
Chris
A simple solution, is as suggested, to add a decent subwoofer system to the car. We have done a few of these and it works very well for what it costs. You can cap off the under seat speakers so they don't play below say 70hz, and then add a decent sub to fill in the bottom end.
Budget around £500 inc fitting and you should be fine.
www.sqplus.com are very good and not a million miles from you if a trip to the south east is out of the question!!
Cheers
Chris
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