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      01-22-2010, 06:27 PM   #1
kaigoss69
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Drives: '08 335i
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: JAX

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Aftermarket Replacement Speakers List

Before I installed my new aftermarket system I did a ton of research and I ended up compiling a list of component speakers that had midrange drivers shallow enough to fit the front doors in my E90. I thought I'd share the info so here it goes:

[Note: Aftermarket amplification is required for ALL speakers listed, except BSW and OEM speakers!]

4" component systems (front doors):

- *** Focal IFBMW-S *** NEW
- Top Mount Depth: 49 mm (includes special adapter that further reduces mounting depth)
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Y (supposedly)
- Product Link: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_091IFBM...95#details-tab
- Installation Link:

- *** DLS UP 4-BMW *** NEW
- Top Mount Depth: 45 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: ???
- Product Link: http://dls.se/en/car/prod.html?produkt=en_923
- Installation Link:

- Morel Virtus 402 (was Dotech Ovation 4)
- Top Mount Depth: 50 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: / http://www.morelhifi.com/car-audio/virtus-3
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=dotech

- Morel Hybrid 402 (was Hybrid Ovation II 4)
- Top Mount Depth: 50 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://www.morelhifi.com/car-audio/hybrid-ovation-ii
- Installation Link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/...303fe199dc.jpg

- BSW Stage I
- Top Mount Depth: ?
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Y
- Product Link: http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...Series-M3-E90/

- Focal 100KRS / 100KP
- Top Mount Depth: 39 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Y
- Product Link: http://www.focal-fr.com/catalogue-do...files/1761.pdf
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...62&postcount=7

- Focal 100VRS
- Top Mount Depth: 40 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Y
- Product Link: http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/Man.../091100VRS.PDF
- Installation Link: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303672

- Rainbow SLC 210.25 NG
- Top Mount Depth: 46 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Y (custom adapter/spacer required)
- Product Link: http://195.243.203.21/rainbow/techni...221111&lan=ENG
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451762

- Rainbow CS 210 Vanadium / Vanadium Cross / Profi
- Top Mount Depth: 50 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://www.rainbowcaraudio.com/speakers.html

- DLS PSA/PS4A (discontinued)
- Top Mount Depth: 50 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://www.dls.se/en/car/prod.html?produkt=en_66

- MB Quart RUA 210 (discontinued)
- Top Mount Depth: 32 mm
- Product Link: http://www.maxxsonics.net/manuals/mb...fs/rua_210.pdf

- MB Quart RVF 210 (discontinued)
- Top Mount Depth: 46 mm
- Product Link: http://www.maxxsonics.net/manuals/mb...fs/rvf_210.pdf

- Diamond Audio HEX S400* (discontinued)
- Top Mount Depth: 46 mm
- Product Link: http://www.diamondaudio.com/manuals/...anual-2008.pdf

- Renaissance SR-4.2 (discontinued)
- Top Mount Depth: 46 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://www.renaudio.com/carstereo/SR-4.2.htm
- Note: Tweeter may not fit OEM pods

- Zapco CK-10.2
- Top Mount Depth: 48.25 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://www.zapco.com/prod/Speakers/D...ts/CK-10.2.pdf

- Helix P234 (aka H234 / HXS Precision [old model])
- Top Mount Depth: 47 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N (only fits top-mounted to door panel or with HEAVY modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://www.audioaffinityusa.com/heli...speakers08.htm
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=h234

- CDT CL-42
- Top Mount Depth: 51 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: N
- Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Cl-42-CDT-Audi.../dp/B001O6O082
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=692861

- Ground Zero GZRC 100FX
- Top Mount Depth: 32 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Y
- Product Link: http://www.ground-zero-audio.com/en/...zrc-100fx.html
- Installation Link:



DIY 4" Midrange Drivers:

* Requires external crossovers and the addition of tweeters *

- JL Audio C5-400cm
- Top Mount Depth: 41 mm
- Fits e90: Y (should fit comfortably, but no proof as of yet)
- Fits e92/93: Maybe (may require modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: / http://www.jlaudio.com/c5-400cm-car-...ossovers-99127
- Installation Link:

- Scanspeak Discovery 10F
- Top Mount Depth: 40 mm
- Fits e90: Y (should fit comfortably, but no proof as of yet)
- Fits e92/93: Maybe (may require modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: / http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com...idrange-4-ohm/
- Installation Link:

- Hybrid Audio Technologies Legatia L3SE
- Top Mount Depth: 44 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Maybe (may require modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: / http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.eWU&cad=rja
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542674

- Hybrid Audio Technologies Legatia L4SE Carbon
- Top Mount Depth: 42 mm
- Fits e90: Y
- Fits e92/93: Maybe (may require modifications to speaker grille and custom adapter)
- Product Link: http://store.12velectronics.com/lega...n-speaker-set/
- Installation Link: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605465


5.25" Component Systems (front doors):

- DLS Reference RS5/RS5A
- Top Mount Depth: 45 mm
- Bottom Mount Depth: ?
- Product Link: http://www.dls.se/en/car/prod.html?produkt=en_67

- Boston Acoustics S50
- Top Mount Depth: 47 mm
- Bottom Mount Depth: ?
- Product Link: http://mobile.bostonacoustics.com/Manuals/S50Man.pdf

- MB Quart RUA 213*
- Top Mount Depth: 42 mm
- Bottom Mount Depth: ?
- Product Link: http://www.maxxsonics.net/manuals/mb...fs/rua_213.pdf
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1258132444
- Note: Requires dremeling speaker frame to fit inbetween OEM mounting screws

- Focal 130 VRS (discontinued)
- Top Mount Depth: 48.5 mm
- Bottom Mount Depth: 53 mm
- Product Link: http://www.focal-fr.com/catalogue-do...files/1304.pdf



8" Woofers under Front Seats

- German Maestro SWF 8012 HE
- Top Mount Depth: 58 mm
- PnP: Yes
- Product Link: http://www.german-maestro.de/EN/swf8012he.htm
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- MB Quart QMW200 BMW
- Top Mount Depth:
- PnP: Yes
- Product Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MB-Quart-QMW.../dp/B00BG9Q0MG
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Audio System AX 08 BMW
- Top Mount Depth: 51 mm
- PnP: Yes
- Product Link: http://www.extremeaudio.de/gb/lautsp...r-ax08bmw.html
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Eton B-150 USB BMW
- Top Mount Depth: ?
- PnP: Yes
- Product Link: http://www.etongmbh.de/en/products/c...fb8e92291fac2d
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Ampire NEO8-BMW
- Top Mount Depth: 44 mm
- PnP: Yes
- Product Link: http://www.ampire.de/Loudspeakers/Su...54&c=315&p=315
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Earthquake SWS-8 / SWS-8X (4/2 ohm)
- Top Mount Depth: 2 1/8"
- Product Link: http://www.earthquakesound.com/sws.htm
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134066
- Note: This is a sub-woofer, not a midbass driver! (mid-bass can be made to sound OK with digital processing)

- Hertz Space 8*
- Top Mount Depth: 42 mm
- Product Link: http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/Doc/S...nica_space.pdf
- Installation Link: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304693
- Note: Best used as midbass driver (bandpassed)

- Morel ADMW SW 9
- Top Mount Depth: 71 mm
- Product Link: http://www.morelhifi.com/products/mo...rs_admwsw.html
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=admw
- Note: Best used as midbass driver (bandpassed). Requires 3/4" spacer ring and Morel grille to protect cone & surround from floor carpet.

- Kicker SSMB8* (Thanks Technic!)
- Top Mount Depth: 59 mm
- Product Link: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cMCNI6D...ker-SSMB8.html
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...4&postcount=37
- Note: According to Technic, much better midbass driver than SWS-8, but not as good at sub-bass frequencies (30-40Hz), i.e. you will need an additional sub. Requires 1/2" spacer ring to fit enclosure and 1/4" shim underneath OEM grilles. Carpet needs to be cut away under seat rails to prevent surround hitting it but looks stock once seats installed.

- Jehnert XE 200
- Top Mount Depth: 50 mm
- Product Link: http://www.jehnert.de/typo3/index.php?id=bsse0&L=1
- Installation Link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451762
- Note: Requires spacers (thickness unknown). Manufacturer recommends the use of a subsonic filter starting at 80 Hz, suggesting this driver is optimized for mid-bass ("kick bass") and perhaps not well suited for sub-bass.

- Morel MW 265-4
- Top Mount Depth: 69 mm
- Product Link: https://www.madisound.com/store/prod...products_id613
- Installation Link: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=18
- Note: Requires spacers (min. 3/4" thick but may vary depending on car and model year).

- Renaissance WR-8
- Top Mount Depth: 69 mm
- Product Link: http://www.renaudio.com/carstereo/WR-8.htm
- Note: Dimensions seem to be identical to the Morel MW265-4. I am still checking to see if there are any substantial differences between the two. This driver has a very high power handling (200W) and a very low resonant frequency (30Hz) so it can almost be used like a subwoofer. Requires spacers (min. 3/4" thick but may vary depending on car and model year).

- Aurasound NSF8
- Top Mount Depth: 36 mm
- Product Link: http://www.quint-audio.com/qaudio/files/nsf8-495-4a.pdf
- Note: Specs suggest driver is designed for very small sealed enclosures. Output below 80Hz may not be "desirable" in this application. Limited excursion capabilities.

* may no longer be available new, so check eBay.


4" Coaxial Center Speakers

- Individual Audio OEM Speaker
- Product Link:
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Rainbow SL100 Installer
- Product Link: http://www.rainbowcaraudio.com/sl100installer.html
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- DLS Reference 424
- Product Link: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...rence-424.html
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Focal 100 CA1
- Product Link: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...l-100-CA1.html
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Infinity Kappa 42.9i
- Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Kappa.../dp/B001HL0U74
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Vibe Slick 4
- Product Link: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...Slick40v3.html
- Installation Link:
- Note:

- Morel Integra Ovation XO 4
- Product Link: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...tion-XO-4.html
- Installation Link:
- Note: External crossover may make installation more difficult.


3-Way Plug and Play Sets

- MB Quart QM200 3 BMW
- Product Link: http://www.mbquart.com/mbquart_bmw_speakers.html
- Installation Link:
- Note: Requires 4-channel amp (80W/ch RMS max. speaker rating)

- Jehnert FLAT-Line System
- Product Link: http://www.jehnert.de/produkte-doorb...tem?lang=en_us
- Installation Link:
- Note: Can be run 2-way (4-channel amp) or 1-way (2-channel amp), 160W/ch RMS max. speaker rating

- Gladen One-Line 201
- Product Link: http://www.gladen.com/compo_coax.html
- Installation Link:
- Note: Requires 4-channel amp (100/150W/ch RMS max. speaker rating (4"/8"))

- Audio System X-ION 200 BMW
- Product Link: http://www.audiosystem-europe.com/specialE.html - Installation Link:
- Note: Requires 4-channel amp (80W/ch RMS max. speaker rating)


Feel free to post additional sets or corrections and I will be happy to update the list from time to time.


Mounting depth:

Reportedly, e92 & e93 front doors have only about 43 mm mounting depth, measured from the grille side of the speaker adapter.

E90 doors have roughly 50 mm depth.

In order to fit, most speakers need to be mounted with the flange sitting in between the adapter and the OEM grille, see pic below.



Underseat enclosures:


In order for a particular driver to give the desired results, it is important to put it into the correct enclosure. Some drivers are designed for extremely small enclosures, others for extremely large ones (Infinite Baffle). Much speculation has been voiced over the years (including myself) regarding the exact volume and type of the enclosures (sealed, ported, or Infinite Baffle). After some extensive research, here is what I have found:

- The underseat enclosures have an internal volume of approx. 0.08 ft3 (measured myself) and are made out of plastic
- The enclosures are connected to the car's side sill cavities via a "port" which is roughly 1.5" high and 7" wide.
- The side sill cavities are roughly 1.4 ft3 in volume (measured by Lee Rambler)
- The side sill cavities are "wet cavities" (translated from German) meaning they are not completely sealed and they are "more or less" open to the outside (holes filled with plastic plugs that leak air).
- The port between the underseat enclosure and the side sill is too small and acts like a "Helmholz-Resonator" which has a dampening effect on frequencies between 70 and 200Hz.

There are subwoofer modeling programs available to predict the performance of various drivers in all types and sizes of enclosures, but it has proven pointless to interpret the results of individual drivers due the the "unknown enclosure type and size factor" and especially due to the "Helmholz-Resonator" effect which makes this application virtually impossible to model with conventional methods. However , while the absolute results of modeling cannot be interpreted, there is still value in analyzing the relative results. So if we know for a fact - through overwhelming positive feedback on this forum - that a particular driver works "well" in this application, then we can assume that other drivers that model similarly, would also produce similar results. ("well" in this case has a very subjective meaning, but it should basically mean that the driver produces a relatively flat frequency response in its intended frequency range. Note that most of the above are midbass drivers, where the intended FR is between 50 and 200Hz, and some are woofers or subwoofers, where the intended FR is 30 - 100Hz).

The "benchmark driver", so to speak, in my mind can only be the Jehnert XE200, since the response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. It has been reported that its FR is fairly linear (without any major peaks), that is produces tight, clean bass notes down to about 40Hz, and that it has excellent midbass up to the cutoff frequency (around 150 - 200Hz in most cases) to ensure a seamless transition with the door mids. Note that I have not tested this particular driver myself, so I personally cannot weigh in on the sound of the "benchmark driver".

With that said, I went ahead and modeled all the above drivers I had the required specs for. I used three different enclosures, a "small" sealed box with 0.5 ft3 total air space, a "large" sealed box with 1.5 ft3 air space, and a simulated Infinite baffle enclosure with 999 ft3. The results can be found on page 6 of this thread.

Last edited by kaigoss69; 11-11-2013 at 10:46 AM..
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