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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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Installation of “Audio-System” drop-in speaker kit for E90/E91
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09-12-2008, 05:21 PM | #1 |
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Installation of “Audio-System” drop-in speaker kit for E90/E91
Inspired by a number of forum members DIY audio upgrades and reading the installation manual of the Alpine Hifi retrofit kit, I ventured in my own DIY project.
I started looking into the SWS-8 path with a 4” compo set. After buying two SWS-8 speakers and beginning modifying the “under the seat” speaker housing I came to the conclusion this was not the way for me. The currently only available speaker kit specific for the E90/E91is the “Audio System X—ION 200 BMW” The kit replaces the sub and mid speakers and adds a tweeter. To mount the tweeter you also have to buy the window frame covers with speaker grill. The kit is market as a drop-in kit, but the drop-in only applies to mounting the SUB and MID speakers. SUB speaker MID speaker The tweeter is too big to just click into the speaker holder, however the foam part which is part of the window frame covers will hold the speaker in place. Tweeter As for the installation of the filter no guidelines are given how to accomplish this. It’s up to customer to be creative. I have chosen to wrap the filter into foam so it will not rattle in the door and I used “Velcro tape manager” to fasten the wrap onto the door panel. My biggest disappointment was how you have to connect the kit. To connect the subs you need to use small fork connectors. I routed 12AWG speaker cables to the subs. The small fork connectors look puny in comparison to the not very heavy gauge cable. For connecting the filters in the doors you have to cut of the original connector. This was for me not an option. I have chosen to custom build a “connector”. The original connector is based on a 0.1” spaced socket with 2 contacts. I used 0.1” spaced header, soldered the filter cables on two pins, pulled the pins from the header and used shrink tube to isolate them. When I installed the panels back I inserted the pins into the original connector and used tape to secure them. I have no idea this solution will endure the test of time. I try to find out how you can route a new speaker cable into the door, because the original cable is a small gauge cable. I have more pictures and larger versions for you viewing pleasure. http://www.pbase.com/rkoelewijn/audi...m_xion_200_bmw Roberto |
09-13-2008, 12:08 AM | #3 | |
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After the installation of the amplifier I have connected the complete kit and now I have bass which supplement the mids nicely. Of course the bass is not capable of setting off your neighbours car alarm. |
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09-14-2008, 04:19 PM | #5 | |
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you have to cut the blue wire of the Audio-System crossover to reduce the highs by about 3dB. The Bass of Audio-System is amazing, the deeper the frequency goes, the stronger it plays. It can even play 25 Hz deep sound, fast and well controlled, The Problem is that you have to connnect your amp to the speaker level output of the HU because of your standard aystem configuration. What you have to do first is to get a clean flat input signal, not the poorly amplified signal from the HU. My Audio-System subs are powered by JL slash 300/2 that takes the high level lineout (4 volt) of HU as input, the EU standard system doesn't have it. Depends on which amp you used for front and real channel, you could do 3 level characteristic change on the Audio-System crossover. I cut down the blue wire in combination with alpine pdx. |
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09-14-2008, 04:38 PM | #6 |
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The specs of this system are not that clear (120W RMS power handling but no frequency response and no crossover cutoff frequency numbers)...
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09-14-2008, 05:19 PM | #7 |
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09-14-2008, 05:36 PM | #8 |
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09-15-2008, 12:49 AM | #9 | |
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09-15-2008, 05:31 AM | #10 |
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if you use 3Sixty.2 you don't need to modify the xover anymore, everything is covered by EQ. But it is still hard to believe that a already degraded sound signal could be ever qualitatively restored through redigitizing, even the computer is not aware of its previous pulse form if it is distorted by the poor HU amp, what it can do is just unequalizing. If you don't care much about the cockpit looks, replace the HU through the CDA-9887r is the best solution and saves money.
Last edited by jonywalker; 09-15-2008 at 10:13 AM.. |
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09-15-2008, 06:28 AM | #11 |
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09-15-2008, 08:29 AM | #12 | |
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09-19-2008, 12:51 AM | #15 |
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10-12-2008, 08:17 AM | #18 | |
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11-05-2008, 10:43 AM | #19 |
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Impressive
I was at a German car audio shop today and they had an e91 wagon with these components powered by an audison amp. The dealer insisted that I come outside and listen to it, because I was skeptical of this brand that I had never heard of. I am thoroughly impressed. The car had no subwoofer in the trunk, just the 8"s under the seats and it sounded very good. The true bass-heads would want a real sub in the back, but for alot of people, this would be more than enough.
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11-05-2008, 11:59 AM | #20 |
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If you don't mind me asking, why wouldn't SWS-8 path work for you? did you have trouble fitting the sub or is it personal preference? I am looking into the sws-8 route also, but haven't purchase anything yet.
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01-16-2014, 06:49 AM | #22 |
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I have installed this Audio System kit...and it sounds very nice...
Bass are more deeper, and sound is pretty clear. But I will test MID after i will get XD600/6. I have individual MIDs and this Audio System's MIDs. I think the Individual (yellow-kevlar) will be better. |
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