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      11-15-2010, 08:14 AM   #1
Atorsesh
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Speakers Upgrade

I've done quite a few speaker/sound system jobs on lots of different cars and lately want to do some minor upgrades to my girlfriends system. She has the 08 328i with minimal sound system package.

The forum has a great DIY on replacing the actual speakers in the door but I haven't been able to find anything on using products such as Dynamat. I have seen results on cars such as my Honda, but the car came out of the factory with no sound isolation/cancellation material what so ever.

So far the package I'm looking at is Polk DB401 4-inch speakers and Polk DB1001 1-inch tweeters. Does anyone recommend replacing the subwoofers under the seats as well? Coincidentally this weekend I will be helping take apart a 325i's doors to do the exact same project.

tl;dr Will pieces of Dynamat in the door panel help sound quality? Does replacing the subwoofers help sound quality? Anything else simple I can do to make it sound its very best?
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      11-15-2010, 10:46 AM   #2
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Lots of information here...

...but it would be best if you searched the Threads. People have posted about the model in question, there is a list (search for Kaigoss) of replacement speakers, etc. Also check under BSW for info about replacement speakers. Your gf's car is what we call a base system. Search under ctuna to get his links to detailed discussions of the various systems and what can be done.

Good luck

Rob
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      11-15-2010, 10:50 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liliceman13300 View Post
I've done quite a few speaker/sound system jobs on lots of different cars and lately want to do some minor upgrades to my girlfriends system. She has the 08 328i with minimal sound system package.

The forum has a great DIY on replacing the actual speakers in the door but I haven't been able to find anything on using products such as Dynamat. I have seen results on cars such as my Honda, but the car came out of the factory with no sound isolation/cancellation material what so ever.

So far the package I'm looking at is Polk DB401 4-inch speakers and Polk DB1001 1-inch tweeters. Does anyone recommend replacing the subwoofers under the seats as well? Coincidentally this weekend I will be helping take apart a 325i's doors to do the exact same project.

tl;dr Will pieces of Dynamat in the door panel help sound quality? Does replacing the subwoofers help sound quality? Anything else simple I can do to make it sound its very best?
The Polk DB401 is already a coaxial speaker, why another tweeter?

What is your budget for all this?
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      11-15-2010, 11:06 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob G View Post
...but it would be best if you searched the Threads. People have posted about the model in question, there is a list (search for Kaigoss) of replacement speakers, etc. Also check under BSW for info about replacement speakers. Your gf's car is what we call a base system. Search under ctuna to get his links to detailed discussions of the various systems and what can be done.

Good luck

Rob
Thanks for search keywords, I'm finding a lot of information using them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
The Polk DB401 is already a coaxial speaker, why another tweeter?

What is your budget for all this?
I feel that the tweeters on the DB401s will not be getting the correct high range signal because the crossover on the BMW filters it out and routes it to the stock tweeters. My budget is around $200 for the whole system but $100 for a pair of speakers and tweeters seems like a really good deal.
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      11-15-2010, 12:11 PM   #5
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Some info read all subthreads and download pdf's

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365866



http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30305

The existing speakers are 2 ohm ,4 ohm speakers will reduce power output

Last edited by ctuna; 11-15-2010 at 12:23 PM..
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      11-15-2010, 12:14 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liliceman13300 View Post
I feel that the tweeters on the DB401s will not be getting the correct high range signal because the crossover on the BMW filters it out and routes it to the stock tweeters.
That's not correct... the OEM tweeter high pass filter is at the tweeter itself. Remove that tweeter and the filter goes with it.

Quote:
My budget is around $200 for the whole system but $100 for a pair of speakers and tweeters seems like a really good deal.
For $200 you can get a pair of Rainbow components, which it would be the really good deal.

Regardless of the speaker that you choose, you OEM amp will expect 2 ohms of impedance on those channels. The vast majority of the aftermarket 4" that fit your E90 are 4 ohms, so you will notice that the new speakers will not sound as loud as the OEM at the same volume levels.

You may or may not like the results, depending on your expectations for those $200.
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      11-15-2010, 01:07 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
That's not correct... the OEM tweeter high pass filter is at the tweeter itself. Remove that tweeter and the filter goes with it.



For $200 you can get a pair of Rainbow components, which it would be the really good deal.

Regardless of the speaker that you choose, you OEM amp will expect 2 ohms of impedance on those channels. The vast majority of the aftermarket 4" that fit your E90 are 4 ohms, so you will notice that the new speakers will not sound as loud as the OEM at the same volume levels.

You may or may not like the results, depending on your expectations for those $200.
I was planning on $200 for front speakers alone. If there was an amp or a better under-seat sub the budget would go up.

I found these JBL speakers:
http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pa....aspx?PID=P462

About $80 online, 2-ohm independence and they look similar to some higher end speakers. I just have never used any JBL products, would these be worth it? I would still want to put separate tweeters on. I did notice on the door removal video that the BMW tweeters are 4 ohms.

Last edited by Atorsesh; 11-15-2010 at 01:20 PM..
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      11-15-2010, 01:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liliceman13300 View Post
I was planning on $200 for front speakers alone. If there was an amp or a better under-seat sub the budget would go up.
An XD600/6 ($400 or less new at ebay) can replace your OEM amp directly. For underseat woofers, there are plenty of options : SWS-8, SSMB8, W 200-X Plain, ADMW9.
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      11-15-2010, 03:27 PM   #9
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The 4 ohm are only in logic 7 systems

The 4 ohm are only in logic 7 systems

Read the Entertainment System pdf

page 8 lists only the under seat woofers as the only 4 ohm speakers in that system

also
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970

Last edited by ctuna; 11-15-2010 at 03:45 PM..
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      11-15-2010, 04:26 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
The 4 ohm are only in logic 7 systems woofers

Read the Entertainment System pdf

page 8 lists only the under seat woofers as the only 4 ohm speakers in that system

also
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
Fixed.
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      11-16-2010, 09:53 AM   #11
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Alright so I figured out what I think I want to do. Here is the setup, please let me know of any concerns.

Front speakers:
JBL P462 - $80
http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pa....aspx?PID=P462

Front tweeters:
Polk DB1001 - $60
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Pol...9922544&sr=1-1

Under Seats:
Kicker 04SSMB8 - $150
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_id=2591

Sound deadening: (Putting this in doors and in boxes under seats)
Dynamat - $55
http://www.amazon.com/Dynamat-10435-...9921622&sr=1-2

My main concern is the tweeters being 4ohms and the speakers being 2ohms. Would this mean the speakers are going to be louder than the tweeters or will the 4ohm draw on the tweeters make the speakers become 4 ohms? Also will the stock amp power the Kickers to be noticeably better? Total bill is looking to be around $350.
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      11-16-2010, 09:56 AM   #12
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Again, why coaxials with a separate tweeter?
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      11-16-2010, 10:01 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Again, why coaxials with a separate tweeter?
I can't find any components for around $100.
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      11-16-2010, 10:20 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liliceman13300 View Post
I can't find any components for around $100.
... but you are spending $195 for speakers and Dynamat that you do not need.
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      11-16-2010, 10:40 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
... but you are spending $195 for speakers and Dynamat that you do not need.
I can't find any components for $200 either. If you know of a place where I can get some please send me the link for it.

Nevermind, I feel like an asshole. I found a whole bunch of components for around $150.

Last edited by Atorsesh; 11-16-2010 at 10:50 AM..
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      11-16-2010, 11:53 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liliceman13300 View Post
I can't find any components for $200 either. If you know of a place where I can get some please send me the link for it.

Nevermind, I feel like an asshole. I found a whole bunch of components for around $150.
Just make sure that they are less than 50mm deep or they will not fit in your E90.
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      11-16-2010, 12:09 PM   #17
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These are what I have picked out so far:
Rainbow SLX 210 Deluxe
MMats Pro 4.0
CDT Audio CL-41/22
MTX TX4001

Only thing I cant figure out is if it is worth getting the Rainbows or MMats over the CDTs. Also I can get the MTXs for $91 which seems like a very good deal. So basically is the extra $80-100 worth it?
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      11-16-2010, 12:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by liliceman13300 View Post
These are what I have picked out so far:
Rainbow SLX 210 Deluxe
MMats Pro 4.0
CDT Audio CL-41/22
MTX TX4001

Only thing I cant figure out is if it is worth getting the Rainbows or MMats over the CDTs. Also I can get the MTXs for $91 which seems like a very good deal. So basically is the extra $80-100 worth it?
I have installed CDT speakers before and they are excellent for their price, especially their crossover networks and silk tweeters. However, in this particular case they are using their cheapo Satnet-400 crossover in that set which in my experience it will suck all the 25W per channel power your OEM amp will output to them and give you a very lackluster sound and volume into those excellent speakers.

Check Diamond Audio also... example: http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...&sort=priceLowit their 4.5" set should fit with a custom speacer. ebay used to have their excellent 4" HEX with silk tweeters set for $190 some time ago.

Or check this DLS set... http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_26272_DLS+PS+4.html with silk tweeters.
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      11-16-2010, 12:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
I have installed CDT speakers before and they are excellent for their price, especially their crossover networks and silk tweeters. However, in this particular case they are using their cheapo Satnet-400 crossover in that set which in my experience it will suck all the 25W per channel power your OEM amp will output to them and give you a very lackluster sound and volume into those excellent speakers.

Check Diamond Audio also... example: http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...&sort=priceLowit their 4.5" set should fit with a custom speacer. ebay used to have their excellent 4" HEX with silk tweeters set for $190 some time ago.

Or check this DLS set... http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_26272_DLS+PS+4.html with silk tweeters.
I was actually looking at the DLS set. I found them for $109 here. The crossovers look different on that site but are made by DLS. By any chance would you know if they are the same?

Edit:
Never mind. After looking at reviews for Dealer Cost Car Audio I'll be paying the extra $30. If anyone is thinking of ordering anything there I would google reviews for the site first, they're kinda scary.
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      11-16-2010, 12:59 PM   #20
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I've decided on the DLSs. Is the Dynamat idea going to be worth it? BSW recommends it for their kits and reviews for it are very good for sound improvement.
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      11-17-2010, 10:02 PM   #21
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I bought a JL XD600/6 (recommended by Technic and others) at SonicElectronix. Hassle free and quick delivery.
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      11-29-2010, 03:11 PM   #22
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Over the weekend we got the DLS 4PSA set in. Just a heads up to everyone:
A 2006 330i L7 speaker IS a different size mount than a 2008 328i HiFi speaker
I didn't see that anywhere on the forum so just thought I would say something about it. I made the mounts out of 1/4" solid oak and they worked pretty well.

Unfortunately I have to say the 330i L7 with the Polk system upgrade I talked about up earlier sounds MUCH better than the DLS with HiFi. At higher volumes the DLS's start to sound better though. I found a Kicker zx350.4 that I am going to put in with technics harness to run the front speakers and under seat speakers. I am going to find a cheap/decent 2 channel amp to run the rear speakers.

Also, I coated the doors in Raamat BXT II and Raamat Ensolite PS and the doors feel a bit more solid when closing them. If your considering sound deadening material I would definitely say go with Raamat. Customer service was amazing, the guy who runs the entire company called my cell phone to complete a $40 order. I am in no way affiliated with Raamat btw.

tl;dr
DLS speakers wern't too impressive..yet. Installing a Kicker ZX350.4 soon. Pictures soon as well.
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