Input on Updgrade Plans for 2011 Base Sound

robthewrench · 02-03-2015, 12:13 PM

Hello all,

I would like to get input from others on my plans to upgrade the base system in my 2011 E90. It is an early 2011 build (07/10). I have i-drive, but no tweeters and no amp (base system).

I've read a LOT of threads about others upgrading their base system. My budget is ~$500 - $800 and I will be doing the install myself.

Here's my plans:
- MB Quart QM200.3 BMW speaker upgrade (tweeters, doors, underseat, + adjustable crossovers for fronts/tweets).
- MB Quart Onyx 4 channel amp
- Technic wiring harness

Here's the first question: The MB Quart system has adjustable cross-overs for the front tweeters. I can reduce the tweeters gain by up to -6db. By using this setup I'm planning on not purchasing a clean-sweep or similar device to flatten out the EQ. However, do I need to recode from base to HiFi to avoid an overly loud 'gong' tone or other problems associated with still having speaker level outputs from the head?

Other input is welcome. I'm a bit of a novice in stereo. Thanks.

ctuna · 02-03-2015, 02:05 PM

Is the amp power matched to the speakers?
You will need the BMW tweeter pod mounts.

See the following document on base stereo install.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234

You should ask Technic what he thinks of your setup.

If you want to recode that model year I believe you need to
find somebody with and ICOM B head (optical head to reprogram
that year of stereo)

robthewrench · 02-03-2015, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

Is the amp power matched to the speakers?
You will need the BMW tweeter pod mounts.

Thanks ctuna. I knew I needed the door pods for the tweeters, but I forgot to list them in my post.

The MBQuart Onyx amp is the OA800.4. It is rated at 4x100 for a 4 ohm setup with the speaker kit I am targeting. Onyx lists a discontinued amp in their install instructions for the speaker kit, but this new amp matches the power ratings of the discontinued one.

MTTH · 02-03-2015, 03:17 PM

I'm also looking to upgrade the base sound in my 2011 E90 (5/10) but I'm not familiar with audio systems.

taibanl · 02-03-2015, 05:01 PM

I recommend not to skimp on the cleansweep / recode.

6spdcoupe · 02-03-2015, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

I recommend not to skimp on the cleansweep / recode.

Agreed. Crossover and attenuated gain is Not a replacement for poor a eq job.

mathematics · 02-03-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

I recommend not to skimp on the cleansweep / recode.

correct

ctuna · 02-03-2015, 09:46 PM

robthewrench · 02-04-2015, 07:07 AM

Can anyone confirm ctuna's note about whether the 2011 can be recoded using NCS expert or is another type of device / software required? I'd rather go the recode option than add the cleansweep, but the cleansweep is a good backup plan.

There are two reasons why I can see you'd need the cleansweep:
1) Head unit output of base stereo is speaker level voltage not line level voltage. A recode can fix this, or the JL cleansweep can fix this, or a line output converter can fix this, or you could get an amp that accepts speaker level voltage inputs.

2) The EQ curve from the base head unit is not flat. The cleansweep can fix this, or the recode could fix this. Other options are to use an equalizer and cross-overs to alter the profile. The last method is much cheaper than the cleansweep, but requires much more trial and error.

ctuna · 02-04-2015, 11:10 AM

1) Your amp should accept differential balanced line level inputs

2)You may need to find somebody that has and icom test head to
program this (this is an direct optical test connection to the most but
used for programming . As some point I think around 2009 this is
required to reprogram the output of the radio) Reprogramming the Radio
usually is done by changing the VO code and adding the Hi Fi option.
Some tweaks may have to added to the Rad file to get the options
enabled.(PDC , SOS and Most Bus , Bluetooth)

02-03-2015, 12:13 PM	#1
robthewrench Captain 266 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 11 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Columbus OH iTrader: (0)	Input on Updgrade Plans for 2011 Base Sound Hello all, I would like to get input from others on my plans to upgrade the base system in my 2011 E90. It is an early 2011 build (07/10). I have i-drive, but no tweeters and no amp (base system). I've read a LOT of threads about others upgrading their base system. My budget is ~$500 - $800 and I will be doing the install myself. Here's my plans: - MB Quart QM200.3 BMW speaker upgrade (tweeters, doors, underseat, + adjustable crossovers for fronts/tweets). - MB Quart Onyx 4 channel amp - Technic wiring harness Here's the first question: The MB Quart system has adjustable cross-overs for the front tweeters. I can reduce the tweeters gain by up to -6db. By using this setup I'm planning on not purchasing a clean-sweep or similar device to flatten out the EQ. However, do I need to recode from base to HiFi to avoid an overly loud 'gong' tone or other problems associated with still having speaker level outputs from the head? Other input is welcome. I'm a bit of a novice in stereo. Thanks.
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02-03-2015, 02:05 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Is the amp power matched to the speakers? Is the amp power matched to the speakers? You will need the BMW tweeter pod mounts. See the following document on base stereo install. http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234 You should ask Technic what he thinks of your setup. If you want to recode that model year I believe you need to find somebody with and ICOM B head (optical head to reprogram that year of stereo)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2015, 03:17 PM	#4
MTTH Captain 233 Rep 738 Posts Drives: '11 328xi \|'18 440xi GranCoupe Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Staten Island, NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	I'm also looking to upgrade the base sound in my 2011 E90 (5/10) but I'm not familiar with audio systems.
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02-03-2015, 05:01 PM	#5
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	I recommend not to skimp on the cleansweep / recode.
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02-03-2015, 09:46 PM	#8
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	FYI for TreyTwoEight FYI for TreyTwoEight BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872 Last edited by ctuna; 02-03-2015 at 10:03 PM..
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02-04-2015, 07:07 AM	#9
robthewrench Captain 266 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 11 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Columbus OH iTrader: (0)	Can anyone confirm ctuna's note about whether the 2011 can be recoded using NCS expert or is another type of device / software required? I'd rather go the recode option than add the cleansweep, but the cleansweep is a good backup plan. There are two reasons why I can see you'd need the cleansweep: 1) Head unit output of base stereo is speaker level voltage not line level voltage. A recode can fix this, or the JL cleansweep can fix this, or a line output converter can fix this, or you could get an amp that accepts speaker level voltage inputs. 2) The EQ curve from the base head unit is not flat. The cleansweep can fix this, or the recode could fix this. Other options are to use an equalizer and cross-overs to alter the profile. The last method is much cheaper than the cleansweep, but requires much more trial and error. Last edited by robthewrench; 02-04-2015 at 07:33 AM..
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02-04-2015, 11:10 AM	#10
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	FYI 1) Your amp should accept differential balanced line level inputs 2)You may need to find somebody that has and icom test head to program this (this is an direct optical test connection to the most but used for programming . As some point I think around 2009 this is required to reprogram the output of the radio) Reprogramming the Radio usually is done by changing the VO code and adding the Hi Fi option. Some tweaks may have to added to the Rad file to get the options enabled.(PDC , SOS and Most Bus , Bluetooth)
	Appreciate 0 Quote