[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by Technic

Customer wanted a relatively budget system with full OEM integration, more focused front soundstage and a significant bass output increase.

Thus:

- JBL MS-8
- XD400/4
- DLS R4 component set (front)
- Vibe Slick 4" (center)
- VP Electricity trunk sub enclosure with ID10





Very quick notes:

- Custom MS-8 to HiFi OEM connector harness was created for full integration. Rear OEM speakers were retained. DLS R4 were installed in the front doors using the Dynamat method explained in this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=518402. Vibe Slick 4 was used as the center speaker: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477443

Result:

-Again, a relatively simple upgrade on the money that delivers a more satisfying, clearer, higher volume, bassy sound than any of the optional OEM systems. From radio stations to iPod the SQ increase is instantly noticiable. You know that the MS-8 is doing its job of focusing the front stage to the driver when customers start simply smiling and nodding their heads to the beat of the music, just after calibration.

VP Electricity sub enclosure impresses just by installing it above the battery even before connecting it to the amp. The integration is simply OEM... and then it is connected to the system. The ID10 sub bass is clean, heard and felt in the cabin without any rattles -or that nasty flappiness of some subs that take some work and tuning to make it right-, seemlessly blending with the underseat woofers midbass.

By dedicating the OEM woofers to just midbass above 60Hz and providing 5 times their OEM power their bass impact is to the level of a much, much nicer aftermarket shallow woofer. Definitely their 2ohms reting and their sensitivity (they also sound great with just the MS-8 power) make these woofers very power efficient and great midbass drivers.

The combination of the R4 and the Slick 4 in the front provides a much improved front stage over the OEM speakers. The OEM speakers actually sound much better when powered by the MS-8 -this is the best part of the upgrade, as customers are shown how the OEM speakers sound with the MS-8 first and then with the R4 replacing them. The improvement is a much nicer, cleaner and clearer sounding front stage with the R4, both in midbass and high response (the silk tweeters are nicer by much over the OEM). The Slick 4 does not disappoints as a center speaker for its price, however it sounds better when the front stage have the same load (4ohms center and front speakers) than with the OEM speakers (2ohms). The MS-8 power is double for the 2ohm loads and it can be felt thru the center speaker (lower volume, but can be adjusted).

And as always... a 100% reversible install.

Technic, where did you crossover from the stock underseats to the doors on this install?

What would you say the upper limit on the underseats is before they become 'boomy'? Thanks.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Technic, where did you crossover from the stock underseats to the doors on this install?

What would you say the upper limit on the underseats is before they become 'boomy'? Thanks.

OEM woofers and MS-8: Low pass at 150Hz, -6dB slope with the front mids.

[QUiKSR20]

Hey Technic, Was the XD400/4 used just for the sub ?? Or was it used for the sub + front stage?

Im only asking because this looks like almost the exact same setup im going for.. But once I saw the 4 channel amp I was confused.

Would it be much harder to run my front stage + sub off say a 5 channel amp or so and then have the MS8 just power the
rear speakers? ( full newb ) or does that start a whole new level of complication that I can worry about down the road.

Would be nice if later down the road its easy to say replace the 2 channel sub amp with a 5 channel amp for front stage + sub.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Hey Technic, Was the XD400/4 used just for the sub ?? Or was it used for the sub + front stage?

Im only asking because this looks like almost the exact same setup im going for.. But once I saw the 4 channel amp I was confused.

Would it be much harder to run my front stage + sub off say a 5 channel amp or so and then have the MS8 just power the
rear speakers? ( full newb ) or does that start a whole new level of complication that I can worry about down the road.

Would be nice if later down the road its easy to say replace the 2 channel sub amp with a 5 channel amp for front stage + sub.

The XD400/4 was used in 3-channel mode to power the underseat woofers and the sub...

[QUiKSR20]

Thanks, Like I said im not super new to audio.. But new to ways to go about things in the E90s Thanks!!!
Im assuming its easy to start off with MS8 power for everything + a trunk sub amp, and then possibly move to amped front stage later + the sub etc.

Cant wait to get this system started Thanks again!

[arod in Texas]

Nice job on the system. Very similar to what I am looking to do on mine.

[taibanl]

I see you used both the aux in and the CH1+2 in...any reason?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by taibanl

I see you used both the aux in and the CH1+2 in...any reason?

No AUX in...

[mob17]

for music playing off iphones, is it better to use the oem aux-in in the centre console, or run an aux lead to the ms-8?

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by mob17

for music playing off iphones, is it better to use the oem aux-in in the centre console, or run an aux lead to the ms-8?

No question, run a cable straight to the MS8.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

No question, run a cable straight to the MS8.

cool. so when buying a 3.5mm to phono cable, what features should i look out for, to ensure optimal sound quality and minimal noise?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by mob17

cool. so when buying a 3.5mm to phono cable, what features should i look out for, to ensure optimal sound quality and minimal noise?

If you are going to do this...buy a DOCK connector to RCA + USB cable. They exist...gotta search.

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by mob17

cool. so when buying a 3.5mm to phono cable, what features should i look out for, to ensure optimal sound quality and minimal noise?

You should look for the cable that connects to the bottom of the iphone. That is a line out signal without any eq or variable volume from the iphone. Then use a male-to-male 3.5 mm connector and a 3.5 mm to RCA cable (both from Ratshack). Then an automotice RCA cable to the MS-8.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

You should look for the cable that connects to the bottom of the iphone. That is a line out signal without any eq or variable volume from the iphone. Then use a male-to-male 3.5 mm connector and a 3.5 mm to RCA cable (both from Ratshack). Then an automotice RCA cable to the MS-8.

Thats a lot of cables! Yikes!

You should be able to do it in two, maybe one if you search online

I can recommend the kensington dock to aux cable (w usb power). Good sq.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Thats a lot of cables! Yikes!

You should be able to do it in two, maybe one if you search online

I can recommend the kensington dock to aux cable (w usb power). Good sq.

i dont have usb in my car, only the one in the glovebox to inport music.

that mean i cant get the kensington?

[taibanl]

Sigh: look at the product. You will see usb is for power only. Comes w plug in charger

[mob17]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Sigh: look at the product. You will see usb is for power only. Comes w plug in charger

lol oops.

ok i have tried to search for the kensington dock to aux cable but im getting nowhere i dont know anything about dock connectors

could u give me the product link?

[taibanl]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0031U1AU0

[mob17]

thanks.

i did see this in my search but i couldnt see a picture of a dock. now its clear that it connects to the bottom of the iphone and splits into usb power and an aux cable.

So i guess i still need a cable or two. an aux-rca adaptor and an automotive rca cable to route back to the ms-8. or maybe both in one cable. is this right?

[QUiKSR20]

Sweet cheap iPod power / audio... Ugh more stuff to buy

So off the MS8 direct will offer better sound then off the audio jack in the center console? Currently I have a 3.5mm to dock connector which sounds good but no charging.

[sebaNYC]

where did you guys got the DLS, i cant find them

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by sebaNYC

where did you guys got the DLS, i cant find them

Got mine from Sonic Electronix ( great return policy, great prices and ships super fast. )

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...erence-R4.html

$170 free shipping