[crazydiamond]

Hi,

I recently leased a 2011 328i with the HiFi 10 speaker sound system. Coming from my old 335 that had the L7 Top HiFi, I am really feeling the difference to say the least :-)

I don't want to spend too much money on a leased car so looking for best bang for the buck say around $600-700.

Reading up on the various upgrade options i.e. alpine, BSW, MS-8 I am inclined towards the JBL MS-8 just by itself as a replacement for the in-trunk OEM amp.

My question is whether the MS-8 installed by itself is a decent enough upgrade or should I look at other options?

Thanks

[ctuna]

ms-8 is $600 on the cheap
If you wanted to make a super logic 7 system it would be a place to start.(ms-8)

Its only 18 whats per channel at 4 ohm or about 30 at 2 ohms
8 channels so what are you going to do with them all.
Most people use an amp with that and upgrade there floors
and at least the front door speakers.
A lot of people just go with an amp and speakers on the Hi Fi System since the head unit output is flat although its not as tunable a system without a processor.


http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865

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

Look for posts by Technic he has suggestions for low cost systems but
most run between 700 to 1k in parts if you are looking for places that have the absolute
lowest prices. And also makes a plug and play amp harness for this system and others.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=1#post5791690

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...lifiers&page=3

[kaigoss69]

Read this, then decide whether or not you need the door speakers replaced.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=notes

[VP Electricity]

Since it's a lease, some of our bolt-in, plug-in packages might be of interest. You get all the adapter parts needed and verified components.

We have MS-8 and non-MS8 packages. Take a look at http://www.musicarnw.com/bmw-upgrades/ and see if you want more details (I apologize that the HiFi section isn't don't yet).

And my car came with HiFi, and having gone down this road, I would change the speakers.

[kaigoss69]

You can only do so much with $700, and you're going to have to make compromises. You have to decide what your main goals are. My main goals to improve the HiFi system using that budget would be tonality and imaging (sacrificing volume and bass). I would therefore put in an MS-8 and a center channel and call it a day. If I was a "purist", I would put in a 4-channel amp and replace the front door speakers and underseats, nothing else. If I was a bass-head, I would put a box in the trunk with 2 12s and a mono amp. All can be done for $700 or less, but if you want all of the above, then that budget simply won't work.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by crazydiamond

Hi,

I recently leased a 2011 328i with the HiFi 10 speaker sound system. Coming from my old 335 that had the L7 Top HiFi, I am really feeling the difference to say the least :-)

I don't want to spend too much money on a leased car so looking for best bang for the buck say around $600-700.

Reading up on the various upgrade options i.e. alpine, BSW, MS-8 I am inclined towards the JBL MS-8 just by itself as a replacement for the in-trunk OEM amp.

My question is whether the MS-8 installed by itself is a decent enough upgrade or should I look at other options?

Thanks

For $700:

- MS-8
- HiFi/MS-8 harness
- Vibe Slick 4 center speaker
- OEM center speaker trim

At lease return, unplug everything and sell it. No visible traces of any aftermarket modification. Done.

[crazydiamond]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Look for posts by Technic he has suggestions for low cost systems but
most run between 700 to 1k in parts if you are looking for places that have the absolute
lowest prices. And also makes a plug and play amp harness for this system and others.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=1#post5791690
[/url]

If I go with the above route will it sound better than just the MS-8 and front speaker job? Is it a reasonable DIY or would you recommend professional install?

[crazydiamond]

Originally Posted by Technic

For $700:

- MS-8
- HiFi/MS-8 harness
- Vibe Slick 4 center speaker
- OEM center speaker trim

At lease return, unplug everything and sell it. No visible traces of any aftermarket modification. Done.

This is my preferred route for now as I think it will give me flexibility to enhance further if/when I have the budget.

A few questions:
1. Is this an easy/reasonable DIY or do I need professional installation & tuning?

2. Is the MS-8 fairly reliable? Should I buy new or used from ebay/craigslist is also fine?

Thanks!

[crazydiamond]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Since it's a lease, some of our bolt-in, plug-in packages might be of interest. You get all the adapter parts needed and verified components.

We have MS-8 and non-MS8 packages. Take a look at http://www.musicarnw.com/bmw-upgrades/ and see if you want more details (I apologize that the HiFi section isn't don't yet).

And my car came with HiFi, and having gone down this road, I would change the speakers.

Hi, I cannot see the packages & prices on the above link.

[emoon3]

Originally Posted by crazydiamond

This is my preferred route for now as I think it will give me flexibility to enhance further if/when I have the budget.

A few questions:
1. Is this an easy/reasonable DIY or do I need professional installation & tuning?

2. Is the MS-8 fairly reliable? Should I buy new or used from ebay/craigslist is also fine?

Thanks!

With Technic's harness, it is a VERY reasonable install. There's lots of good info on the install and tuning the MS-8. If you are at all familiar with electronics, I'd say take a look at the install DIY guides and give it a shot.

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by Technic

For $700:

- MS-8
- HiFi/MS-8 harness
- Vibe Slick 4 center speaker
- OEM center speaker trim

At lease return, unplug everything and sell it. No visible traces of any aftermarket modification. Done.

I think I am in the same boat as the OP, crazy diamond. Interested in the ms-8 without an amp to begin with. Would you make this same rec for a hifi car with BSW in the rear deck, BSW mid and Polk DB tweeter in the front doors? OR would you recommend the amp first route?

Oh and one more thing, I have you amp harness for the hifi, is it different for the ms-8? WIll the amp one work?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by crazydiamond

This is my preferred route for now as I think it will give me flexibility to enhance further if/when I have the budget.

A few questions:
1. Is this an easy/reasonable DIY or do I need professional installation & tuning?

As any DIY, you need to know the basics of car audio. As for what are those basics: if you have to ask then you need professional installation.

2. Is the MS-8 fairly reliable? Should I buy new or used from ebay/craigslist is also fine?

Thanks!

The MS-8 right now is a getting to the point of being a real lottery ticket... all MS-8 that I have installed for customers have been replaced at least once. My own MS-8 have been replaced twice. That's my own experience, yours could be different.

Nevertheless, JBL know this very well so their return policy is quite good -they will replace your MS-8 mostly without any questions asked for a full year. And so far any problems that you may have will be shown within the first week of the install in my experience, and long term reliability has been good so far (1 year+) according to forum members.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

I think I am in the same boat as the OP, crazy diamond. Interested in the ms-8 without an amp to begin with. Would you make this same rec for a hifi car with BSW in the rear deck, BSW mid and Polk DB tweeter in the front doors? OR would you recommend the amp first route?

Oh and one more thing, I have you amp harness for the hifi, is it different for the ms-8? WIll the amp one work?

Yes.

What I do for the MS-8 if requested is to add the MS-8 output harness to the HiFi harness, so the MS-8 is much easier to connect to the OEM system.

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by Technic

Yes.

What I do for the MS-8 if requested is to add the MS-8 output harness to the HiFi harness, so the MS-8 is much easier to connect to the OEM system.

OK that makes sense on the ms8 harness. What about the question of, which component first, MS8 or amp, with upgraded speakers? Which one do you think there would be a higher probability of a 45 year old who listens to classic rock, jazz and talk radio, saying that is enough I don't have to go any further.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

OK that makes sense on the ms8 harness. What about the question of, which component first, MS8 or amp, with upgraded speakers? Which one do you think there would be a higher probability of a 45 year old who listens to classic rock, jazz and talk radio, saying that is enough I don't have to go any further.

There's never enough.

Start with the MS-8.

[crazydiamond]

Any recommendations on installers for JBL MS-8 in SF bay /NorCal area?