[orlandotom]

I have a ’07 335i with the L7 audio system and I have a few questions. I am looking for some additional bass, and after reading many posts, it looks like the Earthquake SWS-8’s are my best bet. Here are my questions:

1. Do they add any bass if you do not add an additional amplifier?
2. Is it worth ($ vs. what you get out of it when finished) installing the SWS-8’s without an additional amplifier?
3. Does one order the 2 or 4 ohm versions?
4. Where can one find the best price on these sub-woofers?

Any responses and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[enforcerman]

L7 systems run 4 ohms to the subs.

I get my 2 next week, but i have a professional system (basic one) and it runs 2 ohms to the subs. So, I bought the 2 ohm version.

I'll let you know how much better it sounds after I install them. I dont plan on adding an amp to begin with.

I bought mine at http://www.caraudiocraze.com/. They seem to have the cheapest price. Even have a coupon code for a discount. (e90post).

[jcarlucci1]

I put earthquake 8's in with the stock amp. There was no more bass than there was with stock subs. It actually was probably a little less. You need an amp.

[Halston@bsw]

Originally Posted by jcarlucci1

I put earthquake 8's in with the stock amp. There was no more bass than there was with stock subs. It actually was probably a little less. You need an amp.

That is what we found when we tested them.

[enforcerman]

Let me ask you this. I bought the 2 ohm version and im hoping it does something for my stock professional system. Did you test those or the 4 ohm?

[Bye Bye GTI]

I actually noticed a difference in sound quality and I haven't hooked up my new amp yet. You can hear different tones out of them rather than just just the mud from the factory ones.

I'm really happy with them just off the factory amp(no logic 7) and can't wait to put some power to them. It changed the whole sound of the car by adding them - the first day I was blown away when I turned it up.

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by enforcerman

Let me ask you this. I bought the 2 ohm version and im hoping it does something for my stock professional system. Did you test those or the 4 ohm?

coupon code is not working

[enforcerman]

There is a thread w/ the code in it. I searched for SWS-8 and found it yesterday.

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by enforcerman

There is a thread w/ the code in it. I searched for SWS-8 and found it yesterday.

ya the thread stated (e90post), I tried that with and without the paren...still no success..

[scampos1984]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

ya the thread stated (e90post), I tried that with and without the paren...still no success..

Contact with the guy of the shop, he's a very nice boy and maybe will make the discount for you.

[enforcerman]

Just installed mine. Sounds better, but if your looking for the BOOM, BOOM thing, it doesnt give you that. Took about 2 hours. I ordered an amp to power them and I'll decide next week whether I should install it or not.

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by enforcerman

Just installed mine. Sounds better, but if your looking for the BOOM, BOOM thing, it doesnt give you that. Took about 2 hours. I ordered an amp to power them and I'll decide next week whether I should install it or not.

hmm, so the lows (bass) is not really noticeable compared to stock??

[enforcerman]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

hmm, so the lows (bass) is not really noticeable compared to stock??

Its noticeable, and an improvement, but its not even close to rattling stuff. I even tuned to the sirius rap channel to see if the bass hits hard and like i said, its much crisper, but not a thump or boom. The speakers are rated for 300 watts and i'd be surprised if the stock amp runs 40 watts to them. Alot of room for improvement. I'll be installing an amp next week.

Im not looking to rattle or annoy people, so i picked up a Rockford Fosgate P200-2. Im gonna run it at 200W x 1 @ 4-Ohms bridged RMS. This amp is really small and I'm hoping to do a stealth install somehow. Since the SWS-8 is rated for 300 I should be well within its limits. Only thing im concerned about is the clearance above the subs. The stock grill and carpet worry me. Gonna have to check on those after i power the subs with the amp.

[pdjafari]

Originally Posted by enforcerman

Its noticeable, and an improvement, but its not even close to rattling stuff. I even tuned to the sirius rap channel to see if the bass hits hard and like i said, its much crisper, but not a thump or boom. The speakers are rated for 300 watts and i'd be surprised if the stock amp runs 40 watts to them. Alot of room for improvement. I'll be installing an amp next week.

Im not looking to rattle or annoy people, so i picked up a Rockford Fosgate P200-2. Im gonna run it at 200W x 1 @ 4-Ohms bridged RMS. This amp is really small and I'm hoping to do a stealth install somehow. Since the SWS-8 is rated for 300 I should be well within its limits. Only thing im concerned about is the clearance above the subs. The stock grill and carpet worry me. Gonna have to check on those after i power the subs with the amp.

I was reading a couple DIY's from this forum, just make sure when before putting everything back together (seats etc) to test the subs cause it can be a pain to have to undo everything just to fix the sub rattles (or subs hitting the grilles).

Do you have the L7 sound in your car? I have L7 and I've read like 20 different things on this forum. Some say you cant add an amp to L7, then I see a DIY/amp install and somebody has completed an add on amp w/ SWS upgrade.

Same with the L7 'theory'...some say 'if you have premium you'll have L7' but thats not true. I have the center speaker and 2 under seat subs and speakers in teh rear hatches and doors....but I dont have premium. I believe 07-08 335s all came with L7 standard as it wasnt an option for my car either. BMW professional vs BMW business.....all too confusing...

[Technic]

Originally Posted by pdjafari

I was reading a couple DIY's from this forum, just make sure when before putting everything back together (seats etc) to test the subs cause it can be a pain to have to undo everything just to fix the sub rattles (or subs hitting the grilles).

Do you have the L7 sound in your car? I have L7 and I've read like 20 different things on this forum. Some say you cant add an amp to L7, then I see a DIY/amp install and somebody has completed an add on amp w/ SWS upgrade.

Same with the L7 'theory'...some say 'if you have premium you'll have L7' but thats not true. I have the center speaker and 2 under seat subs and speakers in teh rear hatches and doors....but I dont have premium. I believe 07-08 335s all came with L7 standard as it wasnt an option for my car either. BMW professional vs BMW business.....all too confusing...

BMW Professional and Business relates to the type of OEM HU/iDrive that the car has. The main difference between the two are the features/display supported.

For the types of OEM sound systems look here:

[pdjafari]

^^great thanks as always. Ive searched and read many pages in the audio section on this forum and all your posts are very knowledgeable and insightful... was a huge audiophile back from 1995-2002 but have fallen off teh map. I actually started out reading car audio & electronics magazine when I was 15 and spent my first 1k on a system (a sealed JL enclosure with 2JL10W0s). I also had an RF amp I bought from bestbuy (where i worked). although I have done many installs, things have really changed from those days. I remember back then a HU with a 2V was the shiet...now thats like unheard of..

lol, brings back memories....

I always wanted a soundstream tarantula is that company still around?? Soundstream and Orion...

[enforcerman]

My system is NOT L7. Its my understanding that L7 has a digital connection from the HU to the amp. I could be wrong.

Have a look at this post: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949

Pretty good information there on wiring.