[lordbmw]

I need some Amp recommendations for a base audio system.

I have the crappy sound system with no tweeters at all. It's absolute garbage.

I count 6 speakers total, 1 on each door (I have a coupe), 2 total in the back (one on each side panel), and 2 under the seats.

I will want to add tweeters and replace all the existing ones so that would bring the total count to 8 speakers.

So i'm guessing that means I need an 8 channel amp ??

Another issue is the base sound system output needs to be "flattened".

So I tried to recode my HU to "HiFi" in order to flatten the response but I've given up since I need an ICOM cable and I'm not spending $600 to buy a freakin cable so I can do this.

So the other alternative is a DSP AMP.

I see that Bimmetech and Bavsound both sell DSP Amps but they are expensive at around $1000.

What other DSP Amps would work for my requirements?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

I need some Amp recommendations for a base audio system.

I have the crappy sound system with no tweeters at all. It's absolute garbage.

I count 6 speakers total, 1 on each door (I have a coupe), 2 total in the back (one on each side panel), and 2 under the seats.

I will want to add tweeters and replace all the existing ones so that would bring the total count to 8 speakers.

So i'm guessing that means I need an 8 channel amp ??

Another issue is the base sound system output needs to be "flattened".

So I tried to recode my HU to "HiFi" in order to flatten the response but I've given up since I need an ICOM cable and I'm not spending $600 to buy a freakin cable so I can do this.

So the other alternative is a DSP AMP.

I see that Bimmetech and Bavsound both sell DSP Amps but they are expensive at around $1000.

What other DSP Amps would work for my requirements?

What's your budget?

Do you want your amp to hook up to your head unit?

https://m.obd2tool.com/goods-10119-B...SABEgJzDfD_BwE

[lordbmw]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

What's your budget?

Do you want your amp to hook up to your head unit?

https://m.obd2tool.com/goods-10119-B...SABEgJzDfD_BwE

I assumed that’s what you normally do with amps, no?

As far as budget, would like to be under $2k

[ctuna]

The standard amp we use to use before the age of DSP is the Jl XD 600/6.
See if you can find coders in your area that have and ICOM.

Both DSP/amps used by Bimmertech and Bavsound are Helix/audiotech
resells with a tune and mounting hardware. I believe bimmertech give
you a recode to hi fi as part of there process. I don't know if this appys
to all model years.

If you DiY this it will require a Harness and DSP tune you should be prepared
to do this and know what's involved if you go that route.

There are some cheap Icoms now but how good they are may
be a question that needs research.

some discussions on icom's in the following thread.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-P-actually-do

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

I assumed that’s what you normally do with amps, no?

As far as budget, would like to be under $2k

I wouldn't keep my base head unit.

That's just me.

DSP is probably the way to go.

I just completely gutted my system & I had the logic 7 system, so there were a few things I had to overcome due to the MOST fiber optic loop.

Speakers - I'd buy a used set of BMW Individual Audio (IA) speakers on eBay or this forum. The M3 e90 forum has them cheaper sometimes. These are the best speakers for the $$ spent IMO. Plus, you don't have to worry about fitment issues. $600 to $750 or so

Under seat subs - probably will come with the set above. They aren't very good IMO. The L7 version sounds muddy etc. I have never heard the (IA) version. From what I have read they sound better than the L7 but how much better IDK. Just keep that in mind. You will probably want to upgrade them in the future, is my guess.

Head unit - Dynavin N7 if you want to retain a factor look. $599.00

If not, the world is your oyster since you don't have to contend with the MOST fiber optic loop.

Alpine, pioneer

AMPs - JL Audio & Alpine are the goto favorites on the forum. JL Audio XD600/6v2 is an excellent choice. Sub amp - Alpine S-A55V ; this one gives you some expandability. Plus, the rating on this amp in terms of wattage is under rated. It's probably 80watts at 2 ohm & 60watts at 4ohm. If you bridge the channels you could be pushing 120watts channel through the BMW IA under the seat subs, which would be perfect for those subs.

8 speakers - two amps
One for the 6 speakers & one for the subs

DSP - if you want to go this route, you need to add a center channel, which the BMW IA set will come with but you will have to hard wire and add it into the harness. You also might have to buy a technique harness.

I bought an old school JBL-MS8 used on this forum, for $225.00 or so. Or you could by a refurbished one for 350 or so on EBay / Amazon.

[ctuna]

Bimmertech kit with 86dsp and tune and a set of aftermarket
fronts would still be under 2k I believe.
I choked on the prices for this stuff when I first looked at it.
But I finally came to the conlusion that there were no cheap alternatives
to getting good sound and I only wanted to do this once,
and the right way. Ended up spending 1500 on a MusicarNw kit
with Morel 402's , Jehnert underseats and a Jl xd600/6 .

Problem with the base system is you still need a wire Harness to
the Trunk and a Icom for a recode on the pro radio it appears.

[lordbmw]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

https://m.obd2tool.com/goods-10119-B...SABEgJzDfD_BwE

Is that ICOM cable you mentioned going to work ??

[lordbmw]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Bimmertech kit with 86dsp and tune and a set of aftermarket
fronts would still be under 2k I believe.
I choked on the prices for this stuff when I first looked at it.
But I finally came to the conlusion that there were no cheap alternatives
to getting good sound and I only wanted to do this once,
and the right way. Ended up spending 1500 on a MusicarNw kit
with Morel 402's , Jehnert underseats and a Jl xd600/6 .

Problem with the base system is you still need a wire Harness to
the Trunk and a Icom for a recode on the pro radio it appears.

I would imagine a DSP will be able to normalize the output of the HU without a recode but it may not sound as good, is that correct?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

Is that ICOM cable you mentioned going to work ??

I can't answer that. I don't have one.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

I need some Amp recommendations for a base audio system.

I have the crappy sound system with no tweeters at all. It's absolute garbage.

I count 6 speakers total, 1 on each door (I have a coupe), 2 total in the back (one on each side panel), and 2 under the seats.

I will want to add tweeters and replace all the existing ones so that would bring the total count to 8 speakers.

So i'm guessing that means I need an 8 channel amp ??

Another issue is the base sound system output needs to be "flattened".

So I tried to recode my HU to "HiFi" in order to flatten the response but I've given up since I need an ICOM cable and I'm not spending $600 to buy a freakin cable so I can do this.

So the other alternative is a DSP AMP.

I see that Bimmetech and Bavsound both sell DSP Amps but they are expensive at around $1000.

What other DSP Amps would work for my requirements?

2013 BMW E92 M3 Individual M Audio AMPLIFIER & Speakers https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1417521

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

I need some Amp recommendations for a base audio system.

I have the crappy sound system with no tweeters at all. It's absolute garbage.

I count 6 speakers total, 1 on each door (I have a coupe), 2 total in the back (one on each side panel), and 2 under the seats.

I will want to add tweeters and replace all the existing ones so that would bring the total count to 8 speakers.

So i'm guessing that means I need an 8 channel amp ??

Another issue is the base sound system output needs to be "flattened".

So I tried to recode my HU to "HiFi" in order to flatten the response but I've given up since I need an ICOM cable and I'm not spending $600 to buy a freakin cable so I can do this.

So the other alternative is a DSP AMP.

I see that Bimmetech and Bavsound both sell DSP Amps but they are expensive at around $1000.

What other DSP Amps would work for my requirements?

https://www.jandtdistributing.com/co...19318129197113

[lordbmw]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

https://www.jandtdistributing.com/co...19318129197113

Thanks but I was not looking to replace the existing HU.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

Thanks but I was not looking to replace the existing HU.

I'd try and purchase the system from the M3 guy. The amp is a DSP amp. However, I think you will need to either code the head unit to accept the BMW IA amp or get a head unit that will. You will also need to get a fiber optic loop. I have seen entire systems from M3's sold with the fiber optic loop on eBay and the forum.

The BMW Individual Audio system sounds awesome

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

I need some Amp recommendations for a base audio system.

I have the crappy sound system with no tweeters at all. It's absolute garbage.

I count 6 speakers total, 1 on each door (I have a coupe), 2 total in the back (one on each side panel), and 2 under the seats.

I will want to add tweeters and replace all the existing ones so that would bring the total count to 8 speakers.

So i'm guessing that means I need an 8 channel amp ??

Another issue is the base sound system output needs to be "flattened".

So I tried to recode my HU to "HiFi" in order to flatten the response but I've given up since I need an ICOM cable and I'm not spending $600 to buy a freakin cable so I can do this.

So the other alternative is a DSP AMP.

I see that Bimmetech and Bavsound both sell DSP Amps but they are expensive at around $1000.

What other DSP Amps would work for my requirements?

Alpine makes a nice DSP amp, but you'd need an amp to power it. It only has 25w a channel.

JL Audio has an amp that has 100w a channel plus an integrated DSP

http://www.jlaudio.com/vx800-8i-car-...plifiers-98633

If you coupled that with the BMW IA speakers, you'd be set

[ctuna]

Audiotech Fisher and Mosconi are ahead of the rest
in offering DSP/Amps with decent power.
I would choose AudioTech/Fisher based on there DSP.

The one pro audio installer on here that sometimes still
sometimes hangs out here says using speaker outs as the Input to a DSP does not make a difference.
If you think about its the same output chips that are just reduced to
5 volt signals and re equed. I would think it might take some range out
of the DSP but as long as it doesn't go to the limit it should be possible.

You might want to give Don at Unexpected Creations a call .
His handle on here is 6spdcoupe.
He is known to have the best Hi End audio shop on the East Coast.

https://unexpectedcreations.com/

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by lordbmw

I need some Amp recommendations for a base audio system.

I have the crappy sound system with no tweeters at all. It's absolute garbage.

I count 6 speakers total, 1 on each door (I have a coupe), 2 total in the back (one on each side panel), and 2 under the seats.

I will want to add tweeters and replace all the existing ones so that would bring the total count to 8 speakers.

So i'm guessing that means I need an 8 channel amp ??

Another issue is the base sound system output needs to be "flattened".

So I tried to recode my HU to "HiFi" in order to flatten the response but I've given up since I need an ICOM cable and I'm not spending $600 to buy a freakin cable so I can do this.

So the other alternative is a DSP AMP.

I see that Bimmetech and Bavsound both sell DSP Amps but they are expensive at around $1000.

What other DSP Amps would work for my requirements?

So, to be clear

My official recommendation would be to

1) buy a used BMW IA speaker set
2) buy the JL Audio 8 channel Amp / DSP
3) buy a techique harness
4) hardwire a center channel with premium, jacketed speaker wire & pin it into the OEM harness; you will need to know exactly what slot to pin it, or it won't work.

You should be able to do that for under $2,000.00.

I can give you the part numbers you'll need, if you choose to piece them out separately. Hopefully the guy on the M3 forum still has the set. You could sell the amp on eBay for a few $$ and make some money back.

I think at some point you'll want a separate amp for subs. The JL Audio amp/DSP should absolutely do the trick though. If you parallel some speakers, it will open up a couple spots so you can bridge your subs.

The BMW IA subs are really mid-base subs with more of a kick. I think they are rated at 7 or 8ohm & 140 watts. I'd set my cross over to 80 on that set of speakers. Don't let them play frequencies lower than that or they get really muddy.

This is why I'm saying your gonna want a separate amp for subs at some point. You'll want to add a true sub capable of playing 30 to 80 low frequencies for real base. Probably a 10 or 12". That's another "project" 😉

[Stubbie Blue]

I used a Kicker Key amp for $200 for the door and rear speakers. It will automatically EQ the speakers using a calibration microphone so you shouldn't have to recode your headunit.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1534261

I also have Audiotec Fischer Match MS 42C-BMW.1 mids and tweeters, and MW 8BMW-D underseat subs for $420. The subs are driven by a Kenwood KAC-M3004 amp for $120.

The system sounds great and can be done for less than $1000.