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More Bass Please
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09-14-2016, 03:38 AM | #1 |
First Lieutenant
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More Bass Please
Hi guys
I have a pre lci with the standard sound system. An improvement area I have listed for modification is the sound system in particular the bass. I think the way forward is under seat subs. I don't even think mine has these as standard ? What are my options ? I want no more than £200 (lower if poss) + plug and play |
09-14-2016, 03:48 AM | #2 |
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From my understanding all have underseats even on the base setup.
There are a couple of options (L7 seem the best option but rarely come up) but I'd say try the MB Quart (QMW-200) which are a direct replacement. When I was looking there some good posts in my wanted thread - Check the Link Only thing is whether you would need a better amp to drive them properly (alpine upgrade amp etc)
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09-14-2016, 06:40 AM | #4 |
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You have underseat subs. Your problem is the standard headunit has no power to push them properly, so changing the subs will do very little.
You need to do the Alpine retrofit, really gives the standard subs a good kick, and if it's still not enough there's power left in the added amp to change the standard subs for the L7s. It's plug and play, but more than your budget, around £350 from memory. |
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09-14-2016, 11:38 AM | #5 |
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+1, I would find them from a US seller that ships to the UK. I paid £210 inc delivery for L7 subs, L7 front mids and tweeters, L7 shelf mids and tweeters, E90 door surround.
I then used an aftermarket Kenwood amp and it sounds miles better than an Alpine setup. So much more bass and clarity. TBH I think the Alpine setup is expensive at £350 as the speakers are only equivalent to Hifi speakers. |
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09-14-2016, 11:48 AM | #6 | |
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09-14-2016, 11:54 AM | #7 |
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I went for a Kenwood kac-m3004. It was also purchased from ebay US.
It's power output matches the L7 speakers and subs near enough perfectly. As a bonus, the amp is very small and fits very well in the boot. To be honest most aftermarket amps will be much better than the Alpine as that is designed to work with the Alpine speakers and the standard subs! On a side not, I also bought a Audison Bit Ten from a forum member but not installed yet. Wasnt planning on buying this but it turned up at a good price. My system sounds fantastic now and coding it to Hifi should make a big improvement again according to most people. But i rather use the Audison to de-equalize the sound rather than to code it. Watch this space! |
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09-15-2016, 12:40 AM | #10 |
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This is the place to start: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
First off you should have your HU coded to HI-FI. That in itself will improve the sound a lot. If you can stretch your budget then my suggestion would be the MB Quart QM 200.3. These can be had for under £220 - check German e-bay. Then all you need to source is a suitable amp. If you DIY it then it won't come to more than £350 including wires etc. The coding would need to be done as a favour or paid for so budget if you cannot find someone willing to help. Here is my review of the MB set up: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846424 The Alpine Kit can be had off German e-bay for less than £355 for the full kit. Here is some food for thought: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E90-E9...3D331953911325 Definitely consider the tweeters when you have added the bass you will wish you could balance the system out with tweeters. If you are a bass junkie then a sub is the way to go no doubt... no under seats can replace a sub even if they do come close. |
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09-15-2016, 03:20 AM | #11 |
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09-15-2016, 03:29 AM | #12 |
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09-15-2016, 04:10 AM | #13 |
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L7's do sound a bit better.
In my E81, I had the Alpine Kit (amp & harness) with L7 mids, Alpine Tweeters and L7 subs. It sounded good! In my E91, I had the Alpine Kit with the normal Alpine speakers, but added L7 subs again, it was excellent, but I do remember the set up in my E81 being a bit better. I have my Alpine Kit, and L7 subs for sale, having just retrofitted the 13 speaker Individual Audio into my car. |
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09-15-2016, 06:59 AM | #14 |
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Alpine sits a little above HiFi, mainly due to the amp than the speakers. There's no reason a paper cone is any worse than an aluminium one, they produce a slightly different sound.
I'm on the way to this setup slowly, which I think is probably the best bang for buck and simplicity. Alpine Retrofit HiFi coding L7 Subwoofers |
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09-15-2016, 10:18 AM | #16 |
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Pretty much, why I haven't had mine done is that I know there's no one local to me.
You could also buy the cable, download the software and do it yourself, if you have a Windows machine. |
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09-15-2016, 11:12 AM | #17 |
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Coding is not difficult if you have NCS expert.
But bare in mind, once coding your rear speakers will go very quiet and so will the warning sounds and pdc. This is why I didn't do it. |
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09-15-2016, 11:40 AM | #18 | |
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09-15-2016, 12:11 PM | #19 | |
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You still need to tap at the parallel connection in door sills like the Alpine, then just run the cables to the amp in the boot. Cable goes to the input and output of amp. Just ensure the amp has speaker level inputs. |
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09-15-2016, 12:32 PM | #20 |
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Get an Alpine SWE-815. Job done.
I have one in my Civic and it's great. https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/pro...l-kaArBt8P8HAQ |
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09-15-2016, 03:20 PM | #21 |
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As the rear speakers are unamped you don't really want them loud anyway, it ruins the soundstage.
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09-15-2016, 04:52 PM | #22 |
First Lieutenant
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Thanks for the info.
I have a windows laptop , Bluetooth odb2 and will get that software. I'm also part developer by trade so hoping find it easy. *** 24 hours later new forum question "how do I logon " *** |
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