[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

I have an ms8. Thanks for the suggestions I'm going to take a look at them.

With the MS-8 and OEM L7 speakers, I HIGHLY recommend leaving the L7 mid in place and adding the OEM tweeter, rather than replacing it entirely with a totally different driver.

[taibanl]

Why?

[kaigoss69]

If you introduce a different driver into the front stage, MS-8 will have to correct both level and EQ in order to compensate for the center speaker's differences. With limited power (30W per channel), you could very easily lose a lot of headroom, and run into issues with low system volume and distortion.

Besides, JBL won an IASCA SQ event with the MS-8 and the OEM L7 speakers (plus tweeters for the center and rear doors), so it's not like these speakers won't work well together.

Now if we're talking external amps, then I would say go ahead and put the best speaker in there you can find.

[taibanl]

Dont disagree except that the SL100 has the same sensitivity on the same power (volts not watts) (ms-8). Coaxial maybe a bit easier for fitments

[Dziqsek_]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=673659

I made from stock buisness audio to logic7 8 speakers for inredible small payment i wont tell the price no pne will ever believe me

[bmw325i]

I think I'm going to try out the Infiniti 42.9i it's cheap enough and is 2 ohms. The rainbows are too expensive for me right now and considering there less efficient and 4 ohms. If it doesn't sound as expected I'll just sell the pair.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

I think I'm going to try out the Infiniti 42.9i it's cheap enough and is 2 ohms. The rainbows are too expensive for me right now and considering there less efficient and 4 ohms. If it doesn't sound as expected I'll just sell the pair.

Let me know how u like it as a center

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Let me know how u like it as a center

Will do when I get it.

[Kid Red]

So as I understand it with my L7 system:
MS-8, OE Tweeter for front center, Technic's harness is all I need to be happy?

If I require more bass, then SWS 8", spacers, small 300w amp?

Are those the best basic upgrades vs entire speaker replacement? Any better options?

[taibanl]

Or buy the tweeters i want to sell.

[Kid Red]

ha. pm sent.

But as far as the options I listed, which is the best sound, best bang, preferred, etc?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by Kid Red

ha. pm sent.

But as far as the options I listed, which is the best sound, best bang, preferred, etc?

Best or cost effective. I you want a cheap but noticeable upgrade with improved center imaging, just add a tweeter as per kaigoss' suggestion. If you want a better system altogether, that is an option also. Its all what you want.

[kaigoss69]

IMO:

L7 speakers + center tweeter + MS-8 = 7/10

L7 speakers + center tweeter + MS-8 + 2ch amp for underseats = 8/10

10 = the best sound you can have in an e90

1 = BMW base audio system

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

IMO:

L7 speakers + center tweeter + MS-8 = 7/10

L7 speakers + center tweeter + MS-8 + 2ch amp for underseats = 8/10

10 = the best sound you can have in an e90

1 = BMW base audio system

That's interesting that amping the underseats makes such a small difference. I think my underseats sound like crap off the ms8's power. What volume should I be calibrating at? I've been doing -35db I'm thinking that might be my problem.

[kaigoss69]

Well it makes a pretty good difference in midbass and bass response if you add an amp. If I had to rate midbass by itself for example it would probably jump from 5 to 8. but let's not get into different categories of a purely subjective rating system.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

That's interesting that amping the underseats makes such a small difference. I think my underseats sound like crap off the ms8's power. What volume should I be calibrating at? I've been doing -35db I'm thinking that might be my problem.

Calibrate at -20 to -23 if using ms-8 power

[bmw325i]

I'll give that a try.

[kaigoss69]

I think I used -25 with good results.

[bmw325i]

I'm going to try -25 tomorrow. I tried -20 and it sounds much better but the sub output was clipping pretty bad. I might try calibrating with the sub hooked up and the gain set low. Sorry for going off topic here.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

I'm going to try -25 tomorrow. I tried -20 and it sounds much better but the sub output was clipping pretty bad. I might try calibrating with the sub hooked up and the gain set low. Sorry for going off topic here.

If sub output was clipping, you may need to turn the gain UP is shouldnt clip during cal

[bmw325i]

I've been calibrating with the sub disconnected. No problems until now.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

I've been calibrating with the sub disconnected. No problems until now.

Why???