Basic audio upgrade

pf85 · 11-17-2020, 05:57 AM

Hi all,

I've owned my 2012 e92 lci 335D for just over a year now and it's been a fantastic car - it has most extras and mods which I'd want however the one thing which I don't like is the basic audio package. Its average at best and really lacks some punch.

I've just purchased a set of HI-FI speakers off ebay which should be arriving in the next couple of weeks (2 tweeters and 4 mids). I plan to directly retrofit these but realise only the tweeters will have any improvement.

I'd really like to get more bass - the mid/highs should be more acceptable with the tweeters in place. I don't plan to spend much money on this so that rules out the Alpine upgrade etc. I'd just like some more punch from the bass. I do have 2x In Phase IPA900 amplifiers sitting about which I could use if this is an option. Would it be a good idea to use one of these to power the underseat subs/door speakers?

I'd like to hear what you guys/gals would recommend.

Thanks

ctuna · 11-17-2020, 11:04 AM

pf85 · 11-17-2020, 01:03 PM

So my system is the bog standard Stereo/base. I dont have any tweeters or an amp. I am based in the UK.

Now that I'm swapping the standard speakers out for the HI-FI speakers should I fit a DSP and clean sweep to flatten the eq? Or would this not be recommended?

ctuna · 11-17-2020, 07:59 PM

forget about the clean sweep it's obsolete.
DSP if you can afford it.

If you read the base system stuff the minimum is and amp fro at least
the front floor and door system.

If your on a tight budget it's rough to do anything with this system unless
you are an expert at dumpster diving.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253

pf85 · 11-18-2020, 02:40 AM

Sorry I'm not an expert by any means when it comes to car audio. Will I need a DSP if I buy the jl audio 6 channel amplifier which has the built in hi/lo pass eq settings?

Also will the HIFI mids and underseat subs (blue stickers) have much improvement if they are amped?

ctuna · 11-18-2020, 10:32 AM

The Hi Fi speaker do sound better under amplification but there still
not that good.

No the eq from and amp without real DSP won't flatten the curve .
You either need a recode to Hi Fi or use a DSP witch will do the same thing
as a cleansweep on the output .

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

E92x7z · 11-18-2020, 04:42 PM

option 1 :
coding to HI FI
HI LOW adapter in front line to aftermarket 2 ch. amp to underseat midbass and change drivers to some 6.5 + ring or 8 Plug and play
option 2
VIBE powerbox 65.04 or Focal impulse 4.320 they amps have RCA OUTPUTS to another AMP aprox. to you Phase and underseats midbass
option 3 DSP ... and money )

pf85 · 11-19-2020, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92x7z

option 1 :
coding to HI FI
HI LOW adapter in front line to aftermarket 2 ch. amp to underseat midbass and change drivers to some 6.5 + ring or 8 Plug and play
option 2
VIBE powerbox 65.04 or Focal impulse 4.320 they amps have RCA OUTPUTS to another AMP aprox. to you Phase and underseats midbass
option 3 DSP ... and money )

Would i still need to code the unit to hifi if I install the VIBE powerbox 65.04? And does this require a custom harness to work with the CIC HU?

ctuna · 11-19-2020, 05:12 PM

You need DSP or recode to get a flat frequency response.
The poor man's way is to set the passive crossover to the negative
db setting if you have one.

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

The above is why.

Technic makes 4 kinds of harnesses for the base system.
depending on what you want to hook up.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...9c6jxCse4lPbHN

pf85 · 11-19-2020, 05:33 PM

After recoding to get a flat curve will it still be ok to leave the 2 rear speakers running from the HU with the others running off the VIBE amp? Or will they run really poorly with the direct flat signal?

ctuna · 11-19-2020, 05:51 PM

Yes but the volume will drop by more than half.
Also it requires the more expensive ICOM cable to program the
radio on cars made after 3/07

pf85 · 11-20-2020, 04:27 AM

Thanks, I'm finding out some really useful knowledge here, unfortunately it keeps resulting in spending more £££

so the VIBE powerbox 65.04 4 channel amp will that only be driving the 2 underseat subs and front door speakers?

When I search for ICOM cables none of them mention they work with E series, only F series cars? I have the attached cable I already have which works with XHP and Carly etc, you dont think it will be capable to recode?

https://ibb.co/3k14VYT

E92x7z · 11-20-2020, 08:47 AM

vibe is a 65 rms in 4 chanel .... 4 chanel 2 front 2 rear .. you subwoofers is a in front chanels ... better unhook them and plug to aftermarket amp.

you need this harnes https://vibeaudio.co.uk/product/powerbox65-4bmw3

ctuna · 11-20-2020, 11:57 AM

The standard thing to do is to split the parallel connection between the
underseats and the front doors. In that configuration a 4 channel amp would
be used to only drive the 4 basic speaker locations in the Front .
When you reprogram to Hi Fi all channels from the Head unit drop to a
differential 5 volt signal that is ideal to drive and Amp. (basically a reduced speaker out)
That is why the volume will drop .

As far as canned programs via Carly or other's you would see that function in the Menu if it
has it and was supported . You might try calling them .
Bimmergeeks would more likly support that function.
And for coding questions you should go to the coding sub forum.

andrewbr · 11-20-2020, 02:18 PM

Will that Vibe Powerbox work with a base stereo? Seems too good to be true.

pf85 · 11-20-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewbr

Will that Vibe Powerbox work with a base stereo? Seems too good to be true.

It will yes and its a good idea however the base speakers are poor and don't have tweeters so there's more work to be done than just adding the VIBE and hey presto. Plus it only powers 4 speakers so you will have at least 2 other speakers not amped

andrewbr · 11-20-2020, 04:11 PM

Yep, understood, just wondering in terms of DSP/other processing to get rid of the built-in settings from the "base" HU. Seems like any base stereo upgrade has a DSP or re-code to HiFi low-level outputs.

E92x7z · 11-21-2020, 06:11 AM

yes this work in base audio have one is a time ago ... just better need coding to HI FI https://www.drive2.ru/l/552787168519521895/

bluewater328 · 11-23-2020, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pf85

Thanks, I'm finding out some really useful knowledge here, unfortunately it keeps resulting in spending more £££

so the VIBE powerbox 65.04 4 channel amp will that only be driving the 2 underseat subs and front door speakers?

When I search for ICOM cables none of them mention they work with E series, only F series cars? I have the attached cable I already have which works with XHP and Carly etc, you dont think it will be capable to recode?

https://ibb.co/3k14VYT

I don't want to get anyone's hopes up as not everyone was successful, but I did the recode to HiFi from base audio with a Bimmergeeks K+DCAN. Took more than one try and I swear letting it fully go into sleep mode was the trick (ie. I left it overnight rather than messing with it 30 min later).

Regarding ICOM, you can always use ICOM to troubleshoot and read codes, INPA/ISTA+, it's what the dealer does. Overpriced for just doing those things though. ICOM is REQUIRED for ISTA-P because it gives you the most amount of fail-safes during programming.

Carly will not recode to HIFI, Bimmergeeks' ProTool app will not code to HiFi, IIRC. The main ones those two cater to are the simple stuff like lights check codeouts, folding mirrors, V=, etc. But there were a surprising amount of small things I found...there is a ProTool FB group, that I'd encourage you to find out and ask questions. They are surprisingly responsive there. I've actually seen people request programming and get it...no guarantees though.

pf85 · 11-26-2020, 05:36 PM

About to pull the trigger and buy the vibe 4 channel amp. Should the channel driving the mids and tweeters be set to high pass filter and the subs left as default? Unfortunately this amp doesn't give you the ability to fine tune the frequencies any further than that it seems.

I've fitted the tweeters to the car today and when I tweak the tone settings I can get quite good overall high tones now and when turned up it will be loud enough for what I want. I just need some more punch from the subs. I'll be fitting the 8" hifi subs this weekend.

The other option might be to run the subs off my Inphase amp but how much power will the hifi subs take? Is this a better route than the vibe amp as I shouldnt need to recode or change the wiring harness, just tap into the sub wires?

ptpending · 11-27-2020, 12:46 AM

4 channel is not enough if you have rear pdc, because you'll get problem with them
for cars with pdc you need at least 6 channel amp

i can source used bmw alpine kit for a reasonable sum and ship it

pf85 · 11-27-2020, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

4 channel is not enough if you have rear pdc, because you'll get problem with them
for cars with pdc you need at least 6 channel amp

i can source used bmw alpine kit for a reasonable sum and ship it

Would the PDC still not come through the front speakers as normal?

What does the kit consist of and how much can you do it for?

11-17-2020, 05:57 AM	#1
pf85 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e92 lci 335D Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 335D [0.00]	Basic audio upgrade Hi all, I've owned my 2012 e92 lci 335D for just over a year now and it's been a fantastic car - it has most extras and mods which I'd want however the one thing which I don't like is the basic audio package. Its average at best and really lacks some punch. I've just purchased a set of HI-FI speakers off ebay which should be arriving in the next couple of weeks (2 tweeters and 4 mids). I plan to directly retrofit these but realise only the tweeters will have any improvement. I'd really like to get more bass - the mid/highs should be more acceptable with the tweeters in place. I don't plan to spend much money on this so that rules out the Alpine upgrade etc. I'd just like some more punch from the bass. I do have 2x In Phase IPA900 amplifiers sitting about which I could use if this is an option. Would it be a good idea to use one of these to power the underseat subs/door speakers? I'd like to hear what you guys/gals would recommend. Thanks __________________ Daily: 2012 BMW e92 335D - 385bhp Weekend: 1996 Toyota Supra - 600bhp
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11-17-2020, 11:04 AM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/ Base System Upgrades http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1378833 base system wiring pre/post 3/09 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...tDpLJPcGkw_ui_ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954 http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1003810 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366 http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234 http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234 http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957
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11-17-2020, 01:03 PM	#3
pf85 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e92 lci 335D Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 335D [0.00]	So my system is the bog standard Stereo/base. I dont have any tweeters or an amp. I am based in the UK. Now that I'm swapping the standard speakers out for the HI-FI speakers should I fit a DSP and clean sweep to flatten the eq? Or would this not be recommended?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2020, 07:59 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	forget about the clean sweep it's obsolete. DSP if you can afford it. If you read the base system stuff the minimum is and amp fro at least the front floor and door system. If your on a tight budget it's rough to do anything with this system unless you are an expert at dumpster diving. http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253 Last edited by ctuna; 11-18-2020 at 10:36 AM..
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11-18-2020, 02:40 AM	#5
pf85 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e92 lci 335D Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 335D [0.00]	Sorry I'm not an expert by any means when it comes to car audio. Will I need a DSP if I buy the jl audio 6 channel amplifier which has the built in hi/lo pass eq settings? Also will the HIFI mids and underseat subs (blue stickers) have much improvement if they are amped?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2020, 10:32 AM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	The Hi Fi speaker do sound better under amplification but there still not that good. No the eq from and amp without real DSP won't flatten the curve . You either need a recode to Hi Fi or use a DSP witch will do the same thing as a cleansweep on the output . http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=graph
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-18-2020, 04:42 PM	#7
E92x7z Private First Class 21 Rep 129 Posts Drives: BMW e92 330 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0)	option 1 : coding to HI FI HI LOW adapter in front line to aftermarket 2 ch. amp to underseat midbass and change drivers to some 6.5 + ring or 8 Plug and play option 2 VIBE powerbox 65.04 or Focal impulse 4.320 they amps have RCA OUTPUTS to another AMP aprox. to you Phase and underseats midbass option 3 DSP ... and money )
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2020, 05:12 PM	#9
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	You need DSP or recode to get a flat frequency response. The poor man's way is to set the passive crossover to the negative db setting if you have one. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=graph The above is why. Technic makes 4 kinds of harnesses for the base system. depending on what you want to hook up. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...9c6jxCse4lPbHN
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2020, 05:33 PM	#10
pf85 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e92 lci 335D Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 335D [0.00]	After recoding to get a flat curve will it still be ok to leave the 2 rear speakers running from the HU with the others running off the VIBE amp? Or will they run really poorly with the direct flat signal?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-19-2020, 05:51 PM	#11
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Yes but the volume will drop by more than half. Also it requires the more expensive ICOM cable to program the radio on cars made after 3/07
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11-20-2020, 04:27 AM	#12
pf85 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e92 lci 335D Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 335D [0.00]	Thanks, I'm finding out some really useful knowledge here, unfortunately it keeps resulting in spending more £££ so the VIBE powerbox 65.04 4 channel amp will that only be driving the 2 underseat subs and front door speakers? When I search for ICOM cables none of them mention they work with E series, only F series cars? I have the attached cable I already have which works with XHP and Carly etc, you dont think it will be capable to recode? https://ibb.co/3k14VYT __________________ Daily: 2012 BMW e92 335D - 385bhp Weekend: 1996 Toyota Supra - 600bhp Last edited by pf85; 11-20-2020 at 04:30 AM.. Reason: Add link to photo
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11-20-2020, 08:47 AM	#13
E92x7z Private First Class 21 Rep 129 Posts Drives: BMW e92 330 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0)	vibe is a 65 rms in 4 chanel .... 4 chanel 2 front 2 rear .. you subwoofers is a in front chanels ... better unhook them and plug to aftermarket amp. you need this harnes https://vibeaudio.co.uk/product/powerbox65-4bmw3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2020, 11:57 AM	#14
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	The standard thing to do is to split the parallel connection between the underseats and the front doors. In that configuration a 4 channel amp would be used to only drive the 4 basic speaker locations in the Front . When you reprogram to Hi Fi all channels from the Head unit drop to a differential 5 volt signal that is ideal to drive and Amp. (basically a reduced speaker out) That is why the volume will drop . As far as canned programs via Carly or other's you would see that function in the Menu if it has it and was supported . You might try calling them . Bimmergeeks would more likly support that function. And for coding questions you should go to the coding sub forum.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2020, 02:18 PM	#15
andrewbr Enlisted Member 3 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Will that Vibe Powerbox work with a base stereo? Seems too good to be true.
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11-20-2020, 04:11 PM	#17
andrewbr Enlisted Member 3 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Yep, understood, just wondering in terms of DSP/other processing to get rid of the built-in settings from the "base" HU. Seems like any base stereo upgrade has a DSP or re-code to HiFi low-level outputs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-21-2020, 06:11 AM	#18
E92x7z Private First Class 21 Rep 129 Posts Drives: BMW e92 330 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0)	yes this work in base audio have one is a time ago ... just better need coding to HI FI https://www.drive2.ru/l/552787168519521895/
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11-26-2020, 05:36 PM	#20
pf85 New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: e92 lci 335D Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 335D [0.00]	About to pull the trigger and buy the vibe 4 channel amp. Should the channel driving the mids and tweeters be set to high pass filter and the subs left as default? Unfortunately this amp doesn't give you the ability to fine tune the frequencies any further than that it seems. I've fitted the tweeters to the car today and when I tweak the tone settings I can get quite good overall high tones now and when turned up it will be loud enough for what I want. I just need some more punch from the subs. I'll be fitting the 8" hifi subs this weekend. The other option might be to run the subs off my Inphase amp but how much power will the hifi subs take? Is this a better route than the vibe amp as I shouldnt need to recode or change the wiring harness, just tap into the sub wires?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-27-2020, 12:46 AM	#21
ptpending Colonel 456 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	4 channel is not enough if you have rear pdc, because you'll get problem with them for cars with pdc you need at least 6 channel amp i can source used bmw alpine kit for a reasonable sum and ship it __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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