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Basic audio upgrade
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11-17-2020, 05:57 AM | #1 |
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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
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11-17-2020, 01:03 PM | #3 |
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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? |
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11-17-2020, 07:59 PM | #4 |
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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 |
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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? |
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11-18-2020, 10:32 AM | #6 |
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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 |
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11-18-2020, 04:42 PM | #7 |
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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 ) |
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11-19-2020, 04:56 PM | #8 | |
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11-19-2020, 05:12 PM | #9 |
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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 |
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11-19-2020, 05:33 PM | #10 |
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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?
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11-19-2020, 05:51 PM | #11 |
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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 |
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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
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11-20-2020, 08:47 AM | #13 |
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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 |
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11-20-2020, 11:57 AM | #14 |
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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. |
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11-20-2020, 04:04 PM | #16 |
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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
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11-20-2020, 04:11 PM | #17 |
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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.
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11-21-2020, 06:11 AM | #18 |
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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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11-23-2020, 07:26 PM | #19 | |
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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. |
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11-26-2020, 05:36 PM | #20 |
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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? |
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11-27-2020, 12:46 AM | #21 |
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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
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11-27-2020, 02:44 AM | #22 | |
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What does the kit consist of and how much can you do it for? Last edited by pf85; 11-27-2020 at 02:58 AM.. |
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amp, audio, basic, bass, hifi, speakers |
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