Easiest/cheapest drop-in speaker replacements?

alexwhittemore · 09-11-2018, 09:03 PM

I've had a subwoofer in my otherwise stock Hifi system forever, and don't much mind the sound quality - it could be better, but it's not bad enough that I want to sink money into it. Not with the sub, anyway - without it, maybe I would, ha.

Anyway the driver's door speaker is going. I haven't diagnosed for certain what's wrong, but I suppose the coil is on its way out or something. Every so often it'll just drop in volume. It won't die completely - it's still on, just almost imperceptibly quiet. I can get it come back on by turning the volume way up, then back down again. It used to happen completely at random. Now it's pretty much always "dim" when I start the car, and stays on for a while just listening to it.

My best theory at this point is that the coil has an almost-open somewhere, and cranking up the volume closes it, causes some heating, and holds it closed for at least a bit. When it opens again, the coil impedance spikes, and the volume goes way down.

Anyway long story short, I'm looking for drop-in replacements. I can get the exact part on ECSTuning for like $60, but while I'm replacing speakers, I figure I should at least look into upgrades. I know Bavsound makes a full drop-in stage one, but I'm not sure I'm game to spend $500. For $2-300, I'd probably go ahead and replace all four midranges. I definitely don't want to spend the money on a replacement amp, which it seems I'd probably need to do if I wanted to go with any more mainstream, reasonably-priced driver.

Basically, is there a cheap, "for $50 a speaker, pick this one instead of OEM" replacement option that's better, or should I pick between OEM driver replacement for $50 or full bavsound upgrade for $500?

ctuna · 09-11-2018, 09:33 PM

The weakest part of the Hi Fi system is the amp but
the speakers are not far behind. As the stock Hi Fi speakers
are 2 ohm and most aftermarkets are 4 ohm there will be
a considerable drop in volume without aftermarket power.

If you are not going to do and amp upgrade I would just get
a identical replacement.
There is a speaker list in the audio build sticky.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323

alexwhittemore · 09-11-2018, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

The weakest part of the Hi Fi system is the amp but
the speakers are not far behind. As the stock Hi Fi speakers
are 2 ohm and most aftermarkets are 4 ohm there will be
a considerable drop in volume without aftermarket power.

If you are not going to do and amp upgrade I would just get
a identical replacement.
There is a speaker list in the audio build sticky.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323

I did see those (thanks for adding the links) - but I didn't dig too hard since most in the list are 4ohm (arguably disqualifying given my no-new-amp preference) and also pretty spendy. I think the only ones on that list applicable to this case are the bavsound - mostly I'm curious if they have any direct competitors these days.

ctuna · 09-11-2018, 10:28 PM

There are many drop in kits for the E9x series now.
They aren't from sony or pioneer and such.
Mbquart would be the most recognizable.
Audio Systems, Helix Match , Gladen , Jehnert are the ones
that come up here the most.
Also Rainbow and Rockford fosgate have some to .

Bimmertech has some to now.

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-audio-for-bmw

Bent_remy · 09-11-2018, 11:27 PM

I've been looking in this my self recently. My passenger side speakers are done and Im pretty sure the driver sides are on the way out too. Bavsound definitely appears like the easiest option. I really don't want to spend $600 on speakers either but like you said without changing the amp options seem to be limited. I believe Bimmertech also makes a plug and play speaker retrofit but someone will have to correct me if I'm wrong. Im actively seeking a solution so I'm curious see which route you end up taking.

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...udio-retrofits

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

I did see those (thanks for adding the links) - but I didn't dig too hard since most in the list are 4ohm (arguably disqualifying given my no-new-amp preference) and also pretty spendy. I think the only ones on that list applicable to this case are the bavsound - mostly I'm curious if they have any direct competitors these days.

ctuna · 09-12-2018, 12:23 AM

Speaker kit from bimmertech is right on the page from the link
you listed.
All the better speaker kits are right around the 500 mark.
There was a sale on the MB quarts kit for awhile.

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-audio-for-bmw

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/speakers...amplifier-bmw/

alexwhittemore · 09-12-2018, 10:25 AM

It looks like MB Quart sells a kit, but it's 2/2/2 tweeters/mids/subs, rather than 4 mids and two tweeters. Also it seems to be 4 ohms all around, so I'm not sure if the expectation is to also replace the amp? It's on sale for $400 from $600... because it's discontinued. https://mbquart.com/mobile-audio/mob...rs/qm200-3bmw/

Otherwise, all the other kits I'm seeing from those companies seem to be 4 ohms or nonexistent as well. So I guess bavsound or OEM.

biz77 · 09-12-2018, 02:35 PM

Audio Tec Fischer (SP?) sells their Match systems for BMW for around $249 for a set. The least expensive option is to buy the adapter plates and wiring pigtails (available on eBay for about $30 shipped for both) and use whatever 4" coaxial or component set you want.

alexwhittemore · 09-12-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

Audio Tec Fischer (SP?) sells their Match systems for BMW for around $249 for a set. The least expensive option is to buy the adapter plates and wiring pigtails (available on eBay for about $30 shipped for both) and use whatever 4" coaxial or component set you want.

I couldn't find the kit of which you speak, I can't find pricing for any of their products, and their north american distributor is a canadian company whose homepage is facebook and whose URL doesn't even redirect to it. So I'm kind of inclined to believe they don't actually exist

biz77 · 09-12-2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

I couldn't find the kit of which you speak, I can't find pricing for any of their products, and their north american distributor is a canadian company whose homepage is facebook and whose URL doesn't even redirect to it. So I'm kind of inclined to believe they don't actually exist

Because only the shadiest of shady online sellers carry the product and you didn't explore the "dark web"

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_975MS4...l?tp=102&avf=Y

alexwhittemore · 09-12-2018, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

Because only the shadiest of shady online sellers carry the product and you didn't explore the "dark web"

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_975MS4...l?tp=102&avf=Y

Hold the phones, you meant $250 a door?! Sweet LORD that's not what the doctor ordered.

Stubbie Blue · 09-12-2018, 09:51 PM

I think you should just get an OEM replacement.

I upgraded to those Match speakers (front tweeters x 2 and mids x 2, subwoofers x 2 for $420) in my 2012 135i coupe: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1534261

I left the rear speakers stock so the sound is not well matched in volume or timbre. As mentioned, this is because the factory speakers are 2 ohm while most aftermarkets are 4 ohm. Also, the Match speakers alone do not improve the sound much if you run them off the stock amp because it doesn't have enough power to push 4 ohm speakers.

So I installed a Kicker KEY180.4 amp ($200) for the mids and tweeters, and it has a mic to do Auto EQ and time alignment, so now the system sounds great and balanced. I also installed a $120 Kenwood amp for the subs.

But this is probably more than you want to spend right? Especially if you're already happy with the stock door speakers and an add-on sub.

6spdcoupe · 09-12-2018, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

Hold the phones, you meant $250 a door?! Sweet LORD that's not what the doctor ordered.

Where in the world do you get $250 a door from that link ?? It's pretty clear that it's a full set or maybe you're just a pictures kind of reader ?

Yangorang · 09-13-2018, 02:13 PM

I was able to get the MB Quart QM200.3BMW speakers for only about $200 on sale and then I bought used Logic7 speakers off eBay for cheap as well. Those are about the only cheap "drop-in" replacements around. I also went for the Bimmertech amp and had everything tuned.

I will say I had a ton of problems with the crappy crimped on spade connectors that MB Quart uses. I ended up going in later and just soldering everything or using proper connectors and never had a problem since.

biz77 · 09-13-2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexwhittemore

Hold the phones, you meant $250 a door?! Sweet LORD that's not what the doctor ordered.

First bullet point:
component system includes two woofers, two tweeters, and two crossovers

alexwhittemore · 09-13-2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

First bullet point:
component system includes two woofers, two tweeters, and two crossovers

Yeah, I missed it. My bad.

Jesus christ, people suck.

Edit: Ahh, I see now that you edited the post. Thank you for realizing it before I even read it (sort of).

alexwhittemore · 09-13-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yangorang

I was able to get the MB Quart QM200.3BMW speakers for only about $200 on sale and then I bought used Logic7 speakers off eBay for cheap as well. Those are about the only cheap "drop-in" replacements around. I also went for the Bimmertech amp and had everything tuned.

I will say I had a ton of problems with the crappy crimped on spade connectors that MB Quart uses. I ended up going in later and just soldering everything or using proper connectors and never had a problem since.

Thanks for the actually-useful input

kaigoss69 · 09-28-2018, 07:52 AM

Replace only the front midranges, with something like this (FaitalPRO 4FE32):

https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1010869

Damaskus325 · 10-05-2018, 09:47 AM

I thought technically, the OEM speakers in the HiFi are 4 ohm but the factory amp wires them in parallel with the tweeters making a 2 ohm load. I hope this is the case because I just bought some Focal 4 ohm speakers for the fronts and my aftermarket amp is only 4 ohm stable for my front and rear channels. My 5 and 6 channels are going to run my trunk sub bridged. I was going to run my Focals off of it up front and keep my OEM rears and run those too. I already have an aftermarket head unit, so I don't have that balance differential issue.
Here is my amp for reference.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GS6...s6dsp&skipvs=T

ctuna · 10-05-2018, 01:36 PM

Damaskus325 · 10-05-2018, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

I am positive I have the Hifi system. I took the OEM speakers out to see how my Focals would sound with the factory amp (awful by the way) and I distinctly remember the tweeter and speaker stamped with 4 ohm. I assume the rear speakers are the same. The issue with my Sony amp is not the amount of channels but the impedance. I can use the 5th and 6th channels for either my under seats at 2 ohm as you said, or bridge them for my Boston Acoustics trunk sub. The issue is the front 4 channels only support 4 ohm loads. My Focal 100 VRS can handle that but I keep getting conflicting info on the true impedance of the OEM speakers. I can't wire the rears up if they are true 2 ohm to a 4 ohm stable channel. It would over work the amp and eventually kill it.

ctuna · 10-05-2018, 02:54 PM

Documentation disagrees with you and when I took mine out they
were 2 ohm. And also measure that through an ohmeter.

If your using aftermarket stuff it shouldn't matter at all your
only consideration is matching the power to the speakers.
The stock wiring is good for something like 150 watts per channel.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970
from the above.
channels
10 loudspeakers
• 2 treble loudspeakers, front 26 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, front 100 mm
• 2 bass loudspeakers, 217 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear, 100 mm
• 2 treble loudspeakers, rear 26 mm
Bandwidth: 40 Hz to 20.000 Hz
Max. acoustic pressure: 104 dB
Amplifier power:
2 x 40 W (2 Ω) Bass
4 x 25 W (2 Ω
Note the under seats are 2 ohm also.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-BMW-32...-/152474621053

4 ohms is pretty standard for most any amp and speakers
these days.

If it worry you that the speakers are 2 ohms get some cheap substitutes.
Or for example I am running a sd 600/6 that gives the rears 100watts at 4 ohm. Minamum gain on the amp and
faded out at -4 to -6 no problems have had it for 3 or 4 years now.

09-11-2018, 09:03 PM	#1
alexwhittemore Lieutenant Colonel 110 Rep 1,951 Posts Drives: 2009 Crimson 328i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Easiest/cheapest drop-in speaker replacements? I've had a subwoofer in my otherwise stock Hifi system forever, and don't much mind the sound quality - it could be better, but it's not bad enough that I want to sink money into it. Not with the sub, anyway - without it, maybe I would, ha. Anyway the driver's door speaker is going. I haven't diagnosed for certain what's wrong, but I suppose the coil is on its way out or something. Every so often it'll just drop in volume. It won't die completely - it's still on, just almost imperceptibly quiet. I can get it come back on by turning the volume way up, then back down again. It used to happen completely at random. Now it's pretty much always "dim" when I start the car, and stays on for a while just listening to it. My best theory at this point is that the coil has an almost-open somewhere, and cranking up the volume closes it, causes some heating, and holds it closed for at least a bit. When it opens again, the coil impedance spikes, and the volume goes way down. Anyway long story short, I'm looking for drop-in replacements. I can get the exact part on ECSTuning for like $60, but while I'm replacing speakers, I figure I should at least look into upgrades. I know Bavsound makes a full drop-in stage one, but I'm not sure I'm game to spend $500. For $2-300, I'd probably go ahead and replace all four midranges. I definitely don't want to spend the money on a replacement amp, which it seems I'd probably need to do if I wanted to go with any more mainstream, reasonably-priced driver. Basically, is there a cheap, "for $50 a speaker, pick this one instead of OEM" replacement option that's better, or should I pick between OEM driver replacement for $50 or full bavsound upgrade for $500? __________________
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09-11-2018, 09:33 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	The weakest part of the Hi Fi system is the amp but the speakers are not far behind. As the stock Hi Fi speakers are 2 ohm and most aftermarkets are 4 ohm there will be a considerable drop in volume without aftermarket power. If you are not going to do and amp upgrade I would just get a identical replacement. There is a speaker list in the audio build sticky. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 Last edited by ctuna; 09-11-2018 at 09:45 PM..
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09-11-2018, 10:28 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)	There are many drop in kits for the E9x series now. They aren't from sony or pioneer and such. Mbquart would be the most recognizable. Audio Systems, Helix Match , Gladen , Jehnert are the ones that come up here the most. Also Rainbow and Rockford fosgate have some to . Bimmertech has some to now. https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-audio-for-bmw Last edited by ctuna; 09-11-2018 at 10:35 PM..
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09-12-2018, 12:23 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)	Speaker kit from bimmertech is right on the page from the link you listed. All the better speaker kits are right around the 500 mark. There was a sale on the MB quarts kit for awhile. https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-audio-for-bmw https://www.bimmer-tech.net/speakers...amplifier-bmw/
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09-12-2018, 10:25 AM	#7
alexwhittemore Lieutenant Colonel 110 Rep 1,951 Posts Drives: 2009 Crimson 328i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	It looks like MB Quart sells a kit, but it's 2/2/2 tweeters/mids/subs, rather than 4 mids and two tweeters. Also it seems to be 4 ohms all around, so I'm not sure if the expectation is to also replace the amp? It's on sale for $400 from $600... because it's discontinued. https://mbquart.com/mobile-audio/mob...rs/qm200-3bmw/ Otherwise, all the other kits I'm seeing from those companies seem to be 4 ohms or nonexistent as well. So I guess bavsound or OEM. __________________
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09-12-2018, 02:35 PM	#8
biz77 Captain 165 Rep 608 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (4)	Audio Tec Fischer (SP?) sells their Match systems for BMW for around $249 for a set. The least expensive option is to buy the adapter plates and wiring pigtails (available on eBay for about $30 shipped for both) and use whatever 4" coaxial or component set you want.
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09-12-2018, 09:51 PM	#12
Stubbie Blue Private First Class 145 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I think you should just get an OEM replacement. I upgraded to those Match speakers (front tweeters x 2 and mids x 2, subwoofers x 2 for $420) in my 2012 135i coupe: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1534261 I left the rear speakers stock so the sound is not well matched in volume or timbre. As mentioned, this is because the factory speakers are 2 ohm while most aftermarkets are 4 ohm. Also, the Match speakers alone do not improve the sound much if you run them off the stock amp because it doesn't have enough power to push 4 ohm speakers. So I installed a Kicker KEY180.4 amp ($200) for the mids and tweeters, and it has a mic to do Auto EQ and time alignment, so now the system sounds great and balanced. I also installed a $120 Kenwood amp for the subs. But this is probably more than you want to spend right? Especially if you're already happy with the stock door speakers and an add-on sub.
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09-13-2018, 02:13 PM	#14
Yangorang Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I was able to get the MB Quart QM200.3BMW speakers for only about $200 on sale and then I bought used Logic7 speakers off eBay for cheap as well. Those are about the only cheap "drop-in" replacements around. I also went for the Bimmertech amp and had everything tuned. I will say I had a ton of problems with the crappy crimped on spade connectors that MB Quart uses. I ended up going in later and just soldering everything or using proper connectors and never had a problem since.
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09-28-2018, 07:52 AM	#18
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	Replace only the front midranges, with something like this (FaitalPRO 4FE32): https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1010869 __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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10-05-2018, 09:47 AM	#19
Damaskus325 Private 24 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 328ix sport package Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Bardstown KY iTrader: (0)	I thought technically, the OEM speakers in the HiFi are 4 ohm but the factory amp wires them in parallel with the tweeters making a 2 ohm load. I hope this is the case because I just bought some Focal 4 ohm speakers for the fronts and my aftermarket amp is only 4 ohm stable for my front and rear channels. My 5 and 6 channels are going to run my trunk sub bridged. I was going to run my Focals off of it up front and keep my OEM rears and run those too. I already have an aftermarket head unit, so I don't have that balance differential issue. Here is my amp for reference. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GS6...s6dsp&skipvs=T
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10-05-2018, 01:36 PM	#20
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	There are 6 channels coming from the hi fi amp. a 4 channel amp is not enough channels. Looks like that amp gives you the choice of 4 channels with a sub or 6 channels with two going to the under seats. Are you sure you have a Hi Fi 676 system the wiring is pretty simple no parallel wiring except for the tweeters and mids in the door.(which is taken care of by the aftermarket crossover) http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 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=343673 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 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...4&d=1278871872 all speakers in the Hi Fi system are 2 ohm The stock amp has 6 channels (2 for floors 4 for doors/rear deck) Last edited by ctuna; 10-05-2018 at 01:46 PM..
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10-05-2018, 02:54 PM	#22
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,101 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Documentation disagrees with you and when I took mine out they were 2 ohm. And also measure that through an ohmeter. If your using aftermarket stuff it shouldn't matter at all your only consideration is matching the power to the speakers. The stock wiring is good for something like 150 watts per channel. http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 from the above. channels 10 loudspeakers • 2 treble loudspeakers, front 26 mm • 2 mid-range loudspeakers, front 100 mm • 2 bass loudspeakers, 217 mm • 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear, 100 mm • 2 treble loudspeakers, rear 26 mm Bandwidth: 40 Hz to 20.000 Hz Max. acoustic pressure: 104 dB Amplifier power: 2 x 40 W (2 Ω) Bass 4 x 25 W (2 Ω Note the under seats are 2 ohm also. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-BMW-32...-/152474621053 4 ohms is pretty standard for most any amp and speakers these days. If it worry you that the speakers are 2 ohms get some cheap substitutes. Or for example I am running a sd 600/6 that gives the rears 100watts at 4 ohm. Minamum gain on the amp and faded out at -4 to -6 no problems have had it for 3 or 4 years now. Last edited by ctuna; 10-05-2018 at 03:21 PM..
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