05-09-2019, 03:47 PM | #23 |
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@DBrab1914. Just want to clarify, your car came with the HiFi sound system, but the previous owner only changed the underseat subs without upgrading the amp? If that's the case, the amp is your weak point, upgrade that next in my opinion
I was in a similar situation as you, stock HiFi sound system (non upgraded underseat subs). After installing a used Bimmertech Amp, I was happy with the increased volume and clarity of the stock mids and highs, and the underseat subs sound a lot better. Still have to mess with the tune a bit. Just my two cents. |
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05-09-2019, 07:09 PM | #24 | |
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05-09-2019, 07:10 PM | #25 | |
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05-09-2019, 09:28 PM | #26 |
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That's possible if you have woofers with the right specs and enough power to take advantage of them. To date I've only found one woofer where that's the case, the Earthquake SWS 8X, which requires at least 150 watts to drive it to full output. What the Ghost subs will do no one can say, they don't publish specs.
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05-10-2019, 12:18 AM | #27 |
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Bavsound and bimmertech don't published spec either. That's why I never bothered with upgrading... but as of now, everyone opinion might sway me on buying the amp
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05-10-2019, 03:28 AM | #28 | |
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05-10-2019, 04:53 AM | #29 |
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The subs under the seat are apparently called mid bass, so it won't be the typical large sub sound
you'll need this https://musicarcertified.com/product...fer-enclosure/ |
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05-10-2019, 07:53 AM | #30 | |
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Even without more power the Earthquake goes lower, with the low frequency corner frequency at 50Hz versus 80Hz for the stock driver, but the trade off to get that lower corner frequency is lower sensitivity. That means with equal power the stock driver is louder. It also means that when you see advertising that claims you'll get an instant massive improvement by swapping the woofers with no change to the amp you can take those claims with a truckload of salt. |
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05-12-2019, 05:19 PM | #31 |
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Bavsound
Hi Dbrab,
I was in a similar situation to you about a year ago. I was ready to replace my amp on my 2014 435ix w std hifi. Received advice from a highly regarded audio retail specialist. They told me you would be appalled if you saw the speaker quality BMW uses in my car. They do all sorts of installs from crazy to Bavsound etc... They told me with out a doubt replace the speakers and gohst subs first and you will hear a huge difference. They said stock Bimmer speakers are paper junk. They where correct. They saved the stock speakers for me and they are a joke. Im not an audio nut but do enjoy good sound with nice highs, mids and tight noticeable bass. I have thought about replacing my amp but never pulled the trigger as the new Bavsound speakers and Gohst subs with the stock amp sound terrific. Huge mega difference from stock. Hope this helps. Last edited by jjhebigscreen; 05-12-2019 at 05:52 PM.. |
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05-12-2019, 09:33 PM | #32 |
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The stock drivers are very high quality, though the amps not so much. There's nothing wrong with treated paper blend cones. For instance: http://www.usspeaker.com/JBL%202226h-1.htm
Anyone claiming otherwise is selling you a bill of goods. |
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05-13-2019, 07:11 AM | #33 |
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Bav Sound Speakers
Hi Billfitz,
With all due respect the link you provided to a $500 JBL speaker has nothing to do with the quality of the crap stock BMW speakers ( other than the use of paper)in the std hifi system. Have you, or any one you know, changed all the speakers/ under seat subs to Bav Sound on the std hifi system and kept the stock amp? If not I dont think your opinion is very valid. Im offering my opinion from my personal experience. I cant speak to how the std hifi system would sound with an upgraded amp and stock bmw speakers. Last edited by jjhebigscreen; 05-13-2019 at 07:32 AM.. |
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05-13-2019, 07:53 AM | #34 |
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I haven't swapped my stock drivers out because no evidence provided by the makers of replacement drivers proves that they're any better, or even as good as, the OEM. I have thoroughly tested my stock hi-fi drivers and confirmed that they are very high quality. I was able to do so because as a professional loudspeaker designer I have the necessary tools and experience. And that's why I can say with full confidence that anyone who says the stock drivers are crap either doesn't have the credentials to make that assessment or they have an ulterior motive, which is to make a sale. As for your opinion, if you think new speakers will sound better, especially because you just laid out big money for them, they will. Maybe they do sound better, maybe not. But I'd no more rely on opinion alone than would I install a JB4 without seeing the dyno tests that prove its effectiveness. This is why:
http://seanolive.blogspot.com/2009/0...o-product.html |
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05-13-2019, 08:35 AM | #35 |
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If you consider other people's experiences and points of view on this forum you would expand your knowledge. But, every one is entitled to their opinion no matter what information they have been exposed to. Im no audio expert just offering my opinion. Hope it helps some board members.
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05-13-2019, 08:48 AM | #36 |
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But there have been quite a few people who have just upgraded the amp and were happing with the stock hifi speakers.
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05-13-2019, 08:56 AM | #37 |
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I was in this exact situation with my Hi-Fi equipped 320i (2015). I ended up going with the BimmerTech Amp, and I was incredibly happy with my purchase.
Any questions on the system, let me know. Installing door speakers and fumbling with subs is a lot of work, in a matter of about 2 minutes, the amp was done. |
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05-13-2019, 08:56 AM | #38 |
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Like I said I cant comment on replacing the stock amp and keeping the stock speakers. When i was looking into this project about a year ago I did not see many posts of some one who had replaced the stock amp and kept stock speakers and what their opinion was. I did go to BavSounds web site and read a few of the over 400 plus reviews on replacing speakers and or gohst subs and keeping the stock amp. The majority of the people that reviewed this option where over whelming positive. A year ago BavSound had a different amp available for sale and as I remember the reviews on the amp where also positive. Some times there is more than one way to achieve a goal. You are correct replacing an amp would be easier and faster. I paid an installer $250 to replace all nine speakers. They told me it took about two hours.
Last edited by jjhebigscreen; 05-13-2019 at 09:03 AM.. |
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05-13-2019, 09:06 AM | #39 | |
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Bill has experience in the loudspeaker field, in my mind that fact lends credence to his remarks/commentary on this subject. Without hard data (measurements in car, bench test data on speakers, etc) to backup our perceptions we are all simply expressing our opinions on the subject. |
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05-13-2019, 09:17 AM | #40 |
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From what I have learned in this thread it appears that replacing stock amp and keeping stock speakers or replacing stock speakers and keeping stock amp will lead to a vast improvement in the quality of the sound. Not sure which one I would like better as I only choose one of the routes. Well summed up Wgosma we are all expressing our personal opinions. I always put more credence into people's opinions when they are based on their own personal experience.
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05-13-2019, 09:55 AM | #41 | |
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Bill has a very solid reputation in the professional audio community, and his fact-based opinions are pretty spot on. Granted, pro audio is different than car audio, but the basic concepts of loudspeaker performance and dynamics remain the same. Listening to other opinions is of course something everyone should do, but I would venture to say that Bill is the only one on this forum who has a full array of proper equipment in a proper environment to perform testing and provide real, information backed information. I’d trust him above all personally. Granted we all hear things differently, but his spec for spec analysis and comparison is second to none. Just my $0.02. I have the HK system, and while I would love to quite some of the harshness at high volume, I'm pretty happy with it for what it is. Last edited by Phoenix704; 05-13-2019 at 12:08 PM.. |
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05-13-2019, 03:41 PM | #42 |
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Ok, I’m not mechanically inclined but it was stupid easy to change the amp. Took me more time messing with the trim and working around the convertible mechanism. To my ear, it sounds clearer and louder with the new amp. I can actually tell there are speakers under the seat now. I’m regretting not installing this back in March when I got it. I’m ready for top down season now.
Clumsy area to work in Easy to swap Plugged in to test, green light means stock speaker profile, yay I didn’t screw anything up Mounted back in place. Lots of room. |
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05-13-2019, 05:36 PM | #43 | |
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Glacier Silver Metallic 335i X-Drive - Can't leave well enough alone... Fabspeed DP, Wagner Evo Comp II IC, ER CP, BM3 Stage 2 93 OTS, Bimmertech Amp (more to come... always more) Graphite Metallic X3 (nothing yet, but... you know) |
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05-13-2019, 06:03 PM | #44 |
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How does the newer 2017/2018 HK system compare to those options discussed (bavsound etc.) - I am always one for better sound and the optional bang olufsen in my old S4 was probably the best i've had for a 'stock' option. I probably won't touch it but the upgrades mentioned were all discussed over the stock base hi fi system. i'm curious how the HK performs to more tuned and caring ears..?
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2014, 328i, amplifier, bavsound, bimmertech, f30, ghost subs, hifi, sound system |
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