|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
Advice on MS-8 upgrade for 2011 e90 HiFi/10 speaker setup
|
|
06-07-2011, 01:36 AM | #1 |
Private
9
Rep 56
Posts |
Advice on MS-8 upgrade for 2011 e90 HiFi/10 speaker setup
Hi,
I recently leased a 2011 328i with the HiFi 10 speaker sound system. Coming from my old 335 that had the L7 Top HiFi, I am really feeling the difference to say the least :-) I don't want to spend too much money on a leased car so looking for best bang for the buck say around $600-700. Reading up on the various upgrade options i.e. alpine, BSW, MS-8 I am inclined towards the JBL MS-8 just by itself as a replacement for the in-trunk OEM amp. My question is whether the MS-8 installed by itself is a decent enough upgrade or should I look at other options? Thanks |
06-07-2011, 02:30 AM | #2 |
Lieutenant General
1911
Rep 13,102
Posts |
ms-8 is $600 on the cheap
ms-8 is $600 on the cheap
If you wanted to make a super logic 7 system it would be a place to start.(ms-8) Its only 18 whats per channel at 4 ohm or about 30 at 2 ohms 8 channels so what are you going to do with them all. Most people use an amp with that and upgrade there floors and at least the front door speakers. A lot of people just go with an amp and speakers on the Hi Fi System since the head unit output is flat although its not as tunable a system without a processor. http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 Look for posts by Technic he has suggestions for low cost systems but most run between 700 to 1k in parts if you are looking for places that have the absolute lowest prices. And also makes a plug and play amp harness for this system and others. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=1#post5791690 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...lifiers&page=3 Last edited by ctuna; 06-07-2011 at 03:57 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 05:44 AM | #3 |
Brigadier General
300
Rep 3,969
Posts |
Read this, then decide whether or not you need the door speakers replaced.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=notes
__________________
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
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 08:45 AM | #4 |
Brigadier General
289
Rep 3,201
Posts |
Since it's a lease, some of our bolt-in, plug-in packages might be of interest. You get all the adapter parts needed and verified components.
We have MS-8 and non-MS8 packages. Take a look at http://www.musicarnw.com/bmw-upgrades/ and see if you want more details (I apologize that the HiFi section isn't don't yet). And my car came with HiFi, and having gone down this road, I would change the speakers. |
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 09:37 AM | #5 |
Brigadier General
300
Rep 3,969
Posts |
You can only do so much with $700, and you're going to have to make compromises. You have to decide what your main goals are. My main goals to improve the HiFi system using that budget would be tonality and imaging (sacrificing volume and bass). I would therefore put in an MS-8 and a center channel and call it a day. If I was a "purist", I would put in a 4-channel amp and replace the front door speakers and underseats, nothing else. If I was a bass-head, I would put a box in the trunk with 2 12s and a mono amp. All can be done for $700 or less, but if you want all of the above, then that budget simply won't work.
__________________
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
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 10:03 AM | #6 | |
Lieutenant General
2281
Rep 12,997
Posts |
Quote:
- MS-8 - HiFi/MS-8 harness - Vibe Slick 4 center speaker - OEM center speaker trim At lease return, unplug everything and sell it. No visible traces of any aftermarket modification. Done. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 01:01 PM | #7 | |
Private
9
Rep 56
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 01:05 PM | #8 | |
Private
9
Rep 56
Posts |
Quote:
A few questions: 1. Is this an easy/reasonable DIY or do I need professional installation & tuning? 2. Is the MS-8 fairly reliable? Should I buy new or used from ebay/craigslist is also fine? Thanks! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 01:06 PM | #9 | |
Private
9
Rep 56
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 01:36 PM | #10 | |
Private
3
Rep 81
Posts |
Quote:
With Technic's harness, it is a VERY reasonable install. There's lots of good info on the install and tuning the MS-8. If you are at all familiar with electronics, I'd say take a look at the install DIY guides and give it a shot. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 06:44 PM | #11 | |
Colonel
255
Rep 2,547
Posts |
Quote:
Oh and one more thing, I have you amp harness for the hifi, is it different for the ms-8? WIll the amp one work? Last edited by cdgatti; 06-07-2011 at 06:51 PM.. Reason: related question |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 07:33 PM | #12 | ||
Lieutenant General
2281
Rep 12,997
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
Nevertheless, JBL know this very well so their return policy is quite good -they will replace your MS-8 mostly without any questions asked for a full year. And so far any problems that you may have will be shown within the first week of the install in my experience, and long term reliability has been good so far (1 year+) according to forum members. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
06-07-2011, 07:38 PM | #13 | |
Lieutenant General
2281
Rep 12,997
Posts |
Quote:
What I do for the MS-8 if requested is to add the MS-8 output harness to the HiFi harness, so the MS-8 is much easier to connect to the OEM system. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-08-2011, 05:10 AM | #14 |
Colonel
255
Rep 2,547
Posts |
OK that makes sense on the ms8 harness. What about the question of, which component first, MS8 or amp, with upgraded speakers? Which one do you think there would be a higher probability of a 45 year old who listens to classic rock, jazz and talk radio, saying that is enough I don't have to go any further.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-08-2011, 05:51 AM | #15 | |
Lieutenant General
2281
Rep 12,997
Posts |
Quote:
Start with the MS-8. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
Tags |
audio, jbl, ms8, upgrade |
|
|