[Cheeeeese]

Anyone know direct comparisons between the two? The specs seem similar to me but I don't really know what I'm looking at and wondering if there are any differences in sound. Having my upgrade professionally installed and have one installer suggesting focal and the other works with JL and he is actually pushing the more expensive jl lines. I was all set for the jl set up as suggested by technic and its cheaper but as I liked the focal dealer better I wanted to see if it was worth the extra money. Have only seen positive reviews of both so any idividual experiences would be much appreciated.
Im going to get the jl xd 600/6 amp and leave the oem underseat subs.

My future possibilies:

http://www.jlaudio.com/cart

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_091IFBM...95#details-tab

Side note I could still get the installer I like more to use the jl set up just trying to do my due diligence on the focals.

[ctuna]

Morels have a better lower end for 4 inch speakers
and that is where the hole is in the 4 inch to 8 inch gap.
If the Jl plays lower I would go for that . Some have commented
that the Focals are kind of trebly and harsh .
Which system are you starting out with.
Not doing the under seats is generally a mistake.

I think that Focal kit is overpriced for what you get
they are only 50 watt speakers not the ones you usually think of when you talk about Focals.
At least there overpriced at Crutch field which does
not tend to be bargain place to buy things.

Have these guys actually done BMW's before are
they using the Technic Harness.

[Cheeeeese]

Im gonna go with the jl set up but after speaking with the installer his recommendations are a little different than what I was thinking. Starting with the HiFi system And using a technic harness. He says he has a lot of experience with BMWs

His recommendation and setup:
HD 900/5 amp
ZR tweeters- 1 channel
C5-400- 1 channel for each speaker
Under seat subs- 1 channel
Rear speakers- 1 channel

He says 6 channel amp is unnecessary and that he's worried about a separate channel for each OEM under seat sub bc itd be too much power. It seems most on here use the xd 600/6 so I'm wondering if that's really the case. The HD amp is 500 dollars more expensive so I want the xd and he suggested 700/5 with the same set up as above.

He is suggesting replacing the subs as well but I wanna keep the price tag down for now and have heard good things about the OEM subs with aftermarket amp so its worth trying.

[gte460z]

I recently installed the Focal IFBMW-S kit and they sound great! The treble is not harsh. The improvement over my stock hi-fi is amazing! I am powering them with a XD600/6. I can confirm that not doing the underseats is a mistake, I am sorely in need of some aftermarket 8" subs. I have no experience with the JL series so I can't comment on those.

[kaigoss69]

Don't listen. The underseats should be in stereo and the xd600 is perfect with 75w per channel especially if you want to keep your existing 8 inch underseats. BTW the HD900 has 500w on tap for the underseats, how is that less than 75x2 ?

[ctuna]

Stay with the xd 600/6 and do the under seats.
1 channel per door and floor each.
stereo underseats.
Better to do the underseats than the rear seats.
Also consider a set of Jehnerts.
At least for the underseats.
The xd 600 is enough power to make you deaf.
Also its less load on the electrical system.
xd 600 is the defacto amp of choice here for
Hi Fi .

[Cheeeeese]

Thanks guys I just wanted reassurance on my original plan bc this guy doesn't seem to be liking it. Think I'm gonna keep OEM under seats for now and get jehnerts in the near future. Thanks all!

[ctuna]

You will actually get some bass out of the OEM underseats
but its pretty muddy compared to almost anything you could
put in .

[gte460z]

Originally Posted by ctuna

You will actually get some bass out of the OEM underseats
but its pretty muddy compared to almost anything you could
put in .

You summed my experience up perfectly. After installing the IFBMW-S and cranking up the gain on the XD600/6 I get some decent bass from the underseats but it is very muddy compared to the new clarity you get from upgrading the mids and highs.

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by Cheeeeese

Thanks guys I just wanted reassurance on my original plan bc this guy doesn't seem to be liking it. Think I'm gonna keep OEM under seats for now and get jehnerts in the near future. Thanks all!

Have you considered the jehnert 3 way kit?

http://www.jehnert.de/2011/09/28/bmw...unting-places/

http://unexpectedcreations.com

[Cheeeeese]

I haven't really considered the jehnert 3 way kit but I'm pretty set on my jl set up. Im trying to look into it though. However one last question the jehnert underseats seem great but I'm wondering since I listen mostly to bass heavy music like rap and certain types of reggae if the sws earthquakes would be a better option (jehnerts would be great for the bass guitar of the reggae right?). I just really don't want a trunk sub so wondering which is the best compromise. I think I would happiest with the mid-bass specialist jehnerts bc I'm sure they still sound good with the music I listen too. (I do mix it up but I'd say %70 rap)

[ctuna]

Based on what you said SWS would probably more along the lines
of what you want if you don't want to a trunk sub and you like a lot
of bass.
Jehnerts are more about total accruacy and mid range.
There is another alternative that has both but its
super expensive. German Mastro and the underseat
housing has to be modified to accept them.

[bmw325i]

I like alot of bass and I actually think the jehnerts sound pretty good on there own without the subs and with only 75 watts each.

I wouldn't use the sws it's going to sound like crap and still won't compare to a good trunk sub. Just my opinion.