Audio upgrade plan, please comment...

[Bill Valley]

I have a 2002 X5, non-dsp, non-nav. I have replaced the stock front speakers (woofer and tweet), but I am not sure replacing stock speakers alone is going to do it for me. Here is my plan (after many hours of research):
1. Install small monoblock amp and 10" sub per Alpac's instructions on the home page (this setup will change).
2. Keep stock head unit. Interface line level signals from head unit with a Peripheral SVEN4.
3. Pull stock amp. Install a small footprint, modestly powered 4 channel amp.
4. Relocate (or replace) my Diamond Audio D3's from the front to the rear doors. Use the stock mid location for the tweeter.
5. Install my CDT set in the front doors. The silk tweets will fit nicely in the sail panel. The crossover has an output for an image tweeter. I will pull the factory mid and replace it with a silk tweet that will run from the image tweeter output on the crossover. I will have to buy 5 1/4" woofers in order to fit.
6. Run the sub amp from the RCA out on the 4 channel amp.

I welcome feedback from others that have upgraded or those that are planning upgrades. This would eliminate the 2.5" mids entirely and rely more on the aftermarket woofers for the sub 4K range sound. I am not 100% decided on speakers, but the cdts would raise the soundstage nicely and I already have the tweets and crossovers.

[justintmn]

That's a good plan. For the pre-amp signal, I would suggest to tap it straight from the tuner like Ken did for this car, absolutely clean signal to feed your amp

http://www.xoutpost.com/bsws-mobile-e...t=Ken+dynaudio

I have a similar set up, except I have Dynaudio MKII in the back and Dynaudio 340 in the front with an extra pair of Dynaudio 100 on the dash board. All these are powered by the McIntosh MCC406M. I also have a JL Audio 12W6V2, powering by the JL 500/1 amp. Make sure your crossover frequency for your dashboard tweeter is around 2500Hz, it makes the sound image much nicer and more lively.

If you don't mind carefully modifying the OEM speaker bracket a little bit with some grinding, you can fit the 6.5' woofer in there instead of 5 1/4 in. It's a lot of hard-work but it's worth it. You can contact Ken at www.avincar.com. He helped me alot in the project and he is a super nice guy . Hope this helps.

[disastinator]

You may also want to consider the DLS Classic CA51 for your amp. It's a 4 x 50W + 1 x 170W with built-in filters all in one unit. The only concern is whether 170W is enough for you to drive your sub. x 50 W + 1 x 170 W

[Bill Valley]

If I understand correctly, we have balanced line level signals coming from the head unit. I would intercept those signals befere they enter the amp. The SVEN4 would allow the installation of RCA cables without major hacking into the wiring. It may introduce noise though. The question I can't seem to find an answer to is if the head unit outs are front and rear.

[justintmn]

I think you can insert two additional wires to be able to retain the fading front/rear option. Check out this picture:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bsws-mobile-e...ght=AUS+stereo

I believe the bottom wires are for the rear that AUS tapped in for his fading control.

Justin.