BSW Speakers/Woofer upgrade

[duffin]

Don't know if members of this thread read the other thread where el_duderino, who is a principal in a custom shop in Portland and a BIG contributor to the Audio area of X World, posted the following:

Originally Posted by el_duderino

Here's the kink:

The front has 6" woofers, 2" mids (in the dash) and 1" tweeters (in the mirror sail).

The back only has woofers and mids.

The BW amp has dediated channels for each speaker, and only sends each speaker a dedicated range of notes that that speaker is supposed to play.

NO ONE makes a 2" midrange replacement speaker at this time that will play the notes that BMW has assigned to the 2" speaker. Most evveryone makes 2-way woofer-tweeter kits, and if you used one of those the midrange gets left out.

Midrange is the most important part of the sound.

Bavarian Soundwerks has a tweeter-woofer replacement kit that uses the factory mids, and I don't like that approach either. The factory mid isn't very good either.

In my experience the best option is just to replace the BMW amp with a small (40x4 or 50x4) aftermarket amp and then you can get really good speakers.

I would suggest a DLS CA41 50x4 and avincar 6.5/tweeter components in front and 6.5 coaxials in the rear (which have been well reviewed here). That's about $700 in parts.

Here is the link to the other thread.

http://www.xoutpost.com/stereo-system...placement.html

[MGRMLN]

Originally Posted by broknlgs24

what all speakers were upgraded w/ the Stage 1 Upgrade?
did they replace the rear speakers also?

Yes. They replace the front (A-pillar) tweeters and rear door tweeters as well as the mid-bass drivers in all four doors. The stock mids stay since there isn't really an alternative driver available and it's actually not bad. I have to say, for what you get, it's a smoking deal. Plus, if you select the MB Quart option, you also get crossovers that you can use later should you decide to add additional amplifiers, etc.

One last point. I don't know how much experience you have installing things like this, but I was happy to have them do it. Jason over there is a machine and knows X5's inside and out.

[chankla]

I've exchanged a couple of emails with Micah. He seems very pleasant and knowledgeable. However I am in Southern California - can someone recommend a shop/person that could do the installation if they shipped the kit out to me? I'm ready - but need to find an installer.

[duffin]

Originally Posted by MGRMLN

Yes! Do it!
I had Bavarian Soundwerks install my set since I'm in Atlanta and they did an amazing job. Jason and Micah over there are good people.

I got the MB Quart upgrade and the difference is day and night.
The stock speakers had muddy bass and virtually non-existant treble. Once you get them out and look at them, it's easy to see why. They look so bad! Cheap, paper cones and tiny magnets.

In short, the MB Quarts are great. Detailed but not overbearing treble. Tight, punchy and defined bass. My X5 does not have the sub but even without that, this upgrade is definitely worth it.

Anyone else? Why are no other forum members doing this?

[broknlgs24]

what series MB Quarts does
BSW install?

[MGRMLN]

Originally Posted by broknlgs24

what series MB Quarts does
BSW install?

The Discus line. They are made to be factory replacements.
Despite what some have said, I actually like the Titanium dome tweeters.
BSW offers both choices though. Their silk dome option is a Rainbow speaker which is also German made.

I heard both. But because I stayed with the stock amp and the X5 is not the quietest car at speed, I chose the efficiency and clarity of the Quarts.

For the money, it was a slam dunk. Again, my aim was not to create a rolling concert hall. I just wanted better sound from the stock system.

[broknlgs24]

hmmmm, i wonder if one could pay
for a different series such as the
Reference-Line or Q-Line?

[ghani]

Just a few questions, please:

Do you have DSP?

Did you replace your stock amp?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by MGRMLN

The Discus line. They are made to be factory replacements.
Despite what some have said, I actually like the Titanium dome tweeters.
BSW offers both choices though. Their silk dome option is a Rainbow speaker which is also German made.

I heard both. But because I stayed with the stock amp and the X5 is not the quietest car at speed, I chose the efficiency and clarity of the Quarts.

For the money, it was a slam dunk. Again, my aim was not to create a rolling concert hall. I just wanted better sound from the stock system.

[X5Flyboy]

Question to all. We talking replacement of the standard or premium stereo package with DSP? I love my music and want the best sound I can get (within reason). Do I spend $1200 for the premium package or spend the money on an aftermarket setup? I really need your opinions as I am about to order my '06 X5 this week.

[broknlgs24]

Originally Posted by burkleymh

Question to all. We talking replacement of the standard or premium stereo package with DSP? I love my music and want the best sound I can get (within reason). Do I spend $1200 for the premium package or spend the money on an aftermarket setup? I really need your opinions as I am about to order my '06 X5 this week.

the thing is, if u go aftermarket,
a lot of ur cost will be in the install.
in my last vehicle, i installed speakers
in all of the doors, ran all of the wires; all
i needed the shop to do was build me a sub
enclosure and an amp rack. they charged me
$900+. and that was w/ me already having
the equipment and pretty much doing the install for
them.