BSW Speakers/Woofer upgrade

[MGRMLN]

Originally Posted by ghani

Just a few questions, please:

Do you have DSP?

Did you replace your stock amp?

Thanks.

No, I do not have DSP.

No, I did not replace my stock amp, just the speakers.

Personally, I did not care for the DSP "effects" very much, but that's just me.
The best advice I could give is to bring you favorite CD's to the dealer and listen to the CD's in an X5 with DSP and without. I love my stock non-dsp stereo now that the speakers are worth a crap!

[duffin]

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 question is really whether you want BMW Nav or aftermarket Nav. With BMW Nav, you are forced to take premium sound.

However, look at this thread how to take a non-NAV option package and add in a full aftermarket NAV, stereo, speakers without loosing steering wheel control. And the new Pioneer model coming out in February add bluetooth.
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...highlight=avic

[heavyd]

I just place an order yesterday for the 10" sub and Stage 1. I will attempt to install them myself. So I will let everyone knows the result afterward.

[duffin]

Originally Posted by heavyd

I just place an order yesterday for the 10" sub and Stage 1. I will attempt to install them myself. So I will let everyone knows the result afterward.

Great! When you do post the result, please give us your full OEM setup too.

[MGRMLN]

Originally Posted by duffin

Great! When you do post the result, please give us your full OEM setup too.

I am told the install guide is really good.
I'd be interested to hear you thoughts.

[Micah D. Cranman]

Wow, quite a few questions and a bunch of interest here!

Let me respond to the general questions floating around here:

Will this really sound good and make a big difference even though the midranges and amplifier aren't replaced? Yes, it certainly will! Thing is, even though not all speakers are replaced, you're still impacting a significant portion of the frequency range and improving the way it sounds. So while the midranges aren't replaced and they're still playing, it's still a big improvement - just not as great as it could be if you spent more money!

And yes, an amplifier replacement WOULD improve sound quality, too. But it's not required, and it'd cost you more money. Just a question of cost / benefit. If you'd like to replace your amplifier, we can do that for you, too - and it's not a bad idea to do so, either. Just a question of cost/benefit for you.

How would a BSW Stage 1 and sub system compare to the DSP sound system? It'd blow it away, no question about it. Significantly richer, more accurate bass response, and cleaner sound throughout the frequency range. And if you go to a REASONABLE installation facility, they can probably install everything for no more than $350 or so. We only bill $300 for both.

What about using the nicer MB Quart components like the Premium or Q-Line speakers? While those are great speakers, they require significantly more power than the Discus line to operate properly. Since the factory amplifier (DSP or non) is not a high output amp, if we did a speaker replacement using something like the Premiums or Q Lines, then performance would actually be a little bit lower than what you'd achieve with the Discus components. Higher grade MB Quarts are appropriate as speaker replacements ONLY if you are replacing your amplifier at the same time.

Which speakers are replaced in the Stage 1? The BMW X5 has a 10 speaker system consisting of a 3 way set in the front of the vehicle (tweeter, 2" midrange, and 5.25" midbass driver) and a 2 way set in the rear of the vehicle (tweeter and 5.25" midbass driver). In some sound systems, (DSP, etc.) a factory subwoofer is present. Our Stage 1 Audio Upgrade replaces 8 of the 10 interior component speakers - everything except the front midrange drivers since the cost/benefit ratio means they just aren't really worth replacing. The factory subwoofer, if present, will also stay.

Any more questions? Ask away!

[duffin]

Originally Posted by Micah D. Cranman

Wow, quite a few questions and a bunch of interest here!

Let me respond to the general questions floating around here:

Will this really sound good and make a big difference even though the midranges and amplifier aren't replaced? Yes, it certainly will! Thing is, even though not all speakers are replaced, you're still impacting a significant portion of the frequency range and improving the way it sounds. So while the midranges aren't replaced and they're still playing, it's still a big improvement - just not as great as it could be if you spent more money!

And yes, an amplifier replacement WOULD improve sound quality, too. But it's not required, and it'd cost you more money. Just a question of cost / benefit. If you'd like to replace your amplifier, we can do that for you, too - and it's not a bad idea to do so, either. Just a question of cost/benefit for you.

How would a BSW Stage 1 and sub system compare to the DSP sound system? It'd blow it away, no question about it. Significantly richer, more accurate bass response, and cleaner sound throughout the frequency range. And if you go to a REASONABLE installation facility, they can probably install everything for no more than $350 or so. We only bill $300 for both.

What about using the nicer MB Quart components like the Premium or Q-Line speakers? While those are great speakers, they require significantly more power than the Discus line to operate properly. Since the factory amplifier (DSP or non) is not a high output amp, if we did a speaker replacement using something like the Premiums or Q Lines, then performance would actually be a little bit lower than what you'd achieve with the Discus components. Higher grade MB Quarts are appropriate as speaker replacements ONLY if you are replacing your amplifier at the same time.

Which speakers are replaced in the Stage 1? The BMW X5 has a 10 speaker system consisting of a 3 way set in the front of the vehicle (tweeter, 2" midrange, and 5.25" midbass driver) and a 2 way set in the rear of the vehicle (tweeter and 5.25" midbass driver). In some sound systems, (DSP, etc.) a factory subwoofer is present. Our Stage 1 Audio Upgrade replaces 8 of the 10 interior component speakers - everything except the front midrange drivers since the cost/benefit ratio means they just aren't really worth replacing. The factory subwoofer, if present, will also stay.

Any more questions? Ask away!

How about this hypothetical approach to using Stage 1 mod, yet getting around the OEM 2" mid-range dilema and keeping OEM amp.

1) Disconnect the dash mounted 2" mid-range speakers and feed the 5.25" front door speaker the signal intended for the 2" mid-range speakers from OEM amp?
2) To replace the door mid-bass, can you then feed a aftermarket subwoofer in the cargo area the appropriate signal?
3) Net, you would end up with 1" tweeter, 5.5" door mid-range (replacing 2" dash mid-range) and 10" to 12" sub-woofer in cargo. What then to do with rear doors?

[Micah D. Cranman]

This wouldn't work because the factory mid-bass drivers are crossed over at a point too high for a subwoofer to play.

Keeping the stock midranges, while not an ideal scenario, really is the best solution if you're keeping your stock amplifier.

[duffin]

Originally Posted by Micah D. Cranman

This wouldn't work because the factory mid-bass drivers are crossed over at a point too high for a subwoofer to play.

Keeping the stock midranges, while not an ideal scenario, really is the best solution if you're keeping your stock amplifier.

Understood.

What about moving the front mid-bass signal to the rear door slot? Wouldn't the frequency carry forward or is it better to be below the ears?

[LVR]

Hello Micah

In reference to an earlier comment you made, I have an X5 with DSP and Nav. Does that mean the amp is higher powered and therefore suitable to use eg Premium speakers?

What does that do to the mid range?

If so, which would you recommend and why?

Secondly, are you able to suggest a way I might improve the AM sound in relation to FM. I have tuned to a station that in my other X5 (with standard business radio) has superior sound reproduction than the DSP system. It sounds like a very old transistor wireless type of radio. When I tuned in with an X3 radio it was more like FM.

The station I want has FM but it is weak and I get drop outs when driving around.

Cheers