You people suck. 12 years later, I finally replace speakers.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

^They sure do Jay - problem is since we have all been discussing them in the past couple years, not sure if JL dried up supply, is discontinuing, etc, but prices have REALLY shot up since I last was pricing these out - I recall the component set could be had for about $150 and the woofers on Ebay separately for about $65-70 apiece, now I'm seeing $199 for the component set and $99 for each woofer separate -


I'll hold off until these come back in supply again and prices come down, or maybe I'll use the Dayton Reference woofers and find a different silk dome tweeter as well - not cost effective for me to spend $500+ on the upgrade when all said and done (the midranges for the rear doors are another $60)

Yeah I paid $80 for a pair so I purchased two sets to outfit my X. I guess some will have to wait for a Black Friday deal. They are impressive speakers for the dip system

[kishibashi]

Hi guys,

Long time reader on here but thought I’d contribute with something I actually have expertise in. I am an audio engineer and design and build recording studios as well as the majority of the electronics that go into them.

I bought my 02 X5 4.4 about 3 years after missing my e39 540i but wanting an SUV for ski trips up to the resorts here in Southern California. Car came missing the headunit.

I added a Dynavin headunit, and gutted all the DSP amps and DSP sub in the back. I ran pre outs to a JL XD v2 700/5. I had 5 channels available. I also disconnected the tweeters in the A pillar and replaced the mids in the dash with the Vifa mid. I figured these would be good after seeing recommendations on here and Vifas specs looked good as well as experience using their units in many pro speakers. Stock BMW woofers. I tied Left front+rear mids together into JL Amp Channel 1. Tied right front +rear mids to Channel 2. Left woofers to 3, Right woofers to 4 and custom made JL 10w6v2 box and sub into Channel 5.

The amp is configured with 1+2 Highpass at 500Hz, 3+4 set to Band pass, 5 to LowPass one click below 80Hz. With this setup crossovers work well enough I don’t find a burning urge to setup any additional crossovers and this system hits hard, tight, clear and clean.

I custom built the sub box. It is a challenge to fit the big full size 10w6v2 back there. Box is stuffed to the gills with OC 703 fiberglass board. Picture attached to the link.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn1m5xfnbkC/

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by kishibashi

I custom built the sub box. It is a challenge to fit the big full size 10w6v2 back there. Box is stuffed to the gills with OC 703 fiberglass board. Picture attached to the link.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn1m5xfnbkC/

beautiful work. I wish I could install a custom box too as I use my trunk daily and the boxes I put in there (I swap out subs all the time as I have a few differet ones in different size boxes) take up too much room at times that make me wish I had a custom hidden box... but then I'd not swap out subs so much... so Its a trade off I guess...

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I'll hold off until these come back in supply again and prices come down, or maybe I'll use the Dayton Reference woofers and find a different silk dome tweeter as well - not cost effective for me to spend $500+ on the upgrade when all said and done (the midranges for the rear doors are another $60)

RB, If I can suggest something, JUST replace the front speakers near front winsdcreen with the Vifa/other brands of that same size (using factory plastic basket) as that was BY FAR the biggest/cleanest update while still utilizing the factory radio/amp. THEN the front door tweeters... If I had my time back I'd NOT replace the 6" speakers as I feel the BMW ones offer a bit better OR even same sound response as the JL's and It took me a few hours to remove speaker, remove speaker physically from its plastic basket perfectly, clean basket, silicone install new JL speakers, let them cure and reinstall. Not worth it to me. The sound increase from the other two speakers (tweeters and mid range) are MUCH more impressive (and way cheaper).

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

RB, If I can suggest something, JUST replace the front speakers near front winsdcreen with the Vifa/other brands of that same size (using factory plastic basket) as that was BY FAR the biggest/cleanest update while still utilizing the factory radio/amp. THEN the front door tweeters... If I had my time back I'd NOT replace the 6" speakers as I feel the BMW ones offer a bit better OR even same sound response as the JL's and It took me a few hours to remove speaker, remove speaker physically from its plastic basket perfectly, clean basket, silicone install new JL speakers, let them cure and reinstall. Not worth it to me. The sound increase from the other two speakers (tweeters and mid range) are MUCH more impressive (and way cheaper).

One of my 6 inch drivers had failed which was a bavsound 6” driver so I replaced it with the JL units.

[Ricky Bobby]

^Good call Mike - I actually may remove the Founteks out of the dash midrange and just do those Vifa/Peerless as I agree it does make a big difference -



I will check the prices on the JL tweeters alone and see if its a better value alone to buy the component set - If a pair of Tweeters is $100 and the component set is $40 more I'll probably do the 6" ones as well, just because I don't want to take the door panel off more than necessary LOL

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

^Good call Mike - I actually may remove the Founteks out of the dash midrange and just do those Vifa/Peerless as I agree it does make a big difference -



I will check the prices on the JL tweeters alone and see if its a better value alone to buy the component set - If a pair of Tweeters is $100 and the component set is $40 more I'll probably do the 6" ones as well, just because I don't want to take the door panel off more than necessary LOL

OH I just looked back through the thread and yeah you were one of the first to use Fountek's..,So why swap in Vifa/Peerless? better sound quality?

I just checked and yes I have Founteks in all 4 mid range spots

[Ricky Bobby]

They seem fine for the most part, I was actually going to move them to the rear midrange, and use the Vifa/Peerless up front - you know, for variety LOL

However I'm a ways off from doing anything, have a couple little items to address before I start playing with fun things again:

1) Need a set of replacement blind spot aspherical mirrors - 1 of them delaminated after 6 years
2) MID repair, pixels are going out
3) Have to bake open left headlight and replace one angel eye ring, after 4 years all of them are going strong except for bottom half of the one ring and its driving me crazy (not looking forward to this one lol)
4) PDR needed on my roof and my drivers fender
5) Headliner repair, last year like an idiot I rented an aerator for my yard and didn't chock the wheels well enough, it gouged and ripped my headliner in 3 spots by the sunroof, no way in hell I'm paying $500-600 to get the thing rewrapped, I'm hoping to find someone who can glue/stitch and give me a 50% improvement just so that it doesnt look like crap, for a couple hundred bucks -

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Headliner repair, last year like an idiot I rented an aerator for my yard and didn't chock the wheels well enough, it gouged and ripped my headliner in 3 spots by the sunroof, no way in hell I'm paying $500-600 to get the thing rewrapped, I'm hoping to find someone who can glue/stitch and give me a 50% improvement just so that it doesnt look like crap, for a couple hundred bucks -

RB, you can usually find intact, good condition headliners from different breakers on craigslist for around $150-250 for the entire panel. Probably the most cost effective way to go, though the labor to install them is pretty tedious. Shoot, even Ebay usually has good deals on headliners, but I'd worry about shipping damage.

Also, BMW does a pretty good job on their mid range drivers. The people they get them from (nokia, alpine, etc) do a really good job designing for the compartment they are installed in. I now prefer to use BMW factory premium speakers over aftermarket drivers for the door locations whenever possible. I'll be using the BSW drivers that the previous owner installed though since they are there. As mentioned, the factory tweeters leave something to be desired though.

I'll be starting my completely overkill setup in the next few months hopefully. Been taking care of all the house things that have been piling up and after they are done... I'm taking some time for the audio system. Still need to pick an android head unit to go with...

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

RB, you can usually find intact, good condition headliners from different breakers on craigslist for around $150-250 for the entire panel. Probably the most cost effective way to go, though the labor to install them is pretty tedious. Shoot, even Ebay usually has good deals on headliners, but I'd worry about shipping damage.

Also, BMW does a pretty good job on their mid range drivers. The people they get them from (nokia, alpine, etc) do a really good job designing for the compartment they are installed in. I now prefer to use BMW factory premium speakers over aftermarket drivers for the door locations whenever possible. I'll be using the BSW drivers that the previous owner installed though since they are there. As mentioned, the factory tweeters leave something to be desired though.

I'll be starting my completely overkill setup in the next few months hopefully. Been taking care of all the house things that have been piling up and after they are done... I'm taking some time for the audio system. Still need to pick an android head unit to go with...

Thanks brother - yeah I have seen some headliners from the wreckers, problem is the location and shipping, closest one has been 6+ hours from me, which is no bueno - I'll keep on the look out -