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

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[wpoll]

Here's why the impedance may be an issue (and why it won't be).

The lower impedance will indeed draw more power from the amp - same voltage swing but twice the current, so double the power (power = volts x amps). This isn't a problem for the amp, as it should designed to cope with running up to its max. power output.

It's max. power output is where it is being driven to the point where it cannot supply any more power. Beyond this point, it will begin the clip the output signal. You will hear this as distortion. Slight clipping won't likely hurt the amp.

With 4 ohm loads the amp. will be driven into clipping at a lower input signal level than with 8 ohm loads, so you need to be careful with the input control. I'm avoiding the term "volume" here, as volume is what your ears hear, not what the amp. makes. The amp. may be at full power at input level "x" with 8 ohm loads but will be at full power with a lower input level with 4 ohm loads - but still sound just as loud.

The short story is - avoid clipping and you'll be ok. Clipping will KILL your speakers. But it sounds nasty well before it kills them, so don't over drive the amp., avoid clipping and your amp. and speakers will be fine.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Okay I know that on the BSW system they used drivers that were 4 ohms and some of the earlier models used 3 ohm drivers for their system. From my installation of the JL drivers they sound remarkably better then the OE system and run really well in the system. The DSP amp does not appear to have a problem supplying the new drivers at 4 ohms.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

That is why I asked about the impedance Prop. I was worried as well about, basically, overdriving the amp. You are sending double the power, to each of those drivers. Factory amplifiers usually aren't happy with that, especially as you mentioned, at higher volumes. I've had customers with Mercedes try to do this and it ended horribly but they were much older cars with much less capable amps.

If you haven't heard any distortion yet, above your listening levels, I think you'll be fine though.

You will be fine the BSW systems used 4 ohm drivers and in some earlier models they used 3 ohm driver (Rainbow drivers).

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

You will be fine the BSW systems used 4 ohm drivers and in some earlier models they used 3 ohm driver (Rainbow drivers).

I've read BSW also used 8ohm drivers in DSP applications... I can't ever find a definitive answer to the particular model I have in my truck: BSW.mb160r. Next time I have a door panel off though I'll be sure to measure them myself.

As wpoll said, the amp should be happy as long as it is not clipping the speakers. If you aren't hearing distortion you should be fine. With my setup, I hear distortion from the BSW sub way before any is noticeable in the interior speakers.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I've read BSW also used 8ohm drivers in DSP applications... I can't ever find a definitive answer to the particular model I have in my truck: BSW.mb160r. Next time I have a door panel off though I'll be sure to measure them myself.

As wpoll said, the amp should be happy as long as it is not clipping the speakers. If you aren't hearing distortion you should be fine. With my setup, I hear distortion from the BSW sub way before any is noticeable in the interior speakers.

The drivers that came out of my X5 4.6is with DSP are BSW drivers made by MB quart 4 ohms. The earlier set that I saw in a friend's X5 last year before I became an owner had Rainbow speakers for BSW at 3 ohms. These are my only two physical references that I can point to. I cannot say that at some point maybe BSW switched vendors of their speakers which may have been some 8 ohm applications. BSW use to contract with various speaker manufacturers to come up with vehicle specific applications one of which would be the BMW X5 E53.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I've read BSW also used 8ohm drivers in DSP applications... I can't ever find a definitive answer to the particular model I have in my truck: BSW.mb160r. Next time I have a door panel off though I'll be sure to measure them myself.

As wpoll said, the amp should be happy as long as it is not clipping the speakers. If you aren't hearing distortion you should be fine. With my setup, I hear distortion from the BSW sub way before any is noticeable in the interior speakers.

I run the JL audio stealth sub driven by a focal mono amp. No distortion here.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

I run the JL audio stealth sub driven by a focal mono amp. No distortion here.

Yeah, I'm not overly impressed with the BSW 8" stealth sub. It does okay, but can not handle lows very well at all past a certain volume. 80-120hz it handles very well though. So some music sounds amazing... and others (R&B, Hip Hop, House, Dub Step, etc) sound less than stellar.

I'm going to do something custom for a sub solution in the future, but I don't have the time to mess with something that works decently for the moment.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

and others (R&B, Hip Hop, House, Dub Step, etc) sound less than stellar.

I believe that you are even more correct than you advised earlier. Based on your earlier thoughts and the type of music that may not sound very good here, I believe I'm going to be fine!

Also today, I actually turned on DSP and fiddled with it. It was an interesting exercise and I did hear a difference with each setting. The question I kept returning to was which settings would serve my needs *most* of the time. It's very clear to me that if I haven't used this system available to me for 16 years, I am fully disinterested in screwing with this beyond once.

Question ab DSP settings: Are they retained when the battery is removed? If not, I might as well go flip the switch back to Off. I'm not likely to reprogram it once I have the settings that should work well for me.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by tecboy99

Awesome! Any plans for the mids in the dash? I'm pretty sure mine are blown, and I don't really want to go the OEM route.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

I have also looked for but not found a dash speaker solution. I am going to head out for the front door install, but I may stop in a shop to see if they the 3" speakers that I found. I'll let you guys know.

Wooohoooo!!!

I will only share this for now. Date night. And yes. My wife is coming along with me and the E53.