Biggest subwoofer ever installed in the X5 (maybe :)

[Dannyell]

Originally Posted by anerbe

haha - i agree with you, but i find the hint of hostility in your tone interesting. I thought this was a forum to share X5 experiences and customization.

although I wouldn't do it, I don't find OP post absurd on how he modified his X5 with subs. you can have an opinion, but don't generalize this board as being unaccepting of his decision.

some people are more pessimists than others...

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by JCAPX5

Ouch some harsh words for the OP. Why not give some goods tips to better his system rather than all the bashing. you guys are brutal some times...

It seems quite clear that many of us went through the head banging 130db systems back when we were younger. And I'll tell ya what, if I could guarantee a rattle-free systems without all the problems and headaches associated with aftermarket systems (without spending $10k+) I would do it again in our new X. Even my 2002 X5 had a kick-ass system in it and I loved it. Pics below show how I managed to get high-output, low distortion and still kept cargo abilities in my old X5.

As many of you probobly know, with all forms of stereo systems and hi-fi gear, more is always better if you are in search of sonic excellence. Within reason, it is always better to have amplifiers with tons of dynamic headroom and loudspeakers that can handle more power than you are sending them. This way, each component is working well within it's comfort zone.

So I say add two subs if you like and rock on!!!

OOH! I haven't seen the old PPA power and art series amps in a while! Those were great! And we have a few customers that come in with X5s at the shop that have the under-floor setup like that. My fav of those is a full JL setup with a pair of 13.5 W7s aiming up with a JL 1000x1 amp on each and two 4 channel amps on the rest with crossovers etc.

[Quicksilver]

Ok here a good tip. Scale it back a bit

Originally Posted by JCAPX5

Ouch some harsh words for the OP. Why not give some goods tips to better his system rather than all the bashing. you guys are brutal some times...

I disagree. More is not always better. Some of the best components
in the world don't need the excess found in 90% of the systems sold.
Everyone has the choice to go the route they choose but let's not talk
ourselves into thinking that a bunch of high powered amps and speakers
are going to give you the best sound.

Originally Posted by JCAPX5

As many of you probobly know, with all forms of stereo systems and hi-fi gear, more is always better if you are in search of sonic excellence. Within reason, it is always better to have amplifiers with tons of dynamic headroom and loudspeakers that can handle more power than you are sending them. This way, each component is working well within it's comfort zone.

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by Weasel

OOH! I haven't seen the old PPA power and art series amps in a while! Those were great! And we have a few customers that come in with X5s at the shop that have the under-floor setup like that. My fav of those is a full JL setup with a pair of 13.5 W7s aiming up with a JL 1000x1 amp on each and two 4 channel amps on the rest with crossovers etc.

Ahhhh so you're a hifi guy!!!!

Thanks for the kind words and those wonderful PPI Art Series amplifiers were great. One was a 4-channel A404 and the other a 2-channel A600 that i bridged to a single channel. Amps were always stable even under a very low impedance.

I still have both those amplifiers if anyone becomes interested.

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Ok here a good tip. Scale it back a bit



I disagree. More is not always better. Some of the best components
in the world don't need the excess found in 90% of the systems sold.
Everyone has the choice to go the route they choose but let's not talk
ourselves into thinking that a bunch of high powered amps and speakers
are going to give you the best sound.

Well I was generalizing a bit but this largely viewed as a good way of doing things with regard to audio. This is why I added the preface, "Within reason....". Anyway, good on you to give a counter to my post to keep perspective for the OP.

To your point, "more is not always better" I would agree. Maybe not always, but about 96% of the time more is better. With each component playing in a very comfortable operating range you will always have an improvement in sound. Whether or not that incremental improvement in output is important to you is up to debate.

Saying some of the best systems in the world don't need the excess found in them is crazy. Audio is so incredibly subjective who's to say the marginal improvement of better gear isn't needed.

Anyway I like your direction of "scale it back a bit"...often times people who will not actually care about the subtle differences between different gear can get carried away and overspend on a car stereo.

Lastly, your final bit about high power amps and speakers not alwasy geiving you the best sonic result is dead on. A system is only as good as it's weakest link and total system design is critical for best results.

OK sorry for the rant I miss car audio and my old system and had to vent and offer some help if i can. Good luck all!

[Weasel]

I did learn the hard way over the years to buy an amp that is more powerful than what I need and turn it down 1/2 way... that way it doesn't get hot, doesn't go in to protect mode, never gives a problem. I just want a bigger sub that can still fit stealth location but have more punch than an 8".

[X5 Meister]

Excellent point. I personally wish BMW had mounted a 12" in that dedicated space rather than 2 8" woofers.

Originally Posted by Weasel

I did learn the hard way over the years to buy an amp that is more powerful than what I need and turn it down 1/2 way... that way it doesn't get hot, doesn't go in to protect mode, never gives a problem. I just want a bigger sub that can still fit stealth location but have more punch than an 8".

[NyMench]

The key to any good sound is QUALITY not QUANTITY....for example....a 1000 watt amp with a high distortion ceiling....will sound like DOG SHIT....vs a 50 watt amp with a great power supply........It's CURRENT you want felas....not wattage!

[Weasel]

Current = amperage = electric horsepower!

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by Weasel

I did learn the hard way over the years to buy an amp that is more powerful than what I need and turn it down 1/2 way... that way it doesn't get hot, doesn't go in to protect mode, never gives a problem. I just want a bigger sub that can still fit stealth location but have more punch than an 8".

Yup, my point exactly!