Audio Upgrade for BMW X5 E53

[SilverFox06]

Oh yes, I have the dice/media bridge with satellite radio. Awesome! I can't wait for the development of the amp. Is your amp (BSW)?

[xsx450]

I think the DSP sounds a lot better after I tuned it according to the "Best dsp setting" thread. However still sounds like junk and my driver door tweeter clicks whenever it feels like it.

For the mean time i added a 13w6 and a jl 500/1 to add some really nice deep bass. Its holding me over for the minute. The bass is so nice and HQ now i can ignore how shitty the highs are... This is a temporary solution. I think the next step will be a decent 4 channel amp to the stock speakers, and from there aftermarket speakers...

[glassjoe]

Originally Posted by heuer21

I am looking into keeping my OEM DSP head unit but replacing the factory amp and speakers as well as putting a JL stealth box where the exsisting woofers are in the trunk.
With a balanced 5 volt out going to an aftermarket amplifier located where the crap stock one is w/ nice components. Then mount the mono amp in the trunk because I do not have Nav or CD changer back there. Or just get a 5 channel amp.

Something like that...
Any thoughts?

I have a 2004 X5 w/DSP (no Nav.) and wants to replace the DSP amp with aftermarket to power the 10 stock speakers. How do you wire up the 10 OEM speakers to a 4-channel amp is where I am lost? Thanks!

[admranger]

Originally Posted by glassjoe

I have a 2004 X5 w/DSP (no Nav.) and wants to replace the DSP amp with aftermarket to power the 10 stock speakers. How do you wire up the 10 OEM speakers to a 4-channel amp is where I am lost? Thanks!

Don't do it unless you're ready to dump significant $ into this.

It's not simple. Do some googling on it. There are a bunch of threads on this on the web (search bmw dsp).

My advice is to instead replace the front soundstage speakers with something like Hybrid Audio Technologies Imagine 6.5 speakers.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by admranger

Don't do it unless you're ready to dump significant $ into this.

It's not simple. Do some googling on it. There are a bunch of threads on this on the web (search bmw dsp).

My advice is to instead replace the front soundstage speakers with something like Hybrid Audio Technologies Imagine 6.5 speakers.

Agreed. Easier to replace all the drivers and go full aftermarket than trying to get the factory drivers to work correctly with a decent sound stage.

I'm not saying it can't be done... but if it were my money (and ears), I'd just go full aftermarket and avoid the headache. Can still use factory wiring with the aftermarket drivers, so no need to run all new cabling.

I'll be crossing this bridge as well in the next year with my nav/DSP truck if I can't decide to pull the trigger on NBT retrofit.

[94csi]

Originally Posted by admranger

Don't do it unless you're ready to dump significant $ into this.

It's not simple. Do some googling on it. There are a bunch of threads on this on the web (search bmw dsp).

My advice is to instead replace the front soundstage speakers with something like Hybrid Audio Technologies Imagine 6.5 speakers.

Isn't the easiest way just to use the GAS crossover? J&T Distributing - German Audio Specialties E39/E53 Passive Crossover Network (PCN)

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Agreed. Easier to replace all the drivers and go full aftermarket than trying to get the factory drivers to work correctly with a decent sound stage.

I'm not saying it can't be done... but if it were my money (and ears), I'd just go full aftermarket and avoid the headache. Can still use factory wiring with the aftermarket drivers, so no need to run all new cabling.

I'll be crossing this bridge as well in the next year with my nav/DSP truck if I can't decide to pull the trigger on NBT retrofit.

After looking at the NBT why would you want anything else? Thanks for that btw...

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

After looking at the NBT why would you want anything else? Thanks for that btw...

Because price tag... only reason you might want something else.

Originally Posted by 94csi

Isn't the easiest way just to use the GAS crossover? J&T Distributing - German Audio Specialties E39/E53 Passive Crossover Network (PCN)

Yes, that is an option. I always forget about GAS' Xover. They make good stuff... I run one of Luke's ported boxes in one of my e30's.

[bcredliner]

I replaced all speakers, added amp and subwoofer and retained DSP. Not the best you can do but might want to take a look. Stage One BMW Speaker Upgrade Kit engineered for your specific BMW | BAVSOUND

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Because price tag... only reason you might want something else

I just read through a lot of the bf.c thread. I found a screen for sub 100. I don't mind going used. The wiring harness seems to be the most expensive part.

Now it's do I want coilovers or this. Wish I had unlimited funds. This would be pretty ballin