Audio Upgrade for BMW X5 E53

[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.