Stereo, Subwoofer install

[faranks]

I was a car stereo installer for 12 years (in the U.S.) and have never seen a X5 w/o a factory amp behind the left rear quarter panel. In fact, just about every BMW I can think of since the mid '80s is outfitted with a head unit that supplies low-level outputs to an external amplifier. Possibly the previous owner of your X went through it and changed things up a bit. If you have sound coming from small dash speakers, and the car has not been modified, your X should have at least 6 speakers, and thus an external amp. I have not seen BMW use passive crossovers to separate frequencies.

Additionally, you are only using half of the stereo signal, so it is not even a "mono" situation except literally. Mono would be the sum of both stereo channels, and you are in fact only amplifying half of the total signal. I have fixed a lot of these scenarios, and believe me it makes an audible difference. You are not using your equipment to it's potential.

[Sunny_wales]

We are not in the us

[jaynana]

Originally Posted by faranks

I was a car stereo installer for 12 years (in the U.S.) and have never seen a X5 w/o a factory amp behind the left rear quarter panel. In fact, just about every BMW I can think of since the mid '80s is outfitted with a head unit that supplies low-level outputs to an external amplifier. Possibly the previous owner of your X went through it and changed things up a bit. If you have sound coming from small dash speakers, and the car has not been modified, your X should have at least 6 speakers, and thus an external amp. I have not seen BMW use passive crossovers to separate frequencies.

Additionally, you are only using half of the stereo signal, so it is not even a "mono" situation except literally. Mono would be the sum of both stereo channels, and you are in fact only amplifying half of the total signal. I have fixed a lot of these scenarios, and believe me it makes an audible difference. You are not using your equipment to it's potential.

Faranks, can you possibly help me out with this thread with your experience pls?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...lp-needed.html

thx

j

[jaynana]

Originally Posted by Jordo

I have non DSP and no sub. But I did have a factory amp. It died so I replaced it witha aftermarket amp.

every bmw has a factory amp from what i know. dsp and non-dsp.

check right next to the battery, under the plastic cover (which you should know is under the spare wheel). European non-dsp cars have the BM54 amp fixed there.

[_chris_]

Originally Posted by jaynana

every bmw has a factory amp from what i know. dsp and non-dsp.

check right next to the battery, under the plastic cover (which you should know is under the spare wheel). European non-dsp cars have the BM54 amp fixed there.

There are models (at least in Europe) that has reduced number of speakers (six I think) and no amp. Speakers are driven directly by head unit.

[kkodal78]

i am in uk as well they do have amps in the left below the plastic cover. i just fitted a sub and amp on mine and tapped into wires from the amp.