Speaker upgrade Match by Audiotec Fischer

[muleskinner]

Greetings. I recently bought a 2011 X5 35i, so am new to this forum, but some of you may recognize me from mye28.com and some e46 forums over the years. Anyway, I like the car a lot, but the premium sound system isn't premium if you ask me. I recently upgraded the speakers in my 2013 X1 and chose Audiotec Fischer. They're a massive upgrade from the HK speakers in the X1, and cost a lot less than Focal, Bavsound, etc.

Crutchfield sells them for as low as $179 (today they're selling them for $249, which is still a bargain). I found a brand new set on ebay from a UK seller for $160 including shipping.

I knew the X5 had 10cm/4" mid range speakers, and even though Crutchfield said they're not compatible with the X5, I figured Crutchfield was wrong. Well...guess what, Crutchfield was right. They're not plug and play for the X5. The drivers are the right size, but the plastic mounting bracket holes don't line up with the holes in the door panels. That was an easy fix. I simply drilled holes in the outer plastic frame, which doesn't affect the cones at all. I found some slightly longer screws, and the speakers are perfectly secured.

Next, I plan to add an aftermarket amp with a dedicated sub output, and my audio upgrade will be complete.

Here's the Audiotec website:

https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/m...s/ms-42c-bmw.2

[Entropy]

Nice. How do you plan on pulling the audio signal from the head unit for an aftermarket amp? It is not a standard linear/analog signal that goes from the head unit to the factory amp.

Which audio package does your X5 have?

[muleskinner]

There's actually a few threads here on the board on how to add an aftermarket amp. It's a little bigger project than what I want to take on, but my local audio shop said they've done several, so will have them do it for me.

[ard]

Originally Posted by muleskinner

but my local audio shop said they've done several, so will have them do it for me.

Yeah, make sure they arent BSing you.... local audio shops are some of the worst hacks in the world.

Not yours, of course...just saying....

[Entropy]

Originally Posted by muleskinner

There's actually a few threads here on the board on how to add an aftermarket amp. It's a little bigger project than what I want to take on, but my local audio shop said they've done several, so will have them do it for me.

You’re only options are using a line converter (fine for a subwoofer amp, sub-par for mids/highs amp) or install an expensive box (can’t rememwber brand) that converts the digital signal to analog.

[wildinout29]

Originally Posted by Entropy

You’re only options are using a line converter (fine for a subwoofer amp, sub-par for mids/highs amp) or install an expensive box (can’t rememwber brand) that converts the digital signal to analog.

Are you referring to a PAC?

[muleskinner]

Update: I've been really pleased with the front door component speakers. Today, I got around to installing the subs. It was a little bit of a pain in the ass to install, but took me less than an hour to do both subs. Yes. You have to remove the front seats. The subs, just like the components in the doors, will take a week or so to "burn in", but already, the sound is incredibly improved over the factory speakers for less than $500 between the door components and the subs.

I'm a big fan of Bavsound, but Audiotec Fischer give them a huge run for their money. As a point of interest, Bavsound's amp is actually an Audiotec Fischer amp.

In response to some of the comments about installing an aftermarket amp, Audiotec Fischer makes a plug and play amp to match their speakers, but you could easily add any aftermarket 5 channel + sub amp by simply tapping into the factory wiring harness for less money.

I'm going to give this a few months of thorough listening before deciding on whether to even add an amp....the sound improvement is already like night and day.

[95blkmax]

Good to hear dude. Keep us updated! Did you catch any pictures while doing the install?

[absentmathis]

What was the build code for the system you had? I’ve always upgraded my cars systems but what’s in the current X is about as good from factory as I’ve heard. Not worth messing with for me at this point. The home stereo is a different ballgame though.