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  #1  
Old 06-29-2012, 01:24 AM
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Base Audio -> Hifi Upgrade

Has anyone ever attempted a base audio system upgrade to the Hifi or Premium system using all OEM parts?

I recently purchased a 2010 x5 35d which I love, but I noticed the speakers felt REALLY flat - my 99 e46 has a killer system in comparison. Some quick investigating and WOW - BMW really crapped the bed when it came to the base system. So I started investigating..

I understand that you can recode the head-unit to Hifi (I'm not sure about Premium though -- there's different hardware involved?). Aside from the recode, you would simply need to purchase speakers, some wiring harnesses and the appropriate door panels, right?

It would be nice to have more and BETTER speakers than what I'm running now and to keep everything as clean as possible. I'm new to this forum and it's slightly difficult to find information since all e70 information is all in one "section"... I've searched, but have found little that is too straightforward except for the BSW state-1 kit

Brad
'83 320i 292k
'99 323i 192k
'10 X5 35d 18k
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  #2  
Old 07-01-2012, 12:46 PM
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bump
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  #3  
Old 07-02-2012, 11:37 AM
ard ard is offline
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As you probably have found, the cost to accomplish a factory upgrade' (ie components, drivers, missing wiring) surpasses the 'economically feasible' test... just replace with a high end audio upgrade. You could spend thousands on parts and harnesses, recoding, etc, and have an -at best- decent system. And be stuck with a car that your dealer will refuse to honor any warranty claim having to do with any aspect of the audio system (and pray you never have any battery/discharge issues)

The old days of 'change the amp and the speaker' are gone...IMO

A
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Old 07-02-2012, 11:42 AM
ard ard is offline
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As you probably have found, the cost to accomplish a factory upgrade' (ie components, drivers, missing wiring) surpasses the 'economically feasible' test... just replace with a high end audio upgrade. You could spend thousands on parts and harnesses, recoding, etc, and have an -at best- decent system. And be stuck with a car that your dealer will refuse to honor any warranty claim having to do with any aspect of the audio system (and pray you never have any battery/discharge issues)

The old days of 'change the amp and the speaker' are gone...IMO

A
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  #5  
Old 07-02-2012, 12:37 PM
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You should probably just try the BSW kit first - it's pretty inexpensive and if it doesn't do the trick then you can swap the head unit and amps afterwards.

If you have the HK premium system in your E46, you would be disappointed in BMW's X5 premium system anyway. It's not the same sound quality at all. You're much better off going with aftermarket for both cost and quality.
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  #6  
Old 07-02-2012, 12:57 PM
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I've done some research into the OEM replacements and I agree that it would not be a wise move...

This is my new plan -- looking for some advice/thoughts/criticism.

1. Replace the rear D-pillar trim pieces with the Hifi Trim pieces. This should be an easy swap and will allow for component speakers to mount on the rear D-pillars (exists in the premium systems). realoem quotes the trim piece around $75 if memory serves me.

2. Modify the rear door panels to house tweeters -- has anyone ever done this? The oem rear door panels are super-expensive. $1200+ for the door panels with tweeter cutouts from the Hifi setup.

3. Center speaker. There's a grill there so I would assume the mounts exist. Anyone have any information on this?

4. Amp the system. I'm an amp n00b, but I would guess I could use the 4 channels coming out of the headunit to be the signals for the amp. I've also read that it would be nice to have an amp that you can "reverse dsp" to compensate for the head-unit level adjustments. An alternative would be to recode the headunit to Hifi which does not have the signal processed (correct me if I'm wrong).

5. Replace the speakers. Since we'd be going after market on the amp the BSW kit doesn't seem to make much sense (except for fitment). If speaker fitment is an issue one thought might be to be the logic7 BSW upgrade to insure proper fitment in the doors, D-pillars and center channel.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on this....
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Old 07-02-2012, 02:10 PM
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You've figured out the best method the audio aftermarket is not only cheaper but is going to sound superior to most of the X5 sound options. What colors your interior? I'll pull the parts up for you to make things a little easier for you.
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Old 07-02-2012, 02:13 PM
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Anthracite interior -- which on some part lists seems to be the same as 'black'.
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Old 07-02-2012, 02:35 PM
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Alrighty there are a few D covers available.

Click HERE for For vehicles with HiFi System Professional DSP and Headlining anthracite

Click HERE for For vehicles with 3rd seat row and Headlining anthracite

and good measure while I'm listing off parts, HERE is your current covers (For vehicles with Headlining anthracite)


Now just a thought, my notes don't show if the speaker mounts are going to be already installed in your car or not. You might want to pull the panels and look before attempting to retro fit the rear D column speakers into your X
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Old 07-02-2012, 02:40 PM
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Yep -- I've already thought about that.

Does anyone have any opinions on a source for speakers? Obviously fitment is an issue and the BSW logic7 kit would hypothetically "snap in" (with slight modifications to the rear door panels).

Since we'd be adding an amp to the system my guess is we'd be running new speaker wires for everything - negating the need for any adapters to fit the factory speaker connectors. Since we no longer need to use the factory speaker-wire harness maybe we don't need to go the BSW route... right? We'd only need to find speakers that are the appropriate depth.

Brad
'83 320i 292k
'99 323i 192k
'10 X5 35d 18k
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