A Big Thank You to BSW

[PeteM]

I recently purchased the BSW Speaker Upgrade from BSW, everything was as described and the kit fitted with no problems unfortunately it didnt make a real difference to the sound in the vehicle.

I mentioned this in a reply to a thread not as a criticism but just as a personal observation, in reply I was contacted by Halston at BSW. He was concerned I wasn't happy overall and put in me in touch with Micah at BSW.

After a few exchanges of information Micah came up with a solution, it turned out the issue was the standard X stereo package in the UK spec was less than the US equivilent and that was why I hadn't got the improvement I had hoped for.

Anyway Micah took the time to search the UK spec in the latest WDS. He then recommended a suitable amp to give me the improvements I needed, Micah prepared a bespoke set of install instructions so even an idiot like me could follow them. Micah even took the time to call me in the UK to make sure I understood everything I needed to for the install.

The amp and fitting kit was sold to me at a very good discount, BSW didnt have to do this! I recieved the amp and fitting kit in 3 days.

I cannot express enough my thanks to Micah and Halston for making such a big effort to ensure I got the Stereo upgrade I originally wanted, I am very grateful to them both.

Thanks to you both - you really take customer service to a new level!

[noncom23]

Glad it worked out. Good post!

[Halston Pitman]

Thank you Pete! Glad we could help you out to get your X5 where you wanted it to be. We will not be satisfied untill you are satisfied.

[X5 Sport]

Why cant we have customer service like tht in the UK!!! What amp did you get and where are yhe photos Pete?

[Oscarguitar]

Good to hear you are fixed up now.
When I went to upgrade my X (after 2 weeks!) the dealer (Bavaria) recommended to keep with the original speakers and upgrade the AMP (and crossovers). When the X5 first came out they had one from a dealer for two weeks and tried all sorts of combinations and found that for most people an amp upgrade does the trick. Maybe add a sub later.
I got them to install a Genesis Profile 4 which sounds truly amazing even at very high volume levels with no distortion from the original speakers. (OK maybe a little "woody" on the lower mids, I'm fussy with sound, component Hi Fi etc, etc.) So it seems that in the UK the place to start is with an amp up grade, then add a sub, then upgrade to really good speakers.
BSW have given me some advice on this as well, through this forum, and advised that with an upgraded amp alternative speakers to the BSW package should be considered. Micah suggested Alumopro (I think) but I'm still debating the sub woofer issue. A bespoke stealth box from the same dealer and Diamond speaker and Genises amp will cost about £1100 fitted, which is a lot of money added to which my wife likes the X5 so much I might lose it anyway!

Oscar

[Micah D. Cranman]

I'm not a big fan of OEM speakers on an aftermarket amplifier in most cases. You can usually get better results with aftermarket components -- but if you're happy, that's what matters, right?

Have you seen our stealth subwoofer solution?

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...I=509/_cid=196

It's actually about to go off of pre-order discount when we get these in on Wednesday of next week!

[Oscarguitar]

I take your point but with Hi-Fi (different I know) if the signal is top quality then you will get the best out of all the components down the line. So if the limitation is say the signal from the amplifier (or the head unit), then it doesn't matter how good the speakers are, the sound will still be compromised. If however the amplfier is producing a high quality undistorted output the original speakers will work at their best.

I have seen a high quality 100w amp feeding a stock speaker from a citroen saxo (rated at 10w) flat out with no problem, but put the slightest bit of distortion in and the voice coil just gives up.

The original speakers are at least specially designed (chosen??) to work in the enclosures and environment of the car. The enclosure and location has as much to do with the sound you hear as the speakers themselves and apart from very few examples you rarely see the enclosures being adapted.

Years ago I always used to swap out the original speakers in cars to improve the sound and apart from an initially sharper top end (which is usually tireing to listen to for extended periods) there was little gain in real musical quality.

I understand that part of the problem with the Euro versions of the X5 is the active crossovers built into the amplifier. If you by pass the OEM amplifier you have to build in some sort of crossover to get the best out of the speakers. It may be that the system installed in the US is different so different solutions may apply. But it is interesting to note that Pete M found that there was little benefit from the speaker upgrade until he upgraded the amp. It would be interesting for him to put the stock speakers back in now to see how much difference there is. How about it Pete? Just for research so to speak!!!

Oscar

[PeteM]

Originally Posted by Oscarguitar

But it is interesting to note that Pete M found that there was little benefit from the speaker upgrade until he upgraded the amp. It would be interesting for him to put the stock speakers back in now to see how much difference there is. How about it Pete? Just for research so to speak!!!

Unfortunately, I dont have them anymore..... thats E Bay for you!

[Oscarguitar]

Which AMP did you go for? And have youfitted a SUB yet?

[X5 Sport]

Did you try the midrange speakers from BSW ? Did they make any difference without the amp upgrade.