Subwoofer Project FINISHED!!! (Enclosure Dimensions Included) - Page 23

carlgo · #**221** 02-07-2009, 04:25 PM

Let me add to the up-graded speaker topic.

The BSW mid-ranges that go in the dash do not fit without modification. The screw holes in the mounting flange do not line up with the holes in the dash. Not that close, actually.

You have to turn the holes in the speakers into slots. This is easy using a wire cutter to clip a slot from the hole to the outside of the flange. This is certainly better than using a file or tool that would create metal filings, what with the magnet and all.

The directions for the tweeter, on BSW's site, show the use of the glue gun to mount the tweeter into the BMW tweeter holder. The BSWs I got just slid right into the original little retainer clips perfectly, so no need to glue.

Inspect the assy carefully before you remove the OEM tweeter from the holder so that you don't break the retaining clips.

I got my Alpine 6.75s from Crutchfield. They include the Alpine adapters and a set of their own. I didn't see the Crutchfield ones, packed in a hidden place, so I assumed the Alpine units were them and attached the speakers that way. Simply run the speaker mounting screws right into the plastic adapter. Later, when I found the Crutchfield adapters, it is clear they would be nicer, more OEM-like. Someday I will swap them just...because.

BMW's wire plugs are, of course, not compatible with random aftermart speakers, so you have to cut and splice. Not at all hard, but plan on solder and shrink tube or get some small butt connectors.

The hard part is: which wires are positive and which are negative. The speakers came with big and small spade connectors, and they only fit one way, so you have to get that right. There seems to be no info anywhere handy on which wire is which, so here is what I found: If you hold the OEM speaker with the terminals down and facing you, the one on the right is positive. Then, you can see which wire is positive and hook it up correctly.

As it turned out, on my 05 X5, the wires with white in them are positive, at least on the front doors.

Crutchfield offers rubber (?) cups that fit behind the speakers. They serve as enclosures and to keep water away from the speaker. I didn't order them because I assumed the space was so limited. But, there seems to be plenty of room, so I may order a pair and experiment. Heck, I can get the door panel off so fast now that it is easy!

I am interested in how the attempts at cutting a hole in the sub's access hatch and covering it with material works out. If it doesn't, maybe just covering the hole with a speaker grill would work. It could be painted to match the carpet. Lots of cars have visible sub grills now, so most people would just assume it was stock.

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Essam Khafagi · #**222** 02-07-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlgo

The BSW mid-ranges that go in the dash do not fit without modification. The screw holes in the mounting flange do not line up with the holes in the dash. Not that close, actually.

That's correct

carlgo · #**223** 02-07-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major04

WOW! I been reading all your progress and it's amazing. Keep up the great work!

Could we make this a sticky or in the DIY section? So, that it will not get lost?

Only if you include the girl. Yes, I am a dirty old man, keeping the tradition alive for the next generation.

Philly X5 · #**224** 02-08-2009, 09:52 PM

Sub sound rocks

I decided to try the speaker grill first. I will paint it to match the interior color and I think it will look really nice if not - I will use OEM interior material from the website I posted before but the price is higher so If I go that way maybe someone will want to split the cost with me on this cover project

and I will send you half of the cover material.

I should have the grill & paint this week so will post pictures after paint and install.

This is what I bought:

Grill - eBay item # 280308105620
They have allot of them on eBay but I think this one looked the best and the size of the grill holes was just right, not too big...

Paint - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1p?&I=TESR3410

Grill - $16.08 shipped
Paint - $14.18 shipped

Total project cost - $30.26

X5-limo · #**225** 02-09-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly X5

Sub sound rocks

I decided to try the speaker grill first. I will paint it to match the interior color......Total project cost - $30.26

I decided to take the other 'Subwoofer-hatch door mod' route because I wanted as much opening as possible so as not to restrict any of the sudwoofer's sound waves and also to ease in the closing of the hatch - those 'protruding ribs' on the back were severely pressing into the subwoofer box whenever I closed the hatch. So, (1) I removed the latch-handle assy, (2) Cut a large 10-1/2" x 11-1/2" section out of the hatch door and then (3) tightly strecthed and secured (with the spray adhesive): first, a piece of 'fiberglass' screen door material, and then, second, a piece of the $3.00 Walmart material over the fabric side of the hatch door hole that I cut out, but doing one side at a time, and easily tacking down a side at a time with........drum roll

........

'Headliner Adhesive', ($5.99 a can)!

Kudos to 'MrBMWX5' for the heads-up tip about the adhesive!

As with a few other things in this project, I've never heard of this product, but it's purposely used to secure 'carpet and fabrics' in place.....and boy, does it work!! It only requires a light spray to a base (object), then apply the fabric material and wah-lah, that baby is secured - stuck - and not going anywhere!

I've even covered the 'back' of the hatch door with fabric so the cut-out section won't be noticeable unless one physically runs their hand down the face of the hatch door.

I like using this fleece-like fabric because it negligibly restricts the sound waves and a none-the-wiser observer would ever know there's a speaker, let alone subwoofer, in my cargo bay.

Philly X5, I'll go in with you, (there'll be enough for 3 or more), on the OEM fabric if its just the fabric 'itself' and not 'foam-backed', etc. Let me know!

Essam Khafagi · #**226** 02-10-2009, 07:51 AM

pics pics pics !!!

mrbmwx5 · #**227** 02-10-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5-limo

I decided to take the other 'Subwoofer-hatch door mod' route because I wanted as much opening as possible so as not to restrict any of the sudwoofer's sound waves and also to ease in the closing of the hatch - those 'protruding ribs' on the back were severely pressing into the subwoofer box whenever I closed the hatch. So, (1) I removed the latch-handle assy, (2) Cut a large 10-1/2" x 11-1/2" section out of the hatch door and then (3) tightly strecthed and secured (with the spray adhesive): first, a piece of 'fiberglass' screen door material, and then, second, a piece of the $3.00 Walmart material over the fabric side of the hatch door hole that I cut out, but doing one side at a time, and easily tacking down a side at a time with........drum roll

........

'Headliner Adhesive', ($5.99 a can)!

Kudos to 'MrBMWX5' for the heads-up tip about the adhesive!

As with a few other things in this project, I've never heard of this product, but it's purposely used to secure 'carpet and fabrics' in place.....and boy, does it work!! It only requires a light spray to a base (object), then apply the fabric material and wah-lah, that baby is secured - stuck - and not going anywhere!

I've even covered the 'back' of the hatch door with fabric so the cut-out section won't be noticeable unless one physically runs their hand down the face of the hatch door.

I like using this fleece-like fabric because it negligibly restricts the sound waves and a none-the-wiser observer would ever know there's a speaker, let alone subwoofer, in my cargo bay.

Philly X5, I'll go in with you, (there'll be enough for 3 or more), on the OEM fabric if its just the fabric 'itself' and not 'foam-backed', etc. Let me know!

Hey G. how was my sound system????? do you like it?