Decisions, decisions!!

[turbo38sfi]

OK, I've read the articles posted. They all had DSP systems though, I don't have DSP, so would I be bypassing the stock amp all together or tap into the output of the stock amp? Also, since mine is a 2003, I should have the AUX in connector on the back of the NAVI correct?
I'm just leary of spending the money to setup the factory Sirius equipment to not be happy with the SQ of the stock setup and have $500 of BMW satellite equipment.

Basically if I can get a single DVD player up front, possibly a 1/2 din setup in the console possibly and sirius I'll be happy if it sounds good.

[el_duderino]

It's actually around $350 if you get it from Crevier BMW.

The SQ of the HU to an aftermarket amp is the same whether you have DSP or not. The articles state that once the DSP is properly bypassed, the OEM HU to aftermarket amp interface is the same as it would be on non-DSP vehicles.

The interface after the amp is not needed at all. The non-DSP systems have front and rear full-range balanced analog outputs. I personally run them through Iso-Max isolators (flat to 0.5 Hz) but you don't have to, I guess.

You had better be planning on buying a very expensive head unit if you want it to outperform that OEM HU, once properly interfaced with. If executed properly, your limiting factors are your amps and speakers, not the HU.

Tell you what. I'll happily tell your installer how to do it.

[turbo38sfi]

Originally Posted by el_duderino

It's actually around $350 if you get it from Crevier BMW.

The SQ of the HU to an aftermarket amp is the same whether you have DSP or not. The articles state that once the DSP is properly bypassed, the OEM HU to aftermarket amp interface is the same as it would be on non-DSP vehicles.

The interface after the amp is not needed at all. The non-DSP systems have front and rear full-range balanced analog outputs. I personally run them through Iso-Max isolators (flat to 0.5 Hz) but you don't have to, I guess.

You had better be planning on buying a very expensive head unit if you want it to outperform that OEM HU, once properly interfaced with. If executed properly, your limiting factors are your amps and speakers, not the HU.

Tell you what. I'll happily tell your installer how to do it.

OK, that's what I was getting at, if it as the same as the DSP system once the DSP is bypassed (disabled) I'd really love to hear one though. What about adjustablility? All you've got is the bass/treble control on the HU right?

I'd really like to take you up on your offer too about either talking to me or them!

[el_duderino]

Adjustability is for people that can't sell/buy the right speakers. : )

But if you use Zapco Digital Reference amps, they have 10-band DSP parametric DSP EQs, very flexible xovers, digital input and output level settings, etc., on the front end. Adjust away.

[turbo38sfi]

Originally Posted by el_duderino

Adjustability is for people that can't sell/buy the right speakers. : )

But if you use Zapco Digital Reference amps, they have 10-band DSP parametric DSP EQs, very flexible xovers, digital input and output level settings, etc., on the front end. Adjust away.

You can take the same speaker and put it in 3 different vehicles and get 3 totally different signs, you being a professional should know that! You've got a great depth of knowledge about the X5 OEM system, but I don't get your confrontational attitude....

[el_duderino]

And I guess I don't get what you're reacting to.

On the Internet, when someone puts a smiley after something, that usually indicates that it's a joke. If you want to be offended by a joke with a lot of truth to it, I guess I can't stop you - but is was only a joke.

As far as the "adjust away" reference, I think this is a very cool feature of the Digital Reference amps, and I am telling a lot of people about them.

That BMW DSP EQ is not very flexible, has center frequencies in odd places (the lowest "slider" is above the subwoofer's crossover point!), and unless you are adjusting it with a real-time analyzer, you're not "correcting" for a vehicle's interior anomalies, you're making it sound more subjectively pleasant to you (not an evil goal, but not one that gets to hide behind the cover of "correction").

As a professional, I have seen many speakers damaged by customers who felt that their EQ should allow their speakers to play sounds that they just didn't mechanically "want" to play. Rarely I have seen systems where everything else was optimal, but didn't sound worthwhile until you got a user-adjustable EQ.

What I tell people, as a professional, is NOT to budget for an EQ unless you are getting the best speakers you can think of. If the speakers could still be better if you upped the budget by the amount the EQ would cost, then get the better speakers instead of the EQ.

This may be interpreted as anti-EQ bias. If so, that's probably pretty accurate.

[turbo38sfi]

I find that switching CDs, switching to an mp3 recorded CD or my Ipod, I'm always tweaking slightly....sometimes too much bass, sometimes the mids are too high...one cd does not play the same as the next, that's the beauty of having flexiblity at your fingertips.

As far as speakers, I have 5.25 JL ZRs. I was wondering if a 6.5 could fit in the front door, I haven't taken it apart yet so no idea. They are not much deeper than the 5.25s really at all so I guess it could be possible. If they do, I'd just put the 5.25s in the rear..I know you don't like rear fill though!

[turbo38sfi]

Will be picking up the X5 tonight. Ended up ditching the stock stuff. Undecided on the sub, for right now I'm testing out a 10W1 in a glass enclosure on the passenger side rear compartment. I went with the following:
JL 300/4 & 500/1 amps
JL 6.5" ZR series fronts
JL 6.5" XR series rears
Kenwood Excelon 8017 double DIN with Nav and Sirius.
There's really not much room in the side compartment for a large volume sub, I wanted to go with a w7, not happening with this enclosure though. A mold will be pulled of this setup and made for anyone wanting a 10" sub back there in a few weeks. I think I'll end up going with a 10w7 just going to have to remake that panel in the back and a lot larger than what's there.