"Standard Audio + Subwoofer" Question
 

Alright I actually like the standard audio system in the X5. I think it performs better with the mids and highs than the HK in the E46.

However, I would like some more accurate reproduction of the bass in the cabin. I've pretty much acquainted myself with the various options:

--> Separate boxed sub + separate amplifier
--> Replacement of mid-range speakers in the doors
--> Infinity BassLink self-amplified subwoofer
--> SAS Bazooka self-amplified subwoofer

First of all, let me state my intentions. I don't want to create a system that's gonna be heard outside of the car;

I also want to stay away from replacing existing speakers - that's a mess which I can't justify to pay for, nor cope with.

This leaves the BassLink and the Bazooka. Well, according the BavAuto they only sell the BassLink if you have the DSP. Supposing this is true, that unfortunately throws away my first choice.

However, a famed Toronto audio shop told me about the SAS Bazooka. I am aware they aren't as "good" as other high class subs. I just want to accentuate the bass in the cabin, and at 100W RMS power, I believe it's sufficient.

What are your opinions on this idea? I was quoted $500 including installation (about $410 US).

Bazooka and Basslink are worthless...
I would compare the bass from that to only slightly better than what the dsp will have. Your going to crank your stero on a good song and these things will crap out on you.

You much better off getting a 10 inch High eff sub with a seperate amp in a sealed box.

For Example,
You could get a New Kicker 10inch L5 for around $130 on ebay
A Kx400.1 Amp, around $150'
Box is $35
Wires $45(Same stuff at any audio shop, this is how these places make their money)
install around $100-$150
This setup will blow away any sub bazooka even makes, and the quality is at another level.

Got any pictures of this setup?

I am well aware that many subs are superior. However, I don't want to waste my cargo space with a sub in a box, plus an amplifier. Plus, if I were to go that route, I would want some better quality components (i.e. JBL, JL, Alpine, Pioneer, Rockford, Infinity).

The point is for it to be discrete and not waste the trunk. I actually use the SAV many times for its limited "utility"...

I think you would be losing about the same cargo space with a small box as you would with a basslink.

http://www.wakeboat.com/catalog/img2...7plexibox3.jpg

The box is about 10x10x10 and the amp can be mounted on top of the box or inside the right compartment since you dont have dsp...


http://www.bavauto.com/assets/produc...rod/infswk.jpg

The basslink is Dimensions (H x W x D): 14-1/2" x 12-1/2" x 8"


Just trying to help, i was going to do the basslink but did the research and the thing is just a peice of shit for the price. You could get 5x better performance by going with individual sub/box/amp setup.

Totally agreed with you on the separate sub/box/amp setup. I was also considering the basslink option until I heard it in the store...not very impressed. While it may seem that it's great to have everything in one unit (easy for install and removal), but the fact of the matter is that it's actually more cumbersome. If you want to remove the basslink, for example, you would have to pull the power/ground cables, remote turn-on cable, as well as the RCAs (or whatever that's feeding the basslink). That's about 7 wires total. Not to meantion that all these cables that you just pulled must be isolated somehow (don't want power/ground shorting out). On the other hand, if you have a separate sub/box/amp setup, the amp can be kept wired up in it's place (in the right panel, for example) all the time while you only need to pull 2 speaker wires (banana jacks) from the sub/box and out comes the box for your SUV (SAV) purpose. On top of that, there are so many hardware options in the $400 range...which is not that much more expensive than the basslink.

I am with you Bavarian. All I want is a little bit more bass from my stock stereo. The speakers just can't handle quite the bass I would like. If I could have something that would simply plug into the stereo and take little space, that would be perfect. I don't want a system, just a little more bass.

Your going to spend $400 for a piece of crap that you will be unhappy with in a couple of weeks.

Or you can do it the right way and spend like $50 more and have a kickass system that sounds good at low volumes... and when you crank it, it wont clip and sound like shit.

Getting the Basslink is like going to target and buying a TV/DVD/VHS combo. Just a bunch of cheap shit packed togeather and sold at a premium price.

Well it all depends on your needs and how much you want it to be concealed.
One example of a hidden subwoofer install using a 10" JL Audio sub is below

http://www.sound-in-motion.com/image..._subs/004a.jpg

The sub won't be too expensive and depending on how perfect you want the
box to be it could be build for very reasonable money.

I always like retaining the stock look of a car and not to attract too much attention to it from the outside.
The amp could easily be mounted underneath the cargo cover.

- Jan

:rofl: Jan, how long does it take to make such a custom box like yours, and what mods do you need to make to the right door panel itself? Cost?

Hey JMH,
Does the W6V2 have enough air space? The specs is .9 to 1.50 cu. ft for a sealed box. I want to do exactly what you have done. I printed your pictures out to try to get a quote on how much it would cost for it to be done in my X5, I got quoted around $800. If you don't mind, how much did you pay for yours? I had a kicker 12 L7 and competed in a db competition and hit 148.9. But I love JL, I'm going to power the sub with a 500/1.

When I first heard the dsp system in my X it was pretty good but it lacked the low end that I wanted. So I search for something better but didnt want a bigass box in the back. Looked at the infinity and still it wasnt enough power. I tried a 10" bazooka tube that I had but the bass was too boomy maybe because of the hatchback, but it was loud. So I finally found kicker solobarics.
They only require a small box and plenty of power. I bought 2 l5 10" the new chrome looking ones. Built a box for them and still have some space for cargo. Although the box is bigger than both the bazooka or the infinity, the trade off is worth it. The bass is nice and tight. If you sit in the back it have enough power to give you a free massage. I tried to turn it up all the way as loud as I can sitting in the car with the windows rolled up then went outside. With the doors closed I can barely hear anything from the outside. You can feel a little bass but thats it. But with the windows down you can hear it quite loud. I still havent cover the box yet no time lately. By the way anyone know where I can find matching carpet material for the box? Painting is a way to go but its alot more work.

I love solo barics, I have an L7 12". But it gets even better with a ported box. Are you still running on your factory deck?

DSP Sub Replacement?
 

X5.0

You say you added a new sub to your DSP system. How difficult was that? Did you need a bunch of adapters?

Hi,
this is actually a friends car not mine :) . However as I know the folks pretty well who've done the work on his and my car (and many others :) ) I can tell you it would probably take 3-4 days for building and fitting the box. Now if there'd be sufficient interest they could of course build a mold they can use to speed up the build process. The box will provide enough airspace for the JL sub and it actually sounds pretty good. Now if you want to go all the way out you could consider a 12" (like I did) but this will require more extensive custom work ....

- Jan

It took me about 3 days off and on to hook up the amp and another day to build the box. I worked slowly and test everything because I did not want to mess anything up. I use a line out converter that i had to hook it up to the output on the main processor or brain. It is located under the spare tire. Thanks to a member from another forum for all the info. I dont know if I can post the link so pm me if you need it.

My '03 X5 has the standard stereo. I opted for the Kenwood wOOx, a very small sub/amp product that takes up very little space and includes a remote that gives some control over frequency and volume. However, small drivers (one is passive) and 50 watts don't give you much. My backseat passengers like the "fill" it provides. To be honest, I don't notice it much. Oh well, I think I spent no more than $150 bucks on it and did the install myself. If I had to do it again, I would probably go with a custom box in the factory sub location.

Like you, I was only looking for an improvement in bass response, not anything obnoxious (BTW, I'm black. Where I'm at, it's mostly "other" folks who have the 'boomin' systems' in their accords, scions, and other imports).

thats a nice setup.

did you have to cut the panel?

Actually, I haven't mounted the wOOx in a permanent location yet (part of the reason being that I'm not sure I will keep it for the long term). It lies flat on the floor of the cargo area (maybe that is hindering performance).

My plan is to either mount it upright on the cargo floor using the supplied brackets or hide it behind the right panel door. I think I would prefer the second option, but I've been a bit too busy to measure the area to see if the wOOx would fit (I hope I don't have to relocate the fuse box). If it does, I may have to cut the panel. Maybe I can insert a speaker grill into the panel.

I will post an update if/when I get to it.

custom box mold
 

Jan, I would definitely be interested in a purchasing the custom box for the rear side panel, if enough people are interested. How many people do they require to make it worthwhile? Any idea?

I would be in on a group buy in a heartbeat, just last week I was out taking measurements in that nook in my X5 to see if I can create a cutsom box that would fit in there on my own, I too looked at Basslink but it was not that impressive.

that's a cool set up. All covered up and out of sight. i'd be interested in something like that...

The folks at Sound in Motion have done a number of X5s and building a sub-box for the X is now a faster process. However history has shown that it's probably not worth to pre-build a number of boxes as for some magic reason demand will sudenly vanish :) ...
You may want to call Jim or Derek at Sound in Motion (http://www.sound-in-motion.com ) and ask them how much they'd charge for building a custom box.

For those who plan to join us at Bimmerfest East 2005 you will be able to get a first hand look at the finish and fit of the subwoofer enclosure in my X.

- Jan

Too bad I'm in Canada. :(

boston is not too far to visit this company, though...

Yes, one kink in making that box as a DIY product is that much of the internal volume, like an iceberg, is below the surface - in this case, the surface of the load floor. It's a good bit of work to do.

We have made molds for some cars, but because of the convoluted lower portion of the X5, it would be pretty problematic to make one that worked for the X5 (not that I haven't considered it... : )

Here is a DLS Magnesium Series 10:http://kward1.homestead.com/X5subbox.html

You can see that it extends below that line...

Hello All,
I have a 2001 X-5 with Non DSP system that needs a little extra bass also. Can anyone explain why I could not take a factory subwoofer from an X-5 with DSP system and utilize it in my vehicle. The way I would approach this would be to locate the factory amp and wire bundle in the cargo compartment in the rear left side. These wires are inputs from the head and outputs that include high level outs to speakers as well as others that are not needed. The wires that I would tap into would be the high level input wires to the amp from the head. Perhaps use the front mid bass speakers. I don't think I would use the low level speaker outs from the head because of distortion. I would also use the Remote wire: (used to power on/off the new sub/amp White (solid) I was told that the sub has a built in amplifier. Hook up a positive to the battery terminal by the spare tire, and a ground somewhere on the sheet metel of the frame. If needed I could use a crossover between the head and subwoofer/amplifier. If the stock sub does not have a amplifier in it, I do have a sony 200watt amplifer that can install. Will this work??? Please advise.
Comanche

You can definitely use the factory subwoofer from the DSP system, but it won't have the sound that you are after, since it only contains 2 puny 5.5" or 6" speakers (BMW calls them subwoofers where those should be mids for the rest of the worlds). I am 99% sure that the DSP system comes with a separate amplifier for the subs, so you will need an amplifier to drive those subs if you decide to use them. Besides, the enclosure and the subs are sold as one unit for about $300 bucks...for that kind of money, you can get a much, much better 10" sub. On the other hand, if you can find a DSP sub with enclosure at a junk yard, you can definitely modify the enclosure to be used with an 8" woofer, which I've heard sounds very decent. So, that's why you don't see anyone putting that OEM DSP sub into their X as a mod...it's just not worth the effort.

We just upgraded the OEM sub on a DSP system because of how bad it sounded.

Those 6"s play 80 hertz and down, but they have a mechanical resonance of 80 Hz too, so they roll off at 12dB/octave at their crossover point. This means that they are 12dB quieter at 40 Hertz than at 80.

The 3mm thick ABS panel in front of them doesn't help either.

Replace DSP added SUB
 

I replaced my DSP amp with an A/D/S 4.1 channel amp and then made a fiberglass enclose for an Alpine sub. I like the sound a lot better now but I know I can get even better performance. I intend to goto a JBL sub and am currently researching amps.

i'm looking to upgrade my x5 with a sub but i dont want to void the warranty. any suggestions for me? i guess i cant replace the amp at all...

what are the odds of getting more pics of ur friend's install? :dunno:
i'd be interested in seeing what it looks like below deck. :thumbup:

i'm not so sure i'd say that Bazooka is worthless. well, maybe the subwoofer that comes w/ them is, but i actually like the enclosure. i've used both 6" and 8" Bazooka enclosures. the 6" enclosure, i replaced the woofer w/ 6" Kickers. the 8" enclosure, i replaced the woofer w/ 8" JL's. not only did i replace the woofer, but i clamshelled an additional woofer to each enclosure clamshelled together, it may have taken some of the db level away, but i personally believe that it made the bass tighter. :dunno:

as i can see this thread was started by those of us (me including) who want to upgrade their standart stereo systems to add some better sounds on low frequencies. and that is without altering much the way the boot area will look. this issue is very important to me too. i wanted to retrofit my x5 with the oem dsp and sub and premium sond system for that matter. the dealer in london, uk said it can not be done.

jan, you showed as a great solution. can you give more details please. i have connected many amps and subs to pioneer and sony headunits-anyone can do it, beacause you have the sub out and remote control wire marked by the head unit manufacturer. i would suppose it will be harder to identify this wires on bmw headunit (with tv and navigation). what will really help us jan, is to see some connection diagrams, wire colours etc. i suppose it is bit too late to ask for some pics of the actual connections, since it is all covered now.

your input is really appreciated, all of you.

This is a good thread that deserves a sticky!

Subwoofer and amp install
 

This message is for the Krunk Man.
You seem to be very knowledgeable when it comes to amps and subwoofers. I want your help in deciding which amp and sub to choose. I have an x5 3.0 with standard audio system no dsp no nav. I planned to use JL audio sub (10w3v2) and amp (250/1).
Do I make a good choice? Or is there something better as far as sound quality that I can use?

JL Audio Stealthbox!
 

http://www.xoutpost.com/group-buys/22...rst-serve.html:rofl: