Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1194717)

Given the number of speakers you are dealing with here... I'd avoid replacing the HiFi amp unless you were planning a full aftermarket (multiple amps) install. The HiFi gives you all the channels of output you need (8). While aftermarket 8 channel amps exist... they are big and expensive. Couple that with needing to splice into the factory amp's speaker harness and I think sticking with it is the best option.

Now, if you are a car audio enthusiast, that changes the equation. I am going full retard on mine. 2 JL Audio 500/5 slash v1 amps and 1 JL 1000/1 slash v1 amp. Just picked up a DSP processor for it as well (DM-810). Total waste of money and effort... except that it tickles me in all the right places to go crazy with it. :D

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194720)

Unless I'm reading this wrong, the OP just wants proper sound out of the coax speakers and tweeters. Not necessarily to use all the factory speakers

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194720)

You don't need an 8 channel amp or multiple amps at all unless you want active control for each channel. You can do everything easy and cheap with passive xovers, just like BMW did using a cap to filter the highs for the tweeters.

I'm my opinion, the factory system components suck and there's no good reason for it to be a 3 way system anyway.

You can improve the factory sound easily with just a tweeter and a 6.5 in the factory door and then go from there as you need.

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1194720)

I am with you 100% on the car audio enthusiast side. I've been out of the game for a minute but this summer I finally put together a little system in my e46 convertible from some equipment I had lying around.

An observation...but it doesn't seem like the price of audio gear has gone down AT ALL!!

Seems like electronics in general are worth a fraction of what they did when they came out as new technology...not so in car audio.

Even the used equipment is expensive around these parts

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1194724)

He replaced all of them with aftermarket so I assumed he wanted to use them all. :dunno:



I agree. A good component set is a world of improvement over the stock HiFi gear. Especially paired with an aftermarket amp. But the HiFi amp does not sound bad either with a set of components (you don't use the included passive Xover for the tweet). I was impressed with my bud's setup who is running stock HiFi amp with stock dash and Infinity Reference components. Avin 4 for the head unit and 10" sub in the side compartment w/ small mono amp. Really not shabby.



Been out of it for a bit too. But got the itch to build my "dream" system from when I was young and into it but couldn't afford higher end gear. I agree with you, vintage/classic gear is going up in price, not down. It's not back up to MSRP prices... but it's definitely not cheap. The 1000/1 v1 is up to ~$500 used.

That said, some of the newer gear is incredible with the footprint they have while still maintaining decent power and acceptable THD. Some of the audiocontrol amps have DSP built in, clipping detection, bass restoration for OE integration, EQ's, and other stuff. Just crazy. :wow:

Originally Posted by crystalworks (Post 1194620)

What is your VIN so we can see what the setup originally had? That will tell us how it is wired.

I forget the specifics but a buddy just went through this same thing and corrected it. I'll check with him and see what the deal was. His was HiFi and was either getting no signal or no highs to the tweets.