FINISHED SUBWOOFER INSTALL
 

I spent my afternoon installing the smaller Kenwood X500-1 (300W RMS mono) amplifier along with the Stinger SGN12 line output converter (requires splicing into the factory amp wiring--which is relatively simple to do), and I must say that adding a 10" subwoofer helps out with adding in the missing bottom-end that my E53 has sorely been missing. While not windows shattering bass, which I did not want from the getgo, listening to music in the car is actually quite enjoyable again.

I had upgraded my tweeters, mids, and midbass from BSW, and I thought they were a good upgrade for cleaner sound than the stock speakers. However, the midbass speakers didn't do much for bass (no improvement over the stock speakers, except for better clarity), so I ended up with building the subwoofer box that originated with Zerochief (mostly), Essam, and a few others.

The smaller Kenwood X500-1 fit in the place that my original Alpine MRP-M500 amplifier could not fit in before. I have nav, non-DSP 10 speaker radio, and a CD changer in my 2005 X5 4.4i, and with the iBus module in the same rear cargo area, it was hard to fit the Alpine amp in place (1/8" too deep). The low footprint Kenwood fits great with room to spare on 1/2" MDF mounting plate I made (see picture). This MDF plate stablizes and firmly holds the amp in place so it doesn't rattle in the trunk nor short something out.

Attachment 54395

The amp was rotated so only the low level inputs faced the spare tire (easier to remove the spare tire by a quick disconnect of the cable), and allowed me to be able to easily access and adjust the amp settings, and lastly, made for a cleaner look (hides the bulky ground, remote, power inputs and speaker outputs).

Attachment 54396

In any event, I'm extremely happy with the subwoofer addition, and once I get a bit more tweaking on the gain, crossover, and bass boost over the next few days, it should dialed in. A hint for folks who may be tuning the subwoofer--once you put in the carpeted rear cargo floor, it will attenuate your bass a bit. I tried tuning without it in place and thought I had it right where I wanted it, but once I put in the carpeted rear cargo floor, I had to turn up the gain a bit to compensate for the damping. For reference, my Kenwood settings (per my preferences and my subwoofer box): bass boost: +3db (@ 40Hz), low pass crossover: ~90 Hz), and input sensitivity (~1.6 volts)--subject to change over the next few days as I tweak the sound a little more.

Enjoy!

After driving around a few more days, here are my updated Kenwood X500-1 amplifier settings (based on my custom box and the Stinger SGN12 line output converter)--may help others tune their system:

• Bass boost: +1db (@ 40Hz) [previously was set too high and bass sounded muddled]
• Low pass crossover: ~80 Hz [near where the midbass speakers cutoff]
• Input sensitivity (~1.0 volts)

Nice clean sound without sounding overly harsh or synthetic. Again, just my baseline settings for my particular setup to help others that may want to tune their setup. Nonetheless, everyone will have their own preferences.

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Also, as a reference to tap the Stinger SGN12 (or any line output converter; or directly to the aftermarket subwoofer amp if it has speaker level inputs) off the factory BMW amplier harness wiring, here are my notes. Again, this is for a 10 speaker, premium, non-DSP system--if you have a 6 speaker or DSP system, these notes won't pertain to you:


2 subconnectors on the main BMW amplifier wiring harness: a grey subconnector and a black subconnector.


GREY SUBCONNECTOR
White (plain white): remote on lead [near the back 2/3rds of the grey connector]
Twisted pair #1: Blue with black stripe (+) // Brown with Orange Stripe (-) [midbass, rear door speaker tap; one side (can't remember if the L or R side)]

BLACK SUBCONNECTOR
Twisted pair #2: Yellow with black stripe (+) // Brown with Orange Stripe (-) [midbass, rear door speaker tap; other side from above]

I used butt connectors to splice the factory amplifier harness wiring with the Stinger line output connector. There are other methods you can use as well. From there, you hook up the line output converter RCA jacks and the tapped remote on lead to your added-on aftermarket subwoofer amp, and you should be good to go.

Good luck with the install. You'll enjoy your car's stereo that much more!

Bumping an old thread due to trying to install only an aftermarket deck while using the stock amp, speakers and sub enclosure. For the life of me I.can't figure out how to get the factory amp to turn on though based on what little information I was given.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ml#post1036603

Hot Holy 3 year thread bump LOL

A little while ago I installed a thin sub amp in the spare tire area on the driver side that just was able to fit. The amp is a Razor Power Acoustik Model RZ1-2300D on ebay as of this moment for about $105 Power Acoustik RZ1-2300D 2300 Watt Monoblock Class D Car Subwoofer Amplifier New 709483043763 | eBay

I connected the amp using high side audio inputs from this posting:

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...ctory-amp.html

"Other Harman/Kardon equipped X5: After ejecting the connector you should now see 2 connectors side by side, a gray one and a black one. The pins are numbered from 1 to 13 on the gray connector and from 22 to 34 on the black one. The pictures 6 and 7 below show the 2 connectors. On this connector Pin #1 (-) and #2 (+) are for left rear woofer and pin #24 (-) and #25 (+) are for right rear woofer."

For my sub, I used a DSP sub from ebay and wired both speakers to a conventional speaker terminal that I replaced the factory pin connector.

After properly adjusting the amp settings, for my ears it gives just enough low end bump to make me happier with the stock factory upgraded S676 sound system.

I will try to add pics of the location for my install:

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...2-img-1431.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...1-img-2815.jpg

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...0-img-2814.jpg

Hopefully this can help others see a viable amp and location for the tight rear deck area. :dunno: :dunno:

Mike

I have one of these enclosures for sale, it was in my 03 X5. Comes with a MB Quart 10" Sub and Kicker 300 watt mono amp. Sounded awesome and delivered great balanced full bass.

Give me a offer

Belongs in the sale section of the forum

Cool Story

I'll make an offer.

I'll pay $50 for the enclosure. $35 of that goes directly to this site to make you or the person of your choice a supporting member who can post in the classifieds. :thumbup:

I actually bought the enclousure from a guy selling them on this site few years ago for $60 enclosure alone. The Amp and Sub were another $150. I can get $100 on Ebay.

Besides I finally sold my X5 the repairs were getting overwhelming. One thing after another. I tried my best to stick up for BMW but anything pre 2008 is pretty much a turd. Last BMW I will ever own.