Help me decide Please...BSW Sub System or JL Audio Stealthbox
 

Ok, I need to make a decision if I should get the 8" BSW sub system @ $650: X5 Subwoofer / Sub System for BMW X5 | BSW

or 10" JL Audio stealthbox @ $550 without amp:
JL Audio Stealthbox® Custom-fit fiberglass enclosure with 10" W1v2 subwoofer Fits 2000-2006 BMW X5 at Crutchfield.com

If anyone has either please let me know how you like it. Also, I have a Hualingan head unit.

Another question I have is the JL does not come with amp, so what amp should I get that goes with the sub (up to $150 max)?

OR I should buy and empty custom enclosure from someone in the forum and buy separate sub and amp (have no idea what to get though for separate sub and amp)

Please help me decide.


Any feedback would be appreciated.
I have 2001 X5 non dsp (only factory amp and hualingan head unit)

Thanks.:dunno:

Well i would go for BSW but i was at a stereo shop getting my subs installed, i just got a 12 inch in a nice box, very great job at Garner's Stereo in Asheville NC.

Well anyways, JL spends a couple months developing a system for a specific car, they spend about 60,000$ on just one car testing different combinations and stuff for different cars.

I would assume that BSW only deals with One brand mainly and JL with many car brands. and that BSW would be better....but 8" seems a little too small...

IMO, you'll most likely get similar results with either (although size may slightly matter, in this instance). Just adding a sub, from either brands, may be of little significance sound clarity/quality-wise...however, a complete overhaul of your soundsystem by either brand, will offer a much better/sharper listening experience. If that were the case, i'd vote for JL.

Thanks guys, but I still can't make the decision. I like the JL enclosure and the bigger 10" sub but I have to buy an amp and I think rockford fosgate P300 would be ok. What do you think. Or maybe someone bought the BSW setup and is happy but I need to know.

Still trying to make a decision. I got an offer from bsw for a 10% discount, which is great, but I'm still concerned about the 8" sub they offer compared to 10" from JL. I found a great amp choices to pair with the JL - one is rockford fosgate P300-2 and the other is kenwood kac-7205.
Anyone out there - help me decide what to do.

JL Stealthbox
 

I bought a new JL stealthbox. If you have a good head unit and a strong amplifier with a very low THD index (and it sounds like you have), it will the next best thing to a custom trunk box without limiting your cargo space.

My history with a JL Stealthbox; I bought my first steathbox for a new Toyota 4-runner over 14 years ago and it was powered by an old school Soundstream amp.... I wanted to keep my cargo space clear and I remember the output was awesome.

My current Stealthbox fit and finish is top shelf, however, the Sub is not performing at optimal conditions (although this has nothing to do with the Stealthbox itself). I am working through input issues with my factory head unit, so I have ordered a JL Cleansweep to provide a corrected signal to my PDX-5. I am also adding a separate Alpine PDX-1 for the sub.

My X5 is going back to the stereo shop on Thursday to accomplish this. Once I get the vehicle back, I will be able to give you a better review.

Awesome!
 

Got my X5 back this evening. The JL cleansweep is amazing... It totally unleashed the power of my Alpine amps and JL stealthbox... It even looks factory. JL all the way!!
:thumbup:

if your located in the NY area i have an alpine digital amp that fits where your cd changer goes and an alpine type s 12". it has an absolutely amazing sound and you will not be disappointed. could be a great alternative for u. I was able to screw the box on the cargo plastic mat and it never moved.

Thank you all guys for your input. I already purchased BSW system and will let you know how it is once I find time to install this weekend.

Does someone mind posting pics of their installations? I am in the market for a sub but am also concerned about taking up too much cargo space. Thanks in advance.

Ok, so today I unpacked the 2 boxes from BSW and started the install. I had to remove my old sub box that was taking space in the trunk of my X first and clean all the wires. I left the positive connected and removed the fuse for the time being. Grounded the new wire close the new amp they sent me. By the way they use their own BSW amp, which is much smaller and more powerful than the original they had. I will post pictures later on. So the new sub fitted quite nicely in the opening. After I bolted the sub I realized that I knocked of the light bulb housing from the rear light. As you can imagine there is no space and no way you can put it back in the housing until you remove the fuse box again and unbolt the sub and remove and then fix the light bulb. Did it and put back all together.
Just to mention that I made sure all was connected and working before I started to put things to their places. So, sub is mounted and done, routed all wires nice and mounted the amp to the back of the left cargo panel. Now I have to cut a round whole on the right cargo panel to reveal the speaker behind. I already bought from eBay 10" speaker grille for $5 and all will look nice at the end.
I have to tell you that I'm absolutely happy with my purchase and the help that I got from Halston from BSW.
The sub has awesome sound and bass, the amp is great as well. I was pleasantly surprised how easy and fast the whole installation was and now I have an excellent sound in my X.

Here are pictures as promised...
 

I was able to snap some pictures today of the finished work. I'm really happy with the whole setup and the excellent sound/bass that comes from this 8" woofer.:thumbup:

Rado - Thank you for the review and pictures! Like how we can see the little bsw logo sneaking through the grill! Glad you are happy as that is the number 1 goal here at BSW! If you need anything else please just let me know!

Thank you, Halston. It is a pleasure doing business with you.

Nice! Thanks for posting the pics.

I'm looking to do a similar audio upgrade to my X5 4.4 sports. How much did all this cost?

You can get the current price for the system at bavsound.com

The speaker grille cost me $5 from ebay.

here's mine...
 

Rado and Halston; Since I couldn't find any comparisons or reviews, I went with what my installer and I were familiar with. I am glad to know that you are pleased with your setup. :thumbup:

My sub response is incredible, now I need to upgrade my other speakers (Halston, I promise to call you this time).

I chose not to cut my sub cover, but I may consider doing that down the road.

Here is a peek at mine;

Gixxerboy63, Cut the sub cover! i have the same JL sub box as you and did not cut mine until a month ago, i wished i did when i first installed it, nice clean rattle free sound! :thumbup:

i finally upgraded my audio and it sounds amazing - i went with elemental designs 10" sub and i haven't cut my cover yet - where did you get that grill? would like to do the same.. nice setup.

Gixxer what amp do you have? I am going to order the JL stealthbox for my 2008 e70 X5 and was thinking of getting the JX500. It is their least expensive model but should be sufficient for the 1 JL 10W3v3 500 watt sub.