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Audio Upgrade in E53 X5.

hi guys
i need to upgrade my sound system in my x5 2001 model. i want to add 2 amps, 1 x 4 channel for the door speakers
and 1 x 1 channel/ 2 channel bridgeable for the sub.
i have already had the box made from specs i got from an older thread.
Ive figured out that my system is non dsp and maybe that it actually doesnt have an amp as i thought coz on another thread i read that says those which have a mid and 6 speakers have no amp. so my questions are:-

1. If i dont have the amp whats the black thingie at the left rear compartment under my shuttle.
2. How do i tap into the audio signal to supply my amps and where do i get the speaker wires if theyre not on that black thingie
3. i dont want to have to run new wires to the doors and would want to use the factory speaker wires. How do i accomplish that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaykay (Post 931332)

hi guys
i need to upgrade my sound system in my x5 2001 model. i want to add 2 amps, 1 x 4 channel for the door speakers
and 1 x 1 channel/ 2 channel bridgeable for the sub.
i have already had the box made from specs i got from an older thread.
Ive figured out that my system is non dsp and maybe that it actually doesnt have an amp as i thought coz on another thread i read that says those which have a mid and 6 speakers have no amp. so my questions are:-

1. If i dont have the amp whats the black thingie at the left rear compartment under my shuttle. <- This is the amp.
2. How do i tap into the audio signal to supply my amps and where do i get the speaker wires if theyre not on that black thingie. Speakers wires are there. You need to search for diagram to know which one to which speaker.
3. i dont want to have to run new wires to the doors and would want to use the factory speaker wires. How do i accomplish that?

You DO have an amp, regarless of regular stereo or DSP.
Are you gonna replace the head unit with an aftermarket one?

The black module in rear is the amp.
You may find this useful (tips & tricks/article sections are overlooked nowadays): http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...formation.html

Fyi, there's also a section here: Mobile Electronics Forum - Xoutpost.com for everything regarding audio/video upgrades...including all the information you seek.;)

i dont want to remove the head unit, want to keep that original look.
and again i have been reading threads from the mobile electronics forum for the past few days now which is where i picked up the information i have and that point that was confusing me that i didnt have an amp. so if there is a thread that you can send a link to with info that might be helpful i would appreciate

Thanks for the link, to clear things up those wires should be headed straight to the amp with those colours where i can tap from or remove then feed my aftermarket amp? then from the amp to the speakers how do i identify which ones they are?

There is no need to remove the head unit....that color code post will identify what is what for the amp as well. The basic idea for your set up is to intercept the signals coming from the factory head unit (going to the factory amp in the rear) and re-route them to your new aftermarket amps.

All you'd be doing is splicing in aftermarket amps in place of the factory amp.
Factory setup: Factory headunit--->factory amp--->factory wiring--->factory door speakers
Your new setup: Factory headunit--->aftermarket amp--->factory wiring--->aftermarket door speakers

Thanks man, thats a simple yet very good way to put it. and the speakers in the dash are there straight from the amp or from the front through a crossover?

Should be a straight shot right from the amp.