[bmwaddiction]

Hi guys, I have a 2005 325i (e90) with a stock stereo system - to my knowledge it includes the following: Professional Head Unit, 2 front door speakers and 2 rear shelf speakers. I also believe that there is no amp. On the US forums everyone keeps referring to the subwoofer mounter under the seat in all e90, however I can't see anything under my seats.

What are my upgrade options locally - I want to be sensible with spending money on this upgrade, perhaps just two good quality front speakers and an amp (at least as a starting point)?

I know there is 'an off the shelf' solution through the Bavarian Sound Werks (BSW), but I would like to see if there are any clever ways to keep the cost down while getting a similar result to a BSW Stage 1 upgrade with an amp.

[bmwaddiction]

anyone, any idea? what sort of aftermarket amp and 2 x front speakers would be recommended?

I know from other posts about the infinity reference 4012i, but what other option are there?

particularly in regard to an aftermarket amp?

[sbce90]

hey mate. im not sure about aftermarket (there are undoubtedly others who do know) but i just had the oem alpine retrofit kit installed. it added tweeters and amp, and replaced the front door speakers with some pretty good quality aluminium ones. it sounds decent and you can definitely listen to music at higher volumes than in the base system without losing clarity. cost just over 1300 installed (due to some complications) but i was initially quoted 1700.. ill be sure to keep coming back to this post to see what others recommend.

[bmwaddiction]

SBC, thank for your input. Do you think the Alpine upgrade is worth the money? Did it include the two front tweeters? I got a quote of $1380 from Canberra BMW for the install, plus they need to order two black plastic door corner parts for about $120. So if I was going the Alpine way its going to cost around $1500.

Pretty steep for an amp and a couple of speakers.

There is some great aftermarket stuff out there and heaps cheaper, just wondering if anyone else has gone the non-Alpine way.

[sbce90]

the tweeters fit in the new door frames. but surely the frame should be part of the price quoted? the kit comes with tweeters.. why should you have to pay extra to get more parts to allow for the fitting of the kit? it is a bit steep but they're good speakers. im sure you can get stuff for much less which would be just as good too. im interested in some new (more powerful) subs too. my audio upgrade is still ongoing.. since i had the alpine fitted, the subs have been making a clicking/tapping sound if you play bassy or full sounded music at slightly high volume. bmw has ordered in new subs under warranty, but i dont think it will fix the problem. apparently it is hard to get good subs which fit under the seats. im not too keen on going all out and taking up boot space with huge subs and heaps of amps either. do you have any ideas about where to go to get aftermarket upgrades? im just hesitant to let someone inexperienced or not very knowledgeable about bmws to go and play with the electrics and stuff on my car.

[John_01]

Have you seen this thread below about the Alpine audio kit?
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182752

The standard 320i audio system I think has 6.5" subs in the floor of the car under the front seats. Adding the Alpine speaker option adds a 4 channel amplifier so the subs get their own amp channels. I don't recall what the other 2 channels are for, since I think the tweeters and mids share a channel on each side. The amp unit is fitted under the foor of the boot. I am pretty sure I have this alpine audio system in my car because I specified Hi-Fi speaker option (which I understand to the be same thing). It is the standard audio system in the 335i.


SBC, The point of me writing this is that the clicking problem could be related to the amp, wiring, or the sub-woofer itself. Maybe if you ask in the UK thead above someone will know why you get the clicking sound.

----------EDIT-------------
Now I read the Alpine install instructions, it seems like the head unit powers the rear speakers and also feeds the Alpine amp high level input. The Alpine amp powers both the front mid/tweeters and also the subs usng a total of 4 channels. So the same signal is feeding both the mid/tweeter and subwoofer. It seems most likely that a wiring problem would affect all 4 channels of the amp and you would hear the same distortion through the front speakers as well.

[bmwaddiction]

If you are after a sub have a look at the bavariansoundwerks.com website, they specialise in bmw stereos. They have a 'stealth sub' that fits in the boot well of your e90 and comes with instructions on how to install it (of course you can take it to an installer for the peace of mind).

It looks awesome, and I am thinking of getting one. But first I need to sort out my speakers and get an amp. I can't believe my 325i has nothing - no amp, no subs, just a bare bones head unit and 4 speakers!

[sbce90]

John_01 - i started reading it before but 20 pages.. im working my way through it now. im not rushing to get it fixed because its okay at normal levels. hopefully bmw will keep working on it until it is fixed, and it should all be covered by warranty. Surely there is no way that bmw can send me home saying that the clicking sound is normal or that i should just listen to my music more softly or not adjust sound to +bass. i just posted on that thread... hopefully some answers to come.

bmwaddiction - i might go bsw sub later but i wanna get some other mods done first mind you... the subs not that cheap either. also.. are you 100% sure you havent got subs? check under the seats, on the floor. there is a speaker cover under which i assume there is a sub on each side.

[bmwaddiction]

SBC, have looked before under the seats and could not see anything that looked like a sub - have to have a better look tomorrow morning.

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by bmwaddiction

SBC, have looked before under the seats and could not see anything that looked like a sub - have to have a better look tomorrow morning.

The subwoofers are there on all E90's but are hidden by grills, so if you don't know what you are looking for you won't find them.
some reading:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182752
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157820
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87130
http://http://www.e90post.com/forums...ad.php?t=66141
www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136594
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179908

I did an upgrade by following the Alpine installation instructions which are found here.
Once you read the instructions, you will see that you can use any set of speakers and suitable amp.
You definately need some tweeters in the front and some better mid/low 5" door speakers. Be careful, that you get some that aren't too deep to fit in the door. The Alpine kit uses a class D (digital) amp which doesn't get so hot, so it can be installed under the boot floor.
The Alpine kit is Ok, but quite expensive. I did the install for under $500 for 2x set of front speakers and an amp.
I used DLS gear all round, but Focal have some good stuff as well.

[Z320i]

Originally Posted by bmwaddiction

SBC, have looked before under the seats and could not see anything that looked like a sub - have to have a better look tomorrow morning.

i have a basic 320i and i have 2 subs under front seats, i wont believe until i see with my own eyes that a 325i doesnt have subs!?

[MFKN3]

Originally Posted by jp330Cic.au

The subwoofers are there on all E90's but are hidden by grills, so if you don't know what you are looking for you won't find them.
some reading:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182752
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157820
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87130
http://http://www.e90post.com/forums...ad.php?t=66141
www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136594
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179908

I did an upgrade by following the Alpine installation instructions which are found here.
Once you read the instructions, you will see that you can use any set of speakers and suitable amp.
You definately need some tweeters in the front and some better mid/low 5" door speakers. Be careful, that you get some that aren't too deep to fit in the door. The Alpine kit uses a class D (digital) amp which doesn't get so hot, so it can be installed under the boot floor.
The Alpine kit is Ok, but quite expensive. I did the install for under $500 for 2x set of front speakers and an amp.
I used DLS gear all round, but Focal have some good stuff as well.

Hey JP,

My E92 335i has the bare stock professional sound system. I want to upgrade it, but get confused on the forum because there are supposedly 3 different speaker options (professional, Logic7, HI-FI) and everyone seems to refer to them differently – so I gave up.

I’m guessing you had the stock system too?

Can you please post up the specs on the items you purchased so I can source locally?
Did you hook your amp to the floor subs like the alpine install?
Did you replace the tweeters and splitters… and have you got any future plans to replace subs or rears?
In the alpine install, cables A5/6/11/12 – is one of them the power on/off signals for the amp??

Finally, how does it sound?

Thanks in advance!

[MFKN3]

Can't believe how basic the Alpine kit is. They advertised it as an "80 piece orchestra" and really it's just a $1400 amp and front speaker set.

[mmmmQuattro]

Have a look at the parts list: http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1225483985 on the instructions.
It doesn't appear that the Alpine kit includes the upgraded subs.

[John_01]

jp330ic, Thats good point. However, I still think you get 8" subs when the Hi-Fi option is speced from the factory.

According to the realoem website the subs are different when the Hi-Fi is option is selected.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...26&hg=65&fg=20

[VGR00]

The Alpine upgrade from the dealer does not include upgraded subs. You get an amp, two door speakers, two tweeters and new trim for where the tweeters mount. the amp powers the new front door speakers and tweeters and the subs under the front seats. I heard the system in a dealers 135i and thought it was OK. I was thinking of doing it but I'm now thinking of handing this car over to the wife before the end of the year so I'd rather keep the money for my next purchase.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by vgr02

The Alpine upgrade from the dealer does not include upgraded subs. You get an amp, two door speakers, two tweeters and new trim for where the tweeters mount.

That what i thought too. It would be a bargin if Alpine system also include the 2 x 8" subs.

BTW, is there room to fit a 8" sub into the factory 6.5" location? Did BMW leave extra room there?

[bmwaddiction]

finally found the subs - they are obviously not doing much since I haven't felt much bass out of them with the stereo system on

does the Alpine upgrade power up the OEM subs a bit more? is there any noticeable difference?

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by xsboost

Hey JP,

My E92 335i has the bare stock professional sound system. I want to upgrade it, but get confused on the forum because there are supposedly 3 different speaker options (professional, Logic7, HI-FI) and everyone seems to refer to them differently – so I gave up.

I’m guessing you had the stock system too?

Can you please post up the specs on the items you purchased so I can source locally?
Did you hook your amp to the floor subs like the alpine install?
Did you replace the tweeters and splitters… and have you got any future plans to replace subs or rears?
In the alpine install, cables A5/6/11/12 – is one of them the power on/off signals for the amp??

Finally, how does it sound?

Thanks in advance!

Well, I did the upgrade on my wife's 320 which has the real basic system without the amp and without the tweeters in the doors.
As far as what I know, the 335 has already got the equivalent unit which is basically the same as the Alpine upgrade.
My 335 has the Professional Logic 7 which has 11 not 10 speakers.
It is better sounding than the upgraded 320 system (with the DLS gear).

I used a digital amp which didn't need a power trigger wire; most amps nowdays don't need it.

Generally in upgrades, you need to consider both speakers and amps. If you just do speakers and the amp doesn't have enough power, there won't be much improvement. I can't comment on the standard HiFi system and where it is lacking.

From this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227528
I would probably do the speakers first and then go the amp if you still aren't happy.
I used a set of speakers similar to these: http://www.cartoys.com.au/products/S...?SC=6U-DLSPS4A
I chose DLS because they are good and cartoys being just around the corner from me had some great deals on. The OEM speakers have 3 mounting holes, so you either need to make up some MDF mounts, like I did: http://s700.photobucket.com/albums/ww10/jpdp/E91/ or you can buy a converter (need to search for that).

[bmwaddiction]

thanks for the info jp330

I think I will go the Alpine upgrade way - you can get kits on Ebay for about $580 shipped. Then get the door trim from the dealer and get someone to give me a hand with the install.

This will improve the stock system to BMW basic HiFi standard - hopefully the results will be good enough to stop there

[sbce90]

Originally Posted by bmwaddiction

thanks for the info jp330

I think I will go the Alpine upgrade way - you can get kits on Ebay for about $580 shipped. Then get the door trim from the dealer and get someone to give me a hand with the install.

This will improve the stock system to BMW basic HiFi standard - hopefully the results will be good enough to stop there

results will definitely be better than stock system.. as for stopping there... you may catch the ICE bug and start spending big dollars from then on..

[suff]

Originally Posted by xsboost

Can't believe how basic the Alpine kit is. They advertised it as an "80 piece orchestra" and really it's just a $1400 amp and front speaker set.

C'mon.. its BMW, are you really surprised.

P.S. watching this thread, as for the price I think BMW sound systems are sub standard (the sound in my ~$60k Liberty was far superior (IMHO)) and that was just a McIntosh