[Imperator]

I'm at a bit of a crossroad and hoarding gear to upgrade my car once again. A bit of background:

2010 E92, configured with the base audio system (stereo), CIC iDrive w/ 6FL

Upgrades completed:
-Alpine HiFi amplifier (inexpensive Class-D, 80W x 4)
-CIC coded to HiFi
-BSW Stage 1 speakers/tweeters in front and rear
-Logic7 midbass drivers in OEM enclosures

The front stage and L7 drivers are powered by the Alpine amp, the rears are on HU power and only used for slight fill. I've pieced this together from deals mostly found on the forum and installed myself. I feel that it satisfies most of the shortcomings from the base audio configuration, especially since coding.



I'm now looking for other upgrades and would like to enhance midbass and sub-bass performance. I've collected gear for three different installation paths:

1.) Zapco DC360.4, install upside down on rear package tray inside trunk. Extend front-stage HU leads down the side of the car and interface with BTL->Symbilink. Power front stage (BSW) and L7, Jehnert XE200 or SWS-8xi in OEM enclosures with tuning.

2.) JL Audio XD400/4, install in rear wheel well, extend front stage HU leads to amp and interface with RCAs. Power front stage (BSW), hi-pass @ 80Hz and low-pass L7 or Jehnert XE200 in OEM enclosures.

3.) JL Audio XD700/5, install in rear wheel well, extend front stage HU leads to amp and interface with RCAs. Power front stage (BSW), hi-pass @ 80Hz and low-pass L7 or Jehnert XE200 in OEM enclosures. Install Ken's E92 fiberglass enclosure and power from amp's mono channel.


I'm looking for recommendations from those who have experience with this gear. I'm mostly happy with the BSWs up front and feel they will work as well on these amplifiers as they have with the Alpine.

Obviously step 3 will deliver more sub-bass, using a dedicated subwoofer corner-loaded in the trunk. However, I prefer to keep the installation as simple and stealth as possible. I'm not at all experienced with the Jehnert or SWS drivers so I ask:

-Among the L7, SWS-8 and Jehnert XE200s, which driver delivers better midbass performance? Which one works better for sub-bass? Do either made appropriate substitutes for a dedicated subwoofer?

-Do the SWS-8s require significant tuning to use as midbass or are they more suitable for sub-bass?

-What can I expect by using the cheaper Class-D JL amplifier over the Zapco? By extending the front, full-range HU output to the amplifier (using shielded, twisted-pair), do I run the risk of noise induction to the signal path? Is the Zapco BTL any easier to work with?

[pebkac]

A XD500/3 can power the OEM or upgraded woofers and a sub

[Imperator]

I need to power the front speakers as well, given the car is a stereo config and my signal source is the front two full-range channels. The Alpine amp will be replaced by one of the above configs.

[taibanl]

Regardless of route 150-200hz is the recommended range for high pass ti the front stage. Band pass the underseats btw 60-80 hz and whatever your fronts are unless you get the jehnert (40hz)

[VP Electricity]

Originally Posted by Imperator

The Alpine amp will be replaced by one of the above configs.

Say it with me...

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Say it with me...

Oh, I think I know how you feel about this... I just don't have the experience you do with the SWS-8s or Jehnert XE200s. Coding is done now, signal is flat, the rest is gravy.

[VP Electricity]

The SWS doesn't play mid-bass very well. I used to try to EQ it to do so, Technic gave up on them before I did. I gave up on them when the Jehnerts came out.

The SWS do have a big low-end bump. They are not linear, but they do have a lot of low end. Given your preferences from our previous conversations, you would be better with a trunk sub and either the L7 or Jehnert woofers band-passed for midbass. We don't recommend amplifying the L7 woofers just because we don't want to be at fault when they blow, but if you band-pass them, you are reducing your risk.

I will have a used DC650.6 available soon.

I would raise the highpass to the BSW to 150 when you increase their power, run the underseats that high, hp the underseats at 50, and run the sub as high as you like (matter of taste to me).

But there is a powerful argument for the DC360.4, the Jehnerts, and tuning it.

[Imperator]

Thanks for the feedback on this. I'll Email you shortly about the E92 corner-loaded enclosure and Zapco DC650.6.

I also now understand several very good reasons for choosing the amp used in your base audio upgrade package.

[DallasBoosted]

VP, to thread-jack a little on the same topic, I have a L7 car and am *reasonably* happy with it, but of course it could always be better.

How would you describe the difference between a stock L7, and a L7 with one of your level 1 subs (I have an E92 coupe) and the Jehnert XE200's underseat? Would the bass be overpowering at that point with the stock amp powering the front stage?

Thanks!

[GuudVibes]

Ok in upgrading L7 to aftermarket amp/sub should by underseat bass be mid subs now?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by GuudVibes

Ok in upgrading L7 to aftermarket amp/sub should by underseat bass be mid subs now?

If you add a trunk sub to
Logic7, you should band-pass the underseats to play midbass from 80-200hz

[superjay]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

The SWS doesn't play mid-bass very well. I used to try to EQ it to do so, Technic gave up on them before I did. I gave up on them when the Jehnerts came out.

The SWS do have a big low-end bump. They are not linear, but they do have a lot of low end. Given your preferences from our previous conversations, you would be better with a trunk sub and either the L7 or Jehnert woofers band-passed for midbass. We don't recommend amplifying the L7 woofers just because we don't want to be at fault when they blow, but if you band-pass them, you are reducing your risk.

I will have a used DC650.6 available soon.

I would raise the highpass to the BSW to 150 when you increase their power, run the underseats that high, hp the underseats at 50, and run the sub as high as you like (matter of taste to me).

But there is a powerful argument for the DC360.4, the Jehnerts, and tuning it.

that Earthquake sub won't play well over about 150Hz. Mechanical rolloff prevents fixing it with an EQ.

Has anyone here tried using the Morel Elate 9 under their seat?

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by superjay

that Earthquake sub won't play well over about 150Hz.

It won't play well under 150Hz either..

Originally Posted by superjay

Has anyone here tried using the Morel Elate 9 under their seat?

Physically they should fit, since they seem to be identical to the ADMW 9. Qtc under .4 should also work well. I have used HCW-8 and now HCW-10, and they work great, to about 45Hz. HCW and Elate have VERY similar specs. Also look at MW265-4 which is also close in specs, but cheaper since it is a DIY type driver.

[superjay]

I"m very anti-DIY, since my paycheck depends upon people NOT doing it themselves. I have a lot of time with Morel stuff, just wondering who all had used the elate 9

[kaigoss69]

Well in the end they are both 9" raw drivers. Takes about the same amount of skill and effort to install. Should also sound about the same. One is $800+ a pair, the other less than half that. But I see where you're coming from...

[kaigoss69]

Here's the only install I'm aware of. OEM enclosures were not used, however.

http://www.sound-in-motion.com/insta...ail.html?id=36

There's no question in my mind that the Elates will sound great in the OEM enclosures. Question is, would anybody pay $1000 for a midbass install...

[superjay]

I'm rather particular about my music. I've paid a lot more for speakers.

[seanarms]

Originally Posted by superjay

I'm rather particular about my music. I've paid a lot more for speakers.

For dedicated mid-bass?

[superjay]

[yes]...