[rightaway]

So if I upgrade my amp to a PDX5 with my stock hifi radio, will it sound better or is there a chance it could sound worse with out a processor. I have a Alpine H701 processor but its a pain to hook up without cutting into the harness and running all new wires

[VP Electricity]

You mean if you upgrade the amp without upgrading the speakers? And run the underseats in mono? Not worth it. Run them in stereo and upgrade your front 6. Want to sell your 701?

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by rightaway

So if I upgrade my amp to a PDX5 with my stock hifi radio, will it sound better or is there a chance it could sound worse with out a processor. I have a Alpine H701 processor but its a pain to hook up without cutting into the harness and running all new wires

That processor accepts balanced inputs. It wouldn't be hard to install both the processor and amp using Technics harness.

I don't see how adding a processor and more power could possibly make it sound worse. I highly doubt you'd notice a difference having the underseats in mono, but if you are concerned about that you could always get a 6 channel amp instead.

You do have to be careful with your gains though, and as VP said you'd get much better results with better speakers.

[ctuna]

I ran the Jl xd/600/6 on the stocks for a few days.
And it does clean up the mid range and allow you turn the system
up a little without as much harshness and there is actual bass, although a bit
muddy .
But good aftermarket speakers add another whole level of depth and definition
and presence.
Also with the Technic Harness or some form of it you should be
able to get the amp and processor in without cutting any wires.

Technic has done some systems with just and amp upgrade
and left it at that.

I don't see how you are going to be able to use the processor without an alpine head unit though.

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by ctuna

I ran the Jl xd/600/6 on the stocks for a few days.
And it does clean up the mid range and allow you turn the system
up a little without as much harshness and there is actual bass, although a bit
muddy .
But good aftermarket speakers add another whole level depth and definition
and presence.
Also with the Technic Harness or some form of it you should be
able to get the amp and processor in without cutting any wires.

Technic has done some systems with just and amp upgrade
and left it at that.

I don't see how you are going to be able to use the processor without an alpine head unit though.

That processor accepts balanced inputs and he has hifi. The RCA cables from technics harness just need to be plugged in to the processor. The amp connects to the processor via RCA's and the amp is connected to the speakers using the remaining wires in technics harness. Simple.

You do need the RUX-C701 controller though if you aren't using an Alpine head unit.

[rightaway]

I pm technics on this forum a few days ago but never heard back. I do have the rux c701 controller

[tmac01]

I went with Cdt Audio CL 42 $140 shipped and I really like them.

[rightaway]

Originally Posted by tmac01

I went with Cdt Audio CL 41 $140 shipped and I really like them.

where did you buy them from? how was the install? did they bolt right in?

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by tmac01

I went with Cdt Audio CL 41 $140 shipped and I really like them.

Yeah I got these too and am very happy with them. You got an excellent price. I paid 199 for them.

They fit the e90 with out a problem, have a nice silk tweeter and according the specs can go down to 100hz,although I have mine set to 150. Once I tuned them with true rta and matched the levels to the Jehnerts underseats. They sound fantastic.

On a different note, I was contemplating starting a thread for truerta (or any other rta program) curves. But I'm not sure if many people use rta to tune on here.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy

On a different note, I was contemplating starting a thread for truerta (or any other rta program) curves. But I'm not sure if many people use rta to tune on here.

I only use it as a starting point and then adjust by ear. Primarily, I just use it to see if there are any large peaks or dips in the response and adjust those out. After that, it's all minor adjustments by ear.

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

I only use it as a starting point and then adjust by ear. Primarily, I just use it to see if there are any large peaks or dips in the response and adjust those out. After that, it's all minor adjustments by ear.

Yeah same here. I used o-scope to get the clipping point of the HU, then check for clipping out of the processor. I don't use it for amp gains though, I do that by ear with tones (10db overlap).

Then use the rta to set the crossover point for the doors and, like you said, take care of any dips or peaks.

It works for me.

I was just curious to see curves from other BMW folk, to see if the problem areas are the same.

[tmac01]

Yeah Dannyboy the seller on EBay was asking $199 then in a week went up to $229 I offered $140 through Best Offer and got them and they fit perfect and sound great !!!!!

[rightaway]

Originally Posted by tmac01

Yeah Dannyboy the seller on EBay was asking $199 then in a week went up to $229 I offered $140 through Best Offer and got them and they fit perfect and sound great !!!!!

Do you have the ebay link?

[tmac01]

Originally Posted by rightaway

Do you have the ebay link?

I bought them from a company on EBay called Techronics but they no longer sell them on EBay only on their website. I offered $140 and they accepted I just looked up the Paypal invoice to be sure. You might try calling them they have an 800 number. Hope this helps.

[Battman23]

Does anyone have experience with the MATCH (Audiotec Fischer) MS42C-BMW.1 or MATCH (Audiotec Fischer) MS 4X-BMW.1?

I am coming from a e90 328i with HiFi to a e90 335d with BASE audio and would like to get back to "HiFi" level sound. It seems that the MS42C kit combined with a DSP and 4 (or 6) channel amp would get me there. At a later date I can then upgrade the underseat woofers.

NOTE: I have a 2011 iDrive CIC and I don't think I will be successful in coding from BASE to HiFi.

[ctuna]

Those will be way better than stock but Morels would be better
if they fit . What can you stand to pay becomes the pertinent question
and if you don't have something good to drive it the point is mute.

Call Unexpected Creations in Edison NJ for and expert opinion.

I would check to see if you can code it first.
It can be done may require an ICOM cable .

[Battman23]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Those will be way better than stock but Morels would be better
if they fit . What can you stand to pay becomes the pertinent question
and if you don't have something good to drive it the point is mute.

Call Unexpected Creations in Edison NJ for and expert opinion.

I would check to see if you can code it first.
It can be done may require an ICOM cable .

Thanks for this info on Unexpected Creations. I will give them a call.

I'm sure it can be done via ICOM with an experienced coder, but it may be cost prohibitive compared to what I want to spend.

My thoughts are that I can flatten that EQ with the DSP anyway, so why bother with the coding. I can always do that later.

I wasn't looking to spend too much cash and was thinking the following components would get to a mild upgrade:
- $150 Dayton Audio DSP-408 (4 high level inputs)
- $100 Kenwood - KAC 600W (4 channels)
- $75 Technic 2/4 wiring harness
- $250 MATCH MS42 C
$575 all-in

FUTURE
- Stage 2: Upgrade under-seat woofers (MATCH MW 8BMW or HiFi 8" factory woofers). I will never add an aftermarket sub.
- Stage 3: Upgrade to 6 channel amp and add center dash speaker.

NOTE: Rear speakers would be driven by HU amp.

[ctuna]

I would get t he match 3 way set that
takes care of the floors and doors.
Can't comment on the other stuff.
If you recode you will loose all volume on the rears.
The stereophiles here regard a center speaker as blasphemy or
a communist plot.

[j.f.leonard]

Originally Posted by Battman23

Does anyone have experience with the MATCH (Audiotec Fischer) MS42C-BMW.1 or MATCH (Audiotec Fischer) MS 4X-BMW.1?

I am coming from a e90 328i with HiFi to a e90 335d with BASE audio and would like to get back to "HiFi" level sound. It seems that the MS42C kit combined with a DSP and 4 (or 6) channel amp would get me there. At a later date I can then upgrade the underseat woofers.

NOTE: I have a 2011 iDrive CIC and I don't think I will be successful in coding from BASE to HiFi.

I have the match component speakers in my 325i and they sound really clear and crisp. I plan to maybe get the matching under seat subs as well

[Battman23]

Originally Posted by ctuna

I would get t he match 3 way set that
takes care of the floors and doors.
Can't comment on the other stuff.
If you recode you will loose all volume on the rears.
The stereophiles here regard a center speaker as blasphemy or
a communist plot.

@ center speaker.

I'll look into the MATCH 3-way. Thanks!

EDIT: I can't find a US vendor for the MATCH 3-way set. Crutchfield sells the 2-way set ($250) and subwoofer set ($400) separately.

[ctuna]

Try Unexpected Creations.
Don't know that he has them but he stocks or reps Helix
products.

Crutch field seems to have high prices.