[renpar61]

I like the idea of the Stage 1 speaker replacement. Although I understand it's an easy swap/install, I would probably prefer to be done by a professional. Is there anyone in the Washington DC area affiliated with BSW?
What are my options and what is (or should be) the cost for installation?

[Halston@bsw]

Originally Posted by renpar61

I like the idea of the Stage 1 speaker replacement. Although I understand it's an easy swap/install, I would probably prefer to be done by a professional. Is there anyone in the Washington DC area affiliated with BSW?
What are my options and what is (or should be) the cost for installation?

I do not believe we have anyone in that area just yet. We are working on getting that setup though.

With that being said any local BMW/European shop can EASILY knock out the install. Expect 2-3 hours of labor.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[Halston@bsw]

[cocoturkey]

when will e92 applicatoinbe be available?? i know it's too early to ask this question... but how much does it cost to ship it to Taiwan?

[renpar61]

I truly believe that BSW Stage 1 will provide great dynamic improvement over the stock, but in my opinion, the weak link of BMW system is the subs. More often than not they seem not engaged, and even when they are, the bass extension is absolutely mediocre. I read in previous posts that BSW was referring to Stage 1 on a car which had upgraded sub. That, I believe would sound great.
I obviously can't prove this, but I feel that upgrading only the subs would give a better result than upgrading only the speakers. Both upgrades would be optimum.
Now my question: I see a lot of recommendation for the SWS8 subs, which fit the stock sub housing under the seats. Do these absolutely require an external amp? Could they work by simply swapping the stock subs? Impedance an issue?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by renpar61

I truly believe that BSW Stage 1 will provide great dynamic improvement over the stock, but in my opinion, the weak link of BMW system is the subs. More often than not they seem not engaged, and even when they are, the bass extension is absolutely mediocre. I read in previous posts that BSW was referring to Stage 1 on a car which had upgraded sub. That, I believe would sound great.
I obviously can't prove this, but I feel that upgrading only the subs would give a better result than upgrading only the speakers. Both upgrades would be optimum.
Now my question: I see a lot of recommendation for the SWS8 subs, which fit the stock sub housing under the seats. 1) Do these absolutely require an external amp? 2) Could they work by simply swapping the stock subs? Impedance an issue?

1) An external amp is not absolutely required when replacing the OEM woofers with the SWS-8, however they sound the best with at least 100W RMS. Which it is around 3 times to 8 times the max output of the Logic7 and base OEM amp respectively.

The difference in bass with an external amp is just radical.

2) They would work (with the above condition) as long as you get the correct version for your particular OEM system (4 ohms for the Logic7, 2 ohms for the base system).

[rollyn2night]

Cant wait for the e92 stage 2...

[renpar61]

Originally Posted by Technic

1) An external amp is not absolutely required when replacing the OEM woofers with the SWS-8, however they sound the best with at least 100W RMS. Which it is around 3 times to 8 times the max output of the Logic7 and base OEM amp respectively.

The difference in bass with an external amp is just radical.

2) They would work (with the above condition) as long as you get the correct version for your particular OEM system (4 ohms for the Logic7, 2 ohms for the base system).

Thanks for the input. I have the base system, not Logic7. In my case I guess you are saying if you don't add an amp the improvement would not be worth the money. Is that correct?
Also, would you agree that it makes more sense to upgrade the subs, and then maybe upgrade the speakers for further improvement, rather than the other way around?
Please keep in mind that my goal would be quality sound. I'm not looking for the car to jump up and down with every booming bass hit!

[Technic]

Originally Posted by renpar61

Thanks for the input. I have the base system, not Logic7. In my case I guess you are saying if you don't add an amp the improvement would not be worth the money. Is that correct?
Also, would you agree that it makes more sense to upgrade the subs, and then maybe upgrade the speakers for further improvement, rather than the other way around?
Please keep in mind that my goal would be quality sound. I'm not looking for the car to jump up and down with every booming bass hit!

If eventually you will be upgrading components in your OEM system then getting the SWS-8 now or when you get an aftermarket amp becomes irrelevant. The SWS-8 are better sounding woofers than the OEM units (even better than the Individual Audio OEM woofers), so replacing these OEM woofers is a must if you are looking for quality sound.

You can always upgrade in stages for several good reasons. First, you will know what works for you or not, saving time and money. Second, you will understand better the capabilities of your OEM system in detail, so choosing components to replace becomes easier to determine.

For example, you get the SWS-8 and leave everything else stock. Perhaps you find that the extra cone movement of the SWS-8 more than compensates the low power output of the OEM amp, so your bass is deeper but not boomy. Thus no need for an aftermarket amp. Perhaps you don't notice any difference with the SWS-8 and an amp is required. Now that the bass was increased then you start noticing that the stock speakers are not that good, or perhaps they suddenly are a pretty good match to the SWS-8 after increasing the treble or decreasing the bass adjustment.

That's the difference between buying or not buying equipment that you really don't need.

[Halston@bsw]

The SW8 CAN work but as said amp is better.

E92 is within weeks. Look for a pre-order sale soon!

[renpar61]

Originally Posted by Halston@bsw

The SW8 CAN work but as said amp is better.

E92 is within weeks. Look for a pre-order sale soon!

What about E93? Is it different than E92?

[Halston@bsw]

Slightly. We will have an e93 stage 1 as well

[s.myrr]

It seems that no one has tried BSW's new sub as part of a system upgrade... the SWS-8 setup is mentioned a lot more. Is this a price issue, or more of a performance issue?

[enforcerman]

Not to derail the thread, but I just installed SWS-8's (2 ohm versions w/ professional system) w/ the stock amp. While the bass is better, its not by much. I can say the swap was pretty easy. I did buy an amp and I'll be hooking that up later this week. I am seriously considering getting the BSW stage one to further enhance my system.

Quick question: Does the Stage 1 upgrade come w/ an amp? Or is it a speaker only swap.

[lannypoffo]

stage 1 is speakers only. stage 2 is usually the amp as well.

[Halston@bsw]

Originally Posted by s.myrr

It seems that no one has tried BSW's new sub as part of a system upgrade... the SWS-8 setup is mentioned a lot more. Is this a price issue, or more of a performance issue?

I would say partially price and apprenhension. Not many have our sub system just yet. Will take time for positive reviews to get posted up. Many of our customers are not forum members.

I can say we tested both ways to install SWS-8, with and without amp. Our subwoofer system destroys both of them and definitely wins the cool factory when you pop the trunk and show it off

Originally Posted by enforcerman

Not to derail the thread, but I just installed SWS-8's (2 ohm versions w/ professional system) w/ the stock amp. While the bass is better, its not by much. I can say the swap was pretty easy. I did buy an amp and I'll be hooking that up later this week. I am seriously considering getting the BSW stage one to further enhance my system.

Quick question: Does the Stage 1 upgrade come w/ an amp? Or is it a speaker only swap.

Speaker only swap. Makes a BIG difference. We JUST did another e60 550i Logic7 and the owner was blown away! First thing he said was he didn't realize some of the background sounds in his favorite trance song were even there!

Originally Posted by lannypoffo

stage 1 is speakers only. stage 2 is usually the amp as well.

Correct.

[s.myrr]

Sorry for highjack - some more questions if you don't mind...

What is the RMS rating for your amp/sub?

Also, it notes in the installation .pdf that there is a video link on your website to assist with this install, where is it? The .pdf einstructions look excellent btw!

I noticed in another forum a comment regarding ventilation for the amp in the suggested location. Does this present a problem?

And lastly, how much does this setup weigh?

Thanks!

[Halston@bsw]

It is a very small and pretty efficient amp. I wouldn't worry about heat.

Power is roughly 250-300W RMS.

Total weight is ~45-50lb.

Video install guide coming soon!

[lannypoffo]

time for an update.

[s.myrr]

My stage one will be installed this week! Finally got my car stateside :-)

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by s.myrr

My stage one will be installed this week! Finally got my car stateside :-)

so was it installed or not?

[s.myrr]

I posted a new thread about this - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203330