Alpine Hifi upgrade

raj55 · 04-25-2009, 01:31 AM

I don't get it! Why is there a condensor/capacitor (the green thing attached to the tweeter wires) when there is a "frequency switch-BMW language" (the sausage like grey foam wrapped filter) as well? I thought that all filters were a combinatiion of both coil (going to the low frequency speaker) and a capacitor (leading to the high frequency tweeter). Are there two sets of capacitors in this set then? What does that mysterious grey sausage contain?

Since there are two different connections to the Tweeter (Business radio SA662 to B2) and Professional radio SA663 to B4) the inline condensor/capacitor (green thing) must be reduntant in one of the connections B2 or B4, I guess. The question is which one?

cobalt · 04-25-2009, 12:37 PM

Hi there.....

i have just orderd my Kit as well for my E90 sedan.

it seems that the instalation job is not so easy...

i would appreciate if someone could put some pictures step by step in order to help us install our kit as well.

thank you guys in advanve....

Peter

raj55 · 05-01-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

OK guys well I am taking pics as we go.

Anyway, we have worked round it and have now removed the back seats and side seals.

Soon will come some wire splicing I suspect...

Matt

How did you remove the back seat Matt?

RagingKileak · 05-01-2009, 06:46 AM

Its not too bad mate.

The two side pieces just kind of pull out - no resistance really except if you get the seatbelt in the way as I did initially.

After that, the base of the seat needs to be pulled from the front, upwards - just give it a good pull and it will lift off... You wont be able to get it all the way off as the seatbelts run through it - I just turned it up and leaned it against the backrest.

Matt

rup · 05-01-2009, 11:19 AM

Ok got mine fitted at BMW Farnborough for £450 inc fitting! Seems like a good price, sounds great, gota test it out a bit more.

raj55 · 05-01-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rup

Ok got mine fitted at BMW Farnborough for £450 inc fitting! Seems like a good price, sounds great, gota test it out a bit more.

That was a great price. Here in Sweden, I am paying that much just for the kit. Installation was 50% more. I'll do it myself with some help from you guys. Thanks.
Raj

Thanks, Matt for your help. We are waiting for the pictures and some description.
Raj.

P.S. I have just bought a pair of Hertz ECX 100 (coaxial) to replace the rear door speakers as well. Might as well go the whole way!

RagingKileak · 05-02-2009, 05:47 AM

No probs Raj, I have the pics on my phone so its just a case of getting them on to my laptop.

Plenty of pics with the seats out!

Matt

cobalt · 05-03-2009, 03:53 AM

we are waiting for the pictures......

rup · 05-06-2009, 04:16 PM

Does anyone have the part number for the foam inserts with the tweeters shape cut out?
Dealer seems not to have fitted the foam inserts, hence get wind noise, going back tomorrow to see if they will fit them. Hopefully for free or worst case cost price.

raj55 · 05-07-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rup

Does anyone have the part number for the foam inserts with the tweeters shape cut out?
Dealer seems not to have fitted the foam inserts, hence get wind noise, going back tomorrow to see if they will fit them. Hopefully for free or worst case cost price.

If the dealer can not do it perhaps you could stuff tightly some ordinary foam in that empty space. That should block the sound waves.

raj55 · 05-08-2009, 04:19 AM

Just got my Alpine upgrade kit for E91. The foam inserts are there in the trim. The whole thing costs 4830 Swedish crowns (approx. 480 Euros with VAT and all). It certainly is not cheap! The so called alpine 4 inch speakers are slightly bigger than my 4 inch Hertz speakers. I was thinking of putting the Hertz ECX 100 in the back doors. Looks like I will have to make an adapter with three holes first to mount the Hertz. Any ideas how to go about making a simple adapter?

Matt, I don't want to stress you up but some of us are waiting for your pictures and possibly a write up!

magic77 · 05-08-2009, 05:27 AM

How does this kit comapare to the logic 7 upgrade car is arriving with this just wondering if this is worth looking into as well

AlanQS · 05-08-2009, 05:31 AM

If your car is arriving with Logic 7, you have already won the audio prize!

It is miles better than the Alpine upgrade.

Firstly, the Alpine upgrade gives you tweeters in the front, beefed up door speakers and more amplification to drive the front speakers and the sub woofers.

Logic 7 adds a lot more amplification, tweeters in the rear, two speakers in the back parcel shelf, bigger (I think) subs, and a speaker in the centre of the dash for surround sound.

RagingKileak · 05-08-2009, 05:36 AM

No problem guys, I was lacking a cable which I now have, so will sort it over the weekend!!

Alan - a question for you mate...

I am getting a lot of audio problems with my Alpine speakers... for example heavy bass (not too heavy really, or played too loud) seems to cause what sounds like a plastic on speaker type vibration in the drivers sub - any ideas if this is just how it is or have I probably got a loose screw or something?

Also, songs with a lot of treble when played at a similar volume seem to distort on the front left tweeter - perhaps I have a wire crossed or something?

Any quick tips?

I will go through and rewire everying in the next few days anyway, but just wondered...

Matt

magic77 · 05-08-2009, 05:45 AM

cool then looks like I might win my bet with a mate who said I will not be able to resist and will upgrade the sound system

In the E46 I had around a grand of audio which is now sitting on the garange floor all layed out and ready for boxing and ebay

this time I jsut wanted it in the car so no more messing about,

Googlyamnesiac · 05-08-2009, 06:21 AM

is it not possible to have the logic 7 system retrofitted by bmw?

biscuits · 05-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idlerobbo

is it not possible to have the logic 7 system retrofitted by bmw?

It would be cheaper to trade your car in for one wich has it already fitted !!!

Seriously !

RagingKileak · 05-08-2009, 06:35 AM

This all makes me laugh really...

A few quid in a Lexus gets you a sat nav, 6 dvd in dash changer and a 14 speaker Mark Levinson hifi which pisses all over the Logic 7....

I whinge a lot about BMW spec lists because they do need to pull their finger out, but on the other hand - the Lexus drives like a dog compared to the 335D.

Matt

raj55 · 05-08-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagingKileak

This all makes me laugh really...

A few quid in a Lexus gets you a sat nav, 6 dvd in dash changer and a 14 speaker Mark Levinson hifi which pisses all over the Logic 7....

I whinge a lot about BMW spec lists because they do need to pull their finger out, but on the other hand - the Lexus drives like a dog compared to the 335D.

Matt

I'd rather have a car that drives like a "car" (inspite of having a sound system that sounds like a dog) than a car that drives like a dog and sounds like heaven!
You are right about the Lexus /ML sound though. I was walking in the city centre the other day and one of the Lexus guys drove past with his window open and the stereo blasting away. That stereo sounded soooo good from approximately 4 feet away! I wonder what it sounds like inside the car. I wish I had not heard it. Shame on you BMW!

Googlyamnesiac · 05-08-2009, 10:04 AM

The thing i'm finding so annoying is the complexity that seems involved to perform an upgrade. All the previous cars I have had have been pretty easy to whack in an amp and sub and upgrade the speakers...

I completely agree though, the car itself is like nothing I have ever driven before and after only 4 days driving the car I am a converted BMW driver and will hopefully never touch another manufacturer again! Hat's off to the production of the vehicle but i'll keep my hat on when the sound system is mentioned.

I have recently spent £800 buying a Harman Kardon AVR and surround sound for my house - it sounds phenomenal - shame I cant just stick it in my car!

RagingKileak · 05-08-2009, 10:11 AM

I did the same Robbo, shame we didnt meet up about both the Surround Sound and the Alpine kit as we have both recently done both.

I went for the Onkyo 805 and a Mission/Mordaunt Short 8.1 solution in the house - its absolutely worlds apart from the car stereo, clearly - but I bet a ML system from the Lexus is still a massive step closer.

I am still miffed about these weird Alpine problems I have though, quite annoying!!

Matt

Googlyamnesiac · 05-08-2009, 11:11 AM

I nearly went for the Onkyo but ended up being upsold in Richersounds to the HK AVR 355 and Matching HK speakers, the sub is massive and sexy! I was simply blown away by the sound quality compared to my old technics hifi. Touble is i'm becoming a bit of an audiophile now with TrueHD audio on movies etc. So when I get in the car I notice the difference no end. It's top of my list to make improvements to my sound setup - just want to spend the money on the right kit though before I jump into anything.

Anyway i'm verging on going off topic bringing up home cinema surround sound systems so i'll stop now!

04-25-2009, 01:31 AM	#111
raj55 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 303 Posts Drives: E91 2009, 320i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SWEDEN iTrader: (0)	I don't get it! Why is there a condensor/capacitor (the green thing attached to the tweeter wires) when there is a "frequency switch-BMW language" (the sausage like grey foam wrapped filter) as well? I thought that all filters were a combinatiion of both coil (going to the low frequency speaker) and a capacitor (leading to the high frequency tweeter). Are there two sets of capacitors in this set then? What does that mysterious grey sausage contain? Since there are two different connections to the Tweeter (Business radio SA662 to B2) and Professional radio SA663 to B4) the inline condensor/capacitor (green thing) must be reduntant in one of the connections B2 or B4, I guess. The question is which one? Last edited by raj55; 05-01-2009 at 01:33 PM..
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04-25-2009, 12:37 PM	#112
cobalt Enlisted Member 0 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW E90 320si Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)	Hi there..... i have just orderd my Kit as well for my E90 sedan. it seems that the instalation job is not so easy... i would appreciate if someone could put some pictures step by step in order to help us install our kit as well. thank you guys in advanve.... Peter
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05-01-2009, 06:46 AM	#114
RagingKileak Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	Its not too bad mate. The two side pieces just kind of pull out - no resistance really except if you get the seatbelt in the way as I did initially. After that, the base of the seat needs to be pulled from the front, upwards - just give it a good pull and it will lift off... You wont be able to get it all the way off as the seatbelts run through it - I just turned it up and leaned it against the backrest. Matt
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05-01-2009, 11:19 AM	#115
rup Private First Class 4 Rep 171 Posts Drives: Z4 - 23 Sdrive Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Ok got mine fitted at BMW Farnborough for £450 inc fitting! Seems like a good price, sounds great, gota test it out a bit more.
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05-02-2009, 05:47 AM	#117
RagingKileak Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	No probs Raj, I have the pics on my phone so its just a case of getting them on to my laptop. Plenty of pics with the seats out! Matt
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05-03-2009, 03:53 AM	#118
cobalt Enlisted Member 0 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW E90 320si Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)	we are waiting for the pictures......
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05-06-2009, 04:16 PM	#119
rup Private First Class 4 Rep 171 Posts Drives: Z4 - 23 Sdrive Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have the part number for the foam inserts with the tweeters shape cut out? Dealer seems not to have fitted the foam inserts, hence get wind noise, going back tomorrow to see if they will fit them. Hopefully for free or worst case cost price.
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05-08-2009, 04:19 AM	#121
raj55 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 303 Posts Drives: E91 2009, 320i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SWEDEN iTrader: (0)	Just got my Alpine upgrade kit for E91. The foam inserts are there in the trim. The whole thing costs 4830 Swedish crowns (approx. 480 Euros with VAT and all). It certainly is not cheap! The so called alpine 4 inch speakers are slightly bigger than my 4 inch Hertz speakers. I was thinking of putting the Hertz ECX 100 in the back doors. Looks like I will have to make an adapter with three holes first to mount the Hertz. Any ideas how to go about making a simple adapter? Matt, I don't want to stress you up but some of us are waiting for your pictures and possibly a write up!
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05-08-2009, 05:27 AM	#122
magic77 Brigadier General 262 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: ex- 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (2)	How does this kit comapare to the logic 7 upgrade car is arriving with this just wondering if this is worth looking into as well
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05-08-2009, 05:31 AM	#123
AlanQS Colonel 248 Rep 2,815 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	If your car is arriving with Logic 7, you have already won the audio prize! It is miles better than the Alpine upgrade. Firstly, the Alpine upgrade gives you tweeters in the front, beefed up door speakers and more amplification to drive the front speakers and the sub woofers. Logic 7 adds a lot more amplification, tweeters in the rear, two speakers in the back parcel shelf, bigger (I think) subs, and a speaker in the centre of the dash for surround sound.
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05-08-2009, 05:36 AM	#124
RagingKileak Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	No problem guys, I was lacking a cable which I now have, so will sort it over the weekend!! Alan - a question for you mate... I am getting a lot of audio problems with my Alpine speakers... for example heavy bass (not too heavy really, or played too loud) seems to cause what sounds like a plastic on speaker type vibration in the drivers sub - any ideas if this is just how it is or have I probably got a loose screw or something? Also, songs with a lot of treble when played at a similar volume seem to distort on the front left tweeter - perhaps I have a wire crossed or something? Any quick tips? I will go through and rewire everying in the next few days anyway, but just wondered... Matt
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05-08-2009, 05:45 AM	#125
magic77 Brigadier General 262 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: ex- 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (2)	cool then looks like I might win my bet with a mate who said I will not be able to resist and will upgrade the sound system In the E46 I had around a grand of audio which is now sitting on the garange floor all layed out and ready for boxing and ebay this time I jsut wanted it in the car so no more messing about,
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05-08-2009, 06:21 AM	#126
Googlyamnesiac Captain 60 Rep 743 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520D Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (3)	is it not possible to have the logic 7 system retrofitted by bmw?
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05-08-2009, 06:35 AM	#128
RagingKileak Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	This all makes me laugh really... A few quid in a Lexus gets you a sat nav, 6 dvd in dash changer and a 14 speaker Mark Levinson hifi which pisses all over the Logic 7.... I whinge a lot about BMW spec lists because they do need to pull their finger out, but on the other hand - the Lexus drives like a dog compared to the 335D. Matt
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05-08-2009, 10:04 AM	#130
Googlyamnesiac Captain 60 Rep 743 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520D Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (3)	The thing i'm finding so annoying is the complexity that seems involved to perform an upgrade. All the previous cars I have had have been pretty easy to whack in an amp and sub and upgrade the speakers... I completely agree though, the car itself is like nothing I have ever driven before and after only 4 days driving the car I am a converted BMW driver and will hopefully never touch another manufacturer again! Hat's off to the production of the vehicle but i'll keep my hat on when the sound system is mentioned. I have recently spent £800 buying a Harman Kardon AVR and surround sound for my house - it sounds phenomenal - shame I cant just stick it in my car!
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05-08-2009, 10:11 AM	#131
RagingKileak Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	I did the same Robbo, shame we didnt meet up about both the Surround Sound and the Alpine kit as we have both recently done both. I went for the Onkyo 805 and a Mission/Mordaunt Short 8.1 solution in the house - its absolutely worlds apart from the car stereo, clearly - but I bet a ML system from the Lexus is still a massive step closer. I am still miffed about these weird Alpine problems I have though, quite annoying!! Matt
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05-08-2009, 11:11 AM	#132
Googlyamnesiac Captain 60 Rep 743 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520D Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (3)	I nearly went for the Onkyo but ended up being upsold in Richersounds to the HK AVR 355 and Matching HK speakers, the sub is massive and sexy! I was simply blown away by the sound quality compared to my old technics hifi. Touble is i'm becoming a bit of an audiophile now with TrueHD audio on movies etc. So when I get in the car I notice the difference no end. It's top of my list to make improvements to my sound setup - just want to spend the money on the right kit though before I jump into anything. Anyway i'm verging on going off topic bringing up home cinema surround sound systems so i'll stop now!
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