Adding an Amp/Subwoofer to my Base Model 328i

suspenceful · 03-08-2017, 12:36 PM

My daily driver 2010 328i has the base BMW Professional radio. I believe it has 6 total speakers and no amplifier. The bass is pretty pathetic - I need more.

I'd like to (on a limited budget) add an amplifier and sub to the trunk.

What's the best way to tap into the factory system? It's been a while since I've done any car audio. I know how to give the amplifier power/ground, and connecting the subwoofer to the amplifier. But what's the best way to give the new amplifier a power signal and audio input?

Help!

GATORB8 · 03-08-2017, 12:54 PM

Front signal is bridged between the underseats and doors and is full range. Don't pull from the rears because they're high passed.

I've read a lot about poor sub performance in the trunk because of the quality of the sound isolation. Have you thought about just upgrading the underseats to 8" and amping?

ctuna · 03-08-2017, 01:31 PM

suspenceful · 03-09-2017, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GATORB8

Front signal is bridged between the underseats and doors and is full range. Don't pull from the rears because they're high passed.

I've read a lot about poor sub performance in the trunk because of the quality of the sound isolation. Have you thought about just upgrading the underseats to 8" and amping?

I found this thread, but the pictures are dead and he already had a Logic 7 system:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134066

I can buy those same subs for $110 each and that same amp used on eBay for $70.

Considering my car doesn't have an amp already, how do I tap in and wire it up? Everyone talks about these "harnesses" but I don't know which I need or where to connect it.

I have no problem replacing the underseat subs in the front instead of a single sub in the trunk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

I've read through most of those threads, but it is all outdated and over my head. I want a simple, cheap solution. Which harness do I need? Read my post above; I'd be okay with replacing the subs under my front seats and adding an amp for more bass.

GATORB8 · 03-09-2017, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suspenceful

I found this thread, but the pictures are dead and he already had a Logic 7 system:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134066

I can buy those same subs for $110 each and that same amp used on eBay for $70.

Considering my car doesn't have an amp already, how do I tap in and wire it up? Everyone talks about these "harnesses" but I don't know which I need or where to connect it.

I have no problem replacing the underseat subs in the front instead of a single sub in the trunk..

The Earthquakes are fine, MB Quart has a set that is made to fit also, I would recommend running the underseats in stereo because you'll want them to play higher than a normal trunk subwoofer, so get a two channel amp instead.

The stock base door speakers SUCK. I would at least swap out for a set of stock HIFI's with tweeters for the sails. I'd also recommend amping the doors. You can get 4 channel amps for cheap, run the doors off of two channels and the underseats off the others. Leave the rears on the stock HU.

ctuna · 03-09-2017, 02:54 PM

Technic makes three different base system harnesses.
the one that just amps the fronts(doors and floors) and the one that amps
all channels are the most popular I believe its called the 4/6
and the 6/6 .
Remember there is and eq problem with the head unit when you add
and amp and whatever speakers you choose.

Some of the older pieces of equipment described in those links my not
be of use today but they give you and idea of what's possible and the Basic install
link gives you a detailed explanation of whats needed and how to put it in.

This is not quite that simple.

laflures · 03-10-2017, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

This is not quite that simple.

BMW's new tag line

DJWabbles · 03-12-2017, 07:02 PM

It's best to amp the tweeters, door speakers and the underseat subs, if you do get a sub in the truck, needs to be of good/high quality as the sound proofing is good in the BMW's so if you get a 10" you may not feel the bass you want so you would need something larger and of good quality.

But that depends on how crazy you want to go though.

03-08-2017, 12:36 PM	#1
suspenceful Major 1053 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2015 M3, 2008 135i, 2009 335i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: WI iTrader: (9)	Adding an Amp/Subwoofer to my Base Model 328i My daily driver 2010 328i has the base BMW Professional radio. I believe it has 6 total speakers and no amplifier. The bass is pretty pathetic - I need more. I'd like to (on a limited budget) add an amplifier and sub to the trunk. What's the best way to tap into the factory system? It's been a while since I've done any car audio. I know how to give the amplifier power/ground, and connecting the subwoofer to the amplifier. But what's the best way to give the new amplifier a power signal and audio input? Help! __________________ 750whp 135i Build \| Budget 335i Build \| F80 M3 Build 🎬 YouTube channel (35K+ subs): youtube.com/jakespence135 📷 Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/jakespence 🏁 Shop BMW merchandise: bimmerstreet.com
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03-08-2017, 12:54 PM	#2
GATORB8 Captain 226 Rep 807 Posts Drives: 2011 335is 6MT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335is [9.50]	Front signal is bridged between the underseats and doors and is full range. Don't pull from the rears because they're high passed. I've read a lot about poor sub performance in the trunk because of the quality of the sound isolation. Have you thought about just upgrading the underseats to 8" and amping?
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03-08-2017, 01:31 PM	#3
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,364 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Don't tap into anything buy a Technic Harness or a kit from some of the places mentioned in the the following links. Read these http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 speakers for the doors in a coupe have to be under 43cm thick I believe see above. Also I would look for a BMW specific harness from the following website. https://technicpnp.com/ Base System Upgrades Basic DIY for base system next link. http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266 http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/ http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957 http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1003810 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299 http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904 I would be looking at one of the Helix amp/dsp products for an all in one solution to the amp dsp. 82dsp ,V8 or 6 dsp these also take care of the eq problem. Many threads on this its one of the most requested questions.
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03-09-2017, 02:54 PM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,364 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Technic makes three different base system harnesses. the one that just amps the fronts(doors and floors) and the one that amps all channels are the most popular I believe its called the 4/6 and the 6/6 . Remember there is and eq problem with the head unit when you add and amp and whatever speakers you choose. Some of the older pieces of equipment described in those links my not be of use today but they give you and idea of what's possible and the Basic install link gives you a detailed explanation of whats needed and how to put it in. This is not quite that simple. Last edited by ctuna; 03-09-2017 at 02:59 PM..
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03-12-2017, 07:02 PM	#8
DJWabbles Enlisted Member 5 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 318i E90 Sedan 2009 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berkshire iTrader: (0)	It's best to amp the tweeters, door speakers and the underseat subs, if you do get a sub in the truck, needs to be of good/high quality as the sound proofing is good in the BMW's so if you get a 10" you may not feel the bass you want so you would need something larger and of good quality. But that depends on how crazy you want to go though. __________________ Current Car BMW E90, nothing special apart from the speakers I have in my car. Focal Elite K2 power 100 Speakers and IFBMW Sub In My BMW E90 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw2lEg6m_Cc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PCBNHHOUMU
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