[dragon20]

OK All,

I have spent some time reading posts and deciding what I want out of my Stereo

Car is E90 06 -325i Base Stereo with 6 Stacker CD player

The plan is to replace all 6 Speakers. What I want is a great sounding SQ system -

I would like to have the 8" under seat woofers as Mid Drivers and would like to purchase VP's Sub enclosure and a good 10" Sub for the Low's

Let me know your thoughts around this?

So far I have the following list of things I want to buy: Some of these I haven't decided on and need some help!

Budget $2k AUD

Fronts: Focal K2 100KRS components
Rears: [Advice Needed] I would prefer to replace the stock ones
Mid Drivers: [Advise Needed] I was looking at SWS but These are not really mid driver
Sub: VP's sub enclosure + Morel Ultima 10"
Amps: [Advise Needed] - I would like amps that are a good fit for all the gear (ideally small) - (from VPS' post I would prefer Zapco but this all depends on if I can buy them from the states and get them shipped to Australia for a good price. Are there any alternatives you could suggest?

Other items I might need:

# 808MGuy's metal speaker adapters to fit the four stud Focal's to the cars standard three stud pattern.
# Technic's latest iDrive harness along with OEM speaker connectors for the Focal's
# Recoding to Hifi - I dont think this should be an issue for 06 E90 iDrive Business Nav

VP, Would still like to have a chat to you about this but Timezone from Australia makes it hard!

Technic - Any advice from you would be greatly appreciated!

I also read B33M3R recent post - so ended up getting some advice / ideas from there also

[dragon20]

Bump Any advice from some of the Pro's would be appreciated!

Cheers

[ctuna]

Three day weekend here in the states so people are probably off playing

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365866

Since the Aussie dollar is now worth more than the US dollar
you can probably get some nice stuff.

Or is it Melbourne in the US

VP is your best bet.

[dragon20]

Hahah thanks Ctuna - I am keen to grab some good items for the US - Trying to arrange a time with VP but I know he is flat chat. Would be really keen to get some help from you guys in the states / Canada as doing installs in luxury cars in Australia is a very niche trade.

I have experience with all of this so plan to do it myself as i trust no one!

VP Technic - Help me spec an awesome sound system!

As a bonus $AUD is great so need to grab some bargains quick smart!

[Technic]

Consider:

- MS-8
- ADMW9 woofers
- any coaxial 4" for the rear

[dragon20]

Hi Technic thanks for the information.

Just a quick question - Why would I need a MS-8?

Any reconmendations on amps?

[ctuna]

It has a built in peak in the high frequency range

That's why most most people use something to flatten the output signal and or
re adjust and tune the equalization of what they put in. There is a thread on this somewhere with graphs of frequency responses.

the common things used are the MS-8 , JL Clean sweep or Zapco makes amps with a processor integrated in it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=alpine

[dragon20]

Sorry guys I am a little novice at processors. In terms of this if I choose to use Zapco amps - processing would be built into them. If I used the MS-8 I would be able to buy amps with out processing? correct me if I am wrong?

Ctuna, thanks for the information I will have to keep specing this system out for a while to come...

[Technic]

Originally Posted by dragon20

Sorry guys I am a little novice at processors. In terms of this if I choose to use Zapco amps - processing would be built into them. If I used the MS-8 I would be able to buy amps with out processing? correct me if I am wrong?

Ctuna, thanks for the information I will have to keep specing this system out for a while to come...

Yes...

- Zapco DC = DSP + high power amp in one chassis, manual/no automatic tuning
- MS-8 = DSP processing + low power amp in one chassis, manual/automatic tuning

[ctuna]

The Ms-8 is and 8 channel processor with Head Amp power outputs about
18 watts into 4 ohm for each of the 8 channels I believe but it strength is it has a microphone attachment that allows it to self adjust for a flat response. You would still need larger amps to get decent power. There is a thread on it on this board somewhere. MS-8 is made by JBL

The Zapco.s are solidly built old style class AB amps some of which have a processor built in . Because of this construction they are not really small like the new class D Amps but they are high quality. You should visit there website
Zapco.com

[Technic]

Originally Posted by ctuna

The Ms-8 is and 8 channel processor with Head Amp power outputs about
18 watts into 4 ohm for each of the 8 channels I believe but it strength is it has a microphone attachment that allows it to self adjust for a flat response. You would still need larger amps to get decent power. There is a thread on it on this board somewhere. MS-8 is made by JBL

The Zapco.s are solidly built old style class AB amps some of which have a processor built in . Because of this construction they are not really small like the new class D Amps but they are high quality. You should visit there website
Zapco.com

Actually, the MS-8 autocalibration response is not flat, it has a baseline curve. The curve is posted somewhere here... http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...processor.html

[B33M3R]

Will be watching with interest

[ctuna]

Also is your car a 4 door ,coupe or wagon?
Coupes have a less depth in front door so the speaker selection
that will fit is more limited.

[dragon20]

Car is E90 4 Door.

So looking at the Original list:
Front - Focal K2 100KRS components - Est: 70Watt each
Rears - 4" Coax - EST <50Watt Each
Mid Drivers - ADMW9 woofers - 200Watt each
Sub: VP's sub enclosure + Morel Ultima 10" - 600Watt each

If I choose to buy the MS-8 (dont plan to use it as an amp)
Then purchase amps to support the following componts from my understand I would need

1* Mono block for the sub - capable of 600Watt
I would eaither need a 6 Channel Amp for the Fronts & bridge the 4 channels to drive th mids

Or I would need 1* 4 channel amp (FRONTS) 1* 2 Channel Amp (MIDS)

When I had a look at the ADMW9 they are rated at 200 Watt which means you would nee some decent Watts to drive them both to get bang for buck.

Do you guys have any reconmendation on amp combinations for this? The less amps I have the better. I am not sure if the standard battery / altinator can cope with 3 amps especially if they are class A/B

Please let me know if what I am saying is wrong

[kaigoss69]

Jl Xd 600/6 + Xd 600/1.

[ctuna]

He can give you a known solution all in one package.
I don't know what his abilities are to get stuff across the pond.
Also all the little bits and pieces,mounting rings and any machining will be in the package

Also I know he favors the Zapco's and Morels for the most part

[dragon20]

Will aim to engage with VP to get his help.

VP - Need your help from Down Under!

[xavguy]

Your ultimate goal sounds fairly close to mine so i'll interject

I have the same base stereo 6 speaker, no tweeter system
(edit, you have the iDrive so the harness is different for your system as you mentioned)

I'm currently installing the following parts:


- JL Audio Cleansweep processor to baseline the EQ on the HU
- JL Audio XD700/5 amp powering components, midbass, and a 10" sub in the trunk (undecided)
- DLS PS4A front door components
- Rear OEM speakers for fill stayed powered by HU
- SSMB8 woofers under front seats(courtesy Technic)
- SSMB8 Spacers(courtesy of jtsherri)
- Base Stereo harness (courtesy Technic)
- OEM front speaker connectors(courtesy Technic)
- OEM tweeter sails
Cover, window frame, door front left 1 03/2009 P/N 51337171201 $35.98
Cover, window frame, door front right 1 03/2009 P/N 51337171202 $35.98

I'm pretty sure i'm going to go with the VP Sub Enclosure with the ID10 highlighted here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403153

but still weighing options


All of this including labor should come close to your budget ~2k.

I'll post soon as once it's all audible.

Originally Posted by dragon20

OK All,

I have spent some time reading posts and deciding what I want out of my Stereo

Car is E90 06 -325i Base Stereo with 6 Stacker CD player

The plan is to replace all 6 Speakers. What I want is a great sounding SQ system -

I would like to have the 8" under seat woofers as Mid Drivers and would like to purchase VP's Sub enclosure and a good 10" Sub for the Low's

Let me know your thoughts around this?

So far I have the following list of things I want to buy: Some of these I haven't decided on and need some help!

Budget $2k AUD

Fronts: Focal K2 100KRS components
Rears: [Advice Needed] I would prefer to replace the stock ones
Mid Drivers: [Advise Needed] I was looking at SWS but These are not really mid driver
Sub: VP's sub enclosure + Morel Ultima 10"
Amps: [Advise Needed] - I would like amps that are a good fit for all the gear (ideally small) - (from VPS' post I would prefer Zapco but this all depends on if I can buy them from the states and get them shipped to Australia for a good price. Are there any alternatives you could suggest?

Other items I might need:

# 808MGuy's metal speaker adapters to fit the four stud Focal's to the cars standard three stud pattern.
# Technic's latest iDrive harness along with OEM speaker connectors for the Focal's
# Recoding to Hifi - I dont think this should be an issue for 06 E90 iDrive Business Nav

VP, Would still like to have a chat to you about this but Timezone from Australia makes it hard!

Technic - Any advice from you would be greatly appreciated!

I also read B33M3R recent post - so ended up getting some advice / ideas from there also

[dragon20]

Hi xavguy thanks for the advise.

What made you choose the Kickers for Mids?

[xavguy]

The SSMB8 is one of several 8" woofers suggested on the forum.

It's an older discontinued model but still can be had on ebay. I set up an alert there and jumped when a used set was posted. I guess it was simply a price point versus performance decision. But now that they are installed I'm pleased with the frontstage.

I have them bandpassed on channels 3 & 4 at 55hz-180hz and they perform very well with the DLS components.

Originally Posted by dragon20

Hi xavguy thanks for the advise.

What made you choose the Kickers for Mids?

[dragon20]

Cool Thanks for the advise

Will try to get in touch with VP and see what we can come up with. Cheers

[B33M3R]

Hi dragon20

How you getting on with this? Any updates?