[black 335xi]

Hi there,

New to the forum and I have a question regarding the base audio in my 335i.
I was immediately unimpressed with the base audio, so I did the Bavarian Audio upgrade (better 4" speakers front and rear with tweeters) and I'm still not happy with it. Better, but not appreciably better IMO.

What is the next logical step for some better bass response without breaking the bank? Amp and replace the underseat subs? Open to suggestions.

[kmarei]

Amp and replace underseat subs

[B-737]

what system are you starting with??
did the 335 also get the shaft with the 2010 early 2011 6 speaker base system?
if thats the case you'll need an amp that will normalize the headunit out put and drive the front speakers with it, while replacing the underseats and having them driven by the amp as well... its an involved upgrade...

but im not sure which 'base system' you have.
ugh why cant BMW just put in good stereos. so much aggravation with this...

if you have Logic system, upgrade path will be easier.
Tuna? VP? where art thou'?

[black 335xi]

Yes, it came with the base stereo , which is the six speaker system. Somewhat out of desperation- I'm no audophile, but I thought the base system sucked that bad, - I did the BSW upgrade - which was, essential four better speakers and four tweeters, but for $500 bucks I guess I expected a bit better sound. Still not much bass - the eq seems all out of whack too.

I agree with you though, why don't they just put a better stereo in a vehicle that expensive anyway?

[B-737]

if you already poured the money into the BSW speakers the next logical step would be to drive them... but if you have the 6 speaker system, its a pain in the a$$...

you need the right amp for the job since the 'base' HU puts out a modified signal from its own EQ, lame huh?... you need an amp that can normalize the HU signal. you'll also need a wiring harness from forum member Technic so it all becomes plug and play.

since you did the speakers, the next step is def installing the right amp. i picked Zapco Reference, other guys use CleanSweeps ect... from what i read is that the BSW speakers are pretty good, and when driven by an amp you might find it acceptable.

A 4ch amp can drive your front components and a new set up underseat woofers.

heres my story
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451762

im sure VP_Electricity and ctuna will be by with more input for you.

[kaigoss69]

You may have "upgraded" yourself into a corner. The BSWs are not rated for aftermarket amp power. There have been cases where BSW speakers were blown with moderate aftermarket power. You will need a digital signal processor (not amp) to normalize the signal from the HU. Zapco DC amps have the processors built-in, most others do not. The cheapest (quality) processor is the Cleansweep, the best one is the MS-8. Contact VP Electricity for the best way forward.

[B-737]

i thought rumor was that the BSW speakers were rainbows???

the only reason i didnt "try" BSWs was because they were so 'secretive'. i thought that was weird so i stayed away...

interesting point, BSW sells the set to be used with the logic system that has an amp though? maybe he can sell them, and drop in real rainbows or something with a kit from VP.

OP, you can get a set of SL 210 rainbow components for half the cost of the BSWs that'll blow them away when pushed with a good amp.

[taibanl]

Next Step....?

Return the BSW's

Then contact VP Electricity.

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by B-737

i thought rumor was that the BSW speakers were rainbows???

the only reason i didnt "try" BSWs was because they were so 'secretive'. i thought that was weird so i stayed away...

interesting point, BSW sells the set to be used with the logic system that has an amp though? maybe he can sell them, and drop in real rainbows or something with a kit from VP.

OP, you can get a set of SL 210 rainbow components for half the cost of the BSWs that'll blow them away when pushed with a good amp.

Even Rainbow can make cheap speakers. The L7 system puts out a max of 30W, which is roughly 15W RMS, not even in the same ballpark with even a small aftermarket amp.

[B-737]

ahhhh

[black 335xi]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'd really like to just keep the BSW's where they are if possible. If I blow em - oh well, I'll go with the rainbows or somethinge else. They look like they can take some power but who knows.
I like the idea of an amp with integrated dsp.

So - as far as amps with integrated dsp's go do you recommend the zapco and if so which model? I don't really need a lot of power.
And, what do you recommend to replace the underseat subs?

Also, the technic harness you mention, how do I get one, and does anyone have a pic they could post? Thanks again.

[B-737]

harness; PM user on this forum by the handle of Technic

the amp i have had installed in my car for the past 10 months is the Zapco Reference DC360.4 (90x4). It has been an awesome amp. Endless tuning options configurable with a laptop and it sounds fantastic. It has more than enough power to run my fronts and Jehnert XE200 underseats. When i was shown the interface i promised myself to never mess with it and leave it to my installer. Its pretty overwhelming. It also can be linked with cat5 wire to communicate with other zapco amps if you decide in the future to add a trunk sub, or drive rear speakers with an additional two channel amp.

There are other options as mentioned above, the cleansweep and MS-8. each have their own advantages.

I agree, the easiest option may be to just continue to run the BSWs and hope for the best see how they sound. if something happens then you can take the next step.

[black 335xi]

Thanks for the info. You mentioned that the interface appeared overwhelming, do you mean the "technic harness" that was mentioned, and/or in conjunction with the install as a whole? I thought someone mentioned that, with the custom harness it was essentially "plug and play" is that not the case?

I really don't know who in town I'd trust to start tearing out panels, etc., and I'd rather do it myself if possible.

[B-737]

Technics harness is essential. it makes the entire procedure plug and play.

The interface i was referring to was tuning and adjusting the zapco. I consider myself technically savy, good at reading, understanding and doing, but i left tuning the zapco to my installer. He did use a scope in the car as well. you can go to places and have this done. but im sure you can also easily sit down with your laptop plugged into the amp and slowly go over it and tune it to your liking as well... i just take a hands off approach with messing with the amp.

[black 335xi]

OK, I got it. Thanks.

[ctuna]

If you can install a home stereo or multichannel video receiver you can hook
up a car stereo especially with the Technic Harness.
Since you have already done the paneling it looks like you can do the hard part.

one stop shopping with VP
He has the Technic harness he includes it in his kits.

[B-737]

a BSW thread was recently dug up, in the thread was a post from BSW that said this...

Our Stage 1 Audio Upgrade is not compatible with aftermarket amplifiers. That's
because we've designed it from the ground up to work with the factory amplifier,
power output, wiring, and built-in crossovers found in your vehicle. By
eliminating the factory amplifier, you'll also eliminate the factory crossovers and
change the frequencies and amount of power each speaker receives, meaning
they won't be operating in their ideal range and are likely to be damaged, or at
minimum sound pretty terrible. While it is theoretically possible to install an
aftermarket amplifier and crossover configuration that would be compatible with
our Stage 1, it is not something we would be able to provide information on or
support in any way. It would also void our 100% satisfaction guarantee and the
product warranty.

[kmarei]

i'm using the BSW kit in my car, with an aftermarket amp.
it puts out about 75w rms per channel

i just read the quote above, but i know there was another quote from one of the owners of BSW who said the speakers can handle about 50w rms, IF crossed over.
unless you are going to be giving them 100w rms with a very low crossover point, they will be fine

untill someone makes something that is as easy to install, they are still a viable option.
check out the cost of any other aftermarket brand to replace 11 speakers
the BSW kit is $520 and i they give out 10% coupons to all the owners
and if you do a little googling, you can find one of those codes
i have one
so for $470 for 11 speakers, that's a hard package to beat

[black 335xi]

Yes, I just saw that BSW post as well, and it had me a bit worried. Thanks for the info. What amp are you using and how does it sound with the BSW speakers?

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by black 335xi

Yes, I just saw that BSW post as well, and it had me a bit worried. Thanks for the info. What amp are you using and how does it sound with the BSW speakers?

it's an old school Soundstream 405s 5 channel amp
it sounds amazing
can't beat Class A/B amps for sound
unless you use Class A
which i'm using for the fronts only

[antbizz0]

Has anyone tried using 3"hertz speaker?

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by antbizz0

Has anyone tried using 3"hertz speaker?

Perhaps, but they probably did not know what they were doing! Unless the speaker can play down to 200Hz, look for another one that can.