2010 E90 Base Stereo Upgrade

silentrite · 08-07-2013, 03:40 AM

Anyone who has the base stereo knows that it is borderline horrible.

I'm trying to upgrade this system without modifying any OEM hardware (flashing the HU to HiFi) since it's a CPO vehicle. My overall goal is better everything, highs, lows, and mid-sub bass.

Side note: I've had great experiences with JL Audio amps, so that's why I'm leaning that way. Plus my local shop gives me a decent discount.

Here's what I'm planning so far:
Stock "Stereo" HU, (modifying OEM harness) leading into ->
JL Cleansweep - no HiFi recoding needed - (4 channel pre-outs) into ->
JL XD400/4, powering front door speakers and rear deck speakers (probably JL C2-400x, 71Hz-22Khz), pre-outs into ->
JL XD600/1, powering EQ SWS-8Xi (300 watts max) underseat pre-outs woofers, pre-outs into ->
JL SLASH 500/1, powering 13TW5 sub. (I already own these two pieces from a previous install)

My biggest question is: Will chaining 3 amps through pre-outs affect what actually gets delivered to them through the pre-outs? I'm assuming (yes, i know...assuming...) that it won't, since they are pre-outs and not actually powered, but I haven't found anything specifically related to that.

Second biggest questions: Will this have any negative effects on my electrical system running, max, 1500 watts? Should I include a capacitor between any of the amps?

My second stage would be to upgrade the 13TW5 to something more (depending on how it sounds) which is why I want it running off pre-outs so I have that option. And it allows me to build it over time once the amps / underseat woofers are installed.

I hope the responses help others with this same issues! Regardless, I'll start a thread and post pictures throughout my install to keep everyone informed (I plan on cutting into the OEM speaker wires to run to the Cleansweep).

Thanks,
"Nash" Bridges

Note: Thread started thanks to VP's quick response! VP, after some more research, I decided against the XD600/6 after the cleansweep, as described above (from my reply here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...0&postcount=99)

bmw325i · 08-07-2013, 01:12 PM

Since you are going to be using a trunk sub you should replace the underseats with mid bass drivers. I'd recommend the jehnert flatline 3 way kit. Comes with the underseats, door speakers, and tweeters plus all the mounting adapters needed. Since your only going to be using the underseats for midbass you don't really need that much power for them. An xd600/6 would be enough to power everything but the trunk sub.

You'll be fine with 1500 watts on the stock electrical system. I'm using 3000 watts and the only thing I've done is replace my battery with an xs power d1200.

Also you should pm technic for a harness.

VP Electricity · 08-07-2013, 03:18 PM

Don't conflate watts with current draw. A JL XD600/1 draws a lot less current than a slash 500/1 does.

EQ SWS SUCK for midbass.

You want to bandpass the underseats if you have a trunk sub. You have no means of so doing at the moment.

VP Electricity · 08-07-2013, 03:26 PM

Oh, and the Jehnert kit comes from Germany with *mounting* adapters, but not *wiring adapters*, of course (just to underline, the packages where we use the kit, we retrofit the wiring connectors and pre-install the tweeter into the sail trim for E92 - but that's not how they ship from Germany).

bmw325i · 08-07-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Oh, and the Jehnert kit comes from Germany with *mounting* adapters, but not *wiring adapters*, of course (just to underline, the packages where we use the kit, we retrofit the wiring connectors and pre-install the tweeter into the sail trim for E92 - but that's not how they ship from Germany).

True. But the wiring adapters can be bought from the dealer for fairly cheap.

VP Electricity · 08-07-2013, 06:18 PM

Sigh. Yes, the component parts (pins and connector housings) can be bought. That's not the same thing. I'm not saying anyone has to to buy our kit, but if I told people that a couple of pins with a few inches of wire hanging off of them, and an empty housing, were a "speaker wiring adapter", y'all would scream.

silentrite · 08-07-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Sigh. Yes, the component parts (pins and connector housings) can be bought. That's not the same thing. I'm not saying anyone has to to buy our kit, but if I told people that a couple of pins with a few inches of wire hanging off of them, and an empty housing, were a "speaker wiring adapter", y'all would scream.

It looks like the Jehnert kit is probably my best option for the essentials. Since it's the two mid-bass woofers and a set of components for each door, the whole kit only requires 4 amplified channels. I want to upgrade the rear deck speakers as well, which would require another two channels. The problem here is that the XD600/6 doesn't have pre-outs to go to the trunk sub. Can I split a set of preouts and run it to two subs? Anyone know of a 6-channel amp with pre-outs?

bmw325i · 08-07-2013, 11:08 PM

Set the input mode on the xd600/6 to 2 channel and you can use one set of rca's per amp.

08-07-2013, 03:40 AM	#1
silentrite Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: North Carolina, USA iTrader: (0)	2010 E90 Base Stereo Upgrade Anyone who has the base stereo knows that it is borderline horrible. I'm trying to upgrade this system without modifying any OEM hardware (flashing the HU to HiFi) since it's a CPO vehicle. My overall goal is better everything, highs, lows, and mid-sub bass. Side note: I've had great experiences with JL Audio amps, so that's why I'm leaning that way. Plus my local shop gives me a decent discount. Here's what I'm planning so far: Stock "Stereo" HU, (modifying OEM harness) leading into -> JL Cleansweep - no HiFi recoding needed - (4 channel pre-outs) into -> JL XD400/4, powering front door speakers and rear deck speakers (probably JL C2-400x, 71Hz-22Khz), pre-outs into -> JL XD600/1, powering EQ SWS-8Xi (300 watts max) underseat pre-outs woofers, pre-outs into -> JL SLASH 500/1, powering 13TW5 sub. (I already own these two pieces from a previous install) My biggest question is: Will chaining 3 amps through pre-outs affect what actually gets delivered to them through the pre-outs? I'm assuming (yes, i know...assuming...) that it won't, since they are pre-outs and not actually powered, but I haven't found anything specifically related to that. Second biggest questions: Will this have any negative effects on my electrical system running, max, 1500 watts? Should I include a capacitor between any of the amps? My second stage would be to upgrade the 13TW5 to something more (depending on how it sounds) which is why I want it running off pre-outs so I have that option. And it allows me to build it over time once the amps / underseat woofers are installed. I hope the responses help others with this same issues! Regardless, I'll start a thread and post pictures throughout my install to keep everyone informed (I plan on cutting into the OEM speaker wires to run to the Cleansweep). Thanks, "Nash" Bridges Note: Thread started thanks to VP's quick response! VP, after some more research, I decided against the XD600/6 after the cleansweep, as described above (from my reply here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...0&postcount=99)
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08-07-2013, 01:12 PM	#2
bmw325i Major General 237 Rep 5,118 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: United States iTrader: (8)	Since you are going to be using a trunk sub you should replace the underseats with mid bass drivers. I'd recommend the jehnert flatline 3 way kit. Comes with the underseats, door speakers, and tweeters plus all the mounting adapters needed. Since your only going to be using the underseats for midbass you don't really need that much power for them. An xd600/6 would be enough to power everything but the trunk sub. You'll be fine with 1500 watts on the stock electrical system. I'm using 3000 watts and the only thing I've done is replace my battery with an xs power d1200. Also you should pm technic for a harness.
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08-07-2013, 03:18 PM	#3
VP Electricity Brigadier General 294 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	Don't conflate watts with current draw. A JL XD600/1 draws a lot less current than a slash 500/1 does. EQ SWS SUCK for midbass. You want to bandpass the underseats if you have a trunk sub. You have no means of so doing at the moment.
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08-07-2013, 03:26 PM	#4
VP Electricity Brigadier General 294 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	Oh, and the Jehnert kit comes from Germany with mounting adapters, but not wiring adapters, of course (just to underline, the packages where we use the kit, we retrofit the wiring connectors and pre-install the tweeter into the sail trim for E92 - but that's not how they ship from Germany).
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08-07-2013, 06:18 PM	#6
VP Electricity Brigadier General 294 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	Sigh. Yes, the component parts (pins and connector housings) can be bought. That's not the same thing. I'm not saying anyone has to to buy our kit, but if I told people that a couple of pins with a few inches of wire hanging off of them, and an empty housing, were a "speaker wiring adapter", y'all would scream.
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08-07-2013, 11:08 PM	#8
bmw325i Major General 237 Rep 5,118 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: United States iTrader: (8)	Set the input mode on the xd600/6 to 2 channel and you can use one set of rca's per amp.
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