Hi guys, great forum. I have just spent the last two hours "browsing"!
I have a 2006 BMW 330Ci Convertible with the factory upgrade Harman Kardon system. It's tolerable, and sometimes sounds pretty good, but I know me...I'm gonna be improving it eventually! But I have to know what I have in order to improve upon it (unless I go full-tilt replace everything). Did that before and I don't think I'll do that again ($$$$).
My problem is that I have no idea what the factory components are on a specific level:
How many ohms are the speakers? 2,3,4? How efficient are they?
The amps - how much power? Are they already crossed over electronically or are the full range? (I suspect they are)
I understand that the speaker level outs are differential or balanced...how does that come into play?
Lots of questions, probably no answers as BMW surely won't know, or tell me if they did!
If anyone knows anything, please tell me. THANK YOU!
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RadarContact
What is it that you want to do ? Add an amp for a subwoofer, replace the speakers and retain the OEM deck ? Change the HU but keep the speakers ?
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Velocity Motors wrote:
What is it that you want to do ? Add an amp for a subwoofer, replace the speakers and retain the OEM deck ? Change the HU but keep the speakers ?
Well, it depends on what is there already. For instance:
If the 7" (?) factory sub is 87db efficient, I could probably fab in a 10" 92db replacement and leave the factory sub amp, providing the amp is not already electronically crossed over at say, 50hz or so to protect the 7" OEM. That would be an inexpensive solution to add just enough additional bass to make me happy.
Or, if I want to replace the OEM door speakers with HQ aftermarket units (4 ohm being the norm as you know) but my OEMs are 3 ohms (old Ford trick), then my new units may not play as loud with the OEM front amp and I will have wasted my money, somewhat. See what I'm saying?
I DO NOT want to change out the OEM head unit. I've got it set up already (well, parts are here but haven't done the install yet) to control XM, and a USB stick that acts as a virtual CD changer up to 32 GIGs of music. So I'm fine with the "Business CD" BMW unit.
Want to know options, really.
There is a company called Bavarian Soundwerks that sells stuff that is plug-and-play, but I'm a DIY kind of guy. I get satisfaction from doing my homework and creating. I've been an amateur home audio speaker builder since I was 16 years old an just enjoy the hobby.
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RadarContact
You can use the REQ5 to integrate into the OEM system that will allow you to have front, rear & sub out to a set of amps or one 6 channel amp. Personally, I would get rid of the OEM speakers and subwoofer, keep the deck, install new speakers & subwoofer, then add the amplifier. I did this to our BMW with ARC 6 channel amp and Morel Dotech5 components and Integra 4 for the rears. Sounds great and worth every penny.
Now, if your on a budget, then keep the speakers and just upgrade the sub. Use a quality 2 channel LOC or just tag off the OEM sub output ,but like you said, if it's already crossed over, then your limited to the frequency that it is currently outputting .
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA