Adding Low End to Stock System in BMW

Hello Guys,

New Member here looking for some input from some enthusiasts. I'm an avid member of several BMW forums and I know when I need a question answered or good input from folks firmilur and fluent in the question at hand a good forum is the way to go.

I've recently acquired an 06' X5 and it's the first time in years I've had the chance to put something in an open cabin situation.
I plan on adding this to my stock system. I have the OEM Nav head unit and DSP Amp. Both OE Alpine for BMW.
I have done this several times before on other BMW's using a Soundgate LOC tapped into the harness to the stock subwoofer.

This leads to my first question.....
What is the recommended module or interface to get a good quality signal from that stock harness into my monoblock?

Should I be using a more sophisticated interface like something audio control?
I've always used a $40-50 plastic 2 channel Soundgate LOC. But I'm going to run a larger amp than I usually do on a larger 12" I normally do.

Is there a better way to go about taking that amplified speaker level signal and feeding a powerful even signal that would be recommended.?

I already have the sub and amp. Now I need Wiring, Stock Signal Input Method and Battery Recommendations.

I'm already running an AGM battery as my main. And it's in the trunk 4' From where I'm mounting the amp. I can run a few feet of 0 Gauge to the AMP. That's not a problem.
Do you guys think I need an additional battery? I'm a Odyssey dealer and could easily grab a PC680 to mount right next to the amp.
Or should I use a CAP/Cell type unit I see out there?

Also do you guys think I need to do the big 3 for this type of daily driver 1200W system? I don't think I'd have much fun pulling my seats and interior to get the main lead from the alt under the hood back to the main battery on my spare tire well.

I will be running a Nakamichi PA-1500 Monoblock it's 1200W RMS @ 1 ohm
With a Elemental Designs 13aV.2 Dual 2 ohm

And last but not least. What kind of box should I be considering for this eD 13aV2?

I've pulled a few box specs for the 13aV.2 from Google as the eD site is down and they are closed for business now.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...psdfac6dfe.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa77d381b.jpg

Do I stay with stock specs if I want this thing to sing right?
What do you guys say?
What this amp
http://www.nakamichi.com/pdf/PA-1500...20Brochure.pdf

and the Dual 2Ohm eD 13aV.2 sub

Keeping in mind I might want to keep a marginal amount of storage capacity in the rear cargo area

TIA for any input. I appreciate it.

If its the v8 4.4 you probably dont need todo a full big three since the stock wire is already 1 or 0 awg ... May just have to change the battery ground. If you are only running that amp you should be fine with that battery. You can always add one later on if you experience dimming, low voltage etc. I also have a bmw and have worked on a few others (e39, e46, e53) and have had great success using kicker sum8 factory integration signal summing processor...it can sum up upto 8 high voltage factory signal inputs and has 8 channel output so if you wang to add a full range setup in the future its a breeze... It also has a aux input for mp3 ipod and bass control knob. If you dont want to spend too much you can also look at cache clocD ( one of the best budget line drivers imo... $50 from sonic i believe) it will give you clean high volt preouts

By far the best 1st post i've ever seen on this forum.


:handclap:

Tldr

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Originally Posted by momax_powers

If its a v8 you probably dont need todo a full big three ... May just have to change the battery ground. If you are only running that amp you should be fine with that battery. You can always add one later on if you experience dimming, low voltage etc. I also have a bmw and have worked on a few others (e39, e46, e53) and have had great success using kicker sum8 factory integration signal summing processor...it can sum up upto 8 high voltage factory signal inputs and has 8 channel output so if you wang to add a full range setup in the future its a breeze... It also has a aux input for mp3 ipod and bass control knob. If you dont want to spend too much you can also look at cache clocD ( one of the best budget line drivers imo... $50 from sonic i believe) it will give you clean high volt preouts

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Yeah it's the 4.4l N62, I believe the stock Alt is Bosch putting out 170Amps. I was hoping the consensus was that I didn't need to do to much wire/power upgrades for this setup. I was thinking my Group 49 AGM cell would be alright. It was 1100CCA's last time I load tested it about a month ago. I can def. Run 0 Guage for the main battery ground. It's only a few feet.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will have to take a look at those options you mentioned. I wouldn't mind swapping out the front stage in the spring and it's certainly wouldn't hurt to amplify that with something more powerful that my stock amp. It would be nice to have the flexibility of that kicker unit.

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By far the best 1st post i've ever seen on this forum.

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I am honored sir :)

That's a very kind remark from a veteran forum member with a post count like your's man.

As a forum member I always try to give back. I plan on documenting my journey into car audio and video integration with lots of pics and posts and hopefully only a small percentage of noob questions and ridiculous comments.

-Alex in Minneapolis

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Originally Posted by Lexicon740iL

I am honored sir :)

That's a very kind remark from a veteran forum member with a post count like your's man.

As a forum member I always try to give back. I plan on documenting my journey into car audio and video integration with lots of pics and posts and hopefully only a small percentage of noob questions and ridiculous comments.

-Alex in Minneapolis

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do big 3 and thats all you will need

are you going to be building a box yourself, if not hit up @pro-rabbit ; or @double 07 ; on these forums they build top notch boxes and can design etc an amazing box for half what a local shop will charge you and ship.

I just installed an exile 12d in a pro-rabbit box and it blows away my dads old 2 rd sonance 12's in a pre-fab in every way

Starr Mountain Sound
has dollar day deals going on read that post really cheap add ons like kerf port and double baffle etc and 110 for your box plus shipping for design and box built for your sub

DC Creations

this is pro-rabbits business and i own 2 boxes from him that are amazing. one sealed for a passive radiator and one ported.

his would be 150 shipped plus 20 for kerf which i would def get for that sub

bmw FTW! Finally. Another bmw guy on here.

Your equipment choice is very good. I would like to this when it is all done.

Thanks for the links man! I'd much rather have a pro build it that can recommend the best enclosure type, porting, Cubic volume ect.

And I'm all for supporting other members/vendors!

Then those 2 guys are 2 of the best, cant go wrong with either.

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Originally Posted by jockhater2

bmw FTW! Finally. Another bmw guy on here.

Your equipment choice is very good. I would like to this when it is all done.

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Hell yeah! BMW FTW!
I go to Germany every year and BMW meets around the country.

I currently have an E38,E39 and the E53 in question in the stable.

Is that a 6 Series Shark I see in your avatar?

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Originally Posted by Falcons

Tldr

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When i was saying if its a v8 he wont have todo a big3 beside the batt ground, i was referring strictly to his x5 and not every car because just like my v8 bmw e39 it already has 1 or 0 gauge stock from the factory which is more than enough in this case. I have a 140 a stock alt and factory cable is 0awg. The only thing that wasn was the battery ground.

Nice choice on the 13a have done a few enclosures for them over the past year or so.

Not sure why they go so popular recently, perhaps the drop in price on their product after they closed.

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Originally Posted by pro-rabbit

Nice choice on the 13a have done a few enclosures for them over the past year or so.

Not sure why they go so popular recently, perhaps the drop in price on their product after they closed.

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Thanks. I have owned other eD products and been very satisfied

I got this one from a friend who is now running 2 of them each on their own nine.1

And your right He got in on the fire sale before it all closed down. He scored 3 for 180 each.

Do you have any models of the other boxes for my sub you have built. Any recommendations on type or size for the 13a with 1200W RMS feeding it?