A gal in need of advice to replace factory system

[Eware3000]

Hi there,

I just bought a 2008 BMW 328i (I've been told I have a Hi-Fi system).

Here's my deal:

I listen to hiphop/R&B, a little top 40, a little pop too.

I like bass, but I value clarity.

I want to upgrade my system. I want bang for my buck.

I've been told to replace front door speakers and get a 6-way JL audio amp.

Is this what you would do??

I have no interest in a $1,000 system. I just want some real "thump" and clarity.

This is how I feel about current factory system:

front speakers + tweeters:not too bad, but muddy at high volumes. (4in. components)

rear shelf speakers: barely notice them (4in)

subs: nice thump, but have to crank the volume to really feel them, which sacrifices front speaker (8in 1 under each front seat)

Thanks in advance.

Click to read more...

 

[matt_bennett05 10+ year member]

What type of budget do you have in mind as far as "audio" is concerned?

Also I'm not aware of whether or not you have to have certain "specialty" equipment and installation gear for that vehicle so maybe someone with experience with your vehicle can chime in and clarify that for you as well //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Eware3000]

Around$500 I guess, I would get a shop to install, just need help selecting equip. And general advice.

 

[matt_bennett05 10+ year member]

Well if a shop installs the gear it will be a good bit higher than if you were to find someone you were friends with who could install it for you. And you said that the factory sub sounds ok to you correct? Maybe you could just replace the door and shelf speakers and satisfy you needs.

 

[SubNit 10+ year member]

Your spending more than $500 if you have a shop install everything. You're best bet is to buy used, Find a decent component set here on the forums, pick up a sub on craigslist and like the guy above me said have some friends help.

Actually, I've heard that those Sundown Audio 8" drivers are pretty bad. I'll make it easy for you:

-(2) Sundown Audio SA-8's

-500-750 monoblock amp (kicker should be easy and cheap enough)

-Comp set (tweets and some 6.5's) If your front doors aren't big enough for 6.5's you'll need to do some fabbing, nothing too hard though

-I wouldn't bother replacing those rear speakers

-Buy a quality 4awg wiring kit, either kicker or knukonceptz

Browse the classifieds, then come back and link us to what you find. You'll need help matching VC imp with amps

 

[Horsemanwill 10+ year member]

Hi there,I just bought a 2008 BMW 328i (I've been told I have a Hi-Fi system).

Here's my deal:

I listen to hiphop/R&B, a little top 40, a little pop too.

I like bass, but I value clarity.

I want to upgrade my system. I want bang for my buck.

I've been told to replace front door speakers and get a 6-way JL audio amp.

Is this what you would do??

I have no interest in a $1,000 system. I just want some real "thump" and clarity.

This is how I feel about current factory system:

front speakers + tweeters:not too bad, but muddy at high volumes. (4in. components)

rear shelf speakers: barely notice them (4in)

subs: nice thump, but have to crank the volume to really feel them, which sacrifices front speaker (8in 1 under each front seat)

Thanks in advance.

your lookin at about 500 just for a processor to flatten out the signal going to your amp.

 

[outsideshot23 10+ year member]

jl is a good amp.. the speakers you could replace with are endlkess. you arwe going to get hundreds of different answers

 

[Bob Saget]

Around$500 I guess, I would get a shop to install, just need help selecting equip. And general advice.

I'll install it for $300.

 

[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

edit

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

lulz

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

that has to be one of the worst cars to put a system in because of the fiber optic cables

 

[subzero 5,000+ posts]

Hi there,I just bought a 2008 BMW 328i (I've been told I have a Hi-Fi system).

Here's my deal:

I listen to hiphop/R&B, a little top 40, a little pop too.

I like bass, but I value clarity.

I want to upgrade my system. I want bang for my buck.

I've been told to replace front door speakers and get a 6-way JL audio amp.

Is this what you would do??

I have no interest in a $1,000 system. I just want some real "thump" and clarity.

This is how I feel about current factory system:

front speakers + tweeters:not too bad, but muddy at high volumes. (4in. components)

rear shelf speakers: barely notice them (4in)

subs: nice thump, but have to crank the volume to really feel them, which sacrifices front speaker (8in 1 under each front seat)

Thanks in advance.

Your going to have to upgrade this whole system in steps. and it will cost you at least $1,000. Just because the way BMW cars are designed.

Your options are clear cut. You either yank out all that **** and start from scratch. Or you can try to integrate equipment.

To intergrate equipment you will need a processor. and maybe 2 or 3 amps. Hi, mid, low. or you can get it set up front ,rear, sub. and use 3way passive component sets and then the challenge is finding sets with your driver sizes. I know Focal has some 3way sets that fit.

I have a friend that had to go through this crap with his 328i. There is alot more to do than I listed, but that is to give you a better idea about how serious you are and how willing to make this happen. You wont be disappointed if you do it right the first time.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

Your spending more than $500 if you have a shop install everything. You're best bet is to buy used, Find a decent component set here on the forums, pick up a sub on craigslist and like the guy above me said have some friends help.
Actually, I've heard that those Sundown Audio 8" drivers are pretty bad. I'll make it easy for you:

-(2) Sundown Audio SA-8's

-500-750 monoblock amp (kicker should be easy and cheap enough)

-Comp set (tweets and some 6.5's) If your front doors aren't big enough for 6.5's you'll need to do some fabbing, nothing too hard though

-I wouldn't bother replacing those rear speakers

-Buy a quality 4awg wiring kit, either kicker or knukonceptz

Browse the classifieds, then come back and link us to what you find. You'll need help matching VC imp with amps

switch those two words around and I'll consider reading your post

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

best bet will be to use a processor because it will be a custom job to put a deck in there

 

[Wacky7 10+ year member]

I'm with subzero. Yeah new proceessor sound uint for the Head unit and two amps. one of the amp is 4 channel and for front ,rear and for the sub 2 channel mono amp. But speaker are 2 or 3-way passive component sets that two set they might have to cut and replace into a 5".5 or 6".5 it a custom job to replace the 4" speaker system and they are will end up being high $ for doing this. If spend good money it will trun out to be a good system after all. you could sell the stock amps that are on your car to get some money back. like the logic 7 amp and two other amps that are in the car I think. Best bet is keep saving your money for a true system.

you could try taping it. might want to read this site to get a full understanding what is going to happend.

Logic 7 Amplifier (aftermarket replacement) - bimmerfest - BMW Forums