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General Car Audio
[BMW E34] Newbie needs advice on SQ setup
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<blockquote data-quote="Heinemans" data-source="post: 8245935" data-attributes="member: 660388"><p>Dear fellow (car)audio enthusiasts,</p><p></p><p>I'm new to this forum, so excuse me if this thread is in the wrong section.</p><p></p><p>Also English is not my native language; excuse me if I may make some spelling mistakes.</p><p></p><p>That said, I have a problem. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif</p><p></p><p>In short: I want to upgrade the complete (OEM) audio system in my car, and to be honest, I need your advice to accomplish this. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif</p><p></p><p><strong>Some background information</strong></p><p></p><p>I've always wanted to do a build like this. On the cars I've owned in the past I've allways replaced the stock OEM audio system by some simple, low level, upgraded components (headunit, speakers, once I've used an amp). This still sounded not that good (just say bad //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif) obviously, these cars were however never worth the cost/build time of a good setup.</p><p></p><p>For the past 2 years I own a BMW E34 525TD, which I use as a daily driver (100k km/year (60k miles/year)). This car (the E34 in general) is just a passion of mine, and in order to keep that passion alive I need to upgrade stuff on the car once in a while. This time I want to upgrade the audio system, because this is just below standard (in contrast to the rest of the car).</p><p></p><p><strong>Wishlist</strong></p><p></p><p>A SQ setup (SoundQuality), not SPL...</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Clean, clear and crisp sound<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">OEM head unit<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">OEM look<br /> </li> </ul><p></p><p></p><p>Because it's an older car (1993) which has a sertain feeling/vibe/look to it which I like, I don't want the audio to be visible from the outside. The audio upgrade is the only thing what will be done on this car that is not OEM, which could potentially ruin the feeling/vibe/look of the car. This is something I want prevent, and therefor must be taken into account when selecting a setup.</p><p></p><p><strong>The base</strong></p><p></p><p>BMW E34 525TD sedan, 1993</p><p></p><p>The OEM installation is as follows:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 5.25" woofers [FOOTWELL DRIVER/PASSENGER]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 2.5" midbass [TOP OF DASHBOARD]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 1" tweeters [A PILLAR]</li> </ul><p></p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 5.25" woofers [TOP REAR SHELF]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 1" tweeters [TOP REAR SHELF]</li> </ul><p></p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">BMW business RDS</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">BMW 6CD changer P</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">NO OEM AMPLIFIER</li> </ul><p></p><p>In general the E34 is pretty well sound insulated. On all panels/doors there are sound-dampening mats, all speaker holes/cavities are insulated with fabric/wool like stuff and there are no rattling interior parts.</p><p></p><p>Below is a drawing on the speaker/audio layout of the E34.</p><p></p><p>All speakers are circled green. The OEM amplifier (Nr.32) is part of the HIGH audio system, which is not installed in my car.</p><p>The orientation of the speakers is also visible on this image.</p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iIr_HcjPr64/UyS0_OqSaoI/AAAAAAAAD4s/VI6d3qqR5sY/s800/czx.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Below are some pictures of the actual car.</p><p></p><p>Sorry for the quality, these were made with my phone. On request I will provide you guys on detailed pictures of sertain components</p><p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6qkBXaechuU/UyS0fFdx8KI/AAAAAAAAD3o/7ujI6X1nX9o/s800/01.JPG" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SeO-h-OTURU/UyS0jmLpgpI/AAAAAAAAD3w/NdgXj8EHg8g/s800/02.JPG" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><strong>My ideas</strong></p><p></p><p>First of all, these are just my ideas on what components to use. I don't have any knowledge on good brands, nor components. Here is were you guys come in. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif</p><p></p><p>The components</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">OEM Headunit</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">DSP</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">AMP('s)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">3 stage (front)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 stage (rear)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SUB</li> </ul><p></p><p>So, the above is what I think. Original headunit in combination with a DSP to provide for a clean input for the AMP('s) which provide a output for the front and rear component sets. Also small SUB for the required bass.</p><p>The DSP and AMP('s) will be located in the trunk (behind the side panels), speakers will be located in the original mounting positions. Finally the sub will be located in the rear armrest cavity (ski-hole).</p><p>The 5.25" mounting positions will be able to accommodate a 6.5" speaker, provided that the mounting depth will not be to great.</p><p></p><p><strong>Budget</strong></p><p></p><p>In short: Whatever it takes to accomplish the "for me best setup".</p><p></p><p>I know this is a little vague/relative, but let me try to explain.</p><p></p><p>I don't think that I will be able to hear the difference (I'm not an audiophile, only an enthusiast //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif ) between a component set of 400,- vs a set of 2000,-, so in that case I will go with the 400,- set.</p><p></p><p>I just wan't the best there is, until I can't hear the difference anymore.</p><p></p><p><strong>The final question(s)</strong></p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What do you think on my point of view on the outline of the setup?<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What should I further consider changing in order to get the SQ I'm after? (Speaker orientation, etc.)<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What components am I looking for? (Brand, type, size, etc.)<br /> </li> </ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>So that's about it I think.</p><p></p><p>May you guys require any extra information then please don't hesitate to ask, I will do my best to provide you with the neccesary.</p><p></p><p>Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for the advice. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif</p><p></p><p>With kind regards,</p><p></p><p>Hein</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Heinemans, post: 8245935, member: 660388"] Dear fellow (car)audio enthusiasts, I'm new to this forum, so excuse me if this thread is in the wrong section. Also English is not my native language; excuse me if I may make some spelling mistakes. That said, I have a problem. [IMG]//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif[/IMG] In short: I want to upgrade the complete (OEM) audio system in my car, and to be honest, I need your advice to accomplish this. [IMG]//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif[/IMG] [B]Some background information[/B] I've always wanted to do a build like this. On the cars I've owned in the past I've allways replaced the stock OEM audio system by some simple, low level, upgraded components (headunit, speakers, once I've used an amp). This still sounded not that good (just say bad [IMG]//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif[/IMG]) obviously, these cars were however never worth the cost/build time of a good setup. For the past 2 years I own a BMW E34 525TD, which I use as a daily driver (100k km/year (60k miles/year)). This car (the E34 in general) is just a passion of mine, and in order to keep that passion alive I need to upgrade stuff on the car once in a while. This time I want to upgrade the audio system, because this is just below standard (in contrast to the rest of the car). [B]Wishlist[/B] A SQ setup (SoundQuality), not SPL... [LIST] [*]Clean, clear and crisp sound [*]OEM head unit [*]OEM look [/LIST] Because it's an older car (1993) which has a sertain feeling/vibe/look to it which I like, I don't want the audio to be visible from the outside. The audio upgrade is the only thing what will be done on this car that is not OEM, which could potentially ruin the feeling/vibe/look of the car. This is something I want prevent, and therefor must be taken into account when selecting a setup. [B]The base[/B] BMW E34 525TD sedan, 1993 The OEM installation is as follows: [LIST] [*]2 5.25" woofers [FOOTWELL DRIVER/PASSENGER] [*]2 2.5" midbass [TOP OF DASHBOARD] [*]2 1" tweeters [A PILLAR] [/LIST] [LIST] [*]2 5.25" woofers [TOP REAR SHELF] [*]2 1" tweeters [TOP REAR SHELF] [/LIST] [LIST] [*]BMW business RDS [*]BMW 6CD changer P [*]NO OEM AMPLIFIER [/LIST] In general the E34 is pretty well sound insulated. On all panels/doors there are sound-dampening mats, all speaker holes/cavities are insulated with fabric/wool like stuff and there are no rattling interior parts. Below is a drawing on the speaker/audio layout of the E34. All speakers are circled green. The OEM amplifier (Nr.32) is part of the HIGH audio system, which is not installed in my car. The orientation of the speakers is also visible on this image. [IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iIr_HcjPr64/UyS0_OqSaoI/AAAAAAAAD4s/VI6d3qqR5sY/s800/czx.png[/IMG] Below are some pictures of the actual car. Sorry for the quality, these were made with my phone. On request I will provide you guys on detailed pictures of sertain components [IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6qkBXaechuU/UyS0fFdx8KI/AAAAAAAAD3o/7ujI6X1nX9o/s800/01.JPG[/IMG] [IMG]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SeO-h-OTURU/UyS0jmLpgpI/AAAAAAAAD3w/NdgXj8EHg8g/s800/02.JPG[/IMG] [B]My ideas[/B] First of all, these are just my ideas on what components to use. I don't have any knowledge on good brands, nor components. Here is were you guys come in. [IMG]//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif[/IMG] The components [LIST] [*]OEM Headunit [*]DSP [*]AMP('s) [*]3 stage (front) [*]2 stage (rear) [*]SUB [/LIST] So, the above is what I think. Original headunit in combination with a DSP to provide for a clean input for the AMP('s) which provide a output for the front and rear component sets. Also small SUB for the required bass. The DSP and AMP('s) will be located in the trunk (behind the side panels), speakers will be located in the original mounting positions. Finally the sub will be located in the rear armrest cavity (ski-hole). The 5.25" mounting positions will be able to accommodate a 6.5" speaker, provided that the mounting depth will not be to great. [B]Budget[/B] In short: Whatever it takes to accomplish the "for me best setup". I know this is a little vague/relative, but let me try to explain. I don't think that I will be able to hear the difference (I'm not an audiophile, only an enthusiast [IMG]//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif[/IMG] ) between a component set of 400,- vs a set of 2000,-, so in that case I will go with the 400,- set. I just wan't the best there is, until I can't hear the difference anymore. [B]The final question(s)[/B] [LIST] [*]What do you think on my point of view on the outline of the setup? [*]What should I further consider changing in order to get the SQ I'm after? (Speaker orientation, etc.) [*]What components am I looking for? (Brand, type, size, etc.) [/LIST] So that's about it I think. May you guys require any extra information then please don't hesitate to ask, I will do my best to provide you with the neccesary. Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for the advice. [IMG]//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif[/IMG] With kind regards, Hein [/QUOTE]
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