Can I Get Good SQ from a Factory HU?

[EmEsDub 10+ year member]

i've got a bmw m3 w/ factory navigation and factory harman kardon (crap) system... i'm in the process of upgrading to a nice sql (sq/spl) setup... i really like the way the factory dash looks, and would like to keep it that way... my question is... is excellent sq achievable w/ a factory hu? i know that signal quality from a factory hu isn't usually great, but will it be that bad... i want this system purely for my listening pleasure, and aren't planning on competing or anything...

fyi: i'm planning on running the following setup

sub amp = soundstream van gogh vga800.2

comp amp = soundstream van gogh vga500.4

front stage = 6.5" dls iridiums in custom kicks

rear stage = who needs it

sub = image dynamics idmax12 (sealed encl.)

eq/preamp = audiocontrol eqs

i'd appreciate your guys' help w/ this one... any comments suggestions would be appreciated... also, what do you guys think of this setup?

Click to read more...

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

HK crap, LOL !!!

That will all work, but you need to get some Line Out Converters.

looks like a nice set up //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[kwang125 10+ year member]

HK crap, LOL !!!
That will all work, but you need to get some Line Out Converters.

looks like a nice set up //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

no. it is not needed if he use Audiocontrol EQS.

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

I didnt know that, thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Excellent?? Depends on your definition, no matter what you have there will always be something better, so it's hard to define the cutoff for "excellent". Will your stereo still kick ass with the factory deck?? Yes. Anymore, decent factory headunits (like what I presume your M3 has) are pretty comparable to mid-level ($300-$400) aftermarket decks.

 

[kwang125 10+ year member]

I didnt know that, thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

nah, you were probably giving me a chance to post so i could have 5000 post counts too !!!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/clap.gif.178cba2c538c68e720c727fcb024b19c.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

 

[EmEsDub 10+ year member]

sounds good... just outta curiousity... what does a factory head unit usually lack... do they usually have a low signal-to-noise ratio? or are there outputs unbalanced? or?

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

Features, power, quality audio reproduction

 

[EmEsDub 10+ year member]

Features, power, quality audio reproduction

dam that was quick! lol... good lookin out though! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/toast.gif.bc0657bf54b9ee653b6438524461341e.gif

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

faster than a speeding bullet !

i check my subscribed threads often

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

As supa mentioned, they lack the bells and whistles of aftermarket decks, along with preamp outputs.....but quality audio reproduction? As I said, anymore the "better" OEM decks are pretty darn close to mid-level aftermarket decks in "quality audio reproduction", about the only thing they are missing preouts already installed on them.

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

24bit DAC, yeah my DELCO CD player has that built in //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

24bit DAC, yeah my DELCO CD player has that built in //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

Notice I said "better" OEM decks.......

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

ahhhh, shaddappp. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif