Hertz ESK or DSK 130 for a convertible

[Z3M 10+ year member]

These are two separate and unrelated issues. Let me explain. There's no question that MP3s are lossy. Hell, even the guy who invented the coding thinks they're unacceptable for critical listening. MP3s simply lack the resolution of the original media. That lack of resolution, however, doesn't change the recording's tonal balance, nor does it influence the direct perspective of its staging.

You're probably asking what all this means to you. In a convertible, you're obviously facing a lot of noise. That noise - the combination of road/tire/drivetrain/exhaust - will cause random cancellations in the speakers' in-cabin response. Those cancellations will mostly manifest themselves from the lower mids on down. IOW, it'll sound very different and significantly worse when the car is at speed. The Imprint option won't help, as the car remains stationary during its configuration. In your case, not unlike mine, the system has to be tuned while the car is on the move. This is where a PEQ is extremely helpful.

I probably don't have to explain the benefits of time alignment, as I'm sure you've listened to a stereo system where you sat directly between the speakers, and then moved far to one side. It can make for a night and day difference in focusing the soundfield relative to a given listening seat.

To recap, yes, MP3s are limited, but those limitations won't impact your tuning constraints.

OK then....you've made some very valid points. Re-evaluate....I certainly can take a much closer look at the CDA 9887.

Are you going with 4awg power wire?

Oh, I can almost assure you that BMW did not use 4awg. Like everything else, it's probably some Harmon Kardon proprietary wire.

The ESKs look fine, but I'm a little concerned about the EVs. As I mentioned, I've never auditioned the speakers, so please take what I say as an educated guess. The EVs seem to be mid-woofers, not dedicated sub drivers. Typically, such drivers are crossed over at ~80Hz. There drivers are rated as high as 8K, which makes me think that their distortion components may be high if forced to extend relatively low.

I'll take some pics of the wanna be Harmon Kardon sub-woofer. You'll get a good laugh. While BMW is the Ultimate Driving Machine. the audio system was clearly an afterthought.

 

[Z3M 10+ year member]

Here's pictures of BMW's Harmon Kardon sub-woofer setup. Some MZ3 came with a single 6.5 while other like mine have two 5.25. I have very little to work with and don't expect a lot from it. Two companies make real subs for this area. They cost upwards of 400.00. There's always the trunk. But when the top is down you have the convertible top between you and the trunk.

1) Speaker box between the seats

2) Top cover and side cover off. Snorkel in speaker box.

3) Speaker box out of frame. Snorkel attached.

4) Speaker box turned around. Hertz EV100 speaker. The other EV100 speaker is inside the box facing the opposite direction.

5) BMW Z3M

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

Here's pictures of BMW's Harmon Kardon sub-woofer setup. Some MZ3 came with a single 6.5 while other like mine have two 5.25. I have very little to work with and don't expect a lot from it.

I don't think I've seen anything like this before.

Two companies make real subs for this area. They cost upwards of 400.00. There's always the trunk. But when the top is down you have the convertible top between you and the trunk.

By chance, did any of the local shops quote you an enclosure to fit at a lower price? Admittedly, $400 is a lot. If you could have a custom enclosure built more reasonably, it would be an ideal solution. I also think that housing the sub in the trunk may not be the best way to go.

5) BMW Z3M

I bet she sounds great at redline. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsupwink.gif.129404938effda6ad9cca39e7f4b58a3.gif

 

[Z3M 10+ year member]

I don't think I've seen anything like this before.

Yup, a pretty strange setup with a multitude of problems. Speakers rattling or worse. The amps are so poorly designed blowing out the speakers is easily done. The snorkel rattles around. There's no viable replacement speakers as the whole audio system is 2ohm.

By chance, did any of the local shops quote you an enclosure to fit at a lower price? Admittedly, $400 is a lot. If you could have a custom enclosure built more reasonably, it would be an ideal solution. I also think that housing the sub in the trunk may not be the best way to go.

We didn't get to the price. My wife stopped them when they said they'd cut away some of the speaker box frame, fiberglass the speaker frame creating a permanent sub box housing an 8" sub of our choice. That's when they suggested a sub in the trunk. At least a 10" sub because of what the sound needs to go through. The trunk is 5 cubic ft.

Bet she sounds great at redline. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsupwink.gif.129404938effda6ad9cca39e7f4b58a3.gif

Ah yup...although I had a guy drive up to me in his Honda Civic tell me he can help make my car sound better.....bwahaha.