[42Ate]

Does anyone have experience using FOCAL products? I really am looking to upgrade my HiFi amp in a 428i. I have installed Bavsound Ghost Subwoofers but I think the stock HiFi amp just doesn't have the juice necessary to give a quality sound. Any recommendations on the amp I should select? I am turned off by the high price for the Bimertech amp

[Billfitz]

Because the BMW connection from the head unit to the amp is digital rather than analog and uses proprietary connections there are no inexpensive off the shelf amps that are plug and play, which makes any that are plug and play far more expensive than you'd normally expect to pay. And there's the BMW tax...

[Arthurrs]

The Bimmertech amp is worth the extra $$$. You could cobble something together using the Technic wiring harness and another make of amp, but for the equivalent specs and capability, you won't save much. I do see the Bimmertech amp in the classifieds in this forum from time to time, got mine there for a pretty good deal.

[42Ate]

thank all for the responses

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Because the BMW connection from the head unit to the amp is digital rather than analog and uses proprietary connections there are no inexpensive off the shelf amps that are plug and play, which makes any that are plug and play far more expensive than you'd normally expect to pay. And there's the BMW tax...

It's only digital on the HK. 676 Hifi uses analog balanced inputs. There are some off-the-shelf amps that can take the balanced inputs. The MOST link on the HK needs a Mobridge DSP to decode it (500 or 600 bucks...I forget how much mine cost...certainly a BMW tax but it can also be an Audi tax or a Mercedes tax as some of their systems need it, too).

Edit: If you aren't familiar with these systems, it's best not to try and play with them yourself. They aren't simple setups. Go with the PnP options, like the Bimmertech amp/dsp if you have Hifi and not HK, drop-in replacement speakers meant for these cars, or go to an installer with experience (like MuiscarNW).

[mik]

op I'm in the same boat. looking for other options besides bimmertech and jl600/6. please update the thread if you come up with anything

[BEM-S4]

In my M235 HK which is = 3/4 Hifi, I have Bavsound speakers and ghosts, 86DSP amp then a Focal 8" in trunk sub powered by a JL 600 amp.

That's a great combo IMO and the 86DSP is definitely worth the money. The only downside is if you want to have a pro tune your system, no one deals with that here in the US. If you're going past diy to get some help, I'd go Focal or Morel and JL amps throughout since whoever is working with you can more easily mess with the settings.