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      05-02-2016, 09:46 AM   #1
335icandy
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Need advice on F30 Hifi audiophile upgrades

Hi guys,

My daily driver car is a 2014 328d xdrive.

I currently have a JL audio 10W7 in the High output JL box, with a JL 500/1.

1. What's the least intrusive way to install this sub amp without cutting any factory wiring?

2. Do I need a line out converter for this amp?

Now the fun stuff. I'm most definitely an audiophile. I run McIntosh, Martin Logan electrostatic speakers, and luxman gear at home... that being said the factory Hifi system doesn't cut it for me. My goal is sound quality but also SPL Capable. So SQL.

3. What are the best drop in speakers to date for our F30 Bmw'S? Underseat woofers too?

4. I'd like to replace the front stage most importantly. Is center channel really needed?

5. What is the best DSP to date? What is the best amp to get all the speakers functioning properly? And the Navi voice and chime.

6. Is technic still in business? What do I need to purchase from him?

7. Now the sub box is huge. Who would make a 10W7 sealed trunkside enclosure so I can regain my trunk space?

Sorry for all the questions,

If anyone has any informed opinions relating to my audio questions, please don't hesitate to share.

Thanks

I'll be sure to post a build thread with lots of pictures. I will also hire a great local professional installer as I don't have the time to do it myself.
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      05-03-2016, 08:42 AM   #2
Matt338
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Do the Bavsound Stage 1 speakers and the Bimmertech Amp. The speakers are a huge upgrade over stock and in addition to having DSP software for fine tuning, the AMP has RCA outputs for your 500/1. Everything is compatible with the factory wiring and connectors so it really is plug and play.
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      05-03-2016, 10:16 AM   #3
bri1042
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If you are looking for audiophile-level upgrades, and are willing to put the bucks into it, contact musicarnw.com. They will sell you everything you need to take it to whatever level you wish to pay for without the evil wire cutting. Otherwise, if you want simple and less expensive, take Matt338's advice. There is no worthwhile upgrade that's less money than that for these cars.
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      05-04-2016, 04:44 PM   #4
335icandy
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My installer did it all without using technic harness As I've hadn't purchased it yet... JL amp took the balanced input from tapping the underseat sub wire... problem is its level sensing for the 12 volt turn on... at low volumes the amp turns itself off. Is there a better wire to tap to get the remote 12 volt cable.working properly?

Also its way too much power and bass for the stock Hifi...

He recommended I get technics harness and install a JL xd600/6 for the in car speakers... has anyone amplified the stock speakers? How does it sound?

Is the bimmertech amp dsp better than a JL audio Xd600/6?

Does technic harness have a sub preout? Or do I use the preamp outputs from the xd600/6?

Thanks for your advice friends!
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      05-05-2016, 06:31 AM   #5
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The Bimmertech amp (along with the Helix Match PP82DSP that it's based off of) is a great, full-featured DSP as well as an amp. It's not as powerful as an xd600/6 but it's powerful enough, tiny, runs very cool, and you don't need another harness (along with being a DSP). If you browse and search through this section of the board, going back to 2013 and 14, I think you'll find every bit of information you need. There isn't as much discussion lately about what to do with our cars since we all hashed it out earlier in the F30 days (and the e90 days).

I ran the stock speakers on the Match PP82 for a good while. They can take the power and are no where near as bad as one would think just listening to them on the stock amp (the amp is the problem, not the speakers for the most part). Buying better speakers is worth it, but a lot of folk don't and end up with a very nice system (especially if you cut out the evil center speaker and time-correct yourself into a proper stereo setup).
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      05-06-2016, 12:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335icandy View Post
Is the bimmertech amp dsp better than a JL audio Xd600/6?

Does technic harness have a sub preout? Or do I use the preamp outputs from the xd600/6?

Thanks for your advice friends!
Keep in mind that the JL audio amplifier you mentioned only has high pass and low pass filter capabilities for setting up crossovers, whereas the bimmertech amplifier has high and low pass filters, AND equalizers as well. Considering how compromised your speaker situation is in a typical car audio setup, having those equalizer filters can make all the difference in making the speakers sound great. If you want to do the same with the JL audio amp, you would need to purchase a separate DSP processor for those equalization capabilities.
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      05-06-2016, 08:35 PM   #7
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Bimmertech amp/dsp (8 channel)
I'd install only one pair of focal 100krs , morel virtus 402 or hybrid 402 or CDT HD-42 in front doors
speaker adapters: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1027104
with bimmertech amp/dsp you have the ability to delete the center speaker and install additional set of wires to front doors for active setup (better SQ)
Many like Gladen underseat subwoofers(sub in the trunk a must), i like earthquake sws-8xi (no sub in the trunk needed)
Gladen - better mid , sws-8xi - better lows.

Speakers:
focal - weak bass capabilities, (gladen + sub in the trunk)
morel, CDT - great bass capabilities (sws-8xi if sub in the trunk is not an option)

Last edited by constantin_md; 05-06-2016 at 08:41 PM..
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      05-06-2016, 08:54 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bri1042 View Post
If you are looking for audiophile-level upgrades, and are willing to put the bucks into it, contact musicarnw.com. They will sell you everything you need to take it to whatever level you wish to pay for without the evil wire cutting. Otherwise, if you want simple and less expensive, take Matt338's advice. There is no worthwhile upgrade that's less money than that for these cars.

This ^^

.
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My Build Thread can be found HERE
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      05-07-2016, 10:36 AM   #9
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After installing my bimmertech amp, How do I turn down the BMW dong guys?
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      05-07-2016, 11:36 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrod33084 View Post
After installing my bimmertech amp, How do I turn down the BMW dong guys?
Have you done the recoding to Hifi already by the bimmertech guys?

That's only if you are upgrading from base stereo and since you're in the US my question may not be relevant as i think you don't have that the base is Hifi in the US IIRC
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      05-07-2016, 11:41 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lancelot
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrod33084 View Post
After installing my bimmertech amp, How do I turn down the BMW dong guys?
Have you done the recoding to Hifi already by the bimmertech guys?
I didn't do any coding. It was pre tuned for the hifi system with oem speakers. Which is what I have. I have it turned all the way down in Idrive and it's still fairly loud.
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      05-07-2016, 07:08 PM   #12
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He doesn't need to code to Hifi. The base stereo wasn't available in the US in '13.
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