Since we're in audio lately... POST YOUR AUDIO SETUP!

[Jon K]

Notice Topic. List what you've got, pics if you've got them, and advice on what to do or not do next time around!

[uscharalph]

STOCK! Pioneer KE-83zbm & Pioneer CDX-M30 with Stock Amp and Stock Speakers.

[Jon K]

STOCK! Pioneer KE-83zbm & Pioneer CDX-M30 with Stock Amp and Stock Speakers.

Cmon man we could've gone without that.

[Shaun]

Notice Topic. List what you've got, pics if you've got them, and advice on what to do or not do next time around!

Clarion Pro-Audio HX-D10 Head Unit
5.25" MB Quart components front and rear
MB Quart 12" DVC Sub
Phoenix Gold QX 300.4 x2

The components and sub are showing their age; time for new stuff :(

http://black.plague.org/pictures/bmw/audio_amprack4.jpg

A shot before the HU install:

http://black.plague.org/pictures/bmw/fix_bmw2.jpg

[Jon K]

Now we're getting somewhere.

Mine:

MB Quart Q-Series 6.5" kicks, 4" mids, 1" tweeters
Cadence 880w 1/2 Ohm stable 2-channel amp for front
Audiobahn A2301Q 240w in mono for
Alpine Type-R 10" DVC sub in ~.68 cu ft box in spare tire hole
Phoenix Gold Pro-1 Voltage Line Driver
Phoenix Gold 30-Band Graphic EQ w/ load balancer
1.5 Farad Capacitor
7" VGA LCD touch screen molded in dash
Custom self-made car computer with DVD, Navigation, Wireless internet, and rear view camera. 120GB hard drive.
Custom made DC-DC power regulator w/ shutdown controller and 7v drop out.
Modified XBox hooked up to auxillary video source, 120GB hard drive

trunk isn't done yet, still need to figure out how I want it all layed out.

Pics:

(excuse pics, went out in a rush before posting this)
view of mp3 player
http://e34.digital7.com/Audio%20Setup/1.jpg
dvd playing
http://e34.digital7.com/Audio%20Setup/2.jpg
rear view camera
http://e34.digital7.com/Audio%20Setup/3.jpg

[Jon K]

trunk as of now
http://e34.digital7.com/Audio%20Setup/4.jpg
view from out of car
http://e34.digital7.com/Audio%20Setup/5.jpg

[Shaun]

trunk as of now


How's thw AudioBahn amp treating you? Mix feelings regarding this company, even for a budget solution for my Corvette...

[Jon K]

How's thw AudioBahn amp treating you? Mix feelings regarding this company, even for a budget solution for my Corvette...


i like it very much, no issues. loud.

[GaryE]

Hi

I'm running an Alpine setup ...

Alpine 9835R Headunit
Alpine S-Type SPS-130 Speakers all round
Alpine MRV-F340 amp powering all 4 speakers
Alpine MRD-500 mono amp for sub
Alpine SWR-1522 15" Type-R sub

Sound quality is really nice, and I am happy with it.

I have the amps mounted to the backs of the rear seats, and the sub pointing through the ski hole. Still need to get some black foam and replace the yellow insulating material in and around the ski hole.

[tnt525i]

ok here's mine,,, pics will follow at a later date
pioneer deh 4600mp (mp3) head unit
rockford fosgate 360.6 six channel amp
boston acoustics pro component speakers all around
memphis audio crossover with remote sub level controller
mtx 12 inch sub.
the amp and the crossover is mounted behind the back seat and the sub covers them both, as soon as i get my car back from the painter, ill post pics

[bmwoohoo]

Heh Jon.. Great job. I was looking at what mine will look like with clears on the front. How does that touch screen hold up?? I do video calibrations for home theater and was just going to put a wuxga laptop into the car and try and integrate it with a mechanical arm that would come out. What size tires are those??? They are sweet. Hate asking all these questions.. I just decided to keep mine because I had the nikasil fiasco repaired last year and really started to enjoy working on it. What tint is on the windows and does it minimize the reception at all?? Although I don't like green cars generally I have the exact same color and started lovin it.

Cheers and look forward to seeing that gear installed. Since I do HT gear I might start implementing some car audio. The car itself is setup to calibrate an excellent audio soundstage with less modal issues than most.

[Incantation]

Clarion DXZ-845MC head
Focal Utopia 6.5" components in front
JBL comp vr 6.5 components in back
Focal Utopia 13" sub with custom designed box in back.. approx 45 litres and two 4"x11.3" ports through ski-hole
Kenwood excelon KAC-X541 4 channel for cabin
Kenwood excelon KAC-X811D monoblock for my neighbours
got a capacitor in there.. can't remember what kind
all 0 gauge wiring for ground etc, and a couple extra leads off negative terminal to body

[stx133]

Dude, what are those side mirrors, do they still work with the oem electrics and memory?

[rickm]

Stock for now (you asked).

This week I'm ordering an Alpine CDA-9853. I'm still on the fence about ordering the KCA-420i (iPod control interface). I sort of like having my iPod within reach so I can remove it easily (I use it everywhere, it's grown on me). No idea for speakers yet, I was thinking about getting some Infinity speakers.

Still up in the air since I'm considering selling this. I have 3 cars and am supposed to be getting an Escape or a Five Hundred for work and I don't want my driveway to look like a car lot.

If my wife gets the wagon I'm strongly considering putting a Mac Mini somewhere under the seats then wire it to a headrest mounted screen and use a wireless keyboard/mouse to drive it. That way the small child and spousal unit could watch DVDs or do games when we travel. Updating would be easy, I could park in front of the house and access my wireless point.

[1995 525i]

Notice Topic. List what you've got, pics if you've got them, and advice on what to do or not do next time around!
Alpine Head Unit
Alpine IPOD Adapter (behind the glove box)
JBL 5.25 components up fron
Sony 5.25 3-Ways in back
2 10 Kicker subs in suctom box
4 Channel 400 Jenson amp
2 Channel 350 Jenson amp

http://img348.imageshack.us/my.php?image=glovebox7mk.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3509/headunit1rd. (http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3509/headunit1rd.jpg)[/url]
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/876/subs3du.jpg[url="http://img94.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headunit1rd.jpg"] (http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3509/headunit1rd.jpg)

[Jason]

Alpine V12 amp
Infinity Kappa 6.5s components in the front
Infinity Kappa 5.25" components in the rear
Inifnity Bass link firing into cabin behind armrest
Remote control for basslink is installed next to fog light switch and looks stock
1/8" headphone jack runs to aux inputs of HU and come out of the center console sort of a "hard wired" ipod set up. works well for my purposes.

If i had to do it again, i don't know that i would have spent money on rear speakers. I would have gone w/ the 6.5" the first time. and i would have gotten an alpine head, which i might do anyway, and get the ipod link they sell for 99 bucks and mount it under the seat or in the glove compartment

[1995 525i]

Alpine V12 amp
Infinity Kappa 6.5s components in the front
Infinity Kappa 5.25" components in the rear
Inifnity Bass link firing into cabin behind armrest
Remote control for basslink is installed next to fog light switch and looks stock
1/8" headphone jack runs to aux inputs of HU and come out of the center console sort of a "hard wired" ipod set up. works well for my purposes.

If i had to do it again, i don't know that i would have spent money on rear speakers. I would have gone w/ the 6.5" the first time. and i would have gotten an alpine head, which i might do anyway, and get the ipod link they sell for 99 bucks and mount it under the seat or in the glove compartment
Get the IPOD adapter. I love it! You have the same searching functionality of the IPOD but can do it from the deck. Also, some songs actually sound better through the IPOD than they do via cd. Case in point, Black Label Society. I had their cd in the cd playerand the same song on pause on the IPOD. When I played the song via the IPOD it was louder and had more bass than through the cd player. I paid $179 for the deck and $99 for the adapter. Definitely worth the money.

[LMUNick]

I was just about to go get the alpine 9847 and iPod adapter as you have- what do you think of it?

[Elekta]

my upgrade here (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=2379&page=2&pp=10&highlight=upgrade)

[granit_silber]

Jason,

What are your thoughts on the BassLink?
It looks like a good solution for me (as I want to keep my stock deck) and the cost is similar or less than the cost of seperate components.

-ashley

[Incantation]

here is a better pic:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/733000-733999/733738_29_full.jpg

i got them on ebay.. they are motorized but only left/right.. and the motors in them were some noisy shxt so i didn't bother wiring them up.. i just move with hand once every 4 months if needed. heh.

wasn't a perfect fit when i bought them.. there is a rubber housing underneath the stock mirrors.. 3 layers, 2 of which i cut out neatly in a pattern to accomodate the new mirrors. i also had to go to the hardware store for a proper screw and big washer to anchor the things down properly.

they have signals in them.. and also they have blue LEDs as well.. these can be wired to the car but blue is illegal where i live (and gay) so i didn't wire those up. the signals are quite noticeable at nite.. daytime not as much.

look 500% better than stock

[Jon K]

Heh Jon.. Great job. I was looking at what mine will look like with clears on the front. How does that touch screen hold up?? I do video calibrations for home theater and was just going to put a wuxga laptop into the car and try and integrate it with a mechanical arm that would come out. What size tires are those??? They are sweet. Hate asking all these questions.. I just decided to keep mine because I had the nikasil fiasco repaired last year and really started to enjoy working on it. What tint is on the windows and does it minimize the reception at all?? Although I don't like green cars generally I have the exact same color and started lovin it.

Cheers and look forward to seeing that gear installed. Since I do HT gear I might start implementing some car audio. The car itself is setup to calibrate an excellent audio soundstage with less modal issues than most.


touch screen is great
235/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear
30% tint, doesn't seem to affect reception

Mine isn't an OEM color, its a VW green w/ small flake mixed with bmw green.

[Robin-535im]

h... but blue is illegal where i live (and gay) so i didn't wire those up...

ha ha ha ha ha.

[Nick.Hay]

http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk/images/products/standard/270.jpg
VDO CD2203 headunit- Has orange Illumination, black features and looks AWESOME in the dash... (Its not out-of-place like a silver ones with green or blue lights!!)

http://www.hendoncarstereo.co.uk/trolleyed/images/products/cadencecwm6kit.jpg
Cadence front 'split' speakers... Factory locations, factory size!! Loud and clear as hell!!

http://www.jvc.ca/product-images/CS-HX522.jpg JVC 6in rear stage- Factory size, factory locations... Nice rear fill.

http://www.rondevries.nl/catalog/images/GT412.jpg A pair of these 10in 1000w puppies, in a custom, boot-mounted, computer-designed box...

And a Jaycar 4x150w amp, running only the subs. Stinger wiring, platinum battery clamps, 100A block fuse under back seat.


Good quality system, cost less than $2k.. Installed set-up and pumping!!
You can barely hear it outside the car, yet its a good volume and fantastic clarity inside...
Best thing?? It sets the alarms of parked cars off as we cruise by!!

[BigKriss]

http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk/images/products/standard/270.jpg
VDO CD2203 headunit- Has orange Illumination, black features and looks AWESOME in the dash... (Its not out-of-place like a silver ones with green or blue lights!!)

http://www.hendoncarstereo.co.uk/trolleyed/images/products/cadencecwm6kit.jpg
Cadence front 'split' speakers... Factory locations, factory size!! Loud and clear as hell!!

http://www.jvc.ca/product-images/CS-HX522.jpg JVC 6in rear stage- Factory size, factory locations... Nice rear fill.

http://www.rondevries.nl/catalog/images/GT412.jpg A pair of these 10in 1000w puppies, in a custom, boot-mounted, computer-designed box...

And a Jaycar 4x150w amp, running only the subs. Stinger wiring, platinum battery clamps, 100A block fuse under back seat.


Good quality system, cost less than $2k.. Installed set-up and pumping!!
You can barely hear it outside the car, yet its a good volume and fantastic clarity inside...
Best thing?? It sets the alarms of parked cars off as we cruise by!!

show us some in car pics mate.

[Interceptor]

Notice Topic. List what you've got, pics if you've got them, and advice on what to do or not do next time around!
Stock speaker setup with SONY CDX-3000 CD/radio.

[Randell]

Clarion DXZ535 (no mp3)
20Gb 3rd gen ipod
alpine s-type 5.25" splits
clarion 5.25 2-ways
MTX 10" in a home-made box
response 2x100wRMS running the sub at 1x284w

that's it... cheap, basic and a little bit bog... the ipod dock is held down with double sided tape, does the trick! i've run a cable round to the back of the head unit, and if i wanna change the track or do anything i can usually do so while it sits in the dock, otherwise i just pull it out, flick through the menus and stick it back in.. easy. no CDs in this car... the speakers are a bit bog, i'm looking at a response 4x100wRMS amp to power them, they're powerful quality amps that cost next to nothing cause they don't have 'alpine' and lots of pathetic little lights!


http://members.iinet.net.au/~mrandell/IMG_07712.jpg

[Nick.Hay]

Incar pics...

Just been uploading to photobucket (coz no-one else recommended any better solution...)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/b8708167.jpg
Headunit by day... Not a good pic

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/Image077.jpg
camera-phone pic at night... See how the colours are almost spot-on?? The main reason I bought this headunit
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/Image076.jpg
Another Camera-phone pic... On night mode

[Nick.Hay]

[http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/Install.jpg
Sub Box. fits perfectly in the boot, doesn't move around either
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/20_1.jpg
Still needs carpetting though
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/Mafia.jpg
Dave my installer... Fine tuning the amp isn't as difficult as it looks...
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b104/stnick/19_1.jpg
Mess of install.... But it was all done properly, using best of everything (as it should be with a BMW)

[BigKriss]

thanks

[1995 525i]

Stock speaker setup with SONY CDX-3000 CD/radio.
Hey Interceptor, how much was yoru shadowline trim?

[EonPeon]

Stock speakers with:

Kenwood KDC-MP4029G

WMA/MP3/CD Receiver with External Media Control
TDF, 14 Segment FL Display (8 Digits, Scroll on/off possible), Supplied with Remote Control Unit (with Audio Control & 10-key), Tel Mute, Maximum Output Power : 50W x 4 (MOSFET Power IC), 1 Preout, System Q, WMA & MP3 Files Playback with ID-3 Tag Display, Dual Disc Changer Control Capability (with Optional KCA-S210A), Optional Apple iPodTM Interface Ready (KCA-IP500)

I have the grey unit which actually blends in perfectly with the dashboard.

Sounds great, although tends to overdrive the stock speakers at higher volumes. I reckon I might replace the footwell speakers with something more juicy in the bass department.

Ideas anyone?


Ian

[sdwhitney]

Dynomatted and rewired whole car
JL AUDIO VR650-csi In Front Kick Panels
JL AUDIO VR525-csi In Rear Deck
JL Audio Slasher 300/4
JL Audio 10W0
Pioneer Premier DEH-P4700MP
Kicker KX3 Active 3-Way Electronic Crossover
JL Audio E1200
Custom Fiberglass kicks..

Sub goes through the ski hole...

Pics of install and completed here

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/773123/2

[Denasti]

Dynomatted and rewired whole car
JL AUDIO VR650-csi In Front Kick Panels
JL AUDIO VR525-csi In Rear Deck
JL Audio Slasher 300/4
JL Audio 10W0
Pioneer Premier DEH-P4700MP
Kicker KX3 Active 3-Way Electronic Crossover
JL Audio E1200
Custom Fiberglass kicks..

Sub goes through the ski hole...

Pics of install and completed here

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/773123/2

My 525 has the ski portal sealed, but I have a custom box and amps set like you without the hole behind the armrest. Did you have to cut the metal to make the hole through or does the 95 540 come equipped with it?

Also, Any one got any slick idea on how to reduce the rattle in the trunk lid from the latches and rods? Dynomat I assume but havent invested more.

[sdwhitney]

My 525 has the ski portal sealed, but I have a custom box and amps set like you without the hole behind the armrest. Did you have to cut the metal to make the hole through or does the 95 540 come equipped with it?

Also, Any one got any slick idea on how to reduce the rattle in the trunk lid from the latches and rods? Dynomat I assume but havent invested more.

Yes, the metal is cut, and my 10 is pointed right through.

This eliminates any rear bass as well, and the dynomat helps dampen that.

I can have it almost cranked, and you can hardly hear anything outside the car with all the windows closed, but once you open the windows....

I had all this done by a fellow BMW guy, Brian aka 'TheDogger". He also did and as redoing Jimmyz2's car.

Dynomat will help you, but until you open the pass through, the bass is still going to be in your trunk rather in the interior compartment.

[grave77]

Kenwood DSP head unit 4.2 audio out.
2 X Squared 12" 300W RMS
1 X 18" 450W RMS
Optional 2 X 12" subwoofers when I'm into the mood.
OEM on front
2 X 1.5" Piso tweeter
4 X 250 W RMS amplifire
2 X 250 W RMS amplifire
Creative Nomad III with FM remote

setup still under new modifications ... dunno what will end up with it ... I'm doing my custom PC just need to finish the PWM-PSU modifications.

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/image_00079.jpg

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/image_00078.jpg

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/image_00028.jpg

Old picture before installing the DSP ... shows the same MP3 player I use now
http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/image_00029.jpg

[biondani]

Kenwood Minidisc headunit
JBL Amp
JBL Sub
Stock speakers
Kenwood Music Keg 10GB MP3 Jukebox

Ian

[TC535i]

Eclipse 8-volt head unit 8051 (no amp)
MB Quart components up front
PPI coaxes in the back
Alpine V12 5-channel amp
Polk MOMO 12" sealed sub

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/TC535i5/polktrunk.jpg

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/TC535i5/polkbackseat.jpg

[Phatty5BMW]

LoL jon it still was pretty funny :)

[bullyd]

2 x jbl 12" subs
1 x earthquake sub
1 x splx sub
2 x 400w 4way 6x9s in rear doors
2 x tweeters
upgraded footwell+rearshelf speakers (still pioneer)
1 x kenwood 1500 watt amp (jbl's)
2 x kenwood 200 watt amps (running rear doors)
1 x kenwood 100 watt amp (tweeters)
1 x splx 800 watt amp (running 6x9's)
1 x splx 700 watt amp (running 'quake and splx subs)
kenwood kdc-7031 head unit
1 farad power cap
2mm oxygen free cable all round with gold plated connectors
2nd yellow top battery
pics when i can get a new camera
im downgrading soon so if anyone in uk is looking for sound upgrades im your man.

[grave77]

hay kriss you should post urz now .... ur system is cool

[Dr. evil]

scwhhithey
That is a very nice setup you have there with the JL stuff, must sound great.

TC535i
I really like the way you installed your sub. as for me i love to turn heads with the bass.

As for me
Head unit is rockford with MP3
front doors have lighting audio 5 1/4 componet with 1inch tweeter
same in rear
Powered by four channel Rockford T400 4
Four 12inch Rockford P3 subs in vented box
Prowered by two lighting audio 350watt by 1
4 farad rockford capacitor

[TC535i]

TC535i
I really like the way you installed your sub. as for me i love to turn heads with the bass.

Thanks, I'm going for more of a "sound quality" system, hence the 8-volt Eclipse head, Alpine amp, MB Quart components, etc.

Used to have 2 12's in a bandpass with a 1,000w amp, set off a car alarm from across the street once. :) Not my thing anymore tho...

[grave77]

bass is cool mate ... any pics of ur setup ?

[BigKriss]

Front kick panels cut out for 6.5" drivers, splits at the front, rear stock speakers, tape deck + cd stacker, eq in glove box, 12" free to air sub, 2 x 4 channel amps, custom MDF board (18mm) for amps + sub, removed ski pass.

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/2993/pict0013small4ng.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/1360/pict0099small4wx.jpg

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/5009/pict0214small3py.jpg

[Jose]

Why don't you run a tube from your trunk to your intake ? With all that air displacament in your trunk you almost have a charger set up in the back !!

[Jose]

I've got the oldest stuff of all I think. It just doesen't brake down.

Alpine cda-7939R headunit ( first unit ever with 4 volt pre-outs)1994
Alpine cdh-607s cd changer ( fastest changing cd chaeger ever) 1994
Boston pro 6.4 1995
Cerwin Vega SS-12 free air sub woofer 1993
Phoenix Gold M50 1993
Phoenix Gold M50 1994
JBL Gts 300 1996
Jbl 4 channnel amp 2005

Old stuff, but the sound is perfect every time, it's not so loud, but that's ok with me.
P

[grave77]

I didn't see ur kickzone changes !! nice mate ... did this sound better? I'm thinking of doing better bass ones ... but I saw few fiberglass custom panels ... has more room for better bass. but maybe urz sound good already ..

[Dr. evil]

Tried to post some pics but too may pixels or somthing.

Next upgrade is going to have to be some dynomat and my be a better alternator.