Audio Fiddlings

[Ferret]

So I decided enough with the old sub housing, which was taking up 25% of my load space - lets do something proper with it.
Ta-da:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Ferret101/IMG_9080.jpg

I'm quite surprised at the outcome tbh, it looks almost factory-fit :o

It /will/ look factory fit once I fit one of these:
Maplin Special (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=17772&criteria=grille&doy=10m6)

Gratuitous use of camera:

Had to find somewhere for the amp to go, so kinda botched it together with the jack, which wasnt going to be left out of the car under any circumstances:
Test fit, having to mount the damn thing upside-down.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Ferret101/IMG_9077.jpg

Cue 12" speaker - with the first of the two muffler/dampening devices (read: old pillow that was due to be binned) in place, second to go around the base of the speaker. The plastic work it's screwed into is strong enough to cope for now, but it'll have to have a locking collar shortly. Probably part of the old enclosure as a donor for that.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Ferret101/IMG_9078.jpg

[Ferret]

Haha, my cablework, which has survived 3 previous cars is now totally shot and needs replacing. Total mess :/
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Ferret101/IMG_9082.jpg
Final Resting place of the kenwood amp:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Ferret101/IMG_9089.jpg

First time the load areas been empty since I bought the car o.o
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Ferret101/IMG_9092.jpg

The difference two pillows has made to the sound of the subwoofer speaker is amazing, clarity of sound is so much better without the stupid 'bass port' destructively interfering with the roof lining speakers in the back of the car. Also the pillows completely deaden any of the bass sound that would have resonated the car body, it's very quiet from the outside.

Obviously, I'll be replacing the pillows with proper sound-deadening foam, when I can get around to getting it, but as it sounds, it's great.

Wonder what I'll get upto next weekend.

[Dr. evil]

i'm assuming that your speaker is "free air"?

[Ferret]

i'm assuming that your speaker is "free air"?

From what I remember, the coil and rigid cone were designed to be able to cope with both free air and enclosures.

The coil is self ventilating, as it's a hollow core coil - designed so that the cone draws air through it.

[Dr. evil]

lookes very nice

have you considered putting a screen over the speaker?
does the amp get hot?

[Ferret]

lookes very nice

have you considered putting a screen over the speaker?
does the amp get hot?

Yeah, I'm going to get a maplin 12" hard mesh cover for it to complete the OEM look - though to be honest I quite like the look uncovered.

The amp becomes mildly warm to the touch, it doesnt seem to get any hotter, probably because I can never get it over 25% volume without deafening myself - it's an 800w unit.

[attack eagle]

maybe get a small bag, like those used for folding chairs etc? Throw the jack in it along with the lug wrench... That is what I will be doing, as my amps occupy the entire jack bin. BTW, if you ever want a different amp, the PPI art series is a perfect fit in the bin.

[Ferret]

maybe get a small bag, like those used for folding chairs etc? Throw the jack in it along with the lug wrench... That is what I will be doing, as my amps occupy the entire jack bin. BTW, if you ever want a different amp, the PPI art series is a perfect fit in the bin.

Hmm, that's an idea.

I know my parents might have a few bags knocking around like that... I could probably then stash the jack etc underneath the front seats.

Looks like I'm going to have to amp up the front speaker set as well, as this morning I had the volume cranked up and heard the front tweeters clip slightly.

[leicesterboy15]

That is superb! That enclosure looks great, if I ever get the time this is a project I would love to take on!

I am glad I'm not the only one with trouble finding space to install ICE in an e34 tourer, I have had to create a box above the jack housing as there wasn't enough space under the floor for all the kit, I have about 6 boxes to fit so had to make an enclosure above the jack space. Its Ok most of the time but when carrying awkward loads it can be a pain. Theres just nowhere else to put it all! Good job on that install!

Any recomendations on the best speakers (or type of speaker) to replace the OEM roof mount items?

[Ferret]

That is superb! That enclosure looks great, if I ever get the time this is a project I would love to take on!

I am glad I'm not the only one with trouble finding space to install ICE in an e34 tourer, I have had to create a box above the jack housing as there wasn't enough space under the floor for all the kit, I have about 6 boxes to fit so had to make an enclosure above the jack space. Its Ok most of the time but when carrying awkward loads it can be a pain. Theres just nowhere else to put it all! Good job on that install!

Any recomendations on the best speakers (or type of speaker) to replace the OEM roof mount items?

To be quite honest, I think the only thing that really needs doing now is to have the front speakers amped up - the system sounds almost perfectly balanced with the shift in sub sound quality.

If you really want to test if a sound system's working/balanced - play a copy of Martin Grech - Open Heart Zoo (Think Lexus Ad) at high volume and see what happens. It's what all the Sound Technician boffins at theatres/cinemas use to audibly check calibration - if it's even slightly out, the track will sound horrible.

The rear speakers will be a challenge for you methinks, from what I remember, their housings havent got much depth to fit something with a more substantial coil.

[bmwrp8]

Nice!very clean;) what speakers do you use in front?

[attack eagle]

AFAIK, because of the active xover in the 94-95 amp, to amp the front set you will have to build your own passives, or replace with a component set.

[Elekta]

You can take that whole plastic jack bin out btw, and there's an 8 pin connector all by its lonesome down there too. (rear seat heater jack?) 1 in 4 chance of a hot lead!

Then you just have to figure a way to fasten the jack, but you'll have even more room for the amp to breathe etc
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/54c2bf88.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/b0b5a566.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/7ec1e24c.jpg

I like that sub mod. I have the non CD boot cover on mine, so I have a self amped bazooka that plugs and plays.

[Ferret]

AFAIK, because of the active xover in the 94-95 amp, to amp the front set you will have to build your own passives, or replace with a component set.

I *think* the amp's been gutted out by this point, as the cd changer and original headunit were no longer present, despite the cd changer cover being there...

Where will the amp be located if there's one for the front speakers?

[rreimund]

Wow. nice job.. seeing that beautiful load floor - it makes me want a Touring REAL bad. Someday when i have enough money I'll build myself a nice M5 Touring.

Now - another question... am I understanding correctly? Do the Tourings have speakers mounted in the roof headliner?
How cool is that? Any pics?