Stereo upgrade advice wanted

[billy in slo]

I would like to upgrade my stereo system and maintain some sort of budget, say 1000.00. I am leaning toward the Clarion 535 head unit(has a nice ring to it) and has amber display. I have read all I can find in archives etc. and think the best way to go is to use the factory wiring but replace the amp and speakers, this might require using an amp w/built-in crossovers(like the factory amp) and using the 10 pairs of speaker leads from the trunk (this is where I get confused) and using componet(?) speakers. or do I just use a high quality amp and speakers with thier own on-board cross-overs? I apologize in advance for bastardizing the terminology and feel free to correct me. I'm old school on stereos (think 8-trrack). I can get the head unit for 175.00 which leaves say 225.00 for amp and 500.00 for speakers and 100.00 for misc.
car is a 90 535.

[Unregistered]

COOL....I recently made an upgrade to my 535i....I used an alpine head unit (cd/mp3)....mb quart speakers....kicker subwoofer....and a jl audio 5 channel amp. The first and most important step in e34 stereo upgrades is finding a GOOD instalation location. Don't go to a Best Buy/Circuit City type place. A GOOD instalation place that is familiar with BMW's will significantly affect the outcome of your upgrade. You probably already know this but....stay away from SONY when it comes to car stereo( I have good reasons for saying that.)

I don't know if you want a subwoofer or not....but since e34 have 10 speakers...I would recomend a 4 or 5 channel amp to power those speakers. Good amps have built in crossovers. Get component speakers, especially in the front. they are essential to sound quality. Replacing the amp and speakers is a must for an audio upgrade. Factory wiring???I've heard that the wiring in the e34's are sufficient and dont need to be replaced. When I got my upgrade they replaced all the wires...it sounds great. If it's not too much extra...it definatelty wouldnt hurt to replace the wires. ...If you have any more questions e-mail me.... sharpton_creations@hotmail.com

[Tiger]

Get ADS speaker... there are great deals on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=32818

I am not the seller... wow... sweat speakers that I thought are not available anymore... must be those goodies leftovers.

[Phil M]

[Kennan]

With a $1000 budget, you can have a real nice system. If you want to stick with clarion, I'd jump to the 835mp which can be had for $220 shipped from thezeb.com which is an authorized clarion dealer.
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/clari...receivers.html

I'd spend the bulk of your money on your front speakers, as they will have the most impact on your sound. The factory system is three-way, but a 2-way component system, which consists of a mid and tweeter, will be adequate and save a bit of money. Your e34 accepts 5.25" mids but can accomodate 6.5s if your willing to custom mount them in your kicks. You can either cut a hole in your kicks or simply mount them from behind. For rearfill, you can simply get coaxes or take them out all together to improve your imaging. Think about a concert, the band plays in front of you, and not from behind. Some suggestions,

$150 CDT classics 6.5"
$200 CDT HDs 5.25", both great speakers, which can be described as laid back and smooth.
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_A...omponents.html

If you need rearfill, CDT has their full range two-ways on sale for $45
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_FullRange.html

Maybe some JL XRs on ebay for around $200
or some Kicker resolutions for around $150 on ebay.

I can give you more suggestions depending on your budget and listening tastes. I have some Image dynamic chameleons that I might sell for around $200 if your interested. Do a search on them as they are pretty highly regarded.

For a sub, try a Phoenix gold Titanium 10" for $69
http://www.cbrstereo.com/Merchant2/m...ry_Code=PGSUBS
I believe the 12" is under a $100 as well. You don't need to be a basshead to enjoy a sub as a small sub can add depth to your music and increase your listening enjoyment.

For amps, a nice four channel can run your whole system. If you want rearfill, you can run it off your headunit.

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 600.4, 75x4, $280
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/PHOT6004

Kicker 800.4, 100x4, $220 plus shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=4950

Rockford Fosgate Power 551x, $260, (Pass on the punch series from RF)
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/rockfordfosgateamps.html

Headunit: $220
Components: $200
Sub: $100
Amp: 280
Total~ $800, need to buy installation accessories, a box for you sub, and pay for actual installation. I recommend you do the bulk of it on your own as most of it is pretty straight forward. Maybe get a shop to run you power and ground wires and possibly your speaker wires and do the rest on your own.

The components will come with a passive crossovers, but the amps will have crossovers as well. You will need to use both to get good sound. On your amp, you will send two channels to your components. You will set the amp crossover for highpass around 80hz, so 80hz and above will be sent to your components. The mid will play from 80hz to around 2-3khz and the tweeter will play the rest. The passive crossover that comes with your components will seperate the frequencies from your mid and tweet.

The other two channels will be sent to your sub. You need to lowpass at around 80hz so 80hz and under will be sent to your sub.

Let me know if you have other questions or need other suggestions on equipment to buy. Also if your open to buying used goods, you can get really high end amps and speakers for pretty cheap.

[Paul in NZ]

[AZ_Jason_S]

Yeah, I agree with Kennan. I've bought the 835 and the CDT's from thezeb. They offer great prices on great products. Some deals stand out though, like the 835 and the CDT's. I don't have the CDT's installed yet because they are 6.5's and I am making some custom kick panels. So unfortunately, I can't offer an opinion on the combination. However, the Clarion sounds really good through my Infinitys. My latest thing with amps are the old PPI art series from the 90's. These can be had on ebay and rival anything made today(short of the real high end brax/Zapco/mcintosh stuff). However even used they are a little spendy and they are used. You can go with a 2-channel amp for the fronts and run the rears off the head-unit. I have my rear fill on a rockford amp but its turned down so low its almost off. In fact, I have been experimenting with running only my front speakers. My suggestion is Concentrate on your front sound stage first(good speakers and amp). Concentrate on your sub second, your rear fill last. Another suggestion for subs are the Elemental Designs.... I haven't heard one but everyone raves about them. They are only available from their website www.edesignaudio.com And then there is always JL Audio for subs probably the most used sub out there.

If you want to research peoples opinions go to www.sounddomain.com and search the forums. You can find out real fast what products are a hit, what products are duds and what products are middle of the road....

With a $1000 budget, you can have a real nice system. If you want to stick with clarion, I'd jump to the 835mp which can be had for $220 shipped from thezeb.com which is an authorized clarion dealer.
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/clari...receivers.html

I'd spend the bulk of your money on your front speakers, as they will have the most impact on your sound. The factory system is three-way, but a 2-way component system, which consists of a mid and tweeter, will be adequate and save a bit of money. Your e34 accepts 5.25" mids but can accomodate 6.5s if your willing to custom mount them in your kicks. You can either cut a hole in your kicks or simply mount them from behind. For rearfill, you can simply get coaxes or take them out all together to improve your imaging. Think about a concert, the band plays in front of you, and not from behind. Some suggestions,

$150 CDT classics 6.5"
$200 CDT HDs 5.25", both great speakers, which can be described as laid back and smooth.
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_A...omponents.html

If you need rearfill, CDT has their full range two-ways on sale for $45
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/CDT_Audio_FullRange.html

Maybe some JL XRs on ebay for around $200
or some Kicker resolutions for around $150 on ebay.

I can give you more suggestions depending on your budget and listening tastes. I have some Image dynamic chameleons that I might sell for around $200 if your interested. Do a search on them as they are pretty highly regarded.

For a sub, try a Phoenix gold Titanium 10" for $69
http://www.cbrstereo.com/Merchant2/m...ry_Code=PGSUBS
I believe the 12" is under a $100 as well. You don't need to be a basshead to enjoy a sub as a small sub can add depth to your music and increase your listening enjoyment.

For amps, a nice four channel can run your whole system. If you want rearfill, you can run it off your headunit.

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 600.4, 75x4, $280
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/PHOT6004

Kicker 800.4, 100x4, $220 plus shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=4950

Rockford Fosgate Power 551x, $260, (Pass on the punch series from RF)
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/rockfordfosgateamps.html

Headunit: $220
Components: $200
Sub: $100
Amp: 280
Total~ $800, need to buy installation accessories, a box for you sub, and pay for actual installation. I recommend you do the bulk of it on your own as most of it is pretty straight forward. Maybe get a shop to run you power and ground wires and possibly your speaker wires and do the rest on your own.

The components will come with a passive crossovers, but the amps will have crossovers as well. You will need to use both to get good sound. On your amp, you will send two channels to your components. You will set the amp crossover for highpass around 80hz, so 80hz and above will be sent to your components. The mid will play from 80hz to around 2-3khz and the tweeter will play the rest. The passive crossover that comes with your components will seperate the frequencies from your mid and tweet.

The other two channels will be sent to your sub. You need to lowpass at around 80hz so 80hz and under will be sent to your sub.

Let me know if you have other questions or need other suggestions on equipment to buy. Also if your open to buying used goods, you can get really high end amps and speakers for pretty cheap.

[billy in slo]

No kidding, I feel like I should pay you.

[BOOZBA]

I have the same year & model as you, i installed a Nakamichi head unit cd-400 and
an Alpine 4 channel amp. No new speaker leads were required, I tied the amp into
the leads that were leaving the factory amp. All that was required was the running of
rca leads from the head unit to the new amp. All ten speakers work and no crossovers
are required. The speakers have their own crossovers

[Sheqel]

I have an 89 535i. Does mine have 10 speakers also? I can only think of 6 -- front splits, and rear speakers...