Speakers in M5

[GuyT]

Got my M5 with comms pack (no DSP) and find the speakers particularly flat. Have some Kappa's in storage and might fit them. Anyone know what the sizes are of the various speakers in the car and the impedance + pwer rating etc. (UK car)

Cheers

GuyT

[AndyMenard]

Guy,

Unless you have a newer car with the upgraded speakers and bass setup? almost any aftermarket speakers will be significantly better than the stock ones. I changed all of mine in favor of MBQuart Q Series. I will have to check, but I think they are 6-1/2's everywhere?? I will check on this and report back.

You would be amazed at how much better the stock system sounds with only a speaker change and some good subwoofers?!!

[Kevmmm]

Andy,
Apologies if this has already been covered. Where did you order your speakers, and how much should one expect to pay for this upgrade? BTW, I was planning on ordering the M-Audio, should I still do so if I upgrade to the MBQuart Q Series? Thanks.

[AndyMenard]

Originally posted by Kevmmm
Andy,
Apologies if this has already been covered. Where did you order your speakers, and how much should one expect to pay for this upgrade? BTW, I was planning on ordering the M-Audio, should I still do so if I upgrade to the MBQuart Q Series? Thanks.

Kev:

I will check to see what I paid for the MBQs?? Which speakers you select will depend on how you like to listen to your music. For instance, the MBQuarts are much more brilliant than most speakers (just the way I like it) .... meaning the highs are very bright and pronounced. There are other good speakers out there for those of you who don't want all that brilliance in your speakers... like DynAudio, Focal, etc...

I've heard a new M5 with the new M-Audio package and I can say without hesitation, my car will kick the crap out of that any day of the week.

I have 2 Kicker Free-Air subs under my back deck driven by a single Precision Power 2X150 watt amp. And as I mentioned above, I've changed out all of my interior speakers...and it ROCKS! It sounds as good as it will get without spending thousands on a complete aftermarket system, which I did not want to do. I wanted to keep the aesthetics of the car in tact. Inside my car, you cannot tell I've done a thing to it...until you turn it up that is!!

I will search for the details on my MBQs and let you know?...

[Teutonaddict]

Guy-

Based on the great information on this board, and influenced heavily on Andy's success in making the speaker driver swap + added subwoofer/amp mod, I have made the following additions to my Beast. This significantly improves clarity and soundstage, and provides much-needed thrust and definition to the lower-end.

(I should note that I'd done audio-mods on my prior "pre-Beasts," an E34 540i/6 and an E39 540i/6, but these cars were non-DSP)

two pairs MBQuart RSB-215 two-way component speakers (crossovers get tossed, as you're merely replacing the mid-range speakers and tweeters)
$200 each, off the 'net

two a/d/s/ A10 subwoofers (10"), mounted in an infinite baffle ("free-air") setup under the package deck
$115 each, off the 'net

one MTX 500D D-class, digital mono subwoofer amp
$300 from Crutchfield.com

So, for under $1K in parts, I got what I believe is a significant improvement over the M-audio option (not available in '00)

Using instructions found on www.bmwtips.com, this job can be done on a weekend.

Good luck!!

-Dave

[Need4Spd]

There's a prior thread on MB Quarts. Check out http://rejsa.mer.nu/bmwm5/vbulletin/...hlight=mbquart

All the details. Enjoy!

[GuyT]

And at the cost saving end is recommending the addition of a sub woofer.

I already have an Alpine V12 DC amp which has a low pass filter capable of sub woofing. The only concern I have is that he is going to use what he calls high to low converters which will allow him to drive the amp directly off the rear BMW speaker cables

Not too sure about this, I always though you didn't re amplify sound which has already been through an amp (so to speak)

any ideas

GuyT

[CM5GO]

Guy,

Do not let him run the amp off the speaker cables. I guaranty you will have poor sound quality. That is definitely a jerry rig.

You need to have a set of pre amps to run a new amp properly. I dont know if the stock amp and/or head unit has preamps. A lot of car manufacturers wont put preamps on their systems to discourage aftermarket stereo work.

By the way, I love that new verb! "sub-woofing"

Andy,

What do you use for pre amps to your new amp? Do you have the stock amplification powering the MBQuarts? Is it enough power for such a high end speaker?

I bet your subs are LOUD! Are they boomy in the free air setup or are they pretty tight? Did you use any dyna mat or other vibration absorption to avoid body panel vibration?

[AndyMenard]

Originally posted by CM5GO
Guy,

Do not let him run the amp off the speaker cables. I guaranty you will have poor sound quality. That is definitely a jerry rig.

You need to have a set of pre amps to run a new amp properly. I dont know if the stock amp and/or head unit has preamps. A lot of car manufacturers wont put preamps on their systems to discourage aftermarket stereo work.

By the way, I love that new verb! "sub-woofing"

Andy,

What do you use for pre amps to your new amp? Do you have the stock amplification powering the MBQuarts? Is it enough power for such a high end speaker?

I bet your subs are LOUD! Are they boomy in the free air setup or are they pretty tight? Did you use any dyna mat or other vibration absorption to avoid body panel vibration?

Chris,

My sub amp is run off of the speaker leads because there is no other way to do it. There are NO pre-amp outs on the head unit brain, therefore, we had no choice. I can say however, that mine sounds fantastic. I don't think there is a problem with this setup as long as you use a good line level convertor.

As for the inside speakers, the stock amp does not have any problems driving the MBQ's. Now would it sound better with a good aftermarket amp AND the MBQ crossovers?? Of course. But that would cost quite a bit and I would have given up some of the neat features... like volume control and amplification for the phone, DSP, etc...

My subs are insulated from the rear deck with Dynamat, and they sound nice and tight, provided you don't give them too much gain for a given type of music? of course. But with the gain control inside the car, this is not a problem. I have absolutely no problems with vibration noise.

[MEnthusiast]

I agree with both Andy and CM5GO- line level convertors can work out well- but they can also be a disaster. I would demand to see another car this guy has done that uses line level convertors........

[GuyT]

Anyone know of a good make ?

Cheers

GuyT

PS just had some fun with a Ferrari 456