E39 M5 Stereo Upgrade Part 1 - DSP Amp Removed, JBL MS-8 Installed

With the sun shining in London this weekend I was able to complete the first step in my upgrade plans for the stereo.

I'll be removing:

-DSP Amplifier
-TrafficMaster
-Motorola Telephone Module
-Analog TV Tuner

Then installing the MS-8 which provides input signal summing and conditioning, 8 channels of crossovers, time alignment, EQ and RCA or speaker outputs. All powered by DSP with automatic tuning and calibration.

Here are a few links:

JBL MS-8
JBL MS-8 FAQ - DIYMA.com - Scientific Car Audio - Truth in Sound Quality
JBL's MS-8 processor! - DIYMA.com - Scientific Car Audio - Truth in Sound Quality


During this phase of the upgrade, the MS-8 replaces all functions of the DSP amp. Its 8 channels of built-in amplification are running 3 channels in each front door plus the 2 subs on the parcel shelf (rear deck).

Of course changing this one component has already completely transformed the sound quality

It's worth pointing out for anyone looking for a simple and cost effective upgrade to the E39 M-Audio system, if you installed a MS-8 and replaced the OEM 3 way front speakers with a set of decent 2 way components, you'd probably get most of the benefit of my upgrade plans from a much smaller investment. As you'll see, your car would still look 100% original too.


Installing the MS-8

1. The beginning. The CD Changer has already been removed as I use a PhatBox hard disk system.




2. DSP Amplifier exposed.




3. All modules removed, spaghetti junction wiring to be tidied up.




4. Input harness (grey and white) connected to the OEM left and right speaker outputs. Temporary wiring of the MS-8's speaker outputs to 3 way fronts plus sub for each side, using terminal strips.




5. Everything connected for a dry run before mounting, I ran through the calibration procedure at this point. Until I run the display cable through to the passenger compartment I'll be using the MS-8 without the display (or its remote control).

I settled on these crossover settings:

UPDATE: After pulling the front door cards off a week later, I found my car did not have mid range speakers. The door location had a coaxial arrangement and there was another tweeter in mirror sail panel. See this thread http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39...iguration.html

These crossover settings were effectively running two similar tweeters at different frequencies.

Tweeter: 6k +
Mid: 2k - 6k
Midbass: 100Hz - 2k
Sub: 20Hz - 100Hz

All slopes are 24dB/octave except the subsonic which is 12dB.




6. MS-8 fits perfectly in the location used for the DSP amp.




7. I'll be using 8mm nylon sheet to mount the MS-8. 230mm wide and 300mm high, lower left corner shaved to clear a bracket.




8. Mounting holes drilled using the DSP amp as a template, then countersunk so the bolt heads are flush.






9. MS-8 mounted.




10. Everything put back together.




11. Trim refitted.





What's next?

Replacing all the speakers and installing a 5 channel amp to run the front components and subs. Two channels of the MS-8's internal amplification will be used to run the rears.