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M6 Center Channel Speaker Replace DIY

45K views 85 replies 33 participants last post by  adonis 
#1 · (Edited)
Here you go.

Issue: Center channel speaker used by BMW is dull, muddy sounding and lifeless.

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Center channel is critical to a great sounding system as vocals and other midrange tones come out of center channel.


So the project is to replace the center channel speaker with something better.

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I decided to use FOCAL 100CA1 4” Coaxial speaker.
This is a great sounding speaker and it fits perfect.

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Search on line or in eBay for the best deal.


This is an easy job. Takes about 1 hour tops.


Please see attached DIY step by step procedures.


Sorry it took so long. 'Been very busy at work and at home.


Enjoy.


Dan
 

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#5 ·
Welcome back Dan!
 
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#6 · (Edited)
Thanks for the kind complements folks.

My own personal opinion: Logic 7 system sounds really good.
Compared to what BMW installed on my E39 M5 (M-Audio) - Logic 7 is a big improvement.

If you have no plans on sharing the output of your stock stereo system with the rest of cars around you within a 2 mile range - Logic 7 is good enough. Of course there's always something better out there depending on how much you want to spend.

Anyway, LOGIC 7: Amp is adequately powered, the subs are great, speaker drivers however could use improvement especially the center channel and the tweeters.

The tweeters are harsh sounding when driven hard. That's why I already replaced mine.
See here. Much better now.

Next was center channel speaker.
To recap, center driver is muddy sounding as BMW used a single cone driver with no tweeter for the center channel.
Replacing mine with the Focal 100CA1 made a huge difference in sound quality and imaging.

I'm very happy with mine now. Maybe replace the rest of the speakers later with Focal's but for now, it is a much better sounding system compared to stock.

Again, this center speaker replace is an easy mod, and I highly recommend it if you plan on keeping your stereo system mostly stock.
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
dont forget amazon is sometimes cheaper than ebay, in case anyones trying to save a few bucks!

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#12 ·
Hello Dan,

I have read your posts regarding the upgrades, very nice write-ups. I am going to upgrade the center to the Focal you also used, if you still have the extra let me know and how much.

Also, I am going to upgrade the door speakers - do you recommend the same mode Focals for that? I do not know much about that speaker besides the reputation for superior sound! Or should I use a mid-range driver since the tweeter is separate in the door?

Lastly, I have some 1" Kicker brand tweeters from a previous install, don't know if you know anything about these. If not I may go with your recommendation of the Polk Audio tweeters.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mark.
 
#13 ·
Hi Mark.

Glad to hear you liked my DIY write up and I hope it helps you when you do yours.

1) Center channel is very easy to upgrade. Just follow my step by step instructions.

2) The door speakers are not easy to do. There is a nice write up here on how to replace the door speakers.
Kindly do a search.

I decided not to replace the door speakers as I just dont want to do some cutting and hacking yet on my M6.
My vote for speakers and tweeters are Focal. Simply sweet sounding speakers for a good price.

For stand alone tweets, I love Polk Audio DB1000. Silky smooth highs.
I've heard of Kicker, but I am not a fan of them. To my ears, they are a little harsh sounding when driven hard.

3) My other Focal coax speaker is already sold to another member here.
I even cut the extra tabs for him already so that it will be plug and play for him.

Good luck to you and let me know if I can be of help.

Dan

If you are going to re



Hello Dan,

I have read your posts regarding the upgrades, very nice write-ups. I am going to upgrade the center to the Focal you also used, if you still have the extra let me know and how much.

Also, I am going to upgrade the door speakers - do you recommend the same mode Focals for that? I do not know much about that speaker besides the reputation for superior sound! Or should I use a mid-range driver since the tweeter is separate in the door?

Lastly, I have some 1" Kicker brand tweeters from a previous install, don't know if you know anything about these. If not I may go with your recommendation of the Polk Audio tweeters.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mark.
 
#17 ·
Anyone wanna go half on a pair of the Focals that Dan suggested? We only need one each for our centers. I have exclusively used Focal in my Cars over the years and I can honestly say they are one of the best speakers out there.
 
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#18 ·
pm'ed you on this.
 
#19 ·
Anyone in the UK who fancies splitting this let me know. I fancy this upgrade, sounds good- literally!
 
#23 ·
Hi Everyone,

First of all thank you Dan for posting this thread and thank you Mark for reviving it. I did this mod today and I am very happy with the sound in the beast with the Focal. I even had luck that in the music shop they couldn't find the second speaker so they charged me only for one -
That was only 33 Euro :1:
So thanks guys and all the best :byee55amg
 
#24 ·
Thanks for the secondary shout-out, Dan really deserves all the credit.

That is great news about the single speaker purchase, the cool thing about this mod is that eventually someone will want the orphan speaker. Make sure you check out Dan's write-up on the Tweeter replacment in the door corners...another GREAT audio mod that is simple but effective. By the way, some guys on the 6 board have replaced the tweeters with the Polk Audio (db1001 which I did, this is the newest unit), and did not remove the door panel to change the crossover. They are still pleased with the easier/quicker replacement.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...6-door-tweeter-replacement-3.html#post1826957
 
#26 ·
This works with the M5 as well, with one slight modification. The grill has to modified slightly to accommodate the height of the speaker or else one corner will pop out of the retaining holes. The M5 grill is rectangular and is slightly bent. However, under the grill there is a foam pad and a plastic lattice for stability. I just simply snipped out part of the plastic lattice to accommodate the extra height and it fits like a glove now. I've attached a picture of it. Also my OEM speaker was slightly different I because I have the DIRAC system. There is still a very noticeable difference in clarity and overall sound quality though. Thanks Dan! Now for the tweeters! :cool: I'll probably post some comments in the E60 section and direct them to this link. Thanks again!
 

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#27 ·
Thanks for your post and for the kind words!

Dan

This works with the M5 as well, with one slight modification. The grill has to modified slightly to accommodate the height of the speaker or else one corner will pop out of the retaining holes. The M5 grill is rectangular and is slightly bent. However, under the grill there is a foam pad and a plastic lattice for stability. I just simply snipped out part of the plastic lattice to accommodate the extra height and it fits like a glove now. I've attached a picture of it. Also my OEM speaker was slightly different I because I have the DIRAC system. There is still a very noticeable difference in clarity and overall sound quality though.

Thanks Dan! Now for the tweeters! :cool: I'll probably post some comments in the E60 section and direct them to this link. Thanks again!
 
#28 ·
Great upgrade, I was really impressed with the sound quality from the stereo in Dave's M5, am wondering if an upgraded center speaker made the difference. My M6's audio quality is good but not great--this is now on my list.
 
#31 ·
Sikoccy, i just sent you an email about the second speaker.
 
#34 ·
I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and install a set of Focal K2 Power 100KRS in the front doors. It's Focal's component 4 inch slim line tweeters and woofers. If fit perfectly in my M5 due to the fact that I have the DIRAC audio system, which use 4 inch speakers in the front and back door panels. Even though DIRAC is a great system, mainly because of the DSP amp, the speakers are still a little weak. The 100KRS work well with the Focal Access 100CA1, and the amp is powerful enough to make good use of them. I highly recommend these speakers.
 
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#40 · (Edited)
I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and install a set of Focal K2 Power 100KRS in the front doors.It's Focal's component 4 inch slim line tweeters and woofers. If fit perfectly in my M5 due to the fact that I have the DIRAC audio system, which use 4 inch speakers in the front and back door panels. Even though DIRAC is a great system, mainly because of the DSP amp, the speakers are still a little weak. The 100KRS work well with the Focal Access 100CA1, and the amp is powerful enough to make good use of them. I highly recommend these speakers.
So you have changed the High-end DIRAC LPG speakers with Neodymium magnetic for FOCAL speaker? Strange thought :3:
It's same if I would change my TAD HI-FI speaker for some Focal :1:
 
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