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10-28-2008, 10:48 PM | #24 |
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All the dealer fitted stereos are going to be more expensive and usually not as good as an aftermarket setup. For $1800 you could get a very nice amp and speakers plus a proper sub going aftermarket.
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10-29-2008, 01:02 AM | #26 |
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BSW?
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10-29-2008, 02:09 AM | #27 |
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BSW= Bavarian Sound Werks (not 100% sure of the spelling)
Its a US company that makes aftermarket audio for BMW's. Last I looked they were still in development of speakers for the 1 http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/ |
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10-29-2008, 05:10 AM | #28 |
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I think I'm going to get some Focul speakers and a good quality amp and sub. That should give me the results I am looking for.
I've heard the Focul speakers and compared them to the Alpines. Both excellent, but the Foculs were better. The sound was outstanding. The standard speakers in the car are POS in comparison. Problem is the sub is going to eat into boot space. And I don't really like the idea of an after market component being so visible. It will however be completely removable (when I need to). The sub's built into the car will be completely overwhelmed by the 4 Focul speakers. Has anyone had much experience with sound deadening? The guy I am talking to, who is supposed to be an expert, swears by sound deadening. Apparently to get the best out of your speakers and capture all the sound within the car you should install sound deadening. What do you guys think? |
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10-29-2008, 05:15 AM | #29 |
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Focal you mean I use them (JM Lab) at home and they are fantastic. Their BE tweet is amongst the finest in the world. Some say its bright, but I've also found it to be very neutral.
Yes, they are far superior to Alpine. I would go with acoustic matting also.. If you're got the doors apart you may as well spend the time and money getting them right. |
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10-29-2008, 05:24 AM | #30 | |
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By acoustic matting, you mean the sound deadening I asked about? Cheers Kris! |
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10-29-2008, 05:40 PM | #31 |
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Sound deadening is well worth it. Will improve the mid bass response. But depends on how much they are going to charge for it, and what exactly they will be deadening.
Kris, Be tweets very nice! But also very pricey... |
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10-29-2008, 06:09 PM | #33 |
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Recommend Focal
Have a look here - http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/
I've had Focal equipment in a number of cars, and it's always been good. It's a little more expensive, but it's worth it. They have amps from $449, and speakers from $169. I'm not suggesting that those particular models will either fit, or satisfy, just showing that they aren't necessarily stratespheric in price. That said, for the price, I'd be pretty confident that they'd be better than most others at the same price. Mind you, you can also spend $4649 for a Utopia Be set up, and $2399 for an amp. So they're more than able to take as much money from you as you want. My approach to car audio has always been that it's a very difficult envirnment to get premium sound - as opposed to loud. A car is a metal and glass box, which is way less than ideal. So you hit the "law of deminishing returns" pretty quickly. The difference between a $1500 set up and a $2000 set up is marginal to most ears. Just my thoughts. |
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10-29-2008, 07:00 PM | #34 |
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An ICE thread, don't know how I missed this one until now... :smile:
I've been involved with ICE installs for over 20 years now and one of my cars took 3 years to complete, please don't ask what it's all worth Have only read some of the tail end posts here, but as far as componentry goes, the skies the limit, what you have to do is set yourself a budget and go from there... If you don't mind spending a buck, then I recommend you start with an all Alpine set up - you simply won't get a better end result for the money ! For those wanting better and willing to pay for it, there's a plethora of upper end brands and all have there specific areas of prowess in particular hardware components. As for automotive speakers, for those wanting the best, I suggest - CDT Audio, MB Quart and JL in that order... AND for any ICE install, ALWAYS use 'high quality' wiring !!! this is something alot of people neglect and can turn top shelf hardware into a mediocre sounding end result :smile: |
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10-30-2008, 04:09 PM | #35 |
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So I got the qoute back and I'm a bit in shock as to how expensive it really is:
ALPINE PDX4100 4 CHANNEL 100WRMS 579 $ 579.00 FOCAL 130KR 5" K POWER SPLIT $ 679.00 FOCAL 130KRC 5" K POWER COAXIAL $ 579.00 DEI 55020 LINE LEVEL CONVERTOR * 2 $ 90.00 DEI WIRING MISC WIRING $ 120.00 DYNAMAT EXTREME SOUNDEADNING MATERIAL (Front doors and rear shelf) $ 350.00 INSTALLATION OF SPKRS $ 440 00 INSTALLATION OF AMP $ 275.00 TOTAL INCLUDING DISCOUNT $2900 $2900 without a sub! WOW. Is it the focal components that are so pricey? What do you guys think. The OEM system being offered by BMW (2 high range Alpine, 2 mid range Alpine, Alpine Amp) for $1800 installed seems like a bargain. This ofcourse misses out on the sound deadening though and its very difficult to verify the quality as not many details are given by BMW about the amp and speakers. But since its an Alpine set up endorsed by BMW it should be pretty good no? What do you guys think? The guy I spoke to for the qoute really seemed to know what he was on about. I'm lost! :iono: |
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10-30-2008, 05:48 PM | #36 |
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LOL ^^^^
Welcome to the World of high end ICE (in car entertainment) my friend :smile: Did I not mention something along those lines in my post above, to repeat, skies the limit - those prices you have there are nothing of an expenditure in the real high end ICE installs :wink: I say go for it, it'll be a good investment for the improved sound you'll have and will be better than most if not all factory offered higher stereo options which cost alot more than that also... |
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10-30-2008, 06:07 PM | #37 | |
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a) Forget the rear speakers b) Forget deadening the rear shelf c) Not sure why he is charging you $275 to install the amp... d) Not sure why he is charging you $440 to install TWO sets of speakers?!?! :iono: I think he has seen your nice new BMW and wants to take you for a ride... |
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10-30-2008, 06:11 PM | #38 |
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Here's the Focal Australian price list as at 1st May, 2008 - so prices may have changed with the currency.
http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/Foc...%20onepage.pdf On face value, he appears to be charging you over list for the 130KR's. |
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10-30-2008, 09:00 PM | #39 |
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Regards to the upgrade - will the hi end speakers be utilised with the stock head unit? My understanding is that the head unit is lacking in power which means any amp used will have to be good quality to amplify the signal cleanly.
Suppose my question is " With the stock head unit is it really worth the extra big bucks in speakers? or are you better off going for a decent mid range set and good amp, and live with the compromise. |
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10-30-2008, 09:50 PM | #40 |
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Depends what kind of sound you are after. Getting a more powerful amp will allow you more headroom for volume. Getting a better 'quality' amp most likely will just eat your cash with little benefit.
The idea of bypassing the standard head unit, and using an map is so you can have more power/volume. You will hear a bigger difference in sound quality by using better speakers, but you will have louder sound with less distortion using a more powerful amp. |
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10-31-2008, 05:23 PM | #41 |
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Thanks for the input guys! A lot of much appreciated advice.
I have considered ditching the rear speakers, but for some reason I just don't seem to like the idea of having two great speakers upfront and two mediocre ones at the back. The BMW OEM Alpine system actually seems good value if I could negotiate a bit off the $1800 asking price. BBK should I not be paying for installation? Wraith, you're in the industry, does that honestly seem like good value? No problem with spending the $$ as long as I'm sure I'm getting every penny's worth. As BBK said, I don't want to be taken for a ride. More to think about I guess. |
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10-31-2008, 06:53 PM | #42 |
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Try a progressive approach. An amp for the standard 4 inch speakers will make more difference than upgrading them.
Check some of my other threads.
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10-31-2008, 08:09 PM | #43 | |
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Aftermarket systems for the same price will pretty much always be better than car manufacturer spec. For $1800 you don't even get a sub? :iono: |
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11-01-2008, 10:01 AM | #44 |
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Black135, I see you've installed a 12 inch sub in your boot. I'm really hesitant to do this as I don't want an 'aftermarket' look. Are there really no other solutions?
Do you mind me asking what the components are costing you and installation, for comparison sake? BBK. Yeah I've been told that the OEM Alpine upgrade probably isn't nearly as good as a nice aftermarket set up. I don't understand why manufacturer install such crap in the cars. Surely with their economies of scale a nice set up could be had for a reasonable cost. Especially for a 'premium' vehicle. I'm sure many owners value the quality of the sound system. |
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