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      05-07-2010, 03:45 PM   #45
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That setup is awesome. That carpet matches great. Does anybody know where i can get it?
the setup or the carpet?

The carpet was a close match and they used a spray to blend it.
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      05-07-2010, 03:51 PM   #46
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very nice set up and awesome info from VP.
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      05-07-2010, 07:43 PM   #47
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Niiiiiice.....man you are going to make my suppressed audiophile rise up again....i have been keeping it in check since I got the 1er...but.....damnit...
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      05-07-2010, 08:32 PM   #48
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thanks, Ken and Tom do some sick work. Best mod yet on the car!
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      07-17-2011, 10:19 PM   #49
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Thank you so much for posting. Could you please make a list of the speakers, amps, and other parts that you used in your setup (that you kept, not the stuff you replaced)? How much did the entire thing cost?

*edit: wow, didn't realize I bumped such an old thread. sry about that
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      07-17-2011, 10:28 PM   #50
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mineo77 has done several phases of upgrades by this time, so I don't know if that list would be as helpful as you'd like.

But if you are interested, since this project was initially done, we have developed the kits into plug-and-play packages with different levels of performance. Send us an email off of the sig or our website to get more specifics emailed to you (it may take a few days, but I'll send you "War and Peace"
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      07-18-2011, 12:05 PM   #51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whuts4lunch View Post
Thank you so much for posting. Could you please make a list of the speakers, amps, and other parts that you used in your setup (that you kept, not the stuff you replaced)? How much did the entire thing cost?

*edit: wow, didn't realize I bumped such an old thread. sry about that
I have indeed done a lot to my cars electrical upgrades. MusicarNW has had the ability to test fit and tune many package options for the 135i and a quick (4 minute call - inside joke for VP) will provide you with a wealth of knowledge etc. Just respect MusicarNW and understand that asking for part list etc and then disappearing is not good for supporting our local vendors on the forums. Ken and Tom have poured a ton of time and effort into providing us with the best possible systems with a MusicarNW guarentee, even if not local.

My stereo upgrades:
Dension gateway ipod
Morel Dotech comps in doors
Morel 8" underseat (they are using Jenherts now or SWS depending on package)
Zapco 650 and 500 DSP amp (lots of options here, Zapco are VERY difficult to get a hold of over the past year so other and better options available now)
Trunk sub enclosure with JL sub (MusicarNW now offering custom sub enclosures with a variety of subs that have all been tested and tuned for system - cant go wrong here)
EVERYTHING you get from these guys is custom tuned prior to shipping out so its plug and play. Ken provides great customer support to you or the shop you have installing your system. They will provide all necessary items to make installation OEM quality!

Other electrical upgrades:
Escort 9500ci
iphone 4 integration
Custom removable amp tray / sub enclosure for track days
extra power source
custom methanol power switch

Other musicar modifications:
magnetic license plate (front plate)
custom carbon fiber trim wrap
vinyl decals
Methanol injection installed and wired

MusicarNW

if you have any questions shoot me an email: mineo77@gmail.com
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      07-19-2011, 02:31 AM   #52
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Thanks for the replies.

What does the iPhone integration allow you to do, apart from being able to charge the phone while driving? How much does such an integration cost?
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      07-19-2011, 12:53 PM   #53
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Originally Posted by whuts4lunch View Post
Thanks for the replies.

What does the iPhone integration allow you to do, apart from being able to charge the phone while driving? How much does such an integration cost?
charge iphone mainly, play pandora etc. was a dice module they used. not sure how much.
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      07-24-2011, 06:27 AM   #54
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I was looking at some 1ers yesterday and noticed they had a module under the floor on the pass. side where the second PPI amp was. Any idea what that module was for? If my 1M order gets accepted I don't want to end up having to try and move a module as I was looking at this location for my JL amps.

Ken, if you have any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Paul
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      07-26-2011, 08:34 AM   #55
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Originally Posted by quality_sound View Post
I was looking at some 1ers yesterday and noticed they had a module under the floor on the pass. side where the second PPI amp was. Any idea what that module was for? If my 1M order gets accepted I don't want to end up having to try and move a module as I was looking at this location for my JL amps.

Ken, if you have any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Paul
i believe that would be the BT module.
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      07-27-2011, 03:11 AM   #56
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Ahhh, that makes sense. I was just informed that every military sales dealer overseas has sold all of their 1M allocations. No soup for me. They said I could get on the waiting list but with the limited production... eh, we'll see. Maybe a 128/135, maybe a JCW Clubman. Decisions, decisions.

Back on topic, this is great build and as always, Ken has done some outstanding work.
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      12-28-2012, 05:35 AM   #57
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Hello everyone!

I ask the respected experts on a fairly non-trivial issue, as I couldn't find any information on it after reading tons of BMW-related forums.
I've got a BMW 1er cabrio with the very basic audio system (Businness). I have a great desire to upgrade it with an emphasis on quality rather than loudness. I listen mostly soft rock like U2, Lifehouse, and electronic dance music, chillout.
After reading this (and several more) threads I've developed my vision of the system:
1) the HU should be replaced with aftermarket one.
2) Zapco REF 650.6 seems pretty good to me. I think it will sound best when connected on a per channel basis: one channel for midbass, one for midrange, one for tweeters.
3) Front: Morel Hybrid Ovation 4 " mids, Morel MT-24 tweeters without crossover (use the amp's crossovers ).
4) Morel Elate 9 midbass or ADMW SW 9 or Earthquake SWS 8Xi under the seats.
5) rear speakers (in the back side panels) power directly from the HU. Replace stock ones with some cheap coax.
6) putting a subwoofer in the trunk IMO hardly makes sense for a convertible.

So here are the questions:
1) will a mid-budget grade HU like Alpine 123Ri or 135Bt provide enough sound quality for this system?
2) whether the system is suitable for my purposes, or is there something better considering this budget?
3) how is it best to connect the HU to the amplifier: using all 3 channels or only one? Is it really better to connect HU via the supplied balanced Symbilink devices? And in this case, does it make sense to pay more for HU with 5V outputs instead of 2V?
4) does a 9" midbass fit well in the underseat box? Does the box require any modifications?
5) SWS 8Xi have 2 Ohms, but their sensitivity is 87dB vs Elate’s 91dB and 4Ohm. As I understand it, the sound pressure is about the same. But Elate costs 50% more, does it make sense to overpay - is there a difference in sound quality?
6) does the amp have enough power to effectively drive those midbasses and produce a strong enough bass given the lack of a big subwoofer in the system?
7) What else should be considered regarding this system?

I'll be very grateful for your answers!
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      12-28-2012, 10:07 AM   #58
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Why replace the head unit? If you really have the most basic of the three setup s, either recode it to output flat stereo or use a de-equalizer to make the signal flat.

Then pump it into a good amp.

Most people use the morel crossover with their tweet/mid combo. It gets it just right for the speakers, and you can use a single channel of amplification for each pair of speakers.

I've never heard of using this morels under the seats. I'd be worried if they'd fit. The sws under seats can work but you definitely need to eq them to force them to play flat up to about 200hz, where you can crossover with the doors.

No one seems to find replacing the rear deck speakers to be worthwhile. I'd put that last on your list. The more popular option is to fade to the front and essentially not use the rear. You'll get better imaging, no matter how good the rear speakers are.

The system described in this thread originally is a good one, and worth considering.

This is just all my opinion after some experimenting and research.

Welcome to the forum! These are great cars and with a little investment they can sound good.
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      12-28-2012, 10:11 AM   #59
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Ps: the e92 forum has lots of great info and most is applicable since the speaker types, locations and much of the electronics are the same.
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      12-28-2012, 12:13 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vladstert View Post


I've got a BMW 1er cabrio with the very basic audio system (Businness).
I don't think you do... Business describes the head unit, not the amp-and-speaker system. Go to this page to nail down which "audio system" (by which BMW means amp-and-speaker system) you have.

The Reference 650.6 with balanced inputs isn't even made any longer?

Morel Elate 9 midbass won't fit. Tried it. The ADMW9 can fit with a 20mm spacer we make, but now that the Jehnert drops in we use it instead - it doesn't require the EQing that the ADMW9 or the home version we like better require for the effects of the extremely small enclosure under the seat. Also, there's some work involved to keep the carpet off the surround of the ADMW9, and the Jehnert doesn't need any such attention.

There is a huge difference in sound quality from the SWS to any of the others, but you also need to remember that excursion is your friend when you have a convertible. The underseat woofers need to contribute up to 200 cycles or so, you need to remember, and the SWS don't have a lot of accuracy above 100 cycles. However, their excursion is a plus in the verts and we use them a lot for folks who listen to a lot of rap and hip-hop or techno and electronica. If you listen to rock with bass guitar and an acoustic drum kit, you want the Jehnerts.

I applaud the willingness to go active, but I don't know that I'd sell it hard to a vert customer. The tweeter and mid are almost identical distances from the listener. Again, depends on what you're listening to. Your car probably doesn't have ASSIST or parking sensors, two things which make HU replacement very hard. If you absolutely positively have to replace the head unit and you want to go active, go with the Pioneer PRS-80. Black, amber lighting, fully-active internal xovers. Personally, I'd keep the stock HU (I did).


We've done these systems before, we have a package that works in our E82 line (as you note, a trunk sub is a bit of a stretch).
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      12-29-2012, 01:36 AM   #61
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Thank you guys for your replies, they are really helpful to me!

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
I don't think you do... Business describes the head unit, not the amp-and-speaker system. Go to this page to nail down which "audio system" (by which BMW means amp-and-speaker system) you have.
I've got a european version. There's only very basic Businness HU (I think it's not present in US models), 6 speakers (2 midbasses under seats, 2 mids in doors and 2 mids in rear side panels, no tweets) and no amp. I'm not sure if Businness HU has any preamp outs as I've never seen stock configs with Bus.HU and amp-powered speaker system.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
The Reference 650.6 with balanced inputs isn't even made any longer?
I'm not sure if it is still made, but it's still available and one of them I'd like to buy . These older non-DC units are still available at a bargain price. But in order to connect it's balanced input to the HU via supplied Symbilink devices the HU needs at least one preamp out. And are there any preamp outs (or balanced outs) in Businness HU? I doubt it. And I'm not sure that using a line converter to convert speaker-level signal into line (RCA) will maintain desirable sound quality.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
The tweeter and mid are almost identical distances from the listener.
Since my car has neither stock tweeters nor their enclosures, and I'm not too much obsessed with the "original look", I can install new tweets in any place where they will sound optimally. Maybe it's better to place them closer to listener? Say, in the top corner of the windshield frame?

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
Your car probably doesn't have ASSIST or parking sensors, two things which make HU replacement very hard.
No ASSIST, but parking sensors do present. I've found an adaptor on ebay which connects BMW parking sensors and steering wheel controls to an aftermarket HU (although it's pretty pricey).

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
If you absolutely positively have to replace the head unit and you want to go active, go with the Pioneer PRS-80. Black, amber lighting, fully-active internal xovers. Personally, I'd keep the stock HU (I did).
I'd like to keep the stock HU too IF it really can be connected to an amp and provide a quality sound. And if it requires reprogramming - I'm 100% sure that noone could do it in my town.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
We've done these systems before, we have a package that works in our E82 line (as you note, a trunk sub is a bit of a stretch).
I think my budget is close to Level 2, but I suppose overseas shipping can add a lot to its price. Could you tell what's included in the package?

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
Morel Elate 9 midbass won't fit. Tried it.
You've just saved me from a $450 mistake
I couldn't find any Jehnerts speakers being sold on ebay or in online shops. In my country no one even knows of their existense So that complicates things a bit... but I'll try to contact manufacturer directly.
Jehneart also offer complete 3-way speaker/xover sets for BMW 1s at a very competitive price and they only require 2-channel amp (for example ARC Audio KAR 400.4 bridged) - maybe it's worth considering instead of Morels? It could reduce total costs by $400 or so. But I'm in doubt of their quality because there are no any specs published on these speakers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VP Electricity View Post
I applaud the willingness to go active, but I don't know that I'd sell it hard to a vert customer.
You mean that the sound upgrade doesn't worth the effort for a vert? I had some similar thoughts... so is it REALLY worth $1500-2000 investment, what do you think? This car with top down isn't any close to a good sound scene...

And thanks once again!

PS And one more question: does this old Zapco non-DC 650.6 have enough power to effectively drive those midbasses? It's only 50W/channel and the speakers are rated around 150W...

Last edited by vladstert; 12-29-2012 at 03:06 PM..
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      12-31-2012, 06:46 AM   #62
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Or maybe if HQ setup doesn't worth it for a vert, I'll better switch to Focal Solid 4 or Boston GTA504 (both accept speaker-level input from stock HU) and Dotech comps without even changing the OEM woofers... it's about $700 total - 3 times cheaper than my first set.
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      12-31-2012, 06:39 PM   #63
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I think buying the level one upgrade from vp would be a good choice for you. Since you don't have teeters etc he may have to include a few more pieces, which would increase the price a little. But he knows his stuff and if you can do the install it will be a good setup.
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