Any one install 5.25" in the 4" front door speakers

[mineo77]

Did some reading about the fronts being able to take a 5.25" speaker, but there was some questions about mounting. anybody do this yet, or are you all going with 4" components? Just afraid there will not be enough midbass through a 4" speaker. I am going with MB quarts, the reference series depth is 41.9mm for the 5.25" so depth shouldnt be an issue.

any thoughts?

[JMH1983]

From what i have read the speakers in the hifi and premium hifi systems are fairly decent and only really require a better amplifier to get more out of them.

In my car however i have the basic 6 speaker system so i am going for a total new system since i can't be stuffed hacking into the wires and clips and taking trim parts apart twice. With the sub's/mid-bass drivers under the seats i doubt having 5.25" over 4" splits would make that much of a difference, and it might be easier to go for something that you know will definately fit.

At the moment i people decide they have to change the speakers the 2 most mentioned options which will definately have a large improvement are the Morel (don't know which specific product) and Focal 100KRS splits.

The Morel gear is pretty pricey however, and the Focals have a rrp of over $630 AUD. At this stage i am awaiting pricing on the focals and just going to bite the bullet as i might be able to get 20% off.

[mineo77]

the 2010 1 series in the US now come with the 6 speaker system too, i had to order door pillar mounts for the tweets but was just hoping to fit a bigger speaker in there. The focals are very $$$$ and not sure i want to fork out that for a 4" speaker. I had mb quart rce216's in my old car and that was by far the best speaker i have ever installed in a car so i am partial to mbquart.

[JMH1983]

please feel free to correct me if i am wrong, but i was told there was a production change (and maybe ownership) in MBquart over the last couple of years and that saw production base shift to another country. I almost bought some myself, but i was informed that they are not as good as they used to be.

[mineo77]

Originally Posted by JMH1983

please feel free to correct me if i am wrong, but i was told there was a production change (and maybe ownership) in MBquart over the last couple of years and that saw production base shift to another country. I almost bought some myself, but i was informed that they are not as good as they used to be.

You are correct, in 2005 they were bought and YES they are not suppose to be nearly as good as they use too. I was looking at "new" old stock mb quart but they are hard to find so it looks like i am now looking elsewhere. Just went to a stereo shop here and they guy said our doors will take 5.25 with no problem, just need to modify the install mount.

[JMH1983]

Originally Posted by mineo77

You are correct, in 2005 they were bought and YES they are not suppose to be nearly as good as they use too. I was looking at "new" old stock mb quart but they are hard to find so it looks like i am now looking elsewhere. Just went to a stereo shop here and they guy said our doors will take 5.25 with no problem, just need to modify the install mount.

let me know how you go, and exactly what modifications need to be made. I hate the idea of cutting into the car, but if something can be removed and replaced with a fabricated item that utilizes stock mounts it would be definately worth some thought.

[mineo77]

i was told nothing needs to be cut, just a wider mounting frame applied to the inside mount since the speaker size is bigger...he said it was common anyway because BMW uses 2 hole mounts and normally all speakers have 4 hole mounts. I will keep you posted, i am searching the crap out of the internet looking for speakers!! hahaha

[JMH1983]

Originally Posted by mineo77

i was told nothing needs to be cut, just a wider mounting frame applied to the inside mount since the speaker size is bigger...he said it was common anyway because BMW uses 2 hole mounts and normally all speakers have 4 hole mounts. I will keep you posted, i am searching the crap out of the internet looking for speakers!! hahaha

[Brissie]

Originally Posted by mineo77

i was told nothing needs to be cut, just a wider mounting frame applied to the inside mount since the speaker size is bigger...he said it was common anyway because BMW uses 2 hole mounts and normally all speakers have 4 hole mounts. I will keep you posted, i am searching the crap out of the internet looking for speakers!! hahaha

BMW uses 3 mounting holes. I just replaced mine a few weeks ago with the Focal. I think the 5.25" may fit, as the 4" Focal were too small and I had to use an adaptor plate. Can't guarantee you that though as I didn't take any measurement. The main thing is the depth, or lack of the depth.
As the midbass drivers under the seat is not the best for imaging, running the 5.25" midrange may allow you to run then down to perhaps 200hz?

[kaigoss69]

Let us know what you end up installing and what type of modifications (if any) had to be made.

[BBK]

I have an appointment with an installer tomorrow morning to see what exactly can be done, will let you know how it all goes!

[Nicky G]

Very useful thread gang, please keep the updates coming! I plan to tweak the 6-speaker system somewhat.

WHat are you guys doing for subs, especially in the "standard" audio system where the subs are only 6.5" I believe? 10-12" cabinet in the trunk?

[mineo77]

I am keeping the 6.5 up front, think it will add some good midbass which will probably be lacking out of 4" or even 5.25". I got a custom enclosure for Ben:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...stom+enclosure

and will installing a 10" JL audio 10w3v3

[Nicky G]

you guys keeping factory head units and simply adding some amp and possibly EQ/processing up front, or replacing head units entirely? Very curious if BMW Smartphone Integration will always require keeping OEM head unit... Thanks in advance guys!

[mineo77]

I am keeping my stock HU, adding 2 amps and a sound processor (audiocontrol lc6i)

[JMH1983]

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

BMW uses 3 mounting holes. I just replaced mine a few weeks ago with the Focal. I think the 5.25" may fit, as the 4" Focal were too small and I had to use an adaptor plate. Can't guarantee you that though as I didn't take any measurement. The main thing is the depth, or lack of the depth.
As the midbass drivers under the seat is not the best for imaging, running the 5.25" midrange may allow you to run then down to perhaps 200hz?

I bought the 4" focals and received them last week. Yet to receive my speaker housings, so i can't actually install them yet. Did you install your focals yourself ? or get them done professionally. I am looking to install them in my spare time, yet if an adaptor plate has to be made i might get that made by my engineers to ensure i keep the car in top quality condition free of any extra rattles or damage. What material did you use ? wood or steel ? and have you still got the template you made for it ?

Cheers,

J

[BBK]

Ok, got back from my installer (I used to work for them) today and good news!

They can fit a 5 1/4 in there, with not too much of a problem with depth apparently. A spacer will need to be used, but shouldn't be a problem. I am most likely going to use a Alpine PDX 2.150 for the fronts, and either a 1.600 for a Type R 12" or a 1.1000 for an X-Type 12".

Possibly using the Alpine processor equivalent of the Audison unit (can't remember the model off the top of my head).

Still deciding on speakers, maybe going Alpine Pro/Reference or A/D/S up front.

Will bypass the subs under the seat and probably not use the rear speakers either.

[mineo77]

Originally Posted by BBK

Ok, got back from my installer (I used to work for them) today and good news!

They can fit a 5 1/4 in there, with not too much of a problem with depth apparently. A spacer will need to be used, but shouldn't be a problem. I am most likely going to use a Alpine PDX 2.150 for the fronts, and either a 1.600 for a Type R 12" or a 1.1000 for an X-Type 12".

Possibly using the Alpine processor equivalent of the Audison unit (can't remember the model off the top of my head).

Still deciding on speakers, maybe going Alpine Pro/Reference or A/D/S up front.

Will bypass the subs under the seat and probably not use the rear speakers either.

Sweet..that is what i was told. Cant be more than 50mm deep, there are a few speakers out there in 5.25" which are under 50mm. I dont believe that alpine makes any...from what i looked at. Keep me posted. I am still waiting for my door pillars for Unitedbmwparts, apparently they are on back order. Wasnt going to purchase speakers until i get them

[Brissie]

Originally Posted by JMH1983

I bought the 4" focals and received them last week. Yet to receive my speaker housings, so i can't actually install them yet. Did you install your focals yourself ? or get them done professionally. I am looking to install them in my spare time, yet if an adaptor plate has to be made i might get that made by my engineers to ensure i keep the car in top quality condition free of any extra rattles or damage. What material did you use ? wood or steel ? and have you still got the template you made for it ?

Cheers,

J

Made by engineers? How many do you have at your disposal?
I just used the "mounting plate" of the grille that came with the Focals as an adaptor, and screw the speakers on to the door panel. I did it myself, so looks a bit ghetto, but no one can see it, and they are screwed into plastic at the back of the door trim, so no real damage done.
They play from 300hz up, and there is no rattles or vibration. I couldn't play them very loud when they were crossovered at 200hz.

[Brissie]

You obviously know more than me if you used to be an installer, but I found the 4" Focals were as deep as you want to go. I think you can fit 5" if they are no deeper.
I like my underseat woofer, much more upfront bass, and my sub is purely for sub bass. Sound much better than having all the bass coming front the trunk, IMO.

Originally Posted by BBK

Ok, got back from my installer (I used to work for them) today and good news!

They can fit a 5 1/4 in there, with not too much of a problem with depth apparently. A spacer will need to be used, but shouldn't be a problem. I am most likely going to use a Alpine PDX 2.150 for the fronts, and either a 1.600 for a Type R 12" or a 1.1000 for an X-Type 12".

Possibly using the Alpine processor equivalent of the Audison unit (can't remember the model off the top of my head).

Still deciding on speakers, maybe going Alpine Pro/Reference or A/D/S up front.

Will bypass the subs under the seat and probably not use the rear speakers either.

[adrean8j]

Sweet stuff guys..as I am pretty much finished optically with my car(1-2small things left to do), I will probably start buying parts for my audio needs! This will be a great resource.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by mineo77

Sweet..that is what i was told. Cant be more than 50mm deep, there are a few speakers out there in 5.25" which are under 50mm. I dont believe that alpine makes any...from what i looked at. Keep me posted. I am still waiting for my door pillars for Unitedbmwparts, apparently they are on back order. Wasnt going to purchase speakers until i get them

I'm looking into the BEN sub enclosure. Looks very interesting.
I think it might pair well with the SWS subs I have.