[Kraken2109]

I've had a good read around the forum, but I'm struggling to find anyone who's been able to compare options for front speaker upgrades (mids and tweeters). I have the HK system so I do have separate mids and tweeters.

I've found 3 plug & play options for similar prices, but I'm struggling to choose between them.

They are:

• Audison APBMW K4E
• Focal ISBMW 100L
• Eton UG B100W

I would be interested to hear first hand experience on any of these sets. I know some people find Focal treble a bit hot, and I've read that the sensitivity is a bit low on the Etons. I haven't heard much about the Audison, but I'll be honest that I'm slightly disappointed that they have an entire "crossover" box, but in reality it's just a 6dB/octave high pass for the tweeter - seems pretty weak to me.

Does anyone know if the factory HK head unit or amp are doing any DSP filtering? I would expect the 4" mids to want their own highpass, but none of the sets seem to include this.

[Jcoop901]

You can't go wrong with Focal's. I added a pair of the K2 series separates with crossovers and I could not be more pleased. They are well balanced and the treble is far better than the edgy HK offering.

[cooolone2]

Use 3 screw to 4 screw adapters, measure depth clearance in the door and open yourself up to an entire wife selection of speakers! Wiring adapter so no 'cut' and play being needed is even better.

I find it ridiculous that the rear deck is limited in it's opening, but you could fit a 4-way. But for sure, the BEST sound improvement will come from a DSP and AMP as the speakers are not adjusted well, regardless of what HK sold BMW, and the speakers are underpowered! Especially those under the seats

Good luck!

[MarcoZandrini]

I initially replaced the factory HK speakers with Eton. Major improvement. I then installed Focals. very moderate improvement. If Focals are a bit expensive you should be happy with the Etons.

[freakystyly]

I went with Eton fronts and added the sail tweeters. Coming from the base Hifi... Just about anything is better than Hifi though.

[Kraken2109]

Thanks for the comments, all.

It's interesting that Focal at least put a frequency response chart on their datasheet, it looks like neither Eton or Audison bother with that.

As I said, these 3 options are all around £250-£300 for me in the UK, so if the focals are better than the Etons then that's useful to know. @marcozandrini, which Focals did you use, the ones I mentioned in the OP or a different set?

@coolone2, I'm already struggling between 3 sets, I don't need 50 more options! I would like to upgrade amp and use DSP and active crossovers, but I'm also not looking to spend £2000 on this project... Maybe one day!

[cooolone2]

Lol, understand and agree, it is a task that causes nausea... Don't worry, if you don't like what ya do, you can always try option 2, then 3 and so on

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by Kraken2109

Thanks for the comments, all.

It's interesting that Focal at least put a frequency response chart on their datasheet, it looks like neither Eton or Audison bother with that.

As I said, these 3 options are all around £250-£300 for me in the UK, so if the focals are better than the Etons then that's useful to know. @marcozandrini, which Focals did you use, the ones I mentioned in the OP or a different set?

@coolone2, I'm already struggling between 3 sets, I don't need 50 more options! I would like to upgrade amp and use DSP and active crossovers, but I'm also not looking to spend £2000 on this project... Maybe one day!

The same as OP.

[carchrism5]

I have the Audison components up front and Focal Coax in the rear. I replaced them before I changed my amp and with the factory amp I don't really think it was a night and day. If all options above are around same cost I would certainly go with Audison. Focals are a tad bright and without a proper amp/DSP you can't really adjust them. I have since added an Audison 8ch amp/DSP and will be fine tweaking it and turning the Focals down.

[Kraken2109]

Are you using the Audison amp for active crossovers? I guess you must be if you're using all 8 channels?

[carchrism5]

Originally Posted by Kraken2109

Are you using the Audison amp for active crossovers? I guess you must be if you're using all 8 channels?

No, I'm actually running it as such:
Ch 1/2: Front Audison Components
Ch 3/4: Front underseat subs as woofers
Ch 5/6: Rear Focal coax
Ch 7/8 Bridged to JL 10" subwoofer

Ideal world would have been full active but didn't want to run two amplifiers, this to me was an "easy" level upgrade without substantial rewiring or such.

[Kraken2109]

Yeah I guess going active requires running new speaker cables all the way from the amp to the doors which doesn't sound easy

[carchrism5]

Originally Posted by Kraken2109

Yeah I guess going active requires running new speaker cables all the way from the amp to the doors which doesn't sound easy

Yeah, it is undoubtedly the best way to do it. Between more power and full DSP control of each individual speaker. But if I were going active I would also go with a better set of speakers like the Morel IR-BMW42. Then I'd want to find the best tuner to get everything out of them, which then would make say it's logical to do better underseat subs, etc. It is a very slippery slope for me. So I had to draw a line somewhere.

[driverg01]

I have a bmw x1 with the focal set you mention.
Bmw x3 with the audison set you mention.

I like the Focals more, they are more bright and open sounding.
Audison is also very nice, but somewhat smoother, if I try to tune them brighter they will get a bit more harsh, less natural sound.

In both cars I use a Match DSP.

If you dont have a DSP I would choose Audison, because maybe Focal get to bright.