[cbbplanet]

not sure if you have looked into bavsound? I was just wondering since they offer a pair of 25mm silk tweeters for about 189 and as well as mid-ranges.

Just curious if you know how does your focal compare to the bavsound

[hoyasaxa]

Would you be willing to post a DIY with a list of tools/parts needed, and the relevant specifications to look for in the new speakers?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by cbbplanet

not sure if you have looked into bavsound? I was just wondering since they offer a pair of 25mm silk tweeters for about 189 and as well as mid-ranges.

Just curious if you know how does your focal compare to the bavsound

I have never knew anyone who actually had bavsound to compare. The Focal's are a well known, well respected, established speaker carried by many retailers.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by hoyalawyr

Would you be willing to post a DIY with a list of tools/parts needed, and the relevant specifications to look for in the new speakers?

I had Car Toys install the speakers. I didn't want to take off the door panels by myself.

As stated earlier, the speakers are four inch speakers in both the doors and back deck.

[cbbplanet]

hey btw.. do you have the link to where you purchase the focal speakers?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by cbbplanet

hey btw.. do you have the link to where you purchase the focal speakers?

I bought them locally from Car Toys.

Here is the link to Crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pAyzIGn...&awmt=e&awnw=g

[Captain_Burgundy]

Really want to do this myself instead of blow $200 on install (yes Im cheap) I have built my own speakers just need some help.

1. Can you describe how you get open the speaker lid? (nervous of doing this on a 50 k car)

2. What is the size of the spacer used?

3. What did you use as a spacer from wood or buy one, if so what one?
(one like this?) http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...sche-SA68.html

[cbbplanet]

Originally Posted by Captain_Burgundy

Really want to do this myself instead of blow $200 on install (yes Im cheap) I have built my own speakers just need some help.

1. Can you describe how you get open the speaker lid? (nervous of doing this on a 50 k car)

2. What is the size of the spacer used?

3. What did you use as a spacer from wood or buy one, if so what one?
(one like this?) http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...sche-SA68.html

just so you know.. my local audio shop quoted me $100 for install only and they have brilliant 5 stars review so I think they know what they're doing.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Captain_Burgundy

Really want to do this myself instead of blow $200 on install (yes Im cheap) I have built my own speakers just need some help.

1. Can you describe how you get open the speaker lid? (nervous of doing this on a 50 k car)

2. What is the size of the spacer used?

3. What did you use as a spacer from wood or buy one, if so what one?
(one like this?) http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...sche-SA68.html

You need to take off the door panel on each side. Not something I felt comfortable doing so I had it professionally done. They also built the spacers out of metal. I don't know the size. They built them in their shop.

[hyperzulu]

If you have access to a router, making MDF rings is easy. I have a Jasper jig for stuff like this. You could also use rubber washers and expanding foam to make a spacer that will work. A kit with a door panel remover is also worth it.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by DanG

I bought them locally from Car Toys.

Here is the link to Crutchfield: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pAyzIGn...&awmt=e&awnw=g

Dan, can you PM me the total cost of the speakers and install please?

Also, did you keep the stock subs or replace them too?
Did the stock system have a center channel speaker in the dash?
Amp - did you upgrade or just using the stock head unit?
With the stock system, did you do anything to put the tweeters in the doors up high behind the mirrors?

Sorry about all the questions, but I'm trying to decide on the HK or go aftermarket. If Focals are really that much better than HK, then I'm better off saving the $$ and just installing aftermarket components.

[FoxCrane]

Originally Posted by DanG

I had Car Toys install the speakers. I didn't want to take off the door panels by myself.

As stated earlier, the speakers are four inch speakers in both the doors and back deck.

I bought two pairs of Focal 100s at a Car Toys in Oregon a few weeks ago, and brought them into the Bellevue location today. The installer immediately told me there's no way these speakers will fit in the door, and then pointed to another Focal line (I think it was Focal IFBMW-C), which were something around $700/pair.

After hesitating, the installer went out to look at my car and said he'd need to build brackets for the doors AND the rear deck. He was also adamant that they have never installed speakers on a 2-series.

I'm now waiting for them to finish. They ended up charging $240 for two pairs after first wanting $300. I didn't expect a car-buying experience, but that's what I got. I probably got ripped off a little, but it's not worth reflecting over except this one time as I type this.

[hyperzulu]

Originally Posted by FoxCrane

I bought two pairs of Focal 100s at a Car Toys in Oregon a few weeks ago, and brought them into the Bellevue location today. The installer immediately told me there's no way these speakers will fit in the door, and then pointed to another Focal line (I think it was Focal IFBMW-C), which were something around $700/pair.

After hesitating, the installer went out to look at my car and said he'd need to build brackets for the doors AND the rear deck. He was also adamant that they have never installed speakers on a 2-series.

I'm now waiting for them to finish. They ended up charging $240 for two pairs after first wanting $300. I didn't expect a car-buying experience, but that's what I got. I probably got ripped off a little, but it's not worth reflecting over except this one time as I type this.

Audio installers seem to charge more for their time than even auto mechanics do, so I'm not surprised at the charge, especially if they had to fabricate brackets. The brackets are not expensive and they don't take long to make once you have the proper circumferences, but still... If you don't have your own plunge router with a Jasper jig or something of the sort and don't really want to go tearing apart your car's interior, $240 doesn't sound all that bad for an install of door and rear deck speakers.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by FoxCrane

I bought two pairs of Focal 100s at a Car Toys in Oregon a few weeks ago, and brought them into the Bellevue location today. The installer immediately told me there's no way these speakers will fit in the door, and then pointed to another Focal line (I think it was Focal IFBMW-C), which were something around $700/pair.

After hesitating, the installer went out to look at my car and said he'd need to build brackets for the doors AND the rear deck. He was also adamant that they have never installed speakers on a 2-series.

I'm now waiting for them to finish. They ended up charging $240 for two pairs after first wanting $300. I didn't expect a car-buying experience, but that's what I got. I probably got ripped off a little, but it's not worth reflecting over except this one time as I type this.

I would be interested to know exactly what had to be fabricated and why. Were the speakers too small, too large, too much depth, etc?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by FoxCrane

I bought two pairs of Focal 100s at a Car Toys in Oregon a few weeks ago, and brought them into the Bellevue location today. The installer immediately told me there's no way these speakers will fit in the door, and then pointed to another Focal line (I think it was Focal IFBMW-C), which were something around $700/pair.

After hesitating, the installer went out to look at my car and said he'd need to build brackets for the doors AND the rear deck. He was also adamant that they have never installed speakers on a 2-series.

I'm now waiting for them to finish. They ended up charging $240 for two pairs after first wanting $300. I didn't expect a car-buying experience, but that's what I got. I probably got ripped off a little, but it's not worth reflecting over except this one time as I type this.

What a bunch of bull you got. They sold me the Focals and installed them. They did have to build a spacer for the door so the speakers didn't hit the window but no brackets. The rears needed nothing.

Mine were installed in early April.

[akuan99]

Originally Posted by FoxCrane

After hesitating, the installer went out to look at my car and said he'd need to build brackets for the doors AND the rear deck. He was also adamant that they have never installed speakers on a 2-series.

The rear speakers are easy to replace by yourself and need no brackets.
There are some brackets available but you will have to use smaller 3.5" speakers.
Here is a picture of rear speaker install.
I have detail on install on another thread.

[FoxCrane]

I am pretty happy with the Focal 100 speakers. The experience was shit, and glad I don't have to do that again. I'm now in the middle of getting tinting (Formula One Pinnacle, 30%). This is a much better purchase experience.

Next up: mounting my winter tire set!

[RDKing2]

Is that hole next to the speaker in the rear deck for a factory tweeter? Just a recommendation to seal it up. Even though the speakers are small and in a leaky rear deck, the more you can separate (seal) the front wave from the back will improve bass/midbass response. A piece of dynamat works ok. Same goes for the door mounting. I sealed the rear deck for my neighbor in his sedan while replacing his torn up stock speakers with cheapy Pioneers (4") and he thought I installed a subwoofer for him.

[akuan99]

Originally Posted by RDKing2

Is that hole next to the speaker in the rear deck for a factory tweeter? Just a recommendation to seal it up. Even though the speakers are small and in a leaky rear deck, the more you can separate (seal) the front wave from the back will improve bass/midbass response. A piece of dynamat works ok. Same goes for the door mounting. I sealed the rear deck for my neighbor in his sedan while replacing his torn up stock speakers with cheapy Pioneers (4") and he thought I installed a subwoofer for him.

There is a foam piece built into the speaker grill that covers it.
Also there is no holes on the grill below tweeter area so speaker grill will need to be replace with one from HK set if you want to use separate tweeter.
Replacing rear speakers alone makes a huge difference on the upper bass response.

[hyperzulu]

I haven't replaced the door speakers yet, but I bought a set of Jehnert Flatline speakers which come as a 3way setup. 1" tweeter, 4" mid, and 8" woofer. I have replaced the oem underseat subs with the ones that came with the kit. They're not even getting any more power than the stock base system and haven't had time to break in, but they already sound way better. They also help clean up the overall sound of the entire system, as they don't muddy things like the stock subs do.

I can only imagine how much better things will sound once the entire kit is in, and how much louder it'll be with some power. Already they hit way harder and dig deeper into the sub range, while being super detailed and transitioning bass, mid bass, and kick drums.

I'm very impressed so far. Eventually I might take the advice of the reseller who sold me these and buy the Match PP82DSP.

[gtaphile]

I have a new M235i with the stock stereo and it is truly lousy. It is a poor resolver of music.

I would prefer to change the 4 inch speakers only and improve sound quality only not a wholesale replacement of the system.

Would you mind taking a moment and quantify the difference between stock and the Focal ic 100.

All around better resolver?

Tighter/fuller base?

What about integration with the subs? Is it as good by chance or better or worse?

Thanks for your assistance

[Viffermike]

... based on researching:
- Several 4" models will drop in direct to the rear deck, including the Focal 100s and the JL Audio C2-400x (my initial choice; now opting for Hertz Energy 100.5s).
- Most of those same 4" models will work great in the doors with a spacer. Member CAF10 sells an E30 spacer, which works for an F22 as well, for $25 or $30 on the 'bay. akuan99 used these in his install.
- Use a reputable installer for the door install. Do the rest yourself.
- Finally, disconnect the center speaker on the dash. It isn't worth replacing and improves the soundstage.