09-27-2016, 08:00 AM | #1 |
New Member
6
Rep 15
Posts |
Upgrading the basic audio in a 228
Hey guys,
I recently got a 228 with all the options I wanted, except for the fact that it has the basic audio. It is not the worst sound system, but leaves much to be desired. The car is leased and I don't want to hack the whole thing up - however I am considering buying the HK tweeters and putting them in. I should be able to wire them into the midrange in the door through a capacitor. I also saw BAV sells a "stage 1" kit which replaces the speakers but surprisingly does not touch the amp. They are 100mm ... has anyone looked into replacing them? What is the impedance? |
09-27-2016, 08:06 AM | #2 |
Major General
1837
Rep 6,990
Posts
Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton, NC
|
Don't "upgrade" a lease car, especially with aftermarket components - you won't get your money back and they may require you to put the stock parts back in when you turn the car in at lease end.
__________________
2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey |
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2016, 08:29 AM | #3 |
New Member
6
Rep 15
Posts |
I am aware, it is just speakers and no "modifications" I plan to do it myself, it is all plug and play and easy to put back to stock.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2016, 08:46 AM | #6 |
The Schwab
473
Rep 1,605
Posts
Drives: 2020 AW M340xi
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicagoland
|
I did the Focal ISC-100 front speaker upgrade and it made a world of a difference. At $130 for the pair it is a very inexpensive upgrade. I would suggest that, or going with the Bavsound stage 1 kit (all plug and play).
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2016, 11:10 AM | #7 | |
New Member
6
Rep 15
Posts |
Quote:
Do you have the HiFi audio without the tweeters? I am thinking to add the tweeters from the HK (I think around $100 for the pair). I may replace those tweeters with different speakers, for example from BAV, but obviously want the factory look. Perhaps it makes sense to put in the Focals AND the tweeters for a more complete soundstage since the current speakers are lower in the doors currently? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2016, 12:47 PM | #8 | |
The Schwab
473
Rep 1,605
Posts
Drives: 2020 AW M340xi
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicagoland
|
Quote:
Pretty sure the Bav youll need are the ones specific to the 2 series since the doors require a thinner profile, etc. If I were to do it again, I would just do the whole Bav kit and call it a day. The kit wasn't available at the time so I did the ISC-100s. Still absolutely love them though! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2016, 06:24 PM | #9 |
Private
10
Rep 70
Posts |
I wouldn't think the rear deck would do a ton and bulk of your sound is coming from the L/R door speakers and the underseat mid woofers. At least that's what I would prioritize.
I just replaced the stock amp with a JL Audio 600/6 with Technic's harness and even with the stock HiFi speakers it sounds better once I balanced and tuned it. Just picked up this car not too long ago so I'll see about doing the speakers soon as well. For the best soundstage it would be best to pick up a comp set and the HK housing. Use the comp tweeter in the HK housing, mount woofer in the stock door location. I'd also suggest disconnecting the center speaker. I think it helps with imaging... (IMO) |
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2016, 07:41 PM | #10 |
Captain
424
Rep 980
Posts |
Stock audio is pretty woeful.
__________________
2015 BMW 228i M Sport w/Track Handling Package DAP | Lighting | Premium | Tech DINANTRONICS Performance Tuner Stage 1 | DINAN Shockware | DINAN Free Flow Exhaust | DINAN Performance Spring Set + Ride Quality and Handling Kit |
09-27-2016, 07:44 PM | #11 | |
New Member
5
Rep 16
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-28-2016, 03:04 AM | #13 | |
Private
10
Rep 70
Posts |
Quote:
Could actually hear my intake again... =P The biggest annoyance was the chime. Scared the hell out of me first time I turned it on with the new amp. Turned it down, coded out a couple seatbelt warnings except the first one, and now it seems perfect. There's also a wire harness to physically (but reversible) disable ADS if you don't want to code, but honestly it was pretty easy and takes maybe an hour with a cheat sheet and testing your changes. I'll drop in new comps in the front, flatlines under the seat, and a coax set in the rear. |
|
Appreciate
1
GotNotch4.50 |
09-28-2016, 08:46 AM | #14 |
New Member
5
Rep 16
Posts |
HiFi upgrade
As the Focal ISC-100s were not available, I replaced the front and back speakers with Focal Access 100AC co-axial and disconnected the center speaker. Had work done at good shop and all in all it came to about $500. Very happy with the results. Someone with more expertise might compare the two Focal speakers in terms of bass, but seems more than adequate. It seems that the rear driver speaker position, blocked by 2 headrests before reaching the driver, can't compete with the passenger rear speaker's less obstructed path to driver. So after playing with settings, I find neutral fader setting, with both bass and treble a few notches to the right, works best for me.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-28-2016, 09:15 AM | #15 | |
Brigadier General
1424
Rep 3,395
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-28-2016, 09:30 AM | #16 |
New Member
5
Rep 16
Posts |
I had HK for 6 years in my previous 128s. The present HK is an extraordinary downgrade from the past system. HiFi with the Focals works for me - the clarity, full range of sound, and sound stage are fine for me, and I don't seem to fatigue or tire from limitations to the system.
|
Appreciate
1
jpnh1423.50 |
09-29-2016, 07:15 AM | #17 |
New Member
6
Rep 15
Posts |
I ended up getting this for $150 total. Will probably pick up a set of HK tweeter holders and replace them with these. These are 2" mounting depth, same as the Focals - did you need a spacer for them?
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2016, 07:37 AM | #18 |
The Schwab
473
Rep 1,605
Posts
Drives: 2020 AW M340xi
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicagoland
|
I still don't understand the disconnecting of the center channel. I felt the quality decreased when I tested back and forth with it. I'm no audiophile or anything but I just felt my ears liked the center channel still plugged in.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2016, 03:56 PM | #19 | |
New Member
6
Rep 15
Posts |
Quote:
For some reason my link didnt go through last time, http://www.ebay.com/itm/201664665912...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I got this. Will get the tweeters and see how it goes. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2016, 03:58 PM | #20 |
New Member
6
Rep 15
Posts |
Did you need this when installing the Focals? http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-F30-31-3...5UExUe&vxp=mtr
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-13-2017, 09:17 AM | #21 |
Captain
1657
Rep 922
Posts
Drives: '21 F87 M2C 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: old line state
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2015 MINI Hatch 5-door [0.00]
2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [9.67] 2023 BMW X5 xDrive40i [0.00] 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i [0.00] |
reviving a year-old thread to see if there are any better value / ease of DIY for upgrading the basic system?
and yes, i've read a bunch of the stereo threads including most of the "strangelove" thread. bavsound just announced a holiday sale, so i'm thinking $75 off the stage one upgrade is a no-brainer for a stock base system?
__________________
my garage: '23 G05 xDrive40i m-sport; '21 F87 M2C, 6MT; '17 F25 x-drive28i SAV; '15 F55 mini hatch 5-door retired: '87 E30 MT 'vert; '92 E36 sedan; '99 E36 MT 'vert; '06 E90 x-drive sedan; '07 E83 x-drive30 SAV; '09 E91 x-drive wagon; '12 E89 Z4 MT M-sport; '15 F22 sport line |
Appreciate
0
|
12-13-2017, 12:26 PM | #22 |
Colonel
3848
Rep 2,873
Posts |
Strangelove thread has been my go-to for planning this, but I've not shopped specific prices - IIRC, the Bavsound isn't the cheapest, and may lack some parts despite the 'plugNplay' moniker. I know the pics they show online are all dual speaker sets, but HIFi's don't have the sail panel tweeters, so be sure they are the proper coaxials. Mounting sail tweeters is possible, but probably needs several specific interior bits.
If you go this route, post back w/ results - I'm especially curious about how the speakers sound w/ the base amp (all the reviews I've found are people w/ the HK amp). |
Appreciate
1
1FUNCAR20.50 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|