[Alex_bm]

Hi Guys,

I wanted to get your opinion on whether upgrading speakers would make a notable difference.
I have a base system on m235xi which I believe is HiFi. I can spot 5 speakers, 2 front doors, 1 front center console and two at the back.
How involved is the setup and what kind of money I am looking at roughly?

Thanks in advance

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

Hi Guys,

I wanted to get your opinion on whether upgrading speakers would make a notable difference.
I have a base system on m235xi which I believe is HiFi. I can spot 5 speakers, 2 front doors, 1 front center console and two at the back.
How involved is the setup and what kind of money I am looking at roughly?

Thanks in advance

Or, hell: browse!

In the time that it likely took you to type your post, you'd have found several threads that talk about this on this subforum. In the past month.

:: sigh ::

[Alex_bm]

My bad for missing some of the previous posts.
Anyone knows professional installer in Toronto area, ideally someone who already worked on 2 series and bavsound?

[BMWZ4]

I can't speak to replacing the speakers but the subs you can do yourself. they're a breeze to do.

[Alex_bm]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

I can't speak to replacing the speakers but the subs you can do yourself. they're a breeze to do.

Thanks. Speakers are probably more critical as a starting point.

[BentZero]

I'd start with the amp. Crappy amp pushing better speakers is still crappy.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by BentZero

I'd start with the amp. Crappy amp pushing better speakers is still crappy.

This has been discussed. While some will disagree, the speakers are by far the weakest link. You can run several K in competition-quality amps, but the tiny, small-magnet, low-excursion, full-range OEM speakers won't deliver any of their benefits to your ears except for the elimination of the OEM DSP -- which has nothing to do with the amplifier itself.

Conversely, better speakers with separate drivers will allow you to hear more of the inherent biases of the OEM amp -- the mid-humped DSP, poor S/N ratio, etc. -- but also makes what little tone adjustment 2-series systems have more effective. Here's the thing: it is an improvement that can be delivered to your ears. That one fact is why speakers should be done first.

[crbalch]

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=970561

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1221193

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1053579

Thread can be closed now

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

This has been discussed. While some will disagree, the speakers are by far the weakest link. You can run several K in competition-quality amps, but the tiny, small-magnet, low-excursion, full-range OEM speakers won't deliver any of their benefits to your ears except for the elimination of the OEM DSP -- which has nothing to do with the amplifier itself.

Conversely, better speakers with separate drivers will allow you to hear more of the inherent biases of the OEM amp -- the mid-humped DSP, poor S/N ratio, etc. -- but also makes what little tone adjustment 2-series systems have more effective. Here's the thing: it is an improvement that can be delivered to your ears. That one fact is why speakers should be done first.

well, my answer is to replace both amp and speakers at the same time. dude asked for which to tackle first and amp is what I would do.

[pz619]

Just keep in mind an amp upgrade means you will likely need to code ASD out or get the bypass harness. So if you like ASD, take this into consideration. I'm not exactly an audiophile, but I had planned on doing both speakers and amp. After replacing the speakers I was content enough to leave the amp alone.

For now.

Maybe.

[BentZero]

I don't plan on upgrading the audio for quite some time. I pretty much only listen to podcasts and I like ASD. On my list of mods audio is pretty far down the list. i have heard of people being happy with just replacing speakers, but I'll have the base system. I haven't seen many people with that option and only replacing speakers. I just assumed that if the base amp is even crappier than the HK amp then I'll need to replace both amp and speakers.

[Alex_bm]

Originally Posted by pz619

Just keep in mind an amp upgrade means you will likely need to code ASD out or get the bypass harness. So if you like ASD, take this into consideration. I'm not exactly an audiophile, but I had planned on doing both speakers and amp. After replacing the speakers I was content enough to leave the amp alone.

For now.

Maybe.

How big is the difference compared to stock? Is it comparable to premium system in 3/4 series?

[pz619]

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

How big is the difference compared to stock? Is it comparable to premium system in 3/4 series?

To me, the difference was significant. I have the Focal AC and they are just much clearer and crisper. Compared to the normal hi-fi system it's a pretty significant upgrade. Now this part really is just my own subjective opinion, but the I think it's a better upgrade than the HK system for the 2 or 3 series. For me it was a step in the right direction. It might be worth it for you as well. My thought process was that I would bite it off in chunks. Start with the speakers, progress to amp, then sub, etc. In the end though the speakers made me content enough that I might not ever go with the amp upgrade.

Maybe.

[Alex_bm]

Thanks so much for the feedback.
Now I need to find a decent installer.

Originally Posted by pz619

To me, the difference was significant. I have the Focal AC and they are just much clearer and crisper. Compared to the normal hi-fi system it's a pretty significant upgrade. Now this part really is just my own subjective opinion, but the I think it's a better upgrade than the HK system for the 2 or 3 series. For me it was a step in the right direction. It might be worth it for you as well. My thought process was that I would bite it off in chunks. Start with the speakers, progress to amp, then sub, etc. In the end though the speakers made me content enough that I might not ever go with the amp upgrade.

Maybe.

[Alex_bm]

Almost forgot. Did swapping speakers affect ASD in any way?

Originally Posted by pz619

To me, the difference was significant. I have the Focal AC and they are just much clearer and crisper. Compared to the normal hi-fi system it's a pretty significant upgrade. Now this part really is just my own subjective opinion, but the I think it's a better upgrade than the HK system for the 2 or 3 series. For me it was a step in the right direction. It might be worth it for you as well. My thought process was that I would bite it off in chunks. Start with the speakers, progress to amp, then sub, etc. In the end though the speakers made me content enough that I might not ever go with the amp upgrade.

Maybe.

[Grave]

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

Almost forgot. Did swapping speakers affect ASD in any way?

No

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

Now I need to find a decent installer.

The better is probably you because you want to take care of your 235i.

Only one hour per door with insonoriation, separate midrange and tweeter, probably less time with coaxial speakers.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by Alex_bm

Almost forgot. Did swapping speakers affect ASD in any way?

Good luck and let us know what your results are!


ASD really wasn't effected. Technically it was but in a minor way. The sensitivity for the focal AC I think it a bit less than stock, so it takes more power to hit the same volume of sound. It's imperceptible though, at least to me.

[Alex_bm]

I do want to take a good care of my car, hence the search for professional installer.

I can do certain things on my own but somewhat hesitant when it comes to "gentle" work such as plastic clips.

Originally Posted by Grave

No


The better is probably you because you want to take care of your 235i.

Only one hour per door with insonoriation, separate midrange and tweeter, probably less time with coaxial speakers.

[Alex_bm]

Thanks. Will report back after the swap.

Originally Posted by pz619

Good luck and let us know what your results are!


ASD really wasn't effected. Technically it was but in a minor way. The sensitivity for the focal AC I think it a bit less than stock, so it takes more power to hit the same volume of sound. It's imperceptible though, at least to me.

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by pz619

To me, the difference was significant. I have the Focal AC and they are just much clearer and crisper. Compared to the normal hi-fi system it's a pretty significant upgrade. Now this part really is just my own subjective opinion, but the I think it's a better upgrade than the HK system for the 2 or 3 series. For me it was a step in the right direction. It might be worth it for you as well. My thought process was that I would bite it off in chunks. Start with the speakers, progress to amp, then sub, etc. In the end though the speakers made me content enough that I might not ever go with the amp upgrade.

Maybe.

Ah, that's good to know. I have the base US audio and assumed that I'd need to replace amp and speakers at the same time.

[akuan99]

There are two factors that affect ASD volume after an amp swap.
New amp's gain and input sensitivity.
Amp gain is usually fixed and higher powered amp tend to have higher gain.
Input sensitivity is the only parameter that can be adjusted.
Setting this parameter at lowest setting for rear channels (or setting that will allow highest input voltage setting) will reduce the effect of ASD.
Amp with DSP is little bit more trickier as amp gain adjusted and increased rear channel outputs and increased ASD effect.

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by akuan99

There are two factors that affect ASD volume after an amp swap.
New amp's gain and input sensitivity.
Amp gain is usually fixed and higher powered amp tend to have higher gain.
Input sensitivity is the only parameter that can be adjusted.
Setting this parameter at lowest setting for rear channels (or setting that will allow highest input voltage setting) will reduce the effect of ASD.
Amp with DSP is little bit more trickier as amp gain adjusted and increased rear channel outputs and increased ASD effect.

So what you're saying is that I must disable ASD and get a new exhaust when I upgrade the audio. I'll be sure to let my wife/accountant know.