[BEA5T]

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?

[RoundelM3]

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.

[BEA5T]

Originally Posted by roundel335

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.

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.

[jpnh]

How "Bad" is the stock stereo?

[BEA5T]

Originally Posted by jpnh

How "Bad" is the stock stereo?

My 1991 E30 has components. And a stock Altima sounds better. lol (I am picky though.)

[crbalch]

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).

[BEA5T]

Originally Posted by crbalch

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).

Thank you! I was looking into that. Are all the BAV kits the same. I can get an X5 E70 pair cheaper than they sell them at.

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?

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by BEA5T

Thank you! I was looking into that. Are all the BAV kits the same. I can get an X5 E70 pair cheaper than they sell them at.

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?

I have the HiFi audio without tweeters and only did the ISC-100s without tweeters. Still need to do the rear deck but honestly the sound is great without those.

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!

[shocksim]

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)

[BarryJI]

Stock audio is pretty woeful.

[GotNotch]

Originally Posted by shocksim

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)

Did you disable the asd? If not did it affect it to make it annoying?

[yatesfloyd]

What's the best part/speaker to replace if I want more bass? #rap4lyfe

[shocksim]

Originally Posted by GotNotch

Did you disable the asd? If not did it affect it to make it annoying?

Yea. Coded it out once to F030 and it didn't seem to work. Switched it to F010 option (if I recall) and that worked.

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.

[rlinden]

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.

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by rlinden

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.

Any sense of how it compares to the HK now?

[rlinden]

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.

[BEA5T]

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?

[crbalch]

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.

[BEA5T]

Originally Posted by crbalch

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.

Technically, for a proper soundstage, you would only have speakers in the front. A center channel would help (if it was a TRUE center) vs. a mix of Left and Right (like in home theater setups).

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.

[BEA5T]

Did you need this when installing the Focals? http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-F30-31-3...5UExUe&vxp=mtr

[happyjack]

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?

[Maynard]

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).