Budget upgrade advice

paul_e88 · 12-13-2015, 04:09 PM

Hi all,

I've been reading about ugprading the stock system for some time, but i still can't decide which way to go. Because of my location, the upgrade options differ from others, so i'll just list them.

Currently, i have the stock 6 speaker system (under seat woofers, door speakers in front and rear parcel shelf speakers), so the sound isn't great.

I have the following options:
- Logic 7 complete upgrade (13 speakers plus amp)
- aftermarket speakers and amp (my current thought was Focal speakers with a JL audio JX360/4)

From what i've read, the Logic 7 is a great surround system, but it has its limitations, and it isn't very cheap, plus all the coding and installing. The most preffered upgrade would be the Gladens and Mosconi, but they are way out of my budget, so i started looking for alternatives.

The JLAudio JX360/4 is curently on offer and i can buy it new for ~150 euros.
But i don't think it has differential/balanced inputs. Can this be a problem? Can it be solved by adding a processor between the car and the amp?
I am seriously considering this because of the price, it looks like a good deal.

The speakers i was looking for are the Focal ones made for BMW. IFBMW-S for the front and the dedicated subwoofers. I've had Focals and i still have ones for home audio and i like their sound.

What do you think?
Thanks.

ctuna · 12-13-2015, 04:39 PM

paul_e88 · 12-13-2015, 05:45 PM

Thanks! I've gone through the links you mentioned, unfortunately most of the components there are US market-specific.
In europe, or at least where i live, rainbow, jl audio xd series, sws subs, cleansweep can not be found. And even if i manage to get them, the price would be too high.

The logic 7 complete system is around 700 euros.
So i was looking for an alternative at around this budget. The gladen and mosconi go around 900-1000 euros. That's too much, although i'm sure that they're great.

The only reputable brands i can find here are:
Speakers: focals (bmw ifbmw-s, krs100 and subs) dls (upi4, mc4.2, rc4.2, c4), audison prima comps, helix, match and mbquart.

And the amps: Audison, dls, focal, helix,JL audio jx series, match and mbquart.

Let's say i can even get something from us stores with the help of someone, but the budget would have to be around 750$.
I would avoid the processing equipment (cleansweep, ms-8), because of the cost and because i could get help with coding to hi-fi.

Any advice in the current situation?
Thanks again.

ctuna · 12-13-2015, 07:35 PM

Helix and Jehnert are German.

paul_e88 · 12-14-2015, 07:52 AM

I've ordered the Focal KRS100 as the first step for upgrade, gladen/mosconi/jehnerts are too steep for me. The sound from the stock door speakers is just awful, it's like they reach a resonance frequency and start hurting the ears if the volume is a little louder.

With the focals i hope to solve this problem for now. The next logical step would be an amp (along with the hifi coding), what do you recommend?
Also, if you have a recommandation for the woofers, please tell.

For the amp, i was thinking, with a little luck, maybe a JL Audio XD600/6 and for the woofers the Audio System AX08, which i can get at a decent price.

In the end i hope to get a better sound than a logic 7 system and that i've not wasted the money.

Do you think it's a decent configuration?

JK330i · 12-15-2015, 03:56 PM

Hi Paul, i have the Focal KRS 100's.

They are amped by a JL XD500/3, which also powers underseat sws-8's.

You say you'd like to avoid processors (cost), but bear in mind that the bmw head unit output is eq'd for non-tweeter speakers, unless you get it coded for hi-fi.

Processors like the Audison Bit Ten will deal with the headunit, giving you a non-eq'd signal, as well as doing the clever time-alignment stuff.

The Focals are very good, but will need a decent amp and some support from the underseat area to really come alive.

Would be wise to fit Dynamat to the doors too, while you have the cards off.

kaigoss69 · 12-16-2015, 07:11 AM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...2#post17175012

paul_e88 · 12-26-2015, 12:38 PM

Thanks for the replies.

The Focals have arrived and i've already installed them on the base system.
The sound is better because of the tweeters, but i feel it lacks the drive of a more powerful amp. So, JK330i, you were right.

Being the holidays, i've cut the budget for the JL amp and went, at least for a time, for an OE Hi-Fi Amp and the OE Hi-Fi speakers. They were at a good price and i couldn't resist. So it's basically going to be a Hi-Fi system with the front mid and tweeters from the Focal KRS100 kit.

I checked the car's wiring and the links provided here by ctuna and others and understood how the system is wired. All the speakers and inputs are going to be pretty straightforward. The only question i have is where to connect the positive cable of the Hi-Fi Amp? The cable provided by the person who sold the amp doesn't have a fuse and i don't know if it should have. Also, i really don't want to risk to connect it straight to the car's battery with no fuse. Can someone please tell me how the amp is connected to the battery in the OE Hi-Fi system?
I'll be back with some photos.

Thanks.

taibanl · 12-26-2015, 09:28 PM

Don't waste your time With hifi amp, even freeis not the right price. It's literally a waste of your time

paul_e88 · 12-27-2015, 10:54 AM

Well, i've already bought the amp, so it's too late.

I'll replace it later, but for now, can anyone help me?
Thanks.

LE: attached photos with the base subwoofer vs Hi-fi subwoofer and the Focal midrange and adapter.

12-13-2015, 04:09 PM	#1
paul_e88 New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: E90 BMW Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Budget upgrade advice Hi all, I've been reading about ugprading the stock system for some time, but i still can't decide which way to go. Because of my location, the upgrade options differ from others, so i'll just list them. Currently, i have the stock 6 speaker system (under seat woofers, door speakers in front and rear parcel shelf speakers), so the sound isn't great. I have the following options: - Logic 7 complete upgrade (13 speakers plus amp) - aftermarket speakers and amp (my current thought was Focal speakers with a JL audio JX360/4) From what i've read, the Logic 7 is a great surround system, but it has its limitations, and it isn't very cheap, plus all the coding and installing. The most preffered upgrade would be the Gladens and Mosconi, but they are way out of my budget, so i started looking for alternatives. The JLAudio JX360/4 is curently on offer and i can buy it new for ~150 euros. But i don't think it has differential/balanced inputs. Can this be a problem? Can it be solved by adding a processor between the car and the amp? I am seriously considering this because of the price, it looks like a good deal. The speakers i was looking for are the Focal ones made for BMW. IFBMW-S for the front and the dedicated subwoofers. I've had Focals and i still have ones for home audio and i like their sound. What do you think? Thanks.
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12-13-2015, 04:39 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Forget about logic 7 upgrade you can do better. Forget about logic 7 upgrade you can do better. A Helix 82dsp is one of the most popular upgrades right now then add one of the aftermarket three way plug and play speaker kits. The Gladen Mosconi kits are great . You are not going to have an easy time on a low budjet and you might always be chasing things if you do it wrong. Base System Upgrades http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266 http://www.monsteraudiodesign.co.uk/ http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957 http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1003810 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299 http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771 Unless someone is giving you a Logic 7 system then I don't see how it will be cheaper plus does your car even have the holes for all those speakers.
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12-13-2015, 05:45 PM	#3
paul_e88 New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: E90 BMW Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Thanks! I've gone through the links you mentioned, unfortunately most of the components there are US market-specific. In europe, or at least where i live, rainbow, jl audio xd series, sws subs, cleansweep can not be found. And even if i manage to get them, the price would be too high. The logic 7 complete system is around 700 euros. So i was looking for an alternative at around this budget. The gladen and mosconi go around 900-1000 euros. That's too much, although i'm sure that they're great. The only reputable brands i can find here are: Speakers: focals (bmw ifbmw-s, krs100 and subs) dls (upi4, mc4.2, rc4.2, c4), audison prima comps, helix, match and mbquart. And the amps: Audison, dls, focal, helix,JL audio jx series, match and mbquart. Let's say i can even get something from us stores with the help of someone, but the budget would have to be around 750$. I would avoid the processing equipment (cleansweep, ms-8), because of the cost and because i could get help with coding to hi-fi. Any advice in the current situation? Thanks again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-13-2015, 07:35 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Helix and Jehnert are German. Helix and Jehnert are German.
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12-14-2015, 07:52 AM	#5
paul_e88 New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: E90 BMW Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	I've ordered the Focal KRS100 as the first step for upgrade, gladen/mosconi/jehnerts are too steep for me. The sound from the stock door speakers is just awful, it's like they reach a resonance frequency and start hurting the ears if the volume is a little louder. With the focals i hope to solve this problem for now. The next logical step would be an amp (along with the hifi coding), what do you recommend? Also, if you have a recommandation for the woofers, please tell. For the amp, i was thinking, with a little luck, maybe a JL Audio XD600/6 and for the woofers the Audio System AX08, which i can get at a decent price. In the end i hope to get a better sound than a logic 7 system and that i've not wasted the money. Do you think it's a decent configuration?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-15-2015, 03:56 PM	#6
JK330i Enlisted Member 7 Rep 43 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Hi Paul, i have the Focal KRS 100's. They are amped by a JL XD500/3, which also powers underseat sws-8's. You say you'd like to avoid processors (cost), but bear in mind that the bmw head unit output is eq'd for non-tweeter speakers, unless you get it coded for hi-fi. Processors like the Audison Bit Ten will deal with the headunit, giving you a non-eq'd signal, as well as doing the clever time-alignment stuff. The Focals are very good, but will need a decent amp and some support from the underseat area to really come alive. Would be wise to fit Dynamat to the doors too, while you have the cards off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-16-2015, 07:11 AM	#7
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...2#post17175012 __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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12-26-2015, 12:38 PM	#8
paul_e88 New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: E90 BMW Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. The Focals have arrived and i've already installed them on the base system. The sound is better because of the tweeters, but i feel it lacks the drive of a more powerful amp. So, JK330i, you were right. Being the holidays, i've cut the budget for the JL amp and went, at least for a time, for an OE Hi-Fi Amp and the OE Hi-Fi speakers. They were at a good price and i couldn't resist. So it's basically going to be a Hi-Fi system with the front mid and tweeters from the Focal KRS100 kit. I checked the car's wiring and the links provided here by ctuna and others and understood how the system is wired. All the speakers and inputs are going to be pretty straightforward. The only question i have is where to connect the positive cable of the Hi-Fi Amp? The cable provided by the person who sold the amp doesn't have a fuse and i don't know if it should have. Also, i really don't want to risk to connect it straight to the car's battery with no fuse. Can someone please tell me how the amp is connected to the battery in the OE Hi-Fi system? I'll be back with some photos. Thanks. Last edited by paul_e88; 12-26-2015 at 12:44 PM..
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12-26-2015, 09:28 PM	#9
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	Don't waste your time With hifi amp, even freeis not the right price. It's literally a waste of your time
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12-27-2015, 10:54 AM	#10
paul_e88 New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: E90 BMW Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Well, i've already bought the amp, so it's too late. I'll replace it later, but for now, can anyone help me? Thanks. LE: attached photos with the base subwoofer vs Hi-fi subwoofer and the Focal midrange and adapter. Attached Images Last edited by paul_e88; 12-27-2015 at 11:12 AM..
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