[debt negotiator]

I have been reading about audio upgrades on this site but for some reason have not found a topic with a list of the "ideal" components. Here is what I bought so far..

2x 4" focal components 50 rms $359.00
2x 4" MB Quart qsd 210 40rms $299.00
Zapco i450 500w 4 channel $250.00
1 JL Audio 10w6 v2 10" 400w sub $225.00
Alpine monoblock 400w amp $200.00
custom sub enclosure $100.00...this is built to go over the tool kit on the right side of trunk. Found it on ebay.

So far I've spent about $1500.00 I estimate another $350.00-$500.00 install. I may be way off but so far, I think I have all the necessities to upgrade the system. From what I gather I did pretty well on the prices as nothing seems refurb'd and definitely not used. If I missed something, please let me know or if anyone has any input on what I have listed I would appreciate your feedback. I know nothing about this stuff and how it works but I am slowly learning. I just purchased a full surround system from genelec for home to give you an idea of what I am looking for. I just want a clean sounding system not a lot of thump. I want to keep it classy but have as close to the best as possible without going overboard and dropping 5k.

Now my only issue is finding someone who does local installs and is not a hack or a dick. I am in Irvine. I would appreciate a referral if anyone has any recommendations.

I will update this thread with my progress in case anyone else is looking to do an upgrade along the same lines. Thanks in advance for feedback.

[youyou]

Will you be upgrading a Logic 7 sound system or the regular one?
I'm looking into doing this as well but there seems to be no info on Upgrades for Logic 7 systems...

[FaintReality]

audio advice, located in La Crescenta.

818-248-4663

Devin does top notch installs and is into SQ comps so he can tune your setup. A few of my buddies compete in SQ (sound quality) comps and he did all of there installs.

I am a perfectionist and use to do installs on the side, and Devin is the only installer I recommend. He even solders and heat shrinks all connections

[debt negotiator]

Originally Posted by youyou

Will you be upgrading a Logic 7 sound system or the regular one?
I'm looking into doing this as well but there seems to be no info on Upgrades for Logic 7 systems...

No LOgic 7. I will be upgrading the standard system. I hear that if you have a Logic 7, depending on your desire for quality, it woudn't make much sense upgrading the logic 7 as there is not much to upgrade. BMW apparently did quite the job on selecting the system. Besides, the logic 7 was an additional 2k on the price tag why pay more?

[debt negotiator]

Originally Posted by FaintReality

audio advice, located in La Crescenta.

818-248-4663

Devin does top notch installs and is into SQ comps so he can tune your setup. A few of my buddies compete in SQ (sound quality) comps and he did all of there installs.

I am a perfectionist and use to do installs on the side, and Devin is the only installer I recommend. He even solders and heat shrinks all connections

Thank you for your post. I am hoping to find someone of this caliber in Orange County. 818 area is a bit far but I may end up taking the trip.

Thanks again!

[FaintReality]

Originally Posted by debt negotiator

Thank you for your post. I am hoping to find someone of this caliber in Orange County. 818 area is a bit far but I may end up taking the trip.

Thanks again!

He is a bit far from me as well but its worth the drive...

Good luck

[purplewidow]

it's just funny i have better components than those in my 540 and my 335 sounds way better and i have 1650 watts in my 540...jl xxr 5.25 front set with tweets and rear set on a 450/4 jl amp....and a jl 10w7 sub with a 1000/1 watt mono jl amp... all top of the line no zrs at the time and the installer is the midwest alpine instal specialist and he knows his shiz....he was amzed at how great the sound is in the 335... if i needed more base i would just throw in an amp and a sub but i enjoy by trunk now...and still have the 540....but when i am in the 540 i want to be in my 335 listening to that stereo though that came with the car and in the 540 i paid around 4k when it was all set and done with a pioneer deck... i will guarantee the sound won't be as balanced as it is stock with logic 7 and also it won't sound a sfull esp with those MB tweets...i had a whole front set of mb an they were way too high pitched and couldn't handle any bass for shit....sry to rain on your parade...but for now looks like a backwards step... oh now i see no logic 7 it makes sense i am an idiot...still if it was 2k to upgrade to logic 7 or 1400 for this which it is gonna be 2k but i am saying 1400 to make a point...i would choose the logic 7 hands down!!!!!!! then there will be no hassles with replacing amps and such when they fail which can be a super super pain...imagine having no sound for 3 weeks while a company decides to make sure they weren't used improperly.....ohhh thx god my sytem is all setup right now in the 540....it is the second one the first was such a nightmare i had them rip everything out and start over....the place in hawaii was horrible and dishonest here abt did a great job!!!!! still would rather listen to my logic 7 ny day....now i have 2 cause the 540 is having brake probs and i have a new 7 series as a loaner with 280 miles on her...she is brand new....gotta love it when a dealer gives a brand new 7 series and i hand them a 1995 540i dinan 5 with 130 on the odo...lol...funny thing is they have made way way way more off the used 540 that i bought in hawaii than the 335 i bought from them!!!

[FaintReality]

Its all in the install

[bigjae1976]

Looks like you did a pretty good job in selecting quality budget components.

My only nitpick is that I think putting $350 Focal or $300 MBQ QSD comps in the rear is a little overkill.

Maybe go with the MBQ Discus or Reference series in the back. Even if you stick with the MBQ premiums, you'll get a VERY similar set of speakers for less.

I think your install will cost closer to $500...if not more.

[debt negotiator]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Looks like you did a pretty good job in selecting quality budget components.

My only nitpick is that I think putting $350 Focal or $300 MBQ QSD comps in the rear is a little overkill.

Maybe go with the MBQ Discus or Reference series in the back. Even if you stick with the MBQ premiums, you'll get a VERY similar set of speakers for less.

I think your install will cost closer to $500...if not more.

Thanks for the info. In re: to the overkill with rear components. I actually bought mb qsc at $169.00 for the rear originally, with the qsd's for the front but after speaking to so many people that were ragging on mb 's latest quality, and so much praise to the focals, I figured I'd return the qsc's and pick up a pair of focals. I rationalized the cost by having already spent the $169.00 on the qsc's. I'm a perfectionist and if there was something slightly off, I'd end up ripping it apart and starting over. ...My tint guy hates me!!

If I had the choice, in retrospect, I would have gone with the logic 7 but I didnt have a choice and honestly had no idea I was even buying a BMW the day I bought mine. I was a bit impulsive to say the least.