Disgusted With My Stereo: Help Me Plan a Better One

**PurduinaM3** · Mon, Aug-10-2009, 05:59:45 PM

The IDA X series are great headunits if all you're looking for is iPod connectivity, however their non ability to play CD's was a turn off for me.

**porschetech** · Mon, Aug-10-2009, 06:08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurduinaM3

The IDA X series are great headunits if all you're looking for is iPod connectivity, however their non ability to play CD's was a turn off for me.

joo don't have a changer?

**PurduinaM3** · Mon, Aug-10-2009, 08:52:53 PM

My car didn't come with one, no, and I have always disliked the idea of having to put CD's in through the trunk. Not to mention, does the stock changer even read MP3 CD's? Those are the only ones I use anyway...

FAST98 · Mon, Aug-10-2009, 09:20:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardsperry

A few things I've learned.

A sub in the trunk just doesn't cut it unless you find a way to port it into the cabin. BMW built one hell of a tight car. With the seats up, you really have to crank any sub to balance the system. I fixed this by using JL AUDIO stealthboxes. The rear reflex speaker boxes were total crap anyway.

You really are going to need a 3 way speaker system for the front. The 5 1/4 driver is just too far away from the tweeter in the door. This gives you real phasing problems. I've been chasing that for years, and I'm going to bite the bullet and go 3 way.

Right now I' have a Blaupunkt Mp74 Los Angeles (with a black Mp74 Seattle face), a 4 channel Alpine V12 bridged running the front speakers (MB Quart), and another Alpine V12 mono amp running the Stealthboxes.

You are going to love it when you do do it, I have had a focal 3 way set up for 2 years now and absolutly love the sounds it makes...

**porschetech** · Mon, Aug-10-2009, 09:59:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurduinaM3

My car didn't come with one, no, and I have always disliked the idea of having to put CD's in through the trunk. Not to mention, does the stock changer even read MP3 CD's? Those are the only ones I use anyway...

i guess i was lucky to have my old alpine changer around. ripped out that old crappy unit and stuffed in teh alpine in which was mp3 compatible

EauNatural · Tue, Aug-11-2009, 01:19:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguls

Man, your tip to Elemental Designs is key. Their products look fantastic. I'm going to order the sub/amp/enclosure from them. SQ10, nine.4 and their slim down firing rear deck enclosure. I think I'm going with the 9886 to run them along with CDT components up front. This will come in under 1000 bucks and should sound excellent.

Now, what should I do with the rear speaker holes?

eD offers very good bang for the buck and they offer excellent support/warranty.

I would just remove the rear speakers all together and leave the speaker covers.

Depending on the dimensions and positioning of the eD slim rear deck enclosure, you may be able to fit an Alpine PDX amp on one of the sides under the rear shelf. These amps leave a very small footprint. For this setup, I would just mount it suspended rather than upside down, to be safe. The additional space shouldn't be significant. Or you can just mount it vertically elsewhere in the trunk since the amp is small.

If you do a quick search on the car audio systems in this forum, you'll get a nice idea of some cool looking trunk setups

and don't forget to show us the finished product!

BMWchubbs · Tue, Aug-11-2009, 05:49:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguls

Yeah, I'm wondering if there will be room there after I mount the sub there...

Also, what is the consensus on mounting the amp upside down? I know that used to be a no-no, but I haven't installed a decent system since 2000...the options now are so much better.

Plenty of room... mine is Upside down. I can get pics if need be.

OahuMPower · Tue, Aug-11-2009, 06:02:46 AM

how crazy you want to get.... my OLD setup was incredible and would of given Bobby's setup a run for it's money

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3117111/2

obviously I dont have ANY of that anymore, as the car is much more "traq" prepped now, but it was a sealed box and the bandpass front area was actually a "holding" area that redirected the bass up through the rear deck through a custom port that was cut out of the rear deck, and a "chute" was built and sealed to keep the pressure going INTO the cabin.... was definitely a labor of love

Roguls · Tue, Aug-11-2009, 10:05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OahuMPower

how crazy you want to get.... my OLD setup was incredible and would of given Bobby's setup a run for it's money

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3117111/2

obviously I dont have ANY of that anymore, as the car is much more "traq" prepped now, but it was a sealed box and the bandpass front area was actually a "holding" area that redirected the bass up through the rear deck through a custom port that was cut out of the rear deck, and a "chute" was built and sealed to keep the pressure going INTO the cabin.... was definitely a labor of love

That would be if I never needed trunk space...which, unfortunately, will not be anytime soon. Looking for as unobtrusive as possible while still having a proper sub.

Fast98, which Focals do you run? Is it possible to use the crossovers from a good component set to run the BSW midrange speakers I have in conjunction with the woofer/tweeter?

ApexAnimal · Tue, Aug-11-2009, 02:19:32 PM

If I were you, I would start with the deck. See how you like it. A good deck can change sound quality significantly. Then ad the sub. If your looking for pounding bass, well, you know what to do, If your just looking for really nice sound quality, go with something smaller. Like the Infinity bass link. I've seen some good reviews on it. Then if you still want more, change out your speakers.

Consider an Eclipse deck for superior sound quality. That or Denon too.

Tue, Aug-11-2009, 06:02:46 AM	#28
OahuMPower :FACEPALM: Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 26,505 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	how crazy you want to get.... my OLD setup was incredible and would of given Bobby's setup a run for it's money http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3117111/2 obviously I dont have ANY of that anymore, as the car is much more "traq" prepped now, but it was a sealed box and the bandpass front area was actually a "holding" area that redirected the bass up through the rear deck through a custom port that was cut out of the rear deck, and a "chute" was built and sealed to keep the pressure going INTO the cabin.... was definitely a labor of love __________________

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Mon, Aug-10-2009, 05:59:45 PM	#21
PurduinaM3 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 27 Posts: 15,677 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 '05 AUDI A4 Reputation: 0 Location: White Plains, NY	The IDA X series are great headunits if all you're looking for is iPod connectivity, however their non ability to play CD's was a turn off for me.

Mon, Aug-10-2009, 08:52:53 PM	#23
PurduinaM3 Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 27 Posts: 15,677 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 '05 AUDI A4 Reputation: 0 Location: White Plains, NY	My car didn't come with one, no, and I have always disliked the idea of having to put CD's in through the trunk. Not to mention, does the stock changer even read MP3 CD's? Those are the only ones I use anyway...

Tue, Aug-11-2009, 02:19:32 PM	#30
ApexAnimal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 429 Reputation: 0	If I were you, I would start with the deck. See how you like it. A good deck can change sound quality significantly. Then ad the sub. If your looking for pounding bass, well, you know what to do, If your just looking for really nice sound quality, go with something smaller. Like the Infinity bass link. I've seen some good reviews on it. Then if you still want more, change out your speakers. Consider an Eclipse deck for superior sound quality. That or Denon too.