09-14-2016, 04:23 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
12
Rep 30
Posts |
Custom Car Audio
Has anyone upgraded their audio system? Any custom installs out there? I looked at Bavsound, but they only replace the mids and highs and have nothing for the subwoofer (stock is a 6x9). If anyone has, post pics and let me know who did the install. Thanks!
|
09-14-2016, 04:50 PM | #2 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
I was just thinking about this. The woofer would be the best thing to replace. I wonder if you can go with any 6x9.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-14-2016, 06:11 PM | #4 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-14-2016, 06:44 PM | #5 |
Major
710
Rep 1,405
Posts |
Yeah I will like to know more info about the amp, I am looking at this puppy Rockville RVL69W 6x9" 600w Cast Aluminum Car Subwoofer
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-14-2016, 06:57 PM | #6 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-14-2016, 10:06 PM | #8 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
So good news / bad news. There is actually a decent amount of space. I'd say you can get away with 3.5" mounting depth...not much more. It's about 3.75" to the chassis.
Bad news is, it's of course a proprietary bracket. The woofer seems like it was glued in place. The bracket holds the grill, so it's necessary (unless you want it exposed, but it doesn't look good). I'm curious if we can buy just the plastic. Otherwise someone may have to get adventurous and see if it can be separated. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-15-2016, 10:01 AM | #10 | |
Major
710
Rep 1,405
Posts |
Quote:
Now regarding the sub, no wonder we have horrible base quality in our cars look a the baby sub they put in there... Last edited by Amgeater2; 09-15-2016 at 10:40 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-15-2016, 11:01 AM | #11 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
Curious to see how it all goes. Jason from getbmwparts is looking into the bracket for me - to see if you can purchase it separately.
The rear speakers seem fairly straight forward, looks like it's a relatively small panel that has to be removed. The front doors seem like they will be a pain in the ass - not only do you have to work underneath them, but it seems like a pretty solid panel. And the center speaker...I have no idea how you get to it with the windshield being so angled. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-15-2016, 11:28 AM | #12 |
Enlisted Member
12
Rep 30
Posts |
Thanks to skinrock for the detailed pics. I think a good car audio shop could fabricate the plastic piece out of mdf or even abs plastic to make a custom ring to house the aftermarket 6x9 if it cannot be separated. Definitely a pain in the ass though.
For me, I am wondering if I can maybe fit a shallow mount 8" or 10" sub in that area... Would definitely have to have some custom work done. There has to be someone who has a full custom system done who could post some pics. If not, I may be the guinea pig |
Appreciate
0
|
09-15-2016, 11:45 AM | #13 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
So FYI, Jason from getbmwparts helped figure out it's this part:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=65_2533 Cheapest I found is about $86 from ECS: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...139194842~oeb/ Might be a potential option if you want a spare to attempt to cut it apart. FYI, there's like 4 or 6 clips on the grille that snap into the bracket, and two on the bracket that go into the grille. |
Appreciate
1
phoenixbmwlife1912.50 |
09-15-2016, 04:07 PM | #14 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
Bavsound replied and said the amp doesn't work...in the i3. Not sure if it was a typo, or if the i8 will also have the same issue - apparently the harnesses are different. Now I'm on the fence.
edit: confirmed it doesn't fit. Last edited by skinrock; 09-15-2016 at 04:39 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-18-2016, 10:45 PM | #16 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
Probably unlikely due to lack of demand.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-23-2016, 07:45 PM | #17 | |
Major
710
Rep 1,405
Posts |
Quote:
FYI the bracket is has some type of glue so be careful taking the subwoofer out (remember the bracket is made out of plastic) so apply pressure to the base of the sub and it will unglued and come out. The other good news is that I was able to buy a kicker 6x9 subwoofer and it made a big difference bass/sound, I still believe that the stock system can push a better subwoofer so I am sending this one back and going with something a little better. I'll post the details on what sub and brand after my research.. So long story short of you want better bass quality you can do so. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-23-2016, 07:47 PM | #18 | ||
Major
710
Rep 1,405
Posts |
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
1
skinrock270.00 |
09-23-2016, 10:20 PM | #19 |
Enlisted Member
12
Rep 30
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-24-2016, 01:16 AM | #20 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
Nice - I didn't want to be the first, but that's good news!
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-24-2016, 02:34 PM | #21 |
Major
710
Rep 1,405
Posts |
Ok so updates, we ended up with regular 6x9 Alpine and all I can say is Wow... Very very happy with the results just right amount of bass.
We had to do a little bit of trimming on the outside edges of the 6x9 so it will mount on the factory bracket but other than that it was a very easy installation, IMO a must so do upgrade on the car. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-24-2016, 03:02 PM | #22 |
Agent Smith
270
Rep 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix
|
Which model exactly? I just realized the CDT speakers are pairs...
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|