Forum for the entire range of BMW electric vehicles
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW i8 Forums BMW i8 General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-01-2023, 11:09 AM   #1
Budget M3
Second Lieutenant
125
Rep
287
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Nov 2008

iTrader: (0)

6x9 woofer replacement?

Has anyone found a good plug-in replacement for the 6x9 woofer in the HK system? I’ve always found the HK low-end a bit underwhelming. While I don’t need it to thump like a separate amplified subwoofer which would also take up more precious space, I’d like just a little more low frequency sound.

For reference, I searched the forum, but was unable to find any specific 6x9 recommendations.

Thanks!
__________________
'17 i8 Protonic Red Edition; '17 “30 Jahre” M3
'90 Z1 Red w/red/black leather, GC coilovers, Alpina Dynamic DS-02
'91 850i Mauritius Blue/Black, BBS RS-GT
'85 M635CSi Alpine w/buffalo; '03 M3 Conv, Imola
‘85 323i Baur; ‘02 X5 4.6is Estoril; ‘95 Racing Dynamics K30.4

Last edited by Budget M3; 04-01-2023 at 11:15 AM..
Appreciate 0
      04-01-2023, 12:55 PM   #2
Orange fever
Colonel
Orange fever's Avatar
Thailand
2349
Rep
2,828
Posts

Drives: E36M,E46M,E90M,X5M,i3,M2,i8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SoCal. in the hood!!!

iTrader: (5)

My 2cents/// if you change the 6x9 it will not make it difference since you have to change the amp to make it sound better.
This is what I came across my search and what I did:

Check out my thread :
https://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/s....php?t=1903524

Hope that helps
__________________

BMW I12 i8 Frozen Yellow- H&R springs, 22" Radenergie F10 Monoblock Forged ///
F87 M2 Aw -Vorsteiner Aero Kit, VFF-107,Macht Schnell-Springs,VF-Engineering/Hex tuning Stage Two,ER DP,Stock Exhaust,Drop-In Bmc Filter,AA Intercooler,FTP Charge pipe+boost pipe/// Wish list :Mexico delivery 2024 BMW M2 (G87)
Appreciate 0
      04-01-2023, 11:24 PM   #3
Budget M3
Second Lieutenant
125
Rep
287
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Nov 2008

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Orange fever View Post
My 2cents/// if you change the 6x9 it will not make it difference since you have to change the amp to make it sound better.
This is what I came across my search and what I did:

Check out my thread :
https://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/s....php?t=1903524

Hope that helps
I came across that thread in my search about your solution in the passenger footwell. It’s just not the solution for me.

I realize that without more power, I will not get a true hi fidelity result. However, a more efficient speaker with the right impedance will also sound better than the HK 6x9 solution.

The “HK” system in our i8’s s the same setup as the i3 and other low end BMW’s with HK—it’s barely better than the factory “HiFi” system. Unlike the “HK surround”, B&W and other better systems in the 5’ s and 7’s, the base HK is really not all that great.

The only real solution is to add an amp AND a real subwoofer like you did, but I don’t want to lose the space that would take up, nor do I want to tap into the factory wiring to get signal. Just looking for some sort of middle ground that is plug and play (similar to the BavSound Ghost subwoofer for the 3-series cars).
__________________
'17 i8 Protonic Red Edition; '17 “30 Jahre” M3
'90 Z1 Red w/red/black leather, GC coilovers, Alpina Dynamic DS-02
'91 850i Mauritius Blue/Black, BBS RS-GT
'85 M635CSi Alpine w/buffalo; '03 M3 Conv, Imola
‘85 323i Baur; ‘02 X5 4.6is Estoril; ‘95 Racing Dynamics K30.4
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2023, 09:49 AM   #4
Budget M3
Second Lieutenant
125
Rep
287
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Nov 2008

iTrader: (0)

Found this old thread which has some useful info, too. It’s not as simple as just dropping in a new 6x9 which is only a 2-ohm driver, but there are options.

https://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/s...1304784&page=3
__________________
'17 i8 Protonic Red Edition; '17 “30 Jahre” M3
'90 Z1 Red w/red/black leather, GC coilovers, Alpina Dynamic DS-02
'91 850i Mauritius Blue/Black, BBS RS-GT
'85 M635CSi Alpine w/buffalo; '03 M3 Conv, Imola
‘85 323i Baur; ‘02 X5 4.6is Estoril; ‘95 Racing Dynamics K30.4
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2023, 06:25 PM   #5
Orange fever
Colonel
Orange fever's Avatar
Thailand
2349
Rep
2,828
Posts

Drives: E36M,E46M,E90M,X5M,i3,M2,i8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SoCal. in the hood!!!

iTrader: (5)

This will be my next step more bump

Name:  IMG_2328~2.jpg
Views: 482
Size:  517.0 KB
__________________

BMW I12 i8 Frozen Yellow- H&R springs, 22" Radenergie F10 Monoblock Forged ///
F87 M2 Aw -Vorsteiner Aero Kit, VFF-107,Macht Schnell-Springs,VF-Engineering/Hex tuning Stage Two,ER DP,Stock Exhaust,Drop-In Bmc Filter,AA Intercooler,FTP Charge pipe+boost pipe/// Wish list :Mexico delivery 2024 BMW M2 (G87)
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2023, 06:57 PM   #6
Orange fever
Colonel
Orange fever's Avatar
Thailand
2349
Rep
2,828
Posts

Drives: E36M,E46M,E90M,X5M,i3,M2,i8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SoCal. in the hood!!!

iTrader: (5)

Your best bet is to go with Eton BMW play n play speakers only or Bavsound but both don't offer amp


Ps: we don't have ghost sub in our cars.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Budget M3 View Post
I came across that thread in my search about your solution in the passenger footwell. It’s just not the solution for me.

I realize that without more power, I will not get a true hi fidelity result. However, a more efficient speaker with the right impedance will also sound better than the HK 6x9 solution.

The “HK” system in our i8’s s the same setup as the i3 and other low end BMW’s with HK—it’s barely better than the factory “HiFi” system. Unlike the “HK surround”, B&W and other better systems in the 5’ s and 7’s, the base HK is really not all that great.

The only real solution is to add an amp AND a real subwoofer like you did, but I don’t want to lose the space that would take up, nor do I want to tap into the factory wiring to get signal. Just looking for some sort of middle ground that is plug and play (similar to the BavSound Ghost subwoofer for the 3-series cars).
__________________

BMW I12 i8 Frozen Yellow- H&R springs, 22" Radenergie F10 Monoblock Forged ///
F87 M2 Aw -Vorsteiner Aero Kit, VFF-107,Macht Schnell-Springs,VF-Engineering/Hex tuning Stage Two,ER DP,Stock Exhaust,Drop-In Bmc Filter,AA Intercooler,FTP Charge pipe+boost pipe/// Wish list :Mexico delivery 2024 BMW M2 (G87)
Appreciate 0
      04-08-2023, 09:36 PM   #7
Budget M3
Second Lieutenant
125
Rep
287
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Nov 2008

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Orange fever View Post
This will be my next step more bump

Attachment 3150888
I agree, this looks like a good (maybe the best?) solution. I’ve also learned that Audison offers an amp and harness that may be plug and play for the i8 and fits into the space occupied by the HK amp.

Trying to decide between 4-channel with two bridged for the rear subwoofer (and sacrificing the front center and rear speakers) OR an 8-channel using 2 for front, one for center, 2 for rear, 2 bridged for woofer and one unused.
__________________
'17 i8 Protonic Red Edition; '17 “30 Jahre” M3
'90 Z1 Red w/red/black leather, GC coilovers, Alpina Dynamic DS-02
'91 850i Mauritius Blue/Black, BBS RS-GT
'85 M635CSi Alpine w/buffalo; '03 M3 Conv, Imola
‘85 323i Baur; ‘02 X5 4.6is Estoril; ‘95 Racing Dynamics K30.4
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2023, 02:46 PM   #8
superstar7th
New Member
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: bmw i8
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Budget M3 View Post
I agree, this looks like a good (maybe the best?) solution. I’ve also learned that Audison offers an amp and harness that may be plug and play for the i8 and fits into the space occupied by the HK amp.

Trying to decide between 4-channel with two bridged for the rear subwoofer (and sacrificing the front center and rear speakers) OR an 8-channel using 2 for front, one for center, 2 for rear, 2 bridged for woofer and one unused.
What did you end up doing. My amp and sub went out
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2023, 11:15 AM   #9
Budget M3
Second Lieutenant
125
Rep
287
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Nov 2008

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by superstar7th View Post
What did you end up doing. My amp and sub went out
After looking into amp replacement options from BavSound, Integral Audio and Bimmer-Tech, it was much more involved with no guarantee of a significant improvement (or even that their kit from the equivalent Mini will work—they “think it should work” but none would guarantee it). Oh, and none of them had a good replacement option for the 6x9 anyway. I was unable to find a source for the Audison equipment here in he US. Their US distributor did not return my call.

Nothing installed yet, but I’ve decided to go with a small powered sub like the Alpine unit on the floor behind the drivers seat. I’ll start with that and see how I like it first. If I can still hear the crappy 6x9 I’ll just disconnect it and run with the powered sub. I’ll probably tap the signal from there anyway. If I’m still not happy, then I’ll try replacing the “HK” speakers. I think at the end of the day, that’s about as good as it’s going to get for i8 audio without spending thousands on a custom high end installation.
__________________
'17 i8 Protonic Red Edition; '17 “30 Jahre” M3
'90 Z1 Red w/red/black leather, GC coilovers, Alpina Dynamic DS-02
'91 850i Mauritius Blue/Black, BBS RS-GT
'85 M635CSi Alpine w/buffalo; '03 M3 Conv, Imola
‘85 323i Baur; ‘02 X5 4.6is Estoril; ‘95 Racing Dynamics K30.4
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:34 AM.




bmw
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST