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03-17-2014, 05:12 PM | #1 |
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Upgrading stock speakers
Been checking on Crutchfield for some speakers for the car. My problem is I want to keep the stock head unit. I think aftermarket head units look awful and I just don't want to spend the money if I don't have to.
Is it still like the old days where no matter if you buy speakers you have to buy a head unit? I don't mind buying an amp for door speakers/tweeters. Just want to have more sound but keep the stock look. I've looked into bavsound but I figured I could get more for my money going with JL Audio or something like that. Thanks
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03-17-2014, 06:06 PM | #2 |
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I have no experience or feedback on this http://www.bavsound.com but they seem to have a monopoly on speakers that are specifically built for the Z.
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03-17-2014, 07:42 PM | #3 |
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The main problem with BMW speakers is that all of them are non-standard impedance. So...it's almost a guaranteed that you won't be able to get maximum power delivery to an aftermarket speaker with the OE AMP. Bavsound "claims" to match the OE impedance with their replacement speakers.
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03-17-2014, 09:15 PM | #4 |
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Anyone done the Bavsound upgrade? Worth it?
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03-17-2014, 11:08 PM | #5 |
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This is an interesting product from Focal. They don't specifically list the Z4, but based on the shape of the midrange and my previous experience replacing the mids in my car, I'm thinking this would fit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_091IFBM...l-IFBMW-S.html |
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03-18-2014, 12:16 PM | #6 |
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I did the upgrade. For the Z4M, it's only the mid and tweet in each door, so a relatively easy project. The sound is better. perhaps not a night and day difference, but noticeably cleaner highs and more punch in the mids. Mids are also less muddy and overall sound is more "chesty".
As mentioned, you need to pay attention to impedance matching with BMW. Even the two available systems in the Z4 are not compatible. Bavsound will ask you which system you have to send the correct ones. If you want subtle but noticeable improvements to the stock system without investing in a complete replacement system, this is a reasonable upgrade. Not going to blow your socks off, but for me, is what I was looking for.
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03-18-2014, 12:21 PM | #7 | |
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Don't get those from Crutchfield. Go to a local installer/dealer that does Focal. They will be able to make sure you get the right part and it won't cost that much more for the install work...
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03-18-2014, 10:06 PM | #8 |
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I've heard nothing but great things about Focal. I'll search and see if there are any dealers local.
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03-21-2014, 10:09 AM | #9 | |
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www.crutchfield.com/bmwruss Looks like it would also work for the Z4M car doors (Focal IFBMW-S component Speaker System) $679.99 |
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03-21-2014, 10:14 AM | #10 |
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I would also fo the route of getting the Focal's sourced locally to insure getting the right parts for my car, see link below.
http://focal-america.com/dealer-locator/ |
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03-21-2014, 01:36 PM | #11 | |
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03-21-2014, 03:58 PM | #12 |
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If the Focals work I'm definitely a buyer. I once put a 10 speaker German MB Quart system in a car and a friend did a similar system, but using Focals in the same model car. His system sounded much better than mine. Are we sure that the impedance of the Focals will work or is it just the garbage Carver "subs" that are the problem with impedance?
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03-23-2014, 07:04 AM | #13 |
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I'll chime in, realize I am biased towards replacing the stock system. If you haven't seen it, here is my build thread on my wife's car.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784148 IMO the best route for the money is rip and replace, you get new technology, and way better sound. New speakers, and an AMP and you will be amazed at the sound. If you want to preserve the stock head unit then you will need a sound processor to convert the speaker signals into a signal usable by an amp. You mention JL, this is a sample of what they have: http://www.jlaudio.com/car-audio-oem-interface You will still have the cost of the new speakers, and new amp, and the signal processor(s) will cost more than a new head unit. You don't get new technology features such as blue tooth streaming, etc... Upgrading the speakers only would be my last choice, as others have mentioned, you have the issues of impedance matching, and the improvements are marginal for the dollars spent. |
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03-24-2014, 10:14 AM | #14 | |
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If ~$500, the Bavsound setup is decent and can easily be installed at home. If ~$800, yes - the Focal setup may sound better, but you are still limited by the remaining OEM hardware. If $2k-$5k, sky is the limit! get a custom setup that will hopefully sound fantastic, but drown out the exhaust note :-(
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03-24-2014, 10:23 AM | #15 | |
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03-24-2014, 03:58 PM | #17 |
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The only time I actually listen to the stereo is when I'm on the freeway. All other times, I like to drive with the windows down so that I can listen to the engine and exhaust.
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04-15-2014, 10:23 PM | #18 | |
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04-15-2014, 11:01 PM | #19 | |
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04-23-2014, 11:13 PM | #20 |
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Well, in the "nothing is easy" department the Focals didn't fit. First, my guys had to fabricate a bracket because the mounting tabs were different, even though they were supposed to be the same according to Focal. Second, there was interference with the window glass, so out they came.
I left the car at the shop. In the morning (I think) they're going to install the following, so I'd be replacing the kicks also. Think of this as Stage 1. http://focal-america.com/wp-content/...PS165F3_GB.pdf Stage 2 would entail adding a multi-channel amp for the fronts if the OE amp proves to be a limiting factor. Stage 3 would be using Focal mids and Focal 5" woofers in the rear. We'll see...I'll go stage by stage and see what makes my ears happy. I'll be pleasantly surprised if the OE amp does work out. |
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04-24-2014, 03:22 PM | #21 |
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I'm very curios to see how your project progresses. I'd think the woofers in the rear would be a must. Stock sounds very tubby to me - "one note bass".
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04-24-2014, 04:00 PM | #22 |
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And the bavsound upgrade doesn't really fix that much...
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