Upgrade factory speakers

[chanzs]

Sorry, noobie question:
Can I replace just the speakers and not the head unit/factory amp for improved sound? I dun want to mess with the factory look. I have the basic 10 speaker setup. Would it be a decent improvement or a waste of time. Im not an audiophile but the factory system is the worst Ive seen in a while, distortion at slightly louder levels and the bass...

[r4gs]

can't help regarding replacement speakers, but regarding ur issue with the bass, have u tried playing from audio or mp3 cd? bass on mine is set right in the middle and i'm already getting exceptionally good bass response!

[onebluemcm]

Originally Posted by chanzs

Sorry, noobie question:
Can I replace just the speakers and not the head unit/factory amp for improved sound? I dun want to mess with the factory look. I have the basic 10 speaker setup. Would it be a decent improvement or a waste of time. Im not an audiophile but the factory system is the worst Ive seen in a while, distortion at slightly louder levels and the bass...

I tend to agree with you - the bass leave a lot to be desired. This is an area of modification on the Z4Ms that has very little available info. It's on my list of things to tackle, but I've got several other non-car projects in the works that must get done first.

If the system is anything like the E46 M3, the head unit will have balanced outputs that feed into the amp, which then supplies the drivers. In the M3, if I had kept it, the plan was to find the outputs from the HU, feed them into an aftermarket amp, and use that to run the speakers. I recently purchased the TIS shop manual, let's hope it has wiring diagrams in it - I think that is where we need to start.

As for the woofers, I understand that it's a PITA to get them out due to all the plastic trim, and they may be a weird size. What we need is someone to do a step by step for getting to them and measurements of them. I'll do it, but probably not until winter.

Anyway, I hear your pain - this system has some flaws for sure. It could be made to audiophile quality standards I think - placement of the front tweeters and mids is good, it's got potential. GL!

[psygnosis]

This might be interesting if it ever gets released

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...-03-08-E85E86/

[chanzs]

Originally Posted by psygnosis

This might be interesting if it ever gets released

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...-03-08-E85E86/

highly doubt so, the new Z4 has now been out for over a year, would make little economic sense for them to release a new product for an old model.

Im just surprised that there is so little info on this, maybe there are defects on my system...

[johanness]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

As for the woofers, I understand that it's a PITA to get them out due to all the plastic trim, and they may be a weird size. What we need is someone to do a step by step for getting to them and measurements of them. I'll do it, but probably not until winter.

Let me know when you're going to start doing this. I'm going to either rip things apart and STOP the bass-rattles, or replace my drivers. I tend to run Dynaudio and Vifa components in my cars which improves the sound/imaging IMMENSELY.

For a THX-certified system with Carver drivers... you'd THINK that it'd sound better than this. Those are/were big names in the industry.

Anyhow... keep me in the loop on this. Maybe someone can comment if they've undertaken any audio upgrades/tweaks?

[bol]

Originally Posted by johanness

For a THX-certified system with Carver drivers... you'd THINK that it'd sound better than this. Those are/were big names in the industry.

Anyhow... keep me in the loop on this. Maybe someone can comment if they've undertaken any audio upgrades/tweaks?

My biggest complaint is muddy cheap sounding bass that really distracts from the rest of the audio. The logic 7 system in my 328i is much much better and has never made me want to change it. The one in the Z4 however...

I think replacing the stock subwoofers (if they even be called that) with something better would be a good first step. Mid and high range seems to be OK but could use a driver replacement. I'm not sure if any amp changes are necessary.

[boydgti]

http://billswebspace.com/MZ4SubwooferInstallation.htm

[bol]

I asked BSW about their speaker package. They said its in production right now. I've asked for an ETA.

[evoq007]

BSW has gotten get goin on this package. Gives me an excuse to lay some dynamat too.

[johanness]

Originally Posted by boydgti

http://billswebspace.com/MZ4SubwooferInstallation.htm

Lookin for someone who's put better subs in the stock location, not aftermarket in the trunk. (JL 6w3v3's)

[wrh3]

The problem is, you're not really going to get good sub-bass out of the OE sub enclosures- they are too small......some other challenges there as well. That is the reason the factory subs have longer than normal excursion when compared to premium aftermarket speakers and require ~100 watts each.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248228

I would have much rather upgraded the OE subs in the factory locations but the research I did seemed to suggest this would not satisfy my goals and be within the budget I had in mind. As with anything, all is possible with enough time and money

[Kream]

Just upgraded mine last week. Morel Dura 2 ways + add-on 3 way kit, Zapco Reference 6.1, Two 8" Image Dynamic IDs. Integrated with OEM head unit. It sounds amazing. Never ever sticking with factory speakers again. As for the subwoofers, they built a down firing box for the two 8" that fits into empty battery space. Plenty of bass and my bass knob is turned to low. I'll post some pics soon.

[ZZZZ]

Originally Posted by bol

My biggest complaint is muddy cheap sounding bass that really distracts from the rest of the audio.

I think replacing the stock subwoofers (if they even be called that) with something better would be a good first step.

Agree. That's my main complaint. I think the crossover needs adjusting too though, but I doubt that's possible without major upgrades.

Anyone know the cu in of space in the stock speaker boxes?

[krnnerdboy]

Originally Posted by Kream

Just upgraded mine last week. Morel Dura 2 ways + add-on 3 way kit, Zapco Reference 6.1, Two 8" Image Dynamic IDs. Integrated with OEM head unit. It sounds amazing. Never ever sticking with factory speakers again. As for the subwoofers, they built a down firing box for the two 8" that fits into empty battery space. Plenty of bass and my bass knob is turned to low. I'll post some pics soon.

Nice setup! As much as an audiophile that I am I almost never listen to music in my z4m. In my truck I have a pretty mainstream setup of k2p's alpine pda amps and 1 10w6v2. I would hate to add any weight to the z4

[bol]

Originally Posted by wrh3

The problem is, you're not really going to get good sub-bass out of the OE sub enclosures- they are too small......some other challenges there as well. That is the reason the factory subs have longer than normal excursion when compared to premium aftermarket speakers and require ~100 watts each.

It's too bad the car uses 6.5" woofers. There are some great 8" options.

Earthquake makes a shallow woofer (lots of drop in replacements for 3'ers) and does make a 6.5" (4ohm) that are cheap enough to try. It'd be great if there was some replacement in stock locations that worked. I won't sacrifice any space in the car for a box and amp, they're just unsightly and space is very limited.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by Kream

Just upgraded mine last week. Morel Dura 2 ways + add-on 3 way kit, Zapco Reference 6.1, Two 8" Image Dynamic IDs. Integrated with OEM head unit. It sounds amazing. Never ever sticking with factory speakers again. As for the subwoofers, they built a down firing box for the two 8" that fits into empty battery space. Plenty of bass and my bass knob is turned to low. I'll post some pics soon.

Could you tell us about the amp and its integration?

[Jumbosock]

Good topic guys! I also want to tackle some type of sounds system upgrade when I can finally catch up on all my projects. I think I am just gonna upgrade the factory speakers in their stock location using the factory amp, then eliminate the oem subs while making a stealth fiberglass 8W3 enclosure. With the oem subs eliminated the weight gain will be minimal.

Oh and to not crap on the OP, I do think that upgrading the speakers while maintaining the factory amp will make a good improvement for the non subs. I am planning on doing the same.

[antennahead]

You guys need to read the thread "Working with Carver Subs" in this section, if you haven't already. The member doing all the amp work with the dealer has a lot of good info, and based on how my roadster sounds versus my friends Coupe, same year, I'd say he is correct that there is a coding issue with the Coupes that ruins the sound and bass. Page 3 has most of the results. My friend and I met to do some coding in my car, and compared stereos, both 2007 M models with Nav, only difference is roadster versus coupe, he was blown away by how my system sounded versus his. I really think that "Working with Carver Subs" thread is onto something.

John

[ZStig]

I can attest to this. I test drove an Mcoupe and the same stereo sounded much worse. Especially the bass

[elerner61]

I couldn't tell the subs in my roadster were even alive until they were the only drivers left running of the OEM amp (during my install). So either my amp is coded wrong or the sub section is blown.

No big deal, I'm almost done with my install. Got my CDT 632's installed in the fronts running off the JBL-MS8 (doesn't sound bad running off the MS-8's internal 20w amps). Just need to add my amp in and then figure out what sub's to put in the rear OEM spots. I'm not looking for anything huge from the sub's so the 6.5"s should be ok.

While I like having the OEM navi, I probably would have been better off w/out it. I would have swapped out the head unit and this would have been simpler (but then I wouldn't have probably done the MS-8 which is very cool and has been fun to play with). The radio/FM fidelity is really lacking from the OEM tuner.

I'd love some suggestions for sub's to use in the stock boxes behind the seats! (gotta get back in there and measure the depth available)

[strokeZ]

I have heard some folks use a custom set up in the stock sub mounting area using 8" subs. I think the quote I got for that to get done was more than I was willing to pay (like $2k or something crazy like that). I agree that there is not enough volume in that space for an 8" so never really figured out what they were going to do.

Regardless, installing good bass is a challenge and there is no easy option.