[srohang1]

Hey all,

I just purchased a 06 325i and love it. I want to upgrade the HiFi sound system for some more bass. I am a DIYer, just need some guidance from you all. Budget is kind of weak and will build my system as time goes on. But first I want to plan everything out so I can work on it slowly. Here is what I am thinking:

Change OEM amp to XD600/6 (2 ohm subs?) or XD700/5 (4 ohm subs?) or Alpine PDX-5 (4 ohm subs?) or any other options? (will power fronts, rears, and underseat woofers). Came across the hd900/5, but way out of my budget.
Underseat subs SWS-8

I would like to add one more amp that I have sitting around (RF 601s) and a 12" Cerwin Vega subwoofer in a sealed box in the trunk.

Eventually, I will replace the fronts, rears, and tweeters (or until I blow them).



Questions that I have:

Do I need spacers from (jtsherri)? Cost?
Are there any harnesses that I can use to make wiring easier (Technic, your experise please? Cost?)
Which amp would you guys recommend?
Are all 6 speaker loads at 2 ohms?
Will I need a LOC to connect my RF amplifier for signal and use the remote cable from the other amp?
How does the balanced signals come into play?
Do I need to run better speaker wires to the SWS-8s or is the OEM good enough?
Will the crossover on the amps be good enough?

Thanks in advanced!

[ctuna]

The Xd or any of the JL amps accepts the differential balanced signal its a common replacement. See there website for details
Use the technic harness whatever you do.
Technic says you won't blow the stock speakers but they will be running
a 100 watts RMS if you slam it .(assuming JL xd series amp without channel bridging)
Technic has some low cost upgrades in some of the threads here.
SW-8s under the seats will deliver plenty of bass but it you want to rattle
the subframe or ground I guess you need a sub.
The technic harness allows you to chain the remote on through a relay.
I ran my setup for a few days with just the stock speakers and the JL xd600/6 its
defiantly a big improvement on stock.
You can't turn the amp gain up at all on the stock door speakers though.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=613040

There is some kind of wattage limit on the speaker wires I have heard its 150 watts
but don't know for sure Technic would.

[srohang1]

Originally Posted by ctuna

The Xd or any of the JL amps accepts the differential balanced signal its a common replacement. See there website for details
Use the technic harness whatever you do.
Technic says you won't blow the stock speakers but they will be running
a 100 watts RMS if you slam it .(assuming JL xd series amp without channel bridging)
Technic has some low cost upgrades in some of the threads here.
SW-8s under the seats will deliver plenty of bass but it you want to rattle
the subframe or ground I guess you need a sub.
The technic harness allows you to chain the remote on through a relay.
I ran my setup for a few days with just the stock speakers and the JL xd600/6 its
defiantly a big improvement on stock.
You can't turn the amp gain up at all on the stock door speakers though.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=613040

There is some kind of wattage limit on the speaker wires I have heard its 150 watts
but don't know for sure Technic would.

I really appreciate your response. Helps a lot! Do you have any idea on how I would get a signal cable (RCAs) to my Fosgate amp because the XD amps or RF amp do not have preamp output? I am guessing this is where I will need a LOC?

Looks like I am going to start out by buying a XD600/6 and a Technic harness! With the MN cold this should be a fun install

[ctuna]

I have no idea how fosgates are setup.
The out put of the radio is a double sided inverse signal so there is a live signal on the outside
of the RCA's you don't want to short out that signal.
So you might need something that would convert signal formats for that.

[Technic]

My suggestion:

- XD600/6: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JL-Audio-XD6...item1e690829f6
- DLS P4 front component set: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DLS-REFERENC...item19bfa3af45
- HiFi harness, XD power cable kit and front/underseat OEM connectors: $110

Add a set of SWS-8Xi, jtsherri spacers and you will be fine.

[ctuna]

Why would you suggest the 2 ohm SWS over the 4 ohm?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Why would you suggest the 2 ohm SWS over the 4 ohm?

The SWS-8 ohms matter only from the point of view of the amp used and its output power to those channels.

[ctuna]

But what are the trade offs and advantages or disadvantages .

[NCR330i]

i got top hi/fi or lodgic7, would that be the upgrade amp for my car?
XD600/6: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JL-Audio-XD6...item1e690829f6

[ctuna]

The logic 7 system has a 9 channel amp there isn't really a replacement .
People here generally use a ms-8 and one or two aftermarket amps.


1)The radio has to be recoded to output analog signals
Or replaced which causes other issues which are not small.
2) If the radio is recoded and you still want a surround system
The ms-8 processor along with a 4 channel amp powering the front
doors and underseats is a standard starting place.
See the ms-8 thread. think about 2k in parts if you want to upgrade
speakers at the same time.
3) If you want a complete kit MusicarNW can provide you with a plug and
play kit if you can self install .

4) If the head unit is replaced the side issues are
BMW will not be able to update your software or change software values
in you car if needed. Anything that is attached to the radio will not work
like Bluetooth , ipod , SOS etc etc.. the car audio reminders for seat belts and other alarms won't work.

The work around for this is to mount the original unit in the trunk.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365866

[JordonMusser]

Technic-
New to the forum but from my stereo research, if I understand correctly- you make a harness of sort for line level output to an aftermarket amp?

My plan is to copy exactly what you just posted. JL amp, DLS 4", SWS-8Xi

but add a 12" JL sub and sub amp I already have to the trunk.

The audio hardware is easy. Do i contact you for the harness, and are there any good threads for the installation as far as where to integrate into factory harness? I found plenty on just the sub install (line level in trunk) but am not sure on the rest.

Didnt want to waste starting a new thread, think the info belongs here. Feel free to email me if I need to purchase hardware directly from you.

edit: this is a HiFi system. 2006/325i

[chavez]

Technic, I have a 2009 E90 with Hifi system. I would like to install a MS-8 and add a center speaker. Do I just get your harness and then swap out the OEM amp? Then run the wire from the front to the trunk to plug into the MS-8?