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      07-26-2015, 02:56 PM   #1
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F10 audio upgrade

Hi I just wanted to share my experience on my recent audio upgrade on my 2013 535i. I was coming from 2009 335i with L7 and hifi wasn't cutting it for me.

Equipment:

JBL MS8
Technic Harness
Kicker CX 300.1
Earthquake SWS 8xi

I originally just upgraded the MS8 but wasn't satisfied with bass but overall sound quality was great but for more bass i changed subs to 8xi. Still didn't feel much difference and ended up buying cx300.1 for subs. I must say I was totally shocked after installing the kicker amp. Such a small unit with 300 rms @ 2 ohms and how hard it made the 8xi hit. The overall bass and sound experience went from 5 to 10 after the install.

I must recommend if u want more out of ur system above equipment or similar is a must for hifi system. Finally I can enjoy the music just the way I wanted.

Thx
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      07-26-2015, 11:48 PM   #2
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Sweet can u post some pictures? So r u still running factory mids and highs and just upgraded the subs under the seat? R u pulling signal from the ms8 for the subs directly or just using what is there already? Thanks!
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      07-27-2015, 12:00 AM   #3
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Yes im running everything else stock. I'm pulling signal from ms8 Channel 6 & 7 as those are my sub channels.
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      07-27-2015, 12:31 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Yes im running everything else stock. I'm pulling signal from ms8 Channel 6 & 7 as those are my sub channels.
So an ms8 is pretty much an amp or crossover network?
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      07-27-2015, 11:11 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Yes im running everything else stock. I'm pulling signal from ms8 Channel 6 & 7 as those are my sub channels.
So an ms8 is pretty much an amp or crossover network?
It is an amp and crossover with dsp and logic 7. It is not that powerful but much better signal processing for highs and mids.

For subs obviously it lacks punch so thts why adding a dedicated 300 rms x 1 amp is a good choice.

One more thing I may change in future is front door tweeters. They are shit and eventually will give up as I can feel the left tweeter crackle sometime.
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      07-29-2015, 04:01 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Hi I just wanted to share my experience on my recent audio upgrade on my 2013 535i. I was coming from 2009 335i with L7 and hifi wasn't cutting it for me.

Equipment:

JBL MS8
Technic Harness
Kicker CX 300.1
Earthquake SWS 8xi

I originally just upgraded the MS8 but wasn't satisfied with bass but overall sound quality was great but for more bass i changed subs to 8xi. Still didn't feel much difference and ended up buying cx300.1 for subs. I must say I was totally shocked after installing the kicker amp. Such a small unit with 300 rms @ 2 ohms and how hard it made the 8xi hit. The overall bass and sound experience went from 5 to 10 after the install.

I must recommend if u want more out of ur system above equipment or similar is a must for hifi system. Finally I can enjoy the music just the way I wanted.

Thx
Hi, how did you Manage to power 2 subs with 1 mono amp?
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      07-29-2015, 09:12 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mightycrown View Post
Hi, how did you Manage to power 2 subs with 1 mono amp?
BY running them in series or parallel which will change the OHM load
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      07-30-2015, 12:39 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mightycrown
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Hi I just wanted to share my experience on my recent audio upgrade on my 2013 535i. I was coming from 2009 335i with L7 and hifi wasn't cutting it for me.

Equipment:

JBL MS8
Technic Harness
Kicker CX 300.1
Earthquake SWS 8xi

I originally just upgraded the MS8 but wasn't satisfied with bass but overall sound quality was great but for more bass i changed subs to 8xi. Still didn't feel much difference and ended up buying cx300.1 for subs. I must say I was totally shocked after installing the kicker amp. Such a small unit with 300 rms @ 2 ohms and how hard it made the 8xi hit. The overall bass and sound experience went from 5 to 10 after the install.

I must recommend if u want more out of ur system above equipment or similar is a must for hifi system. Finally I can enjoy the music just the way I wanted.

Thx
Hi, how did you Manage to power 2 subs with 1 mono amp?
Good question but an oversight which I just figured out.

My subs are 2ohms so the way I have them connected they are running at 1 ohm and my amp is only 2 ohm stable.

Haven't had any issue with amp so far as I am only running 40% gain.

If I change the wiring on subs then I'll be at 4'ohms but my rms will drop in half which I don't want. I will contact kicker tomorrow to see if it will be safe at 1 ohm with 40-50% gain or not.

I am wired in parallel right now.

Will update u guys once I have an answer. Thx
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      07-30-2015, 10:25 PM   #9
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This will cause damage to your amp even tho ur gain is only at 40%. I'd try wiring them up differently
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      07-31-2015, 07:56 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
This will cause damage to your amp even tho ur gain is only at 40%. I'd try wiring them up differently
The shop I bought it from is stating that it shouldn't be much problem as the amp hasn't gone to safety mode since install. Gain is half way and I barely listen to it maybe an hour all day.

They suggested as the system is working without any issues keep it as it and if something happens to the amp in future they will replace it for another amp for me no questions asked.

I haven't had any issues yet so fingers crossed.
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      08-03-2015, 10:20 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
The shop I bought it from is stating that it shouldn't be much problem as the amp hasn't gone to safety mode since install. Gain is half way and I barely listen to it maybe an hour all day.

They suggested as the system is working without any issues keep it as it and if something happens to the amp in future they will replace it for another amp for me no questions asked.

I haven't had any issues yet so fingers crossed.
Take a multimeter and turn it to resistance (Ohms) and measure what they actually are at resting position... quite often subs that say 2 ohms can be 2.5-3 ohms at times (or the opposite and be lower), so it might just be that your true load is a lot closer to 2 combined instead of 1. Running as low as possible will be the most efficient for the amplifier, but as mentioned it can eventually lead to clipping and causing the amp to run hot, even if at only 40% gain. While unfortunately running them in series will bump it to 4 ohms (again, measure with a multimeter for true resistance) it may seem like it "hits" less, but the amp will run significantly cooler. Since you're only at 40% gain, you may just want to try and wire them the other way and see how it sounds with the gain at 60-80%, just listen for any induced engine noise or other issues as those can be more common with amps turned up higher.
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      08-03-2015, 07:06 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FenixMike
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
The shop I bought it from is stating that it shouldn't be much problem as the amp hasn't gone to safety mode since install. Gain is half way and I barely listen to it maybe an hour all day.

They suggested as the system is working without any issues keep it as it and if something happens to the amp in future they will replace it for another amp for me no questions asked.

I haven't had any issues yet so fingers crossed.
Take a multimeter and turn it to resistance (Ohms) and measure what they actually are at resting position... quite often subs that say 2 ohms can be 2.5-3 ohms at times (or the opposite and be lower), so it might just be that your true load is a lot closer to 2 combined instead of 1. Running as low as possible will be the most efficient for the amplifier, but as mentioned it can eventually lead to clipping and causing the amp to run hot, even if at only 40% gain. While unfortunately running them in series will bump it to 4 ohms (again, measure with a multimeter for true resistance) it may seem like it "hits" less, but the amp will run significantly cooler. Since you're only at 40% gain, you may just want to try and wire them the other way and see how it sounds with the gain at 60-80%, just listen for any induced engine noise or other issues as those can be more common with amps turned up higher.
Thx will do n update.
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      08-03-2015, 10:02 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Thx will do n update.
So read more about the ms8 and it Looks like a pretty good processor to go with especially since my head unit doesn't give me EQ adjustments...just bass, treble & fade LOL! now that LCD monitor it comes with is that what I would use to make my adjustments to the different frequencies bands? Or allow for high/full/low pass frequencies? Looks like u can hook multiple amplifiers to it So I can run a 4-6 channel amp for the highs and mids and a monoblock amp for the subs. What I have figured out is how do u integrate the ms8 to the factory head unit? RCA's?
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      08-03-2015, 10:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Thx will do n update.
So read more about the ms8 and it Looks like a pretty good processor to go with especially since my head unit doesn't give me EQ adjustments...just bass, treble & fade LOL! now that LCD monitor it comes with is that what I would use to make my adjustments to the different frequencies bands? Or allow for high/full/low pass frequencies? Looks like u can hook multiple amplifiers to it So I can run a 4-6 channel amp for the highs and mids and a monoblock amp for the subs. What I have figured out is how do u integrate the ms8 to the factory head unit? RCA's?
U just need to get technic wire harness tht plugs into oem amp harness. Rest u got it
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      08-04-2015, 12:08 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
U just need to get technic wire harness tht plugs into oem amp harness. Rest u got it
Oh sweet! I read that about the harness in a different thread awhile back but wasn't sure what it was for...Thanks!
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      08-04-2015, 01:41 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
U just need to get technic wire harness tht plugs into oem amp harness. Rest u got it
Oh sweet! I read that about the harness in a different thread awhile back but wasn't sure what it was for...Thanks!
But please make sure u buy a new one with warranty. They are notorious for having issues and warranty definitely comes in handy.
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      08-04-2015, 05:26 PM   #17
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But please make sure u buy a new one with warranty. They are notorious for having issues and warranty definitely comes in handy.
R u referring to the harness? Than yes I'LL be buying a new one with warranty. Kinda excited now that I did a little bit more research in the MS-8. I can do systems but my BMW was something I wasn't familiar with especially with everyone mentioning about the car throwing fail codes and what not. Now I can save money on alot of labor and just have someone build me a sealed box.
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      08-04-2015, 05:30 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Yes im running everything else stock. I'm pulling signal from ms8 Channel 6 & 7 as those are my sub channels.
How do your factory highs and mids sound with the ms-8's? are u planning on upgrading them? Just asking since Maybe running amp for those are not necessary with what the ms-8 is already putting out.
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      08-04-2015, 05:48 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTATX View Post
Yes im running everything else stock. I'm pulling signal from ms8 Channel 6 & 7 as those are my sub channels.
How do your factory highs and mids sound with the ms-8's? are u planning on upgrading them? Just asking since Maybe running amp for those are not necessary with what the ms-8 is already putting out.
I am referring to ms8 make sure u buy brand new. And yes they sound ok for now and I don't think I'm gonna upgrade them.
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      08-06-2015, 07:34 AM   #20
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I am referring to ms8 make sure u buy brand new. And yes they sound ok for now and I don't think I'm gonna upgrade them.
U know with the MS-8 I'm kind of giddy now because I really thought I hit a brick wall as far as audio upgrades. Now all I have to do is do some more research on my components cause I'm running the base mode . I've read everything and anything with BAV but I want to venture out with probably Focals, MBA Quarts, ect... but seriously appreciate the info u gave on the MS-8's! I'll be saving $$$ from labor now!
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      08-09-2015, 03:50 PM   #21
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Check this out: http://www.bimmer-tech.net/audio-amplifier-for-bmw/

F10 is not listed as we do not have a mounting bracket but apart from that it's plug and play!
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      08-10-2015, 07:08 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrys@BimmerTech View Post
Check this out: http://www.bimmer-tech.net/audio-amplifier-for-bmw/

F10 is not listed as we do not have a mounting bracket but apart from that it's plug and play!
Looks like a great product but until u design some type of mounting bracket this is a no go for me. Also the MS-8 includes an LCD for easy setup not requiring a labtop. Just my opinion tho. Great output power with the bimmertech amp tho.
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