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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Navigation, iDrive, Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Phone, Coding Upgrade HiFi system using $1000-$1500
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      09-29-2015, 09:14 AM   #1
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Upgrade HiFi system using $1000-$1500

What equipment would you buy to upgrade the HiFi system in our cars using a budget of $1000 to no more than $1500 max? I'm currently facing this dilemma. I already have two 12's 600 watts rms each and an audio control lcq-1 sitting around in my house. Don't know if I should include this in my install or just go another route. Looking for extra volume loudness and sound quality. What would you do with $1500 to use? Bimmertech amp? Bavsound? Another route?
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      09-29-2015, 01:31 PM   #2
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Bavsound seems to be a really good option, and it's plug and play.
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      09-29-2015, 07:48 PM   #3
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Bimmertech amp. U can add your subs to this but you would need an external amp to power the subs. If you're not worried about PnP u can find quality component speakers than Bav.
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      09-29-2015, 07:51 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Bimmertech amp. U can add your subs to this but you would need an external amp to power the subs. If you're not worried about PnP u can find quality component speakers than Bav.
Thanks for your answer. I forgot to also mention that I have a pair of cdt audio cl42sl speakers.
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      09-29-2015, 07:53 PM   #5
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While plug and play is a sure benefit, I see it as more of a "bonus" because I have no problem going to the audio shop to get everything installed if I can get better equipment that's not plug and play
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      09-29-2015, 09:36 PM   #6
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Most PnP and I didn't realize this until someone mentioned are lease owners. I haven't heard or been able to demo the Bav's other than the reviews posted here bit there are better quality speakers out there. Heck, u can ditch the rears and leave them stock since they're fills and spend more money on front components.
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      09-29-2015, 09:43 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Most PnP and I didn't realize this until someone mentioned are lease owners. I haven't heard or been able to demo the Bav's other than the reviews posted here bit there are better quality speakers out there. Heck, u can ditch the rears and leave them stock since they're fills and spend more money on front components.
Yeah that's true. My car is actually financed and out of new car warranty but still have cpo warranty so I'm not THAT worried. The cdt audio speakers are supposed to be good speakers no? Or are there even better that can get loud and sound good? I had them installed before and although they got louder than stock, I wasn't happy with the entire setup and uninstalled everything within two weeks. My installer disconnected the under seats and in their place he put in two 12's running 1500 watts. It didn't sound well at all being that the audio sounded louder but without much midbass. Just tons of bass. I guess best way to explain it is that it was too bright and didn't sound of quality at all. I just want an audio system that is significantly louder than my factory HiFi with added bass and sound quality. In fact, I don't mind the way the factory system sounds except for the lack of volume and how it gets muddy once turned up. I'm pretty sure the bavsound speakers won't be loud enough even with an aftermarket amp. I think I'm looking for something like ~100 watts rms per speaker for the highs.
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      09-29-2015, 11:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TJBentley View Post
Yeah that's true. My car is actually financed and out of new car warranty but still have cpo warranty so I'm not THAT worried. The cdt audio speakers are supposed to be good speakers no? Or are there even better that can get loud and sound good? I had them installed before and although they got louder than stock, I wasn't happy with the entire setup and uninstalled everything within two weeks. My installer disconnected the under seats and in their place he put in two 12's running 1500 watts. It didn't sound well at all being that the audio sounded louder but without much midbass. Just tons of bass. I guess best way to explain it is that it was too bright and didn't sound of quality at all. I just want an audio system that is significantly louder than my factory HiFi with added bass and sound quality. In fact, I don't mind the way the factory system sounds except for the lack of volume and how it gets muddy once turned up. I'm pretty sure the bavsound speakers won't be loud enough even with an aftermarket amp. I think I'm looking for something like ~100 watts rms per speaker for the highs.
I also have a Nissan Titan so coming from that forum the CDT's are a very well go to component speaker everyone recommends. I ended up going with Focal KPS instead. Your CDT's probably sounded like shit because you weren't running any sort of DSP...that's where the bimmertech amp comes into play. I would suggest running some 8's under the seat for more mid bass and leave your 12's for all low frequencies. BTW...is your box sealed or ported? Of its sealed it should hit hard with a kick drum type boom. If its ported its gonna be more of a ghetto boom with long excursions. I read somewhere I think in the M3/M4 forum about using the 8" Gladden's for midbass instead of the Earthquakes SWS8 since those r more like subs. Did u run CDT's all around or just the fronts? For the rears like I said leave them stock since they're fill-ins but u can upgrade them if you want.

For my setup next spring I will run the Bimmertech Amp powering either the higher end K2 Power Focals or Utopia's or even Hertz components for the front and leave the rears stock...Gladden 8's for midbass under the seats and an external amp to power the 2 12" JL Audio subs in a sealed enclosure leaving me maximum trunk space as possible.

Last edited by lsturbointeg; 09-29-2015 at 11:58 PM..
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      09-29-2015, 11:52 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJBentley View Post
Yeah that's true. My car is actually financed and out of new car warranty but still have cpo warranty so I'm not THAT worried. The cdt audio speakers are supposed to be good speakers no? Or are there even better that can get loud and sound good? I had them installed before and although they got louder than stock, I wasn't happy with the entire setup and uninstalled everything within two weeks. My installer disconnected the under seats and in their place he put in two 12's running 1500 watts. It didn't sound well at all being that the audio sounded louder but without much midbass. Just tons of bass. I guess best way to explain it is that it was too bright and didn't sound of quality at all. I just want an audio system that is significantly louder than my factory HiFi with added bass and sound quality. In fact, I don't mind the way the factory system sounds except for the lack of volume and how it gets muddy once turned up. I'm pretty sure the bavsound speakers won't be loud enough even with an aftermarket amp. I think I'm looking for something like ~100 watts rms per speaker for the highs.
I also have a Nissan Titan so coming from that forum the CDT's are a very well go to component speaker everyone recommends. I ended up going with Focal KPS instead. Your CDT's probably sounded like shit because you weren't running any sort of DSP...that's where the bimmertech amp comes into play. I would suggest running some 8's under the seat for more mid bass and leave your 12's for all low frequencies. I read somewhere I thing in the M3/M4 forum about using the 8" Gladden's for midbass instead of the Earthquakes SWS8 since those r more like subs. Did u run CDT's all around or just the fronts? For the rears like I said leave them stock since they're fill-ins but u can upgrade them if you want.
Yeah you're probably right about the DSP. I did have an audio control lcq-1 hooked up and thought that this was what I needed to get things sounding right but nope guess I was wrong. I had the CDT's in the front and had some 5.25" midrange speakers in the back.(not sure the brand but they were about 150 watts rms each and very loud) putting in under seats for midbass sounds like a good idea if it will tie everything in together. I'm afraid the bimmertech amp wouldn't be strong enough.
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      09-30-2015, 12:00 AM   #10
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I've read those audio control lc-1 are junk. The Bimmertech amp is straight PnP which eliminates the need of a lc. The Bimmertech amp is strong enough to power your components and the mids...it will be plenty loud! your sub amp will run through the bimmertech amp. I've read somewhere the correct configuration for that.
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      09-30-2015, 12:03 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
I've read those audio control lc-1 are junk. The Bimmertech amp is straight PnP which eliminates the need of a lc
The bimmertech does 55 watts at 4 ohm the cdt audio is rated at 110 watts. Think the bimmertech would be sufficient?
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      09-30-2015, 12:08 AM   #12
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U can get 70 Watts on a 2 ohm load×8. With good clean power it will be plenty loud!
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      09-30-2015, 12:09 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
U can get 70 Watts on a 2 ohm load×8
I don't know much can about the wiring of it all. But the CDT's are 4 ohm. I'm guessing there's a way to wire them into 2 ohm?
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      09-30-2015, 12:22 AM   #14
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Even at 4 ohm 55 Watts it will be clean and loud! If anything u could always run an external amp for more power to the CDT's. This will still be configured to the Bimmertech amp.
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      09-30-2015, 12:38 AM   #15
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What size CDT's did u end up going with cause I know our door speakers are pretty small.
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      09-30-2015, 12:39 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lsturbointeg
What size CDT's did u end up going with cause I know our door speakers are pretty small.
Cdt cl42sl they fit perfectly
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      09-30-2015, 01:09 AM   #17
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Nice...I'll have to check those out!

CL-42SL
4" super slim mid-woofer*

Technical specs and contents
1 pr CL-4SL 4" super slim mid-woofer1 pr TW-26 1" silk dome tweeter1 pr EX-430 2-way crossoverFrequency response 100Hz-20.000HzPower handling (110Watt)RMS HPF-100HzImpedance 4 OhmSensitivity: 86 dBMounting depth: 1.25"Cut out diameter: 3.625"Cast frame: OD 4.56 "Cone surround: rubberImpedance: 4 Ohm


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      09-30-2015, 06:16 AM   #18
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Waiting for your hifi amp & cable
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      09-30-2015, 06:42 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fung0001
Waiting for your hifi amp & cable
? Sorry I don't understand
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      09-30-2015, 06:36 PM   #20
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I meant if you upgrade your hifi sys
You may consider to sell your original amp and cable to me
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      09-30-2015, 06:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fung0001
I meant if you upgrade your hifi sys
You may consider to sell your original amp and cable to me
Ohhh lol okay well we will see..most likely I will keep it for when I uninstall everything and sell the car, but we will see. I'll let you know
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      09-30-2015, 08:59 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fung0001 View Post
I meant if you upgrade your hifi sys
You may consider to sell your original amp and cable to me
Haha I was like "WTF?" is he talking about

So what kind of box are your subs sitting in and do u have pictures?
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