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      11-14-2016, 02:07 PM   #1
Panchoa
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F10 Speaker Upgrade

Hi all

Finally decided to take the plung and upgrade the crappy standard F10 speakers. Read lots of reviews and settled on the MB Quart 200.3 speakers with the MB quart NSC475 amp as for the price these seem like good value according to the reviews.

The car has professional nav with the uk spec base speakers, so the question is, do i also need to get a sound processor?

Thanks in advance
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      11-15-2016, 01:50 PM   #2
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Let me know how it goes.. need to do something with mine!!
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      11-15-2016, 03:06 PM   #3
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Will do. Based on conversations with various audio specialists it seems that a DSP isnt needed but if ur going to do it then youmay aswell get one. I have decided to not go silly with it as some are £500(!!!) and instead get a reasonable one. The audio specialist i got the speakers and am from has said a Soundstream ICQ.4 which should make a big difference.
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      12-11-2016, 12:26 PM   #4
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Right finaly got the speakers and amp installed and at first i thought why i even bothered but some tweaking of the amp later and oh my god!! 😳 It sounds bloody awesome.

I like listening so its got plenty of highs and a fair amount of bass and this system does not dissapoint to the extent that both bass and treble are on about 2/3 max on the iDrive now. The bass is bloody awesome sounds like i have a sub in the boot (im not a bass junky by the way....lol) 😂

All i can say if you contemplating this upgrade and like your music then this is the best money i have spent on car upgrades.

Next week getting the Apline ezi dab unit fit as the f10 doesnt have DAB 😳
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      12-18-2016, 03:40 AM   #5
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Hi

Your sound upgrade seems well worth it. I too have been contemplating for some time the speaker upgrade but have been unsure how to go about it, in terms of brand of speakers inclusion of amp, who to use as a competent installer and any coding issues if necessary.

May I ask the following questions

What made you decided in the MB brand of speakers. I was looking at bavsound - do you have any reviews in these.

Is the amp difficult to access under the seat in terms of removal of seat and re-installing

I do not have any door tweeters and would desire some in the sound upgrade. Did you have such tweeters installed and were you able to source the grill covers and screws etc

Finally did you experience any coding issues at all?

Apologies for the written essay, it's just I don't know how to go about this here in the U.K. And you have upgraded yours successfully

Thanks in advance!!!
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      12-20-2016, 04:46 AM   #6
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Having the M5 I think it has an upgraded Sound System (Loudspeaker Advanced, whatever that means), but I also think that the speakers themselves could be improved. They lack Clarity and Range.

I think the Bavsound is a really good option - like for like replacement Upgrade with higher quality speakers that fit into existing enclosures without modification. Reasonably priced too with full video tutorials on fitment etc.

Reading reviews generally (not specifically F10) the upgrades are well thought of. There are obviously people who say "you can get better for your money" but this generally means building / speccing a system yourself and going through the whole trial and error thing yourself with possible mods required to make Speakers fit. Not for me.

No coding issues with the Bavsound also.


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      12-21-2016, 01:43 AM   #7
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Hi Turks

Thanks for your reply

I have learnt of bavsound but hadn't heard of anyone who had done the bavsound upgrade and got the feeling it's mostly used in the states. I understand that Bavsound is a really good option - as you said it's like for like replacement upgrade with higher quality speakers that fit into existing enclosures without modification. But I wasn't sure if it's available here with any after sales customer service just in case any problems were to arise.

Are you going for the bavsound upgrade and also do you know any reputable place to purchase these speakers and possibly have installed. I have seen the YouTube videos and it's plug n play for sure but I haven't even got the competence to take off my door trim safely without damaging the clips.

Thanks for all your help
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      12-21-2016, 07:04 AM   #8
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There are many plug and play solutions that can be installed, however the aftermarket speakers will need a separate amplifier in order to drive them well.

For the front you will need the BMW tweeter sails, these are around £25 from memory.

In terms of plug and play speakers you have:
- BMW loudspeaker (hifi)
- BMW Harman Kardon (aka top hifi)
- Focal IFBMW-S
- Eton (B100T front, subs Eton 195NEO's, rears B100 )
- Bavsound (rebadged RS100-4, not RS100's not plug and play)
- MB Quart 200.3
- Rockford Fosgate (Front/Rear = T3BMW2, Subwoofer = T3BMWSUB) - Thanks Turks The subs are rebadged Eton 195NEO's


I actually upgraded my base speakers to the BMW Harman Kardon speakers from a M5 breaker, and I've been running them for 18 months with no issues over impedence and a vast improvement in sound quality and separation.

I'm sure the sound could be better, if I'd purchased more expensive speakers such as Focal KRS100 (£225) but they are not plug and play and will need an amplifier to drive them not to mention speaker adaptors £20 and additional wiring £10.

Then you can also think about upgrading:
- subwoofers
- rear speakers
- adding a centre channel
- adding a amplifier
- running cabling from headunit to amp
- running cabling from amp to subwoofers
- running cabling from amp to centre channel
- adding a processor
- adding dynamat/silentcoat to deaden the door and boot(trunk)

Removing the door cards is really easy, you just need a plastic trim removal kit £11 and follow the videos, the clips just pop out, and if you do happen to break one or two then you can pick them up at your dealer.

Last edited by gtthree; 03-12-2017 at 11:39 AM..
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      12-21-2016, 08:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sp123 View Post
Hi Turks

Thanks for your reply

I have learnt of bavsound but hadn't heard of anyone who had done the bavsound upgrade and got the feeling it's mostly used in the states. I understand that Bavsound is a really good option - as you said it's like for like replacement upgrade with higher quality speakers that fit into existing enclosures without modification. But I wasn't sure if it's available here with any after sales customer service just in case any problems were to arise.

Are you going for the bavsound upgrade and also do you know any reputable place to purchase these speakers and possibly have installed. I have seen the YouTube videos and it's plug n play for sure but I haven't even got the competence to take off my door trim safely without damaging the clips.

Thanks for all your help
I know of people that have purchased from USA and had the kit shipped over to UK. They just had their local Car Audio centre do the fitting... Looking at the video's though, i'm certain I could give this a go myself without breaking anything.

I've probably not had the car long enough to decide what I want to do with the sound. I've only driven it home from the dealers, before going to work overseas... I'll give it a month or two of driving and then make a decsision, but I think i'd seriously consider the Bav purely because it is tried and tested in the states (huge market) and they have a great rep.


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      12-21-2016, 09:02 PM   #10
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Also just to add another option to what gtthree has mentioned...

- Rockford Fosgate (Front/Rear = T3BMW2, Subwoofer = T3BMWSUB)

Fantastic quality, a touch better than Focal I would say, but then there is a higher price tag too...

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/vehiclefitguide


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      12-22-2016, 03:26 AM   #11
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Thanks for that Turks, I'll update my thread.

It has been stated that the Rockford fosgate subs are rebadged Eton B195 NEO's

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1216415

I actually have a set of these Etons subs to install into my car together with an Eton DSP 8 CAN amplifier/processor, although I've not had time to carry out the install. Hopefully I'll get a chance over christmas to install them depending on the weather.
I'll initially run them with the BMW Harman Kardon fronts speakers and if I find I want more due to the additional amplification I will purchase a set of Etons for the front. Rear is not so critical and I have HK rear speakers installed.

I'm effectively reproducing this set up:
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...-jl-audio.html


There are many reviews of speakers on the net particularly in the e90/f30 forums and if I could justify it I would run:
Focal KRS 100
or
Eton

Both will need amplification to allow them to perform.

Eton are a very highly regarded company in German, with products made in Germany.
They used to make (and may still do) the BMW individual speakers.

Hope this assists
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      12-22-2016, 05:00 AM   #12
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I bought and installed the full complement of Bavsound mids and tweeters. Very pleased with them. Very natural, UK domestic hi-fi sound, very easy to listen to for long periods at high volume against motorway levels of wind and tyre noise.

But I would say 2 things:
- I started with the factory HK system, and BSW would acknowledge that their speakers are best suited to the frequency response profile, power rating and impedance of that system, and the factory HK subs are good enough to not need upgrading. I wouldn't go Bavsound with the lesser factory systems, I would get a new amp and DSP and let that dictate what speakers you get.
- if I were doing it again I would probably only replace the front left and right mid and tweeter sets. I would simply disconnect the centre speaker(s) as they muddy the stereo image for no benefit, and the output from the rear doors and/or parcel shelf speakers is really just a bit of fill.
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      12-30-2016, 08:08 AM   #13
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Hi Panchoa may I ask how you installed your Amp what parts did you use ?
did you manage to plug and play or did you have to make a loom to do the job ?
any tips ?
best regards Paul
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      12-31-2016, 06:43 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redrocket600 View Post
Hi Panchoa may I ask how you installed your Amp what parts did you use ?
did you manage to plug and play or did you have to make a loom to do the job ?
any tips ?
best regards Paul
Hi mate. I had them installed by a pro who knew what he was doing. I wouldnt attempt this myself as i'm no where near competent enough
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      01-02-2017, 02:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Panchoa View Post
Right finaly got the speakers and amp installed and at first i thought why i even bothered but some tweaking of the amp later and oh my god!! 😳 It sounds bloody awesome.

I like listening so its got plenty of highs and a fair amount of bass and this system does not dissapoint to the extent that both bass and treble are on about 2/3 max on the iDrive now. The bass is bloody awesome sounds like i have a sub in the boot (im not a bass junky by the way....lol) 😂

All i can say if you contemplating this upgrade and like your music then this is the best money i have spent on car upgrades.

Next week getting the Apline ezi dab unit fit as the f10 doesnt have DAB 😳
Panchoa, where did you fit the amp, where did you get the loom?

I have a well spec'ed 535i however the first owner was not interested in audio so didn't tick the box for Hi-Fi or L7 options but it did come with DAB and pro NAV .

I also the MB Quarts 200.3 setup and recently installed it as a direct replacement for the crappy BMW items, however I didn't opt for the amp. The difference is night and day and I was really surprised how well the integral amp works with these new speakers. There was one area I had to play with, the tweeters, I needed to select -6db in the cross overs otherwise the high notes were too harsh. I played with the different EQ pre-sets using E-sys however anything other than the default for the stereo setup was too flat and the idrive tone adjustments just didn't provide enough of a change.

All working well now other than the audio providing a little too much bass then turned up.

I’m 90% happy with the setup however I might look at adding the amp in the spring.
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      01-03-2017, 08:51 AM   #16
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The loom (harness) you want can be sourced, try technic a well known US provider of plug and play audio solutions.

https://technicpnp.com/

I have one of his looms, the Stereo 4/6 harness, and it is very high quality and easy to work with provided you feel technically competent to remove your dash, interior trim and rear boot trim.

I would say however that if you are fairly comfortable with car wiring then you could create your own for less using quadlocks, wiring and pins and of course the subwoofer connectors.
You can source the parts from ebay and or alibaba.
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      01-06-2017, 03:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigshout View Post
Panchoa, where did you fit the amp, where did you get the loom?

I have a well spec'ed 535i however the first owner was not interested in audio so didn't tick the box for Hi-Fi or L7 options but it did come with DAB and pro NAV .

I also the MB Quarts 200.3 setup and recently installed it as a direct replacement for the crappy BMW items, however I didn't opt for the amp. The difference is night and day and I was really surprised how well the integral amp works with these new speakers. There was one area I had to play with, the tweeters, I needed to select -6db in the cross overs otherwise the high notes were too harsh. I played with the different EQ pre-sets using E-sys however anything other than the default for the stereo setup was too flat and the idrive tone adjustments just didn't provide enough of a change.

All working well now other than the audio providing a little too much bass then turned up.

I’m 90% happy with the setup however I might look at adding the amp in the spring.
Bigshout, I would be very interested too if you have any info on the amp install. I managed to pick up a very cheap second hand but brand new set. I too just upgraded my BASE system speakers to the mb200.3 last week with no amplification at the moment so running off the integral amp. Im suprised of the difference and really pleased (not 100% there but a huge difference on stock and as you said "night and day"). But I can hear that they will definitely benefit from additional amplification. Nothing too serious in terms of setup but I would love to amp up but have no idea where to start.
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      01-06-2017, 04:56 PM   #18
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I've been playing with my setup minus the amp and I think I have found an acceptable setup.
Did you setup your cross over the -6db, -3db is default and the treble was too uncomfortable at high volume.

In tone settings I've setup bass to minimum and treble to half way front to left setup to +3 notches to front and mid way the bass is too overwhelming.

Now I have a good soundstage which can be ramped up with acceptable treble, mid and bass which has good punch, I'm not sure the amp would provide much of an improvement as the bass is still strong and tight at high volume.

I noticed DAB provides a similar tone to USB MP3 where as fm lacks bass and has higher treble.

I also sound deadened my doors when fitting the components so this might have helped. I was going to swap out the tears but as most 4" speakers have integrated tweeters and no crossover control I've decided against this as I'm sure the treble would uncomfortable when ramped up.
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      01-07-2017, 04:03 AM   #19
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I set it to -6db after reading your comment. Which by the way, thank you. I'm sure it saved me the hassle of trial and error and popping out my door panels again! I also deadened the surrounding mid woofer area too.

They do sound so much better already (what a stock BMW system ought to have been in the first place). The stock BASE speakers are clearly no match even for the integral amp.

I have DAB but don't use it. I've got the system hooked with a loaded up IPOD classic 160GB. One thing I did notice straight away is that the system now highlights the bad or lower bitrate MP3s I have and good tracks now sound brilliant.

I might just leave out the amp. A whole lot of effort for marginal gain. I'm so glad I upgraded.

Last edited by Potatohead; 01-07-2017 at 11:38 AM.. Reason: Typo
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      01-07-2017, 03:58 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigshout View Post
Panchoa, where did you fit the amp, where did you get the loom?

I have a well spec'ed 535i however the first owner was not interested in audio so didn't tick the box for Hi-Fi or L7 options but it did come with DAB and pro NAV .

I also the MB Quarts 200.3 setup and recently installed it as a direct replacement for the crappy BMW items, however I didn't opt for the amp. The difference is night and day and I was really surprised how well the integral amp works with these new speakers. There was one area I had to play with, the tweeters, I needed to select -6db in the cross overs otherwise the high notes were too harsh. I played with the different EQ pre-sets using E-sys however anything other than the default for the stereo setup was too flat and the idrive tone adjustments just didn't provide enough of a change.

All working well now other than the audio providing a little too much bass then turned up.

I’m 90% happy with the setup however I might look at adding the amp in the spring.
The amp is fitted behind the carpet on the left hand side of the boot. You have to remove the carpet to tweak settings which is a PITA but it all looks totally stock which is what i wanted and once set up you dont need to mess around with the amp anyway.
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      01-09-2017, 07:48 AM   #21
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I have the standard system in my F11, I installed some bass blockers to the front mids (they are on the same chanel as the subs and distorted easily) and fitted some tweeters with some BMW grills... the difference is immense - for the amount I have spent on the mod I am very happy.
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      01-09-2017, 02:20 PM   #22
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I really must look into these upgrades.. I may start with the grilles from eBay and some cheaper tweeters
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