Adding the Blaupunkt plug and play.....

[gizze]

You need to wire the 2x 2ohm subs like this...

This will give you a 4ohm load.

However with the 2 4ohm subs, each with a cable going to them from the amp you will have a 2ohm load.

Why did you swap them??

The 4ohm subs are what you need for that amp.

[DJKR]

Somehow one of my 4ohm subs was making a funny noise, when I investigated, I found it was torn in the corner, not sure how that happened.

Now my friend had 2 spare 2 ohm subs, so I decided to install those, was not sure if I could run a 2 ohm sub and a 4 ohm sub together, is this possible?

I think I have done the wiring wrong and will rewire them as in the diagram you have posted.

Thanks Gizze.

Edited July 30, 2010 by DJKR

[gizze]

Thinking about this more, the 2x2ohm subs may actually be better.

Now, you should be able to simply diconnect the wires going into the amp and loop it without having to run new cables to the subs.

think about it for a second or two.

My head is spinning as IO have been doing databases all day and I have got square eyes and a numb head, but you will need to to...

remove negative cable from amp that goes to right sub.

Remove the positive cable from amp that goes to left sub.

Hook those two together.

Now you have it wires in series and a 4 ohm load.*

Digital amps don't give any thing more when seeing a 2 ohm load, not really, and not like a Class A or B amp does anyway, but it will be less stress on the amp and thus should run a lot cooler.

*Double check that with a diagram before turning power on, but should be fine, you are just running the single cable back via the boot.

[DJKR]

I wired up as you explained and that seems to have done the trick thanks! However the bass seems to be low unless I turn up the Bass EQ on the idrive to at least half. Are there any changes I can make on the AMP direct?

Thanks again.

[gizze]

You mean turing bass up to around 3/4??

You need to set the low bass on the sub channel to the same as the hi pass on the fronts, so around 125hz.

You then need to play a tune with a decent beat that goes deep.

Download the Grey Clouds mix, the first track has a nice deep beat going on and allows easy set up.

Guys Mixes

You want the bass and treble flat on the head unit, and I would disconnect the bass control from the amp if you have it plugged in for setting up.

Now adjust the input gain till you can hear extra bass being added, then drop it back, you need to keep going back and forth and get to the point where you are adding bass but it doesn't over power the mids, so you can tell it is there but you can't hear it, if that makes sense.

I would guess with a 4ohm load you will be around 3v input, where as you would have been around 4-5v using the other subs and a 2ohm load.

The art of subs is not knowing there are there until they are gone.

[afsar.imam]

Hi Gizzie/Chaps,

I am new to this audiophile world.

Now I am thinking of upgrading my stock 535d E60 LCI May 2007 built audio setup. I am not 100% sure what it has currently! I could see 10 spearkers (2 sub underseat, 2 on the front door with 2 tweeters near mirror, 2 in the rear parcel with 2 tweeters, front middle sub container is just empty) I will assume this is hi-fi (not logic7/top hi-fi).

My problem is I could not find any amp in the rear trunk area. Assuming this is 10 speaker hi-fi system it must have a amp somewhere. What will be the possible upgrade route for me. Also I could hardly hear anything from the front tweeters. This stock setup gives good quality music but can I upgrade it further? I want to do it in stages. Please suggest possible routes.

[dartdriver]

Hello there,

very interesting thread, it's amazing how there isn't still a standardized upgrade for the crappy BMW audio (of, course, I'm complaining over the standard sound)

While I tried to search for all the relevant info in one place, it seems that there is no complete DIY about upgrading a standard E60/90 STANDARD audio(2 speakers front, 2 speaker back, 2 subs and that's it, no central, no tweeters).

Is it my and my ability of using the search function(for which I apologize, if the case) or the info is not in the same place?

[gizze]

Not sure what you mean??

What do want to do exactly??

Adding the L7 tweeters and SWS subs is along with an amp is a good upgrade.

Start to change speakers and you really need to know what you are doing to get it right, you will need custom speaker mounts made etc. and to be honest if you are going to do all that you need to be at a level where you don't really need to ask questions.

I don't mean to come across as rude, but it is the case.

I have heard two E60's now with some serious speakers fitted and they sounded terrible!!

Good speakers need to be serious well installed to make them sing, the OEM ones will sound better than a hi end speaker that is badly installed.

Plus you would never put rear speakers in if getting to that level.

[dartdriver]

Not sure what you mean??

What do want to do exactly??

Adding the L7 tweeters and SWS subs is along with an amp is a good upgrade.

Start to change speakers and you really need to know what you are doing to get it right, you will need custom speaker mounts made etc. and to be honest if you are going to do all that you need to be at a level where you don't really need to ask questions.

I don't mean to come across as rude, but it is the case.

I have heard two E60's now with some serious speakers fitted and they sounded terrible!!

Good speakers need to be serious well installed to make them sing, the OEM ones will sound better than a hi end speaker that is badly installed.

Plus you would never put rear speakers in if getting to that level.

You got it right, it's a noob talking here :D This is exactly why I am asking for guidance here...

Now, coming back to the upgrade, I am thinking, besides adding the tweeters, subs and upgrading the amp, to change the speakers (not looking for high ends, but logic7 or individual parts are available on the market, so the fitting should be possible)

One more question, regarding the checklist - the Blaupunkt 550 amp, it seems it's not available anymore on the market. Any good substitute?

[gizze]

I just typed out a really long reply and then hit the wrong button, so quick summary.

Forget the Blaupunkt amp, Class GH amps out since this was written, far nicer sound for no more money and they don't ruin FM reception like Class D amps do.

Vibe Litebox Stereo 4 is perfect.

Download the BMW Alpine install instructions from BIMMERPOST | BMW Forum, BMW News and BMW Blog the UK section of e90post is where you want, and use them to install the amp, easier than plug and play harness, all connections done buy the subs.

DO NOT PUT L7 MIDS IN THE CAR!

They are designed for the L7 amp that is EQ'd, they sound worse than the mids you have with a normal head unit.

Buy..

Vibe Litebox Stereo 4 amp.

L7 tweeters

SWS8 subs (2ohm version)

Run fronts off front channals crossover at 125hz and subs off rear channels crossover at 125hz, rears off head unit for a bit of rear fill.

Nice and easy job done. :D

[dartdriver]

I can't thank you enough, that's actually the kind of insights I was looking for! I'll keep you guys posted about the progress.

[gizze]

Yeah do mate.

Have fun! :D