BMW X5 and X6 Forum 2014-Current
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-02-2015, 09:40 PM   #1
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
speaker upgrade for f15

I want to replace the front speakers of the f15.

i can find exact match for the tweeter and underseats and centers, but the door midrance comes in an integrated bracket--so not sure if there is a match of it.

i want a very stock look with stock grills which i can reverse when trading in the car.
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      06-02-2015, 10:42 PM   #2
turboawd
Banned
1635
Rep
2,995
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

its going to be tough. thats why its so worth getting the harmon kardon upgrade.
Appreciate 0
      06-02-2015, 11:03 PM   #3
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
its going to be tough. thats why its so worth getting the harmon kardon upgrade.
i have hk audio which i consider barely acceptable. my car was off the lot and even if were not, the cost for b&o in hk is a ridiculous 10k usd.

i want clearer hi, better imaging and tighter bass. not necessarily more power.

i think just replacing the stock drivers will yield a good improvement based on past upgrades of bmw systems.
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 12:15 AM   #4
Blackhawks
Captain
Blackhawks's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 x35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Just replacing the drivers won't do much. The factory amp is crap and needs to be replaced if you're putting in halfway decent mids and tweeters.
Also, clarity depends on the source as anything... if you're listening to Pandora or XM it's compressed so much that any system won't be able to make the music truly shine.
Getting at least a 192 bit rate should be the target... if not 320/wav/lossless/flac. Uncompressed music has the ability to sound magical under the right conditions...
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 08:31 AM   #5
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackhawks
Just replacing the drivers won't do much. The factory amp is crap and needs to be replaced if you're putting in halfway decent mids and tweeters.
Also, clarity depends on the source as anything... if you're listening to Pandora or XM it's compressed so much that any system won't be able to make the music truly shine.
Getting at least a 192 bit rate should be the target... if not 320/wav/lossless/flac. Uncompressed music has the ability to sound magical under the right conditions...
Fine I will add an amp as well. Still need to find direct fit speakers...
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 03:48 PM   #6
LatinBimmer
Lieutenant
Peru
129
Rep
578
Posts

Drives: X5 2014 Sparkling Brown
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lima

iTrader: (0)

I was looking to replace my stock speakers too, but I couldn't find any compatible option.

1.- Bavsound is developing a set of speakers for the F15 since....last year or so?...no news yet...

2.-Bimmer-tech just launched its first BMW compatible amplifier ($799+free shipping)...but again, a better amp using the same poor speakers, doesn't improve anything...

If anyone find any other option...let me know!
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 08:31 PM   #7
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by LatinBimmer View Post
I was looking to replace my stock speakers too, but I couldn't find any compatible option.

1.- Bavsound is developing a set of speakers for the F15 since....last year or so?...no news yet...

2.-Bimmer-tech just launched its first BMW compatible amplifier ($799+free shipping)...but again, a better amp using the same poor speakers, doesn't improve anything...

If anyone find any other option...let me know!
I wrote to bimmer-tech. its for 'base' audio not HK. its basically a helix match processor/amp with some custom profile and harness as i understand it.
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2015, 09:29 PM   #8
turboawd
Banned
1635
Rep
2,995
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by akhter View Post
i have hk audio which i consider barely acceptable. my car was off the lot and even if were not, the cost for b&o in hk is a ridiculous 10k usd.

i want clearer hi, better imaging and tighter bass. not necessarily more power.

i think just replacing the stock drivers will yield a good improvement based on past upgrades of bmw systems.
maybe i'm getting old, but to me the harmon kardon sounds awesome.
Appreciate 1
      06-04-2015, 02:10 AM   #9
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackhawks View Post
Just replacing the drivers won't do much. The factory amp is crap and needs to be replaced if you're putting in halfway decent mids and tweeters.
Also, clarity depends on the source as anything... if you're listening to Pandora or XM it's compressed so much that any system won't be able to make the music truly shine.
Getting at least a 192 bit rate should be the target... if not 320/wav/lossless/flac. Uncompressed music has the ability to sound magical under the right conditions...
http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/03/n...uiz/#continued

I bought into the hirez BS a while back and end the end decided its a waste of time and HD space. I have a very expensive setup at home (B&W 802Diamond speakers/Linn Akurate DSM preamp/streamer/Mcintosh 452 amp etc) and lot of hirez files from HDtracks.

honestly i cannot tell the difference between 320kps itunes and anything above it. i no longer bother with anything above that...

imho, good speaker/drivers make the biggest impact. then premap/dac and finally the amp (unless you are clipping which is usually rare). cables make no difference.
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 1
      06-07-2015, 02:47 PM   #10
pdawg
Second Lieutenant
156
Rep
265
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 XDrive 35i
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Hawaii

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
maybe i'm getting old, but to me the harmon kardon sounds awesome.
Yeah same here. The B&O was kinda ho-hum IMO, especially for the price.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 02:50 PM   #11
Blackhawks
Captain
Blackhawks's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 x35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

@akhter... Do you have the HK setup? I did more research this last weekend and know what my setup will be once I order the car. I needed to know speaker sizes and locations before deciding on whether to get the standard or HK knowing I wouldn't keep either one
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 03:18 PM   #12
Stunnaz
Private First Class
Stunnaz's Avatar
United_States
52
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 2015 X6 (F16)
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Are you purchasing the car Blackhawks? If you're going to own the car then it's worth it to do a custom audio system.

My car is being done at Showtime Audio on North Ave. I've worked with them for years and highly recommend them.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 03:23 PM   #13
Blackhawks
Captain
Blackhawks's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 x35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stunnaz
Are you purchasing the car Blackhawks? If you're going to own the car then it's worth it to do a custom audio system.

My car is being done at Showtime Audio on North Ave. I've worked with them for years and highly recommend them.
Yes, purchasing the car with standard audio (no need for tweeters in the rear door). Purchasing the speakers and amp from ABT and having Jerry at Showtime do the install. They did a top notch job on my two previous cars and I wouldn't go anywhere else.

I'm in the home stretch of where to buy the car... Was at Fields, Elmhurst and Knauz yesterday. I live right by Perillo and am in there often... I'm going to send out the email asking for best and final offers this week to make a decision. I signed up for the UDE in Washington DC this Wednesday to get the extra 1k off... Wish I would have thought about it earlier because the Cubs are there today.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 03:58 PM   #14
Stunnaz
Private First Class
Stunnaz's Avatar
United_States
52
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 2015 X6 (F16)
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Awesome. Yeah, if you stop by at Showtime in the next week my car will be there getting worked on. They're putting in tons of stuff in there, I had a lot of stuff from my old car and I'm adding in some new things.

For the audio part they're creating a custom door panel to fit a set of Focal KRX3s. I have 2 JL 10" subs from my old car and 3 JL amps (1 powering the subs and 2 to power the speakers, it'll be an active setup.) We're adding in an Audison BitOne sound processor.

We're also doing Viper Remote Start, AL Priority laser jammer, LED interior/exterior lighting and a number of other stuff. Ask Jerry about it if you're interested in any of the same mods.

Sent you a PM letting you know where I purchased my car.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 04:21 PM   #15
ABE2(aw/sw)
Private First Class
United_States
30
Rep
126
Posts

Drives: 2014 X5 xDrive35d
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Awesome to here familiar places in Chicago.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 05:40 PM   #16
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
the biggest problem seems to be the midrange on the front doors which uses a non standard bracket. rest are all standard bmw speakers with many options (having upgraded my last 3 bmw stereos).
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 05:44 PM   #17
Blackhawks
Captain
Blackhawks's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 x35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Focal started making plug and play speakers for BMW and here is one with the correct bracket.

fronts:
http://www.abt.com/product/81005/Focal-IFBMWS.html

rears (non-HK hence no tweeter)
http://www.abt.com/product/81007/Focal-IFBMWC.html

under seat subs:
http://www.abt.com/product/81001/Focal-IFBMWSUB.html

The specs seems inferior compared to their standard build quality... and you're probably paying for convenience. There is literally no wire splicing or anything... a true plug and play.

However, a 4" mid is easy enough to get into the opening with a fabricated bracket.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 06:03 PM   #18
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
i know these speakers but they are not plug and play on f15 but on every other bmw. the mids on the f15 have a weird bracket. not sure why.
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 06:08 PM   #19
Blackhawks
Captain
Blackhawks's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 x35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

hmmmm. I wasn't aware of that... they're compatible with an X1, so I was under the impression they would be with an X5, as well. Is there any particular reason why you won't have an installer worry about the bracket? Most reputable shops can fabricate a bracket pretty quickly/easily/cheaply.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2015, 06:13 PM   #20
akhter
Lieutenant Colonel
akhter's Avatar
419
Rep
1,690
Posts

Drives: 911 992 C2S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackhawks View Post
hmmmm. I wasn't aware of that... they're compatible with an X1, so I was under the impression they would be with an X5, as well. Is there any particular reason why you won't have an installer worry about the bracket? Most reputable shops can fabricate a bracket pretty quickly/easily/cheaply.
true but i trade in cars often and only like plug and play options because i reverse to stock before trade in.
__________________
Current 2021 Porsche 911 992 C2S
Sold 2021 X7/2018 X5/2014 X5
Sold 2013 520i/2010 325i
Sold E90 335i M Sport Alpine White|Tokyo
Sold E36 328i Jet Black|NYC
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2015, 11:35 AM   #21
Blackhawks
Captain
Blackhawks's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5 x35i
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

@Stunnaz ... Dropped off the X5 at Showtime this morning and saw your X6. The door panels on yours look awesome! They're doing a great job.
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2015, 12:21 PM   #22
fooit
Private First Class
Canada
36
Rep
174
Posts

Drives: 2015 X5d w/Mpkg
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackhawks View Post
@Stunnaz ... Dropped off the X5 at Showtime this morning and saw your X6. The door panels on yours look awesome! They're doing a great job.


I hope you guys can post some pics
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:39 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST