ANT MAN
24-07-2005, 10:02 PM
My car audio upgrade is now complete. This started two days after I got it, back in freezing March.
Originally I had intended on using the stock head unit but the quality is not very good and was the weak link in the system. It’s also doesn’t work well with aftermarket kit and I was getting too much interference and ground loops.
The system consists of Apline CDA9831R head unit (4*4v pre-outs and sub output with woofer control), Alpine steering wheel interface, Alpine S634 changer, JL Audio 300/4 amp, JL Audio VR650csi front speakers, JL Audio VR650cxi rear speakers and Infinity bass link.
All hooked up by some top notch 16 gauge oxygen-free cable with quality connectors.
I not into big bass and want to be able to use the boot and the bass link was the perfect choice. It produces good enough quality bass for me and if I need to remove it, I can do in less than 5 minutes. It’s mounted on a custom made enclosure which in turn is stuck to the boot lining by double sided Velcro and secured above by screws. When I come to sell the car there will be no marks or damage to any parts – which is what I wanted.
The amp is also mounted inside the enclosure and everything is very neat and looks fairly stock.
The clever part is the stealth install of the head unit. Imo, no aftermarket unit looks good in the dash, so keeping the standard look was important as was the hiding of the Alpine for security reasons.
I had to order a new spectacle case that opened downwards and the panel fits perfectly in it. Amazing really since BMW go to extreme lengths to make sure that nothing works as soon as one stock piece is changed.
I felt a bit sad when my brand new car was in pieces :eek: but the results were worth it. The sound quality is amazing, the detail of the music, each individual note, I’ve heard instruments I’ve never heard before on songs, it really is excellent.
Here are some pictures. The stock speakers are so light…….they nearly blew away in the wind. ;)
some of the bits
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/carsandstuf014.jpg
this is one quality piece of kit
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/amp.jpg
Bass link and enclosure, still plenty of room for a suitcase
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/carsandstuff046.jpg
Andy doing his stuff
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/andyinthecar.jpg
amp and bass link installed
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/ampinandblink.jpg
view from driver's eye, unit is nicely angled up. I couldn't take a picture in the dark as the battery died but with 512 colour choice, the display and buttons match the BMW orange and look great.
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/headunit.jpg
stock looking system that doesn't sound anything like stock ;)
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/stealth.jpg
You should have seen my face as I drove home on Saturday night :D
Big thanks to Andy Patel, his workmanship and attention to detail is second to none.
Originally I had intended on using the stock head unit but the quality is not very good and was the weak link in the system. It’s also doesn’t work well with aftermarket kit and I was getting too much interference and ground loops.
The system consists of Apline CDA9831R head unit (4*4v pre-outs and sub output with woofer control), Alpine steering wheel interface, Alpine S634 changer, JL Audio 300/4 amp, JL Audio VR650csi front speakers, JL Audio VR650cxi rear speakers and Infinity bass link.
All hooked up by some top notch 16 gauge oxygen-free cable with quality connectors.
I not into big bass and want to be able to use the boot and the bass link was the perfect choice. It produces good enough quality bass for me and if I need to remove it, I can do in less than 5 minutes. It’s mounted on a custom made enclosure which in turn is stuck to the boot lining by double sided Velcro and secured above by screws. When I come to sell the car there will be no marks or damage to any parts – which is what I wanted.
The amp is also mounted inside the enclosure and everything is very neat and looks fairly stock.
The clever part is the stealth install of the head unit. Imo, no aftermarket unit looks good in the dash, so keeping the standard look was important as was the hiding of the Alpine for security reasons.
I had to order a new spectacle case that opened downwards and the panel fits perfectly in it. Amazing really since BMW go to extreme lengths to make sure that nothing works as soon as one stock piece is changed.
I felt a bit sad when my brand new car was in pieces :eek: but the results were worth it. The sound quality is amazing, the detail of the music, each individual note, I’ve heard instruments I’ve never heard before on songs, it really is excellent.
Here are some pictures. The stock speakers are so light…….they nearly blew away in the wind. ;)
some of the bits
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/carsandstuf014.jpg
this is one quality piece of kit
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/amp.jpg
Bass link and enclosure, still plenty of room for a suitcase
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/carsandstuff046.jpg
Andy doing his stuff
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/andyinthecar.jpg
amp and bass link installed
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/ampinandblink.jpg
view from driver's eye, unit is nicely angled up. I couldn't take a picture in the dark as the battery died but with 512 colour choice, the display and buttons match the BMW orange and look great.
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/headunit.jpg
stock looking system that doesn't sound anything like stock ;)
http://xs38.xs.to/pics/05290/stealth.jpg
You should have seen my face as I drove home on Saturday night :D
Big thanks to Andy Patel, his workmanship and attention to detail is second to none.