Upgrading standard 6 speaker speaker setup, using standard headunit - YES or NO?

[Jamie]

Im pretty impressed with the standard headunit in my ci and the speakers. The lack of bass will hopefully be resolved by the aid of an Infinity BassLink :)

I DONT want to change the stock headunit - so was wondering if there are any gains on replacing the stock speakers for anything else? I also dont want to involve amps or anything - as i know if i replaced them and amped them, then that would be a different story..

Suggestions and advice appriciated

Cheers

Jamie

[Afif]

im pretty sure there isnt. Most aftermarket components are useless without amps.

[kris d]

Mate, I breifly swapped my standard headunit for a pioneer one and you'll see the difference. I think the pioneer was a 4x40w and it made the standard speakers boom compared with the standard headunit.
So my view on this is that, you need some sort of amplifier, even a small one as the standard headunit has about as much power as my Gran!

Cheers

kris

[ANT MAN]

Im pretty impressed with the standard headunit in my ci and the speakers. The lack of bass will hopefully be resolved by the aid of an Infinity BassLink :)

I DONT want to change the stock headunit - so was wondering if there are any gains on replacing the stock speakers for anything else? I also dont want to involve amps or anything - as i know if i replaced them and amped them, then that would be a different story..

Suggestions and advice appriciated

Cheers Jamie

If you are happy with the sound as it is but just want a bit more bass, then I think the bass link will be all you need.

Audio shops I've spoken to, say there is not much to be gained by only changing the speakers without installing an amp too.

Obviously the sound will be much better with a good amp, speakers etc but the cost will be much greater too.

[Jamie]

Cheers for your replies. Think i'll leave the stock stuff well alone!!

[peppernick]

Upgrade your stock amp and keep the original speakers. Better than upgrading the speakers and retaining the stock amp.

[BigFas]

stop saying the s(tock) word :D

I've not done it myself, but as someone has mentioned, changing the head unit will make a world of difference.

I know Afif is running an aftermarket head-unit with stock speakers, he should be able to tell you

[Afif]

let me tell you it makes a serious difference. Its like you just got a new set of speakers from nowhere. Right now im running directed components and an amp though (installed it very recently). The stock speakers overall were alot better than these. Ok they did not get as loud as these but compared to standard (stock :p) they were alot better. They also dropped alot lower! I was actually thinking of not getting components for ageeeees but the oppurtunity came and i had money [bang

Alot of my mates actually complaining why i changed them cos some songs theres no bass now cos the crossovers prevent the speakers from dropping that low [crackmeup. The reason i upgraded even thought they were good all round im breaking the system down into the high's, mids and lows (yet to be bought and installed as soon as i figure out how to get rid of this stupid god damn alternator whine :mad: :mad: :mad:.)

Easiest way to to decide man is simply change your oem for someones aftermarket just to hear it. Its not hard to to do. Just remove the dash trim and unscrew the headunit then plug the new one. (Youll need someone in a bmw with an aftermarket because you need the adapter).

[Jamie]

let me tell you it makes a serious difference. Its like you just got a new set of speakers from nowhere. Right now im running directed components and an amp though (installed it very recently). The stock speakers overall were alot better than these. Ok they did not get as loud as these but compared to standard (stock :p) they were alot better. They also dropped alot lower! I was actually thinking of not getting components for ageeeees but the oppurtunity came and i had money [bang

Alot of my mates actually complaining why i changed them cos some songs theres no bass now cos the crossovers prevent the speakers from dropping that low [crackmeup. The reason i upgraded even thought they were good all round im breaking the system down into the high's, mids and lows (yet to be bought and installed as soon as i figure out how to get rid of this stupid god damn alternator whine :mad: :mad: :mad:.)

Easiest way to to decide man is simply change your oem for someones aftermarket just to hear it. Its not hard to to do. Just remove the dash trim and unscrew the headunit then plug the new one. (Youll need someone in a bmw with an aftermarket because you need the adapter).

Yea - im totally with u on this and totally agree that it will sound LOADS better with an aftermarket stereo. The thing is, i simple dont wanna take the standard one out - think it will ruin the overall look of the insides...

When i put an aftermarket unit in my e36 - it was exactly like you said "Its like you just got a new set of speakers from nowhere." - whooooa!

Think i'll see if i can change the amp over if anything and get a basslink for defo

[Afif]

another option may be to have a small amp sumwhere hidden ;). An aftermarket stereo only pumps out about 50wx4. Thats peak. Rms were talking 25wx4. So i doubt a similar spec amp will be much. I dont know how plausible this is because i dont kno about making amps work with the bmw standard headunit but i assume its same as the basslink amp. You just need one with speaker level inputs?

[ANT MAN]

Not sure if aftermarket amps work with the BMW head unit. I think you'll need an RCA converter as well. This costs money and then you might need a line driver to boost the signal back up as the converter loses a little. Again, this costs money.

I know what you mean about keeping the stock h/u, nothing else looks half as good. :(

[Ali]

So I take it that they're no way of just upgrading the standard BMW amp whilst keeping everything else (head unit and speakers) the same?

[ANT MAN]

You could try the BMW Harman Kardon amp, but it you use an aftermarket amp you'll probably need a RCA converter.

[Jamie]

You could try the BMW Harman Kardon amp, but it you use an aftermarket amp you'll probably need a RCA converter.


So - at the mo were saying that aftermarket non bmw amp will require RCA inputs (makes sense to me) but HK replacement should be direct swap - just some outputs wont be wired up since i dont have that many speakers in my car.....

[peppernick]

To retro-fit the HK, you will need the wirings and harness on top of the amp. They are difficult to come by and very expensive (especially the looms) if purchased from dealers. You'll be spending more money than going aftermarket, and maybe getting a less capable upgrade.