The best audio upgrade for the X5

[SlowX6M]

Guys, I have some disappointing news. I bought two B&W subwoofers for the M2, and so far I have only swapped out one of them, on the passenger side. They are a direct fit, very easy install, but they are a clear downgrade from the HK. The HK subs punch much harder, even sitting in the passenger seat, shifting audio balance to the drivers sides, the bass is more evident from the drivers side than shifting it back to the passenger side. The HK subs rock the whole bottom of the seat, the door panel, etc - so you hear and feel the bass. The B&W subs maybe have 70% of the punch.

Not sure if it is the resistance or the M2 amp simply doesnt have enough juice to properly drive the B&W subs. I'm pretty sure HK subs are an inferior product to the B&W, but they must be paired with a proper amp.

[SlowX6M]

This is the subs side to side. They are the same dimensions wise, the same exact plug. The B&W is the one with the yellow bottom and shallower magnet on the top.

[SlowX6M]

Just measured the resistance, HK is about 1.9 and B&W is 5.6 - I guess this is the issue.

[SlowX6M]

[SlowX6M]

So if anyone is looking to buy these subs to use in an E70, pm me.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

Just measured the resistance, HK is about 1.9 and B&W is 5.6 - I guess this is the issue.

B&W should be 4 ohms, that's what mine measured anyways. If you measured resistance at the amp with the underseats plugged in it would be. But this is an example as to why the b&w's sounded good when you replaced them in your x5 because the stock one is 8ohms if I remember correctly. If you put the HK subs in your x5 it would be louder than the b&w because of the resistance being lower… I don't recommend that though. The only upside to increasing the impedance is you could get more power through the tiny gauge wire bmw used

[SlowX6M]

Originally Posted by RL18

B&W should be 4 ohms, that's what mine measured anyways. If you measured resistance at the amp with the underseats plugged in it would be. But this is an example as to why the b&w's sounded good when you replaced them in your x5 because the stock one is 8ohms if I remember correctly. If you put the HK subs in your x5 it would be louder than the b&w because of the resistance being lower… I don't recommend that though. The only upside to increasing the impedance is you could get more power through the tiny gauge wire bmw used

No, as you can see in the photos, I measured the resistance at 5.5ish when the subwoofer is not plugged in, so its pretty accurate. Either way, its even closer to the E70 stock 8ohm, so its a perfect marriage.

I will reinstall the HK sub back into the M2, and try to sell the B&W subs.

[SlowX6M]

PS - the B&W subs I got are from a 5 series, so maybe in a 5 series they are 6ohm?

[RL18]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

PS - the B&W subs I got are from a 5 series, so maybe in a 5 series they are 6ohm?

I doubt they use different impedance b&w woofers for each model. But idk maybe the woofers are made different. Wouldn't make much sense production wise though…

I'll have to check mine next time I remove my seats. I could of swore they were around 4ohms

[SlowX6M]

Originally Posted by RL18

I doubt they use different impedance b&w woofers for each model. But idk maybe the woofers are made different. Wouldn't make much sense production wise though…

I'll have to check mine next time I remove my seats. I could of swore they were around 4ohms

I'm pretty sure they are the same, they look identical. With nominal 6ohm resistance vs 8ohm on the stock amp, they work great together - the amp drives them a bit harder, and they punch hard and clean.

[argento]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

PS - the B&W subs I got are from a 5 series, so maybe in a 5 series they are 6ohm?

Part numbers?

[SlowX6M]

Speaking to someone in the M2 forum, apparently a Bimmertech amp allows setting custom ohm. Spoke to Bavsound, and their is set to 2ohm, can't be adjusted.

I contacted Bimmertech, will consult with them and perhaps upgrade the amp and keep the B&W subs.

[SlowX6M]

Originally Posted by argento

Part numbers?

[SlowX6M]

Seems to fit 7/5 series BMWs. I'm confident the speaker is the same, the difference is the enclosure across sedans/SUV models.

https://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/...er-65136801100

[RichTimpa]

Originally Posted by christoepurrr

Thanks for this. Recently acquired my Logic 7 equipped '11 X5 and agree that sound quality isn't that great. Now to find someone parting out a 2021 X6M

I just received the bimmer tech audio upgrade and speakers. I should be installing them shortly. I've heard many good things about them and I will report back how it goes.

Has anyone else put this system in any of their BMWs?

[RL18]

Originally Posted by RichTimpa

I just received the bimmer tech audio upgrade and speakers. I should be installing them shortly. I've heard many good things about them and I will report back how it goes.

Has anyone else put this system in any of their BMWs?

Amp upgrade and speakers? Should be pretty good. It's more about proper amplifier power and dsp settings that'll make or break a system. Speakers help marginally.

[Muzimak]

Morning everyone, I'm researching on upgrading this bad E70 sound system.
I read though all this informative thread and learnt quite a lot. I went into my car boot to see what kind system is there, and as attached below, it's empty! How has the music been playing here without an Amp?

Ok all the aside, since there's no Amp what can U guys advice please, I know I need to replace Underseat Woofers, all midrange and tweeters, Amp Options and where will this be connected?

[SlowX6M]

You have the base audio, it is powered by the headunit. Not sure how much you can benefit from the upgrade. Does your system have coaxial speakers, or separate tweeters/mids?

[Muzimak]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

You have the base audio, it is powered by the headunit. Not sure how much you can benefit from the upgrade. Does your system have coaxial speakers, or separate tweeters/mids?

Care to elaborate more on that, are you saying it cannot be upgraded or something? It had Midrange Speakers with separate tweeters!

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Muzimak

Morning everyone, I'm researching on upgrading this bad E70 sound system.
I read though all this informative thread and learnt quite a lot. I went into my car boot to see what kind system is there, and as attached below, it's empty! How has the music been playing here without an Amp?

Ok all the aside, since there's no Amp what can U guys advice please, I know I need to replace Underseat Woofers, all midrange and tweeters, Amp Options and where will this be connected?

Attachment 2829019

Ahhh you're like me! Base audio. Your best bet is adding a dsp to the mix like I did. Easiest way to get the sound you want especially since now you need to add amps. I'd recommend getting something with atleast 8ch of dsp power. If your like me you can do a 10ch.

After that is really all up to you use what you want for amps, and you can either splice into factory wiring or run your own wire (which is better) to power your speakers.

I can give you recommendations but I need to know what your looking for first, aka how much you're willing to spend to get what you want out of it.

[ivo123]

guys , i have 677 hifi pro DSP , so which audio is better for upgrade the whole system with amp also ? HK , BO or BW and can you pin point me which color of the speakers is witch brand , cause i see in this forum white black and yellow carbon like speakers
thnx

[argento]

If you want to swamp Amps, and remain OEM, the next level to from 677 is S752A option. These speakers have the yellow stiff hexacone membranes.

Note, used components have filters (resistors) that age, resulting in the xo point moving, which changes the sound. So don't get super old components with filters.