Rear Speaker Quality? Stock vs Premium Stock

[Roku35]

Is there a significant sound quality difference between the two stock options for the rear speaker setups. My 6ers currently have the rear pods with the slots cut out on one side of the pods and I guess only one speaker in each. I have a good set of the newer premium pods and two speaker set up, but haven't decided to go that route yet (doing other things to the 6ers). Interested in feedback on how much better the sound is with the premium option. Thanks.

I also have brand new front and back Nakamichi speaker system (to go with my CD400 that I wanted to install, but not sure if I want to try and retrofit into the pods.

[smaglik]

regardless of how good the premium may be over the standard, its still 20 yr old technology, and likely pales in comparison to low end speaker tech now.

retrofit.

[Stoffie]

The performance from the 4x6 speakers on the side of the 'normal' pods is abismal, even with newer 4x6's.

The Premium pods, even though old, are much better, but nothing amazing. I bought a pair with the idea to integrate some newer speakers under the grille, and still have it looking stock. But it sounds good enough at moderate listening levels.

[Lapis 635 Euro]

Keep in mind also the Premium pods are being driven by an additional amplifier that you would not have if you just did a straight installation of old to new pods.

[Roku35]

Keep in mind also the Premium pods are being driven by an additional amplifier that you would not have if you just did a straight installation of old to new pods.

Really, I just saw the stock E24 amp on the Bay for $10. If speakers require the amplifier, then output will be bigger (not better) still keeping everything stock. Cool.

Thanks.

[JayM]

regardless of how good the premium may be over the standard, its still 20 yr old technology, and likely pales in comparison to low end speaker tech now.

retrofit.

In the case of the stock BMW stuff I agree 100%, but speaker technology hasn't changed much in the last 20 years (actually, longer than that). Good speakers from the era can be had, and will perform better than a lot of high-end stuff today. For example, I have some a/d/s/ speakers (320i components and 300i plates for my M5) that kick the crap out of a lot of newer stuff.

I plan to retrofit the premium pods into my 6-er in order to get the space for some good speakers. I have a second set of 320i and 300i plates, which I'll have to see if I can make fit one or the other in the pods (shouldn't be a problem if 6x9s will fit with minor mods). The hard part is the kick-panel 4x6 slots. They really won't fit anything other than Euro mount 4x6s, and there isn't much out there that'll perform as well as larger speakers.

I wouldn't go for stock. The amp will be hidden away, and there is a vast selection of much better gear than the stock, even for the period. More expensive though, but usually not too harsh (I got an a/d/s/ PH12 for less than $100, and it's a six-channel amp that'll eat any stock BMW amp for lunch - at just 20w/channel RMS). The question is: how good do you want the sound? You can go really good for not a lot of $$ and using period gear (if that's important to you - it became important to me). You'll pretty much haev to redo all of the wiring though - but you can leave the old stuff in and just run new.

[jdkirkk]

My '89 has an aftermarket radio that just doesn't look right. I seldon listen but the original speakers don't sound too bad. I'm thiinking that if I do anything at all I should do it right, but have no idea what "right" is. Nakajima is supposed to be good but I would prefer taking it to a shop and have the experts do the work. Can someone who is audiophyle qualified offer suggestions on a very good radio, CD, Ipod, speaker(s) system?

[jeffcfp1]

This is a good thread, keep it going. If I can chime in with a question, how much does replacing speakers in the premium pods, as well as front speakers help, i.e. with aftermarket?

[PRJKTGRMN]

just to get by for now, i picked up some nice quality boston 4x6 speakers for $70 bux for a pair. they are pretty good IMO with respectable sound quality and i'm very happy with them. they might not have much as far as bass is concerned but they are very clear and even at highway speeds with windnoise they come through just fine.

i also bought a basic sony head unit that doesn't stick out like a space ship living on the dash, and it matches the 6's interior lighting. i did the whole setup for less than $200. i'm happy with it since i just had a gaping hole in the dash before since the previous owner pulled the radio and just cut the wires.

[JayM]

This is a good thread, keep it going. If I can chime in with a question, how much does replacing speakers in the premium pods, as well as front speakers help, i.e. with aftermarket?

Depends. If you're an audio nut, it doesn't help at all, as rear speakers are for "rear fill" (sort of ambiance) and the fronts will provide the bulk of the sound. That's why it's such a shame the kick-panel holes are only 4x6 (I tried to see if there was a way I could shoe-horn some 5 1/4 speakers in there without cutting, but the hood latch is in the way.) Still, a set of quality 4x6s and good separate tweeters in the stock location or the "sail panel" should make for good sound if everything else is good (source, amp etc).

There are a bunch of threads here and on BCG that address this issue. A couple of things:

1. DIY installs are a big pain, but if you aren't afraid of working on your car's electrics for other things, it's not a big deal. If you're like me, ripping most of the interior out for restoration, it's a good "while you're in there" job. It's not a big mystery, despite what some will say.

2. How you do it (DIY or paying someone) needs planning. Do you want to cut metal or not? Do you want to cut door panels? For me, cutting is a big no-no, which makes selection of components all the more difficult (I think those Boston 4x6s are a likely choice for me). If you DIY hook up your stuff outside the car first (especially if you've got used gear) make sure everything works together.

3. You can pay as much as you want. Really. What is "good" as far as components go? Well, even the stock stuff is good, for some. What's more important: matching the dash and dash lighting, or source input (cassette, CD, aux/USB etc)? You can tinker with input means, but the number of decks that look "right" in these cars is limited.

Do your homework, and plan what you want, and you'll have a smile on your face, with the stereo blasting "Radar Love" as you rip up the twisties.

[jeffcfp1]

Jay, all I am looking to do is direct speaker replacement to work off of existing amp and radio, ie factory, presumming it will have some improvement in quality of sound. Don't want to spend 1,000 on speakers if they have no benefit over spending 200 in upgrading current system.

[JayM]

Jay, all I am looking to do is direct speaker replacement to work off of existing amp and radio, ie factory, presumming it will have some improvement in quality of sound. Don't want to spend 1,000 on speakers if they have no benefit over spending 200 in upgrading current system.

If you have the premium sound system with the amp, the speakers are "common ground" which is a problem if you want to swap speakers alone. IIRC the speaker wires from the head unit are single ("positive" only) and the negative/positive double wire from the speakers themselves terminate at the amp in a BMW-only connector (speakers, amp power, 12v switched etc all on one molex).

The easiest solution, believe it or not, is to re-wire the speakers if you want to replace the factory ones. You should also bypass the factory amp. It's probably pretty anemic anyway - a lot of the "premium" amps were a Blaupunkt BQB-80 4x20w "booster" with a BMW-specific connector. If you have a better amp in there, check its connections.

[Roku35]

I have always thought that those door tweeter speakers were pretty cool looking. Simple, small, round, flush mounted tweeters color matched to your interior in the door :cool. Maybe not for their sound quality, but just the cool factor of having some nice clean ones that operate. Anybody still got their tweets still in and operational?

[JayM]

I have always thought that those door tweeter speakers were pretty cool looking. Simple, small, round, flush mounted tweeters color matched to your interior in the door :cool. Maybe not for their sound quality, but just the cool factor of having some nice clean ones that operate. Anybody still got their tweets still in and operational?

I bought a set of the upper door trim with the tweeter holes for just that reason. I plan to put a set of ads 320i tweeters in there (they're about the same size as the stock ones, and very high quality). I saw a pic of the tweets in an L6 with tan interior - they weren't colour matched, the grilles are black.

[Roku35]

I bought a set of the upper door trim with the tweeter holes for just that reason. I plan to put a set of ads 320i tweeters in there (they're about the same size as the stock ones, and very high quality). I saw a pic of the tweets in an L6 with tan interior - they weren't colour matched, the grilles are black.

Ooooh yeah, I forgot about the tweeters in that location. I still kick myself for missing my opportunity to acquire the upper door vinyl trims with the integral tweeters (nice!) In Nutria! (bad memories now) I found them on the bay for cheap, but was to interested in a new S/S exhausts and new wheels at the time to even think that I wanted them. I want them now. As always, lessons learned. I'm sad now....:(

[JayM]

I didn't get Nutria ones, so I'm just going to have them re-skinned when I send my dash in. Shouldn't cost too much more.