Help me put together my cost-efficient e39 sound system...

[Ahheck01]

Coming from an e36 with the HK premium sound and a $450 Alpine CD/MP3 deck, the stock standard cassette/audio system is just... not... I mean... yuck. Completely ridiculous.

I'm looking to get a deck out of one of the newest e39's or X5's, as they play CD's and mp3 CD's.

But I need your help with the rest. Do speakers need to be replaced, or do I simply need an amp or two? I have no idea when it comes to audio equipment - I just know I want a sound system that can compete with the HK sound in my e36, and I have little to no money to spend.

Thanks for any help you can provide! I have a '97 540i/6 w/out DSP.

-Evan

[Mattldm]

Ok - "I have little or no money to spend" What does this mean? You have a budget in mind?

The HK in the E36 is not a good system at all, so saying you want your system to be that good is setting your expectations a bit low.

Adding a subwoofer is the first thing to do. It makes a world of difference in the non dsp system. You might be happy with just this addition if your goals are only to be as good as the e36 H/K ;)

Get a small sub amp and a small sealed 10 or 12 and your system will sound much much better.

[Ahheck01]

Adding a subwoofer is the first thing to do. It makes a world of difference in the non dsp system. You might be happy with just this addition if your goals are only to be as good as the e36 H/K ;)
You must not understand the crappiness of my system. The mids and highs are so muddy that many higher frequency parts are inaudible. I have treble turned all the way up and bass all the way down and it's still muddy and quite crappy in quality. I need much more than subs, my friend. The HK system sounded like it had subs. I'd prefer a brilliantly clear midrange with decent bass and clear crisp high end.

Budget? $300-$600, I'm flexible if 100 here and there can increase quality significantly.. - $600 is definitely pushing it, as I still have an M5 bumpers, new style headlights and taillights, the deck, and interior trim kit to do, and no money on hand..

-Evan

[Mattldm]

You must not understand the crappiness of my system. The mids and highs are so muddy that many higher frequency parts are inaudible. I have treble turned all the way up and bass all the way down and it's still muddy and quite crappy in quality. I need much more than subs, my friend. The HK system sounded like it had subs. I'd prefer a brilliantly clear midrange with decent bass and clear crisp high end.

Budget? $300-$600, I'm flexible if 100 here and there can increase quality significantly.. - $600 is definitely pushing it, as I still have an M5 bumpers, new style headlights and taillights, the deck, and interior trim kit to do, and no money on hand..

-Evan

Hmmm, thats not much to work with. The CD player alone is going to be $200-$300 if you can find a deal. That doesnt leave you much to work with. Your budget needs to be closer to $1000 really.

Front speakers: CDT EF-51's ($200)
Amp: JL audio e4300 + sub volume control ($275)
The JL amp can connect directly to the outputs of the factory headunit.
Sub: 10" ED sub and box - ($150)
wiring, connectors, etc. ($50)
Total: $675.00 without the CD player

Install the front speakers and run them off the front 2 channels of the amp. bridge the rear channels of the amp for the sub. Disconnect the front channels from the factory amp to connect to the new amp.
Leave the factory amp in place running the rear speakers.

Much better than stock sound for around $900 or so with the CD player.

[Htownmobaudio]

welll .... i would stay with a stock setup in your case ... use an rca converter to add sub or subs .... then replace each speaker and tweeter and you will have an ok sounding system ... . remember you have bmw stock amps ....

amp - 200
rca converter and other amp kit wires - 80 bux
door speakers pioneer all the way around 300 bux
tweeters around 50

[MJFX328]

If you have a 6-Disc cd-changer that should get the job done right? (correct me guys).

But I feel the same way. People always thought my 328i with HK had aftermarket subs. This e39 is worse than my mothers camry even though it has like 8 or 10 speakers.

Can I add some type of sub like the OEM one from the M5? I dont really like aftermarket stuff.

[Ahheck01]

What's wrong with the current speakers? I can't imagine that it's the speakers' fault as there are a ton of them. Perhaps with a CD player and an aftermarket amplifier to give them more crisp sound they would perform better? What do you think?

-Evan

[MJFX328]

What's wrong with the current speakers? I can't imagine that it's the speakers' fault as there are a ton of them. Perhaps with a CD player and an aftermarket amplifier to give them more crisp sound they would perform better? What do you think?

-Evan

I think the speakers just suck.

[Landerholm]

How was the improvement on your E36 HK system after you replaced the headunit? Ive heard that the system is much better than the stock HU allows it to sound.

[Mattldm]

What's wrong with the current speakers? I can't imagine that it's the speakers' fault as there are a ton of them. Perhaps with a CD player and an aftermarket amplifier to give them more crisp sound they would perform better? What do you think?

-Evan

You need to do some research on this topic or you are going to run into trouble!

Yes the factory speakers are crap no matter how many of them there are!

You CAN NOT replace the factory amp and leave the factory speakers. All of the crossovers are in the factory amp.

You can replace the speakers and leave the factory amp, but the improvement is not very big.

[Snidely Whiplas]

Hmmm....

IMO, cost-effective and E39 sound system are mutually exclusive.

I think this applies even more so with the DSP (premium) audio system in the E39.

I've had two E39s, one non-DSP and one DSP, and while both were fairly easy to mate with aftermarket equipment (subs, cap, etc.), the audio quality difference was actually better in the non-DSP car!

I have been debating pulling the stock amp, adding a JL Audio CleanSweep or something similar, and replacing all of the factory speakers. Everything I've read, however, says that I'd be spending a significant amount of cha-ching for very minor improvements in sound quality.

My other dilemma is that I use the factory amp for both my Sirius satellite input and my iceLink:Plus iPod adapter. I would have to figure out a way to keep both of those sources as well.

Mattldm's and htown's suggestions are both good options for you. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[MJFX328]

How was the improvement on your E36 HK system after you replaced the headunit? Ive heard that the system is much better than the stock HU allows it to sound.

That is true, I cant really remember because I changed my headunit as soon as I got the e36. But putting an aftermarket headunit in an e39 is bound to look fugly.

How about the kit the Bavarian Soundwerks offers? http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=485/_cid=174

[Mattldm]

That is true, I cant really remember because I changed my headunit as soon as I got the e36. But putting an aftermarket headunit in an e39 is bound to look fugly.

How about the kit the Bavarian Soundwerks offers? http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/product.php/II=485/_cid=174

The cost/benefits of replacing the OEM headunit in the E39 is just not worth it. THe newer CD player headunits are actually pretty good stereos with balanced outputs for reduced noise, and you can keep all of your cars functionality. You loose your mid display and steering wheel controls

I just cant see replacing the stock deck for any other reason than maybe a show car, or someone who has more money than they know what to do with.

[Ahheck01]

Wait, so are you advocating going to a newer OEM CD player, or no?

[MJFX328]

Wait, so are you advocating going to a newer OEM CD player, or no?

If you want a front mount CD player then yes. But if you have a cd changer (like me) then I wouldnt bother changing it.

I'd just like some stronger noise with a subwoofer.

[Mattldm]

I guess my last post was a bit jumbled!

Yes, get a newer in dash OEM CD player if you want, or keep the Cassette deck and get the changer for the trunk.

Either way you will be able to retain all of your cars functionality, steering wheel controls, mid display, etc.

However, changing to a newer CD player is not without consequence. The newer CD players (according to what I have heard) are not compatible with the older E39's diversity antenna - so your radio reception may suffer a great deal if you change to a newer BMW CD player. Also you will have to have the adaptor cables for the antenna and the round to flat pin adaptor cables for the headunit.

[Htownmobaudio]

How was the improvement on your E36 HK system after you replaced the headunit? Ive heard that the system is much better than the stock HU allows it to sound.

my brother added an eclipse deck on his e46 m3 w/hk .. its sounds more crisb kinda cuts out the sub action

[legenesepimp]

keep the alpine deck and put it in your 540i. buy some good speakers and you're good to go.. speakers about 150-200 or so..

[Mattldm]

keep the alpine deck and put it in your 540i. buy some good speakers and you're good to go.. speakers about 150-200 or so..


Not a wise decision. If you do that not only does it look out of place, but you loose your steering wheel controls, your MID display, and control for some OBC functions.

[Ahheck01]

Yeah, I'm definitely not going to the aftermarket style. I've decided on the MP3 playing X5 unit, that would allow me to look stock, keep controls and display, and have the function of the alpine unit :cool

Now... where to buy from....

[MJFX328]

Yeah, I'm definitely not going to the aftermarket style. I've decided on the MP3 playing X5 unit, that would allow me to look stock, keep controls and display, and have the function of the alpine unit :cool

Now... where to buy from....

ebay. But are you sure it plays MP3's? Im thinking of just getting an ipod with an fm transmitter. But I still dont know what I can do in the way of speakers.

[Ahheck01]

ebay. But are you sure it plays MP3's? Im thinking of just getting an ipod with an fm transmitter. But I still dont know what I can do in the way of speakers.

Yes, part number 65 12 6 961 219 does play MP3 CD's, and with connectors will fit in e39's and fits in X5's.

-Evan

[PENER]

although I have never had a stock HU in my bimmer (bought it that way) I can't even imagine using one.

currently I'm running alpine 9855 (highly recommended) through it's active 3-way crossovers (no rear fill in) and it's awesome. my alpine type R comps (run active now) will soon be replaced by Dayton reference 7inch woofers and my new tweeters: either BG Neo3 planar ribbons or true ribbon Aurum Cantus 2Gis (if I can only figure it out where to mount them:help )

[Ahheck01]

I'd like to improve the mid to high range (no subs but not tweeters either). Should I look to replace certain speakers? Can I replace speakers without ripping doors apart? I want everything to be installed very cleanly as if OEM.

I found the best deal I could find for the MP3-CD playing factory headunit (from X5's). $525 shipped. I want clearer sound! Tell me where to start, and be specific - what to buy for what - and what if I spent 500 dollars above the cost of the head unit? What could I do with that? I don't want to just slap a couple high components together - I want components that were made to work together for a full, rich, clear sound system.

Thanks!

-Evan

[Mattldm]

I made you a complete system recommendation ealier, what else would you like to know?

[MBENZF1]

I didn't know that E39 and Cost efficient could be used in the same sentance

[Ahheck01]

Why not? The term is relative. In every situation, there is a cost-efficient decision - it may not be in comparison to the sound system for a cavalier, but I said for an e39.

[Ahheck01]

I made you a complete system recommendation ealier, what else would you like to know?
Ah yes! Sorry I missed that. Do you have experience with all of these components? Could you walk me through the install if I were to get them? It's likely I'll get them one at a time - what order would you recommend? Thanks!

-Evan

[Mattldm]

Speakers first
Amps and subs second

Install the front speakers and run them off the front 2 channels of your aftermarket amp. bridge the rear channels of the amp for the sub. Disconnect the front inputs from the factory amp and connect tthem the new amp.
Leave the factory amp in place running the rear speakers.

NOTE:
You can not take out the factory amp and leave the factory speakers but you can change the speakers while leaving the factory amp.

When you do the front speakers you will only replace the woofer in the door and the tweeter in the sail panel. the oem mid will stay - you will not use, or need, it once you install your aftermarket amp.

CDT EF-51neo
DLS MS-5
Rainbow SLC-230
All are excellent speakers, but I own the DLS so I cant comment on how they sound against each other.

[Htownmobaudio]

ummm .. i can sell u what u need .... i have a stereo shop

[RVAE34]

Pioneer and Alpine make pretty good and powerful head units. You can also get the digital i-pod controller and leave the i-pod in your glove box while controlling/displaying it with your head unit. Boston acoustics make decent and affordable highs and mids. get a head unit w. dual preouts and add the sub later. I wouldnt recomend upgrading an amp with factory speakers or they will probably blow. Just do it piece by piece.

[Ahheck01]

Pioneer and Alpine make pretty good and powerful head units. You can also get the digital i-pod controller and leave the i-pod in your glove box while controlling/displaying it with your head unit. Boston acoustics make decent and affordable highs and mids. get a head unit w. dual preouts and add the sub later. I wouldnt recomend upgrading an amp with factory speakers or they will probably blow. Just do it piece by piece.
you didn't read the thread at all did you... :help

[RVAE34]

you didn't read the thread at all did you... :help
Sorry, missed the one where you decided to get the X5 head unit.

[JBlunts]

Do the 5.25 CDT's bolt right into the factory screw holes? Do I need to take the door panel off to swap my stock speakers with some CDT EF-51NEO's???
By the way...has anyone tried or have the EF-51NEO?? I have a 98 528i.

[legenesepimp]

yeah but if you want good sound and bass.. you gotta go aftermarket.. the stock 5 series deck is not all that great.. it sounded like junk to me.. very distorted and blurry..

[CobaltFire]

I have been talking to a few people, and all of them say that the stock headunit in these cars are really pretty good, it is the factory amplifier and speakers that are of poor quality. Besides that none of the headunit adapter panels look any good to me. I am currently planning to upgrade to some DLS components and a rear sub myself, and leave the stock deck based on these reccomendations. I hope to have this done around the second week of June, so I'll let you all know then how it works out.

Good luck with your system as well, and I personally think that a stock headunit will work out fine.