1197 BMW e39 540i - Stereo Upgrade Needed

[Franktea]

The factory stereo that came in 1997 in beyond horrible. Does anyone have any mods that are relatively inexpensive that could make a huge difference?

Thanks,
Frank

[Pelican Parts]

Hi Frank - are you talking about the speakers themselves or what aspect of the system? I'm guessing you have the non HK version.


-Dmitry

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

Dmitry - the E39 never was equipped with HK, but I think you meant DSP!

Frank - There's multiple ways of making a 'significant' difference to the E39 OEM audio systems. Do you mean in terms of functionality that it's 'beyond horrible'? or do you mean in terms of Sound Quality? or, both ?

If you mean Sound Quality, then if you wish to keep the OEM head unit, then you'll hear a 'significant' difference if you get the Stage One E39 specific speaker upgrade from BSW. These are $397. They'll give a better midrange and treble SQ increase. It's debateable if they give a 'huge' difference. I've heard similar upgrade speakers and the increase is only marginal for me, other's find they like it much more.

If that's not enough for you, then what you mean by 'relatively inexpensive' also becomes debateable. For a 'huge' difference in Sound Quality and modern Functionality, then I think spending perhaps $1000-1500 on a full aftermarket and high quality setup is inexpensive. In the mid to late 90's to get similar performance would have typically cost 2-4 times as much.

If you look through this and other forums, car audio forums, you'll see what other E39 owners have done and you can evaluate what you'd like given your requirements and anticipated budget.

If you provide more of what you'd like ideally here, I'm sure others and myself can help you more.

Cheers, Dennis!

[Pelican Parts]

Hi,

Dmitry - the E39 never was equipped with HK, but I think you meant DSP!

Frank - There's multiple ways of making a 'significant' difference to the E39 OEM audio systems. Do you mean in terms of functionality that it's 'beyond horrible'? or do you mean in terms of Sound Quality? or, both ?

If you mean Sound Quality, then if you wish to keep the OEM head unit, then you'll hear a 'significant' difference if you get the Stage One E39 specific speaker upgrade from BSW. These are $397. They'll give a better midrange and treble SQ increase. It's debateable if they give a 'huge' difference. I've heard similar upgrade speakers and the increase is only marginal for me, other's find they like it much more.

If that's not enough for you, then what you mean by 'relatively inexpensive' also becomes debateable. For a 'huge' difference in Sound Quality and modern Functionality, then I think spending perhaps $1000-1500 on a full aftermarket and high quality setup is inexpensive. In the mid to late 90's to get similar performance would have typically cost 2-4 times as much.

If you look through this and other forums, car audio forums, you'll see what other E39 owners have done and you can evaluate what you'd like given your requirements and anticipated budget.

If you provide more of what you'd like ideally here, I'm sure others and myself can help you more.

Cheers, Dennis!

Thank you sir!

[Franktea]

I have non-DSP. Can i get decent sound without changing head unit and amp?

[DennisCooper]

Hi Frank,

If you wish to keep those OEM modules, then the BSW speaker upgrade kit is the only choice for you which is simple, quick and easy to swap to. Cost is $397 currently from their site. SQ increase is marked but still marginal overall.

You can keep the same modules if you wish, and then send all the outputs from the OEM amp to a Sound Processor which will cleverly remove the factory set equalization curve, giving a more acoustically flat signal, boost the output voltage and also always output a clean non distorted signal no matter how hard you push that feeble oem amp. That 'clean' signal you then connect to perhaps a 5 channel amplifier and then upgraded speakers of your choice and perhaps a subwoofer. This upgrade path will give you a 'huge' improvement in sound quality. Costs I'd estimate would be $1000 or more depending on which products you buy. You could potentially reduce that amount by purchasing 2nd hand equipment.

Cheers, Dennis!

[Mless5]

I have non-DSP. Can i get decent sound without changing head unit and amp?

No.

[Franktea]

Im looking for something i can buy used cheap, car not worth much,

THanks,
Frank

[DennisCooper]

Hi Franktea,

There's nothing that's 'cheap' that'll make a 'huge' difference to the overall sound you can get in the car.

Cheers, Dennis!

[Franktea]

Yeah I'll stay with stock.
Thanks,