Thanks scooter99 for that title - it is appropriate for my system as well
This is a brand new install in my 2002 BMW 325i sedan. My first install in this car was in January 2008 with a local installer in Winston Salem, NC.
The Equipment List was as follows:
Alpine 9887 (tried Imprint didn't like it)
Monitor 1 amp later Alpine PDX 4.100
JL Audio C5 6.5 component set
JL Audio 500.1
Onyx 10 later Dayton HO 10
Impressions of system: I liked the 9887 I really like using my iPod for the majority of listening while commuting I liked the crossover / eq features. I didn't like the JL speakers at all (not shocking) I didn't like the sound of the PDX amp (again, not shocking) I never could get much bass sound into the cab with the Onyx or the Dayton on the JL Audio amp. Of course the system was better than stock and it was better than the system I had in my Toyota Truck. My installer Randy did a good job with the limitations that I put on him and with using some old equipment.
Randy made these baffles on the door card - they worked well for what they were - the speakers played between the inner and outer door skin.
The subwoofer box 'box' was made from a 12" concrete former attached to the back of the seat with the sub firing through the ski hole.
Impressions of system: I liked the 9887 I really like using my iPod for the majority of listening while commuting I liked the crossover / eq features. I didn't like the JL speakers at all (not shocking) I didn't like the sound of the PDX amp (again, not shocking) I never could get much bass sound into the cab with the Onyx or the Dayton on the JL Audio amp. Of course the system was better than stock and it was better than the system I had in my Toyota Truck. My installer Randy did a good job with the limitations that I put on him and with using some old equipment.
Alpine 9887
Zuki Eleets 4
Morel MT 23 / Morel HU 621
Alpine mono amp
Stereo Integrity Mag V4 1 cu ft box reverse mounted
Ryan did a fantastic job with the box for the SI Mag, and the way he mounted the amps on top of the box.
September 2009
Add Bit One.1, US Amps 1600.2, and better sound deadening in the doors.
Ryan moved the DRC and made it more stable.
I have to get the 'foot' pic in here.
I really like the Bit One I think it is a fantastic piece of equipment. I had absolutely no problems with it, and I love the software. The Morel drivers were certainly a step up from the JL's I love the tweeter sound the mid bass drivers has a very pleasing mid range sound, but are lacking in mid bass (not shocking to most of you). For many listeners these would be completely satisfying I had them moving when I pushed up the output and the eq. I really liked the Zuki (fan boy) very strong amp never had a problem pushing the volume way past loud listening volumes warm, detailed sound. The US Amps 1600.2 is an extremely strong amp. I really liked the SI Mag if I didn't want to go IB so badly I would have tried a different orientation with it (normal mount instead of reverse mount and fire it through the ski hole. The sound of the sub was phenomenal very clean and accurate there was times I just didn't consistently get the output I wanted (due to my set up). The only reason to change from the Mag is that I have really liked a couple of the IB set ups that I have heard.
I took a long time to decide some pieces of the equipment list, and other items took very little time to decide. It took me forever to decide on mid bass drivers – there are many good options, and I certainly heard some fantastic examples (Thank you Dave Edwards for letting me hear those excellent L6's, and thank you Bing for letting me hear the Seas drivers that finally made my mind up). It didn't take long to decide on the Alpine DVD player, the LRX amplifier, and the IB sub (thanks Dave).
I dropped the car at my friend Ryan's house (Sladeaudio.com) for the install. Unfortunately the amp and the mid bass drivers didn't make it to Ryan's house until the end of that week. That put the pressure on Ryan to crank out an entire makeover in a few days. I decided to give up my beloved Zuki because I really wanted a one amp solution.
I'm changing out the HU this weekend, so I'll post those later.
Always happy to help my fellow diyers!! Hopefully your's doesn't take as long as mine had. I really like the ipod holder. How did that go about? I'm doing something very very similar in that same type of position, and I want the same ipod thing. I have a white one, which I was considering painting black, but I like the counter sunk look. Can you enlighten me please?
The flavor of my Kool-Aid is CHERRY! And yes I am the Kool-Aid MAN!
Always happy to help my fellow diyers!! Hopefully your's doesn't take as long as mine had. I really like the ipod holder. How did that go about? I'm doing something very very similar in that same type of position, and I want the same ipod thing. I have a white one, which I was considering painting black, but I like the counter sunk look. Can you enlighten me please?
This is where the ash tray was, and the installer routed the Alpine iPod cable so that it would be 'secured' in a way that I can basically dock it. He curved some abs plastic that the iPod slides into and then Ryan later re-created the abs plastic that covered this area to make it look a little better. I trade off having the iPod visible with easy and fast docking.
The ipod slides on and off the connection? The pioneer I have you have to push together the two buttons on the side to release it. It snaps in, which is what I don't want. Cause I thought about that too, creating some sort of thing to slide it in. I'll have to think on this a bit. Maybe I can make it so that the cord can be moveable, then make a cubby so to speak, then connect it slide it in the cubby, then when I disconnect it pull it out. Then the cord just sits in the cubby. Hmmm. Nice work on the build!
The flavor of my Kool-Aid is CHERRY! And yes I am the Kool-Aid MAN!
The ipod slides on and off the connection? The pioneer I have you have to push together the two buttons on the side to release it. It snaps in, which is what I don't want. Cause I thought about that too, creating some sort of thing to slide it in. I'll have to think on this a bit. Maybe I can make it so that the cord can be moveable, then make a cubby so to speak, then connect it slide it in the cubby, then when I disconnect it pull it out. Then the cord just sits in the cubby. Hmmm. Nice work on the build!
Now that you say that.....I'm trying to remember if when I first got the cable - I had to push the little things in on the side...Randy may have futzed with it so that those releases don't have to be pushed in - I literally just slide the iPod into the holder and it 'docks'.
Thanks a lot for the kind words - I have been watching Martin's build log and have enjoyed your posts.
i really liked the previous installation,very clean and simple. but this is kicking it up a notch or two, both in form and function. i cannot wait to hear your comments on comparing the zooks to the lrx5.1k.
Thanks bro - Ryan is very skilled, and he is an awesome problem solver. I can't imagine what he can do if he had the car for a few weeks, a larger budget to work with, and warmer weather (of course the 30 degree weather in Atlanta is nothing like what you are fighting against.) These install 'marathons' he has been doing on my car were just long hours on weekends.
Zuki versus Audison......Well, I changed several things at one time, so my evaluations / comparisons are not really accurate. My plan was to purchase a 2nd zuki from Ryan and run one to the left side of the car and one to the ride side of the car and continue to use the US Amps for sub duty. The week before the install, I was able to purchase the Audison, and a one amp solution seemed the most plausible solution. With this BMW, a false floor that hinges up to get to the spare was difficult with just the 5.1k and the Bit One - it would have been very tight with 3 amps and the Bit One.
Anyway - I like the cable management of the 5.1, the power ratings for each channel was exactly what I was looking for, I like the internal fan, and I like that all of the controls are on the top - very easy to make minor adjustments while I'm getting it 'set up'. I have always been impressed with the Audison line of amps (hearing them in michaelsil1 car - awesome! system and hearing the VRX line in minibox's X3) - sound, power, and features.
Comparison....I'm not sure - I really liked the zuki, and I really like the Audison - on one hand - I basically have the same tune in the Bit One from the last install (until I can change it), but the drivers are in a different baffle and moved further down and away compared to where they were. I had to put the Morels back in due to a water issue that will be sorted out this weekend, so the Audison (160 x 2) are pushing them really well - potentially a little stronger than the zuki, but not by much.
It will take a bit to get the sub portion set correctly - I may have a couple pre-sets on the Bit One - reference, attenuate bass for bass heavy music, and hotter bass setting for lower output tracks. The 750 x 1 on the sub is terrific, and I really love the sound of the IB set up. I walked in and asked a co-worker this morning if I had told him how much I like the sound of the IB sub, and he replied 'twice', so it is pretty apparent.
Well that was a lot more than what you asked for - I have been accused of being wordy, but I guess I need to work now....would rather talk car audio all day....
thank you for the lengthy reply! i've been toying with the idea of using 2 eleets to drive my front end in a vertical amplification set-up [ch1 highs, ch2 mids, ch3+4 mid-woofers] and a separate sub amp. but this is down the road. i need to get things done and see, maybe i'll finally be satisfied with my set-up. meanwhile i'll be lurking and wishing i was home working on my ride. gotta plane to catch,later!
Door cards are about done... gotta remember to take some pics for you tonight before I put the finishing touches on the 2nd one so you have the "in process" ones you like.
Wow Jason. It's a serious makeover and I like what you've done so far. Can't wait to get back to Carolina so I can hear it. Are those the same Seas that Sam has in his M3? I loved the way those sounded in his doors so theoretically they should sound just as good or better in your doors with a good tune from the bit one. Looking forward to see how those door cards turn out. Nice work!
Why didn't you save some trunk space and turn the sub around?
I just wanted the sub that way. I gained a lot of trunk space from what I had originally - I don't usually use the trunk all that much. If I had turned it around, it would have made the amp rack a bit simplier - less 'notching' to get it to hinge up to get to the spare, but I wanted the cone firing into the interior - just a preference.
Please tell me there was more sealing those baffles to the doors than the clay?
There is.
If it were me, I would have bought new door pannels and put the mids in the kicks.
I researched putting them in the kicks. I really liked the Seas drivers in the kicks that Bing has - I loved the way they sounded. I exchanged some emails with Tom (12V Electronics) about kicks, and he gave me some perspective about the challenge versus the reward. Davey Hayes has a really nice set up in an e46 BMW with the L6's in kicks, but I didn't want to go through all of the work he did to get them in there.
I have had drivers mounted in the kicks (crappy ones that I put together) in a couple cars, and for me - more worry and discomfort versus benefit. I have read if they are done right - they are 'protected' from damage, and they can be rather unobtrusive. I just preferred to go this route. I have nearly 100K on this car - in another 100 thousand miles I'll get another BMW, and I'll do it 'right' - whatever that is for that car - at that time.
I would still like to get together at some point after I get everything done.
2002 BMW 325i Final Re-Install
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