Critical Mass speaker install

Socket · 10-21-2016, 10:16 PM

Very hard to find a review of Critical Mass audio products, so I thought I'd post up my experience of the Critical Mass CM454a 4" mid and tweeter set

I was lucky to pick this kit up cheap via ebay auction. Goods arrived a few days later, nicely packaged up, but was not sure of how these would perform, due to the lack of reviews.

Was a bit worried that these might have turned out to be overpriced trash, but I am happy to say, they are crystal clear and sound amazing. I'm no audiophile, but even to a hack like me you can tell these are special

The audio tuner that did the install on car, said he had never heard of critical mass, but was blown away, describing it as a pleasure to work with these speakers....

Anyway just sharing, hopefully helps out someone who might be thinking of pulling the trigger on these

david in germany · 10-22-2016, 05:06 AM

I saw the driver pics and thought, the would be too deep so I scrolled down. Yep they are. Glad you are happy but in my opinion (just my opinion only) I think the way they were installed destroys the interior of a beautiful car. You could have saved a bit and found a set of Gladen, MB Quart or Fosgate that would have fit better and most likely sounded as good if not better.

Socket · 10-22-2016, 05:31 PM

thanks. Agree that a set of covers is needed. Look a bit tacked on ATM. Post is to let people know how they perform although understanding fitment is also useful

kaigoss69 · 10-22-2016, 10:56 PM

I think they look good as they are, perfect match with the CF trim!

RunFlatOut · 10-23-2016, 05:36 PM

Well done for opening a new path for all of us. Love the tweeter, it looks wrapped in soft leather, maybe simili? Quite curious how this one was done. The door speakers, you just need to protect those babies

Socket · 10-24-2016, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunFlatOut

Well done for opening a new path for all of us. Love the tweeter, it looks wrapped in soft leather, maybe simili? Quite curious how this one was done. The door speakers, you just need to protect those babies

Thanks RF

Grills are next on the list....

McPikie · 10-24-2016, 06:50 AM

are they even properly sealed on that black ring?

Socket · 10-24-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPikie

are they even properly sealed on that black ring?

Yes

shnaggs · 10-25-2016, 06:13 PM

Aren't critical mass speakers like $15k? I thought I remember seeing some for insane money

Socket · 10-27-2016, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shnaggs

Aren't critical mass speakers like $15k? I thought I remember seeing some for insane money

Yes but I got these used competition set, on an ebay auction for $1K from the manufacturer
Dont know anyone insane enough to send $15K on a set of speakers

RunFlatOut · 10-27-2016, 05:56 AM

Recently I've been looking up the 4" drivers available and I stumbled on a Dynaudio set that goes for around $1400 and already those had people raving about the quality and laughing hysterically at the price. But $15k...they're probably built using alien technology scavenged from the Area 51 wreck. Don't position them in a triangle formation of the invasion force will land on your roof

10-21-2016, 10:16 PM	#1
Socket Lieutenant General 4542 Rep 11,903 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	Critical Mass speaker install Very hard to find a review of Critical Mass audio products, so I thought I'd post up my experience of the Critical Mass CM454a 4" mid and tweeter set I was lucky to pick this kit up cheap via ebay auction. Goods arrived a few days later, nicely packaged up, but was not sure of how these would perform, due to the lack of reviews. Was a bit worried that these might have turned out to be overpriced trash, but I am happy to say, they are crystal clear and sound amazing. I'm no audiophile, but even to a hack like me you can tell these are special The audio tuner that did the install on car, said he had never heard of critical mass, but was blown away, describing it as a pleasure to work with these speakers.... Anyway just sharing, hopefully helps out someone who might be thinking of pulling the trigger on these Attached Images Last edited by Socket; 10-24-2016 at 02:16 AM..
	Appreciate 1 RunFlatOut81.00 Tweet Quote

10-22-2016, 05:06 AM	#2
david in germany Lieutenant Colonel 729 Rep 1,815 Posts Drives: 118i, 335i and 328i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mannheim Germany iTrader: (2)	I saw the driver pics and thought, the would be too deep so I scrolled down. Yep they are. Glad you are happy but in my opinion (just my opinion only) I think the way they were installed destroys the interior of a beautiful car. You could have saved a bit and found a set of Gladen, MB Quart or Fosgate that would have fit better and most likely sounded as good if not better. __________________ 2009 118i Monaco Blue "Maximillion" 2009 335i Saphire Black M Sport "Leopold" Cobb stage 2 aggressive tune, Mishimoto FMIC, Cobb charge pipe, Cobb catted down pipes, Forge diverter valves, BMS inlets and DCI, Cyba scoops and M Individual Audio retrofit and M3 gauge cluster retrofit. 2011 328i Titan Silver M Sport "Franzel" <--Wife's car
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10-22-2016, 05:31 PM	#3
Socket Lieutenant General 4542 Rep 11,903 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	thanks. Agree that a set of covers is needed. Look a bit tacked on ATM. Post is to let people know how they perform although understanding fitment is also useful
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10-22-2016, 10:56 PM	#4
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	I think they look good as they are, perfect match with the CF trim! __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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10-23-2016, 05:36 PM	#5
RunFlatOut Private First Class 81 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E92 330d coupe Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Well done for opening a new path for all of us. Love the tweeter, it looks wrapped in soft leather, maybe simili? Quite curious how this one was done. The door speakers, you just need to protect those babies
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2016, 06:50 AM	#7
McPikie Lieutenant 59 Rep 457 Posts Drives: E91 320d Msport Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	are they even properly sealed on that black ring?
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10-25-2016, 06:13 PM	#9
shnaggs Lieutenant 73 Rep 462 Posts Drives: TDi Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NE, Pa iTrader: (1)	Aren't critical mass speakers like $15k? I thought I remember seeing some for insane money
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10-27-2016, 05:56 AM	#11
RunFlatOut Private First Class 81 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E92 330d coupe Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Recently I've been looking up the 4" drivers available and I stumbled on a Dynaudio set that goes for around $1400 and already those had people raving about the quality and laughing hysterically at the price. But $15k...they're probably built using alien technology scavenged from the Area 51 wreck. Don't position them in a triangle formation of the invasion force will land on your roof
	Appreciate 0 Quote