[335ier]

Does anyone know what exactly makes the bog standard audio system sound quality so terrible? is just lack of amp power or the speakers as well?
I know a lot of this topic has been covered & I've read solutions (some get expensive).

Has anyone any budget solutions? I'm not after mega fantastic blow your ears off sound just reasonably decent full sound.

Cheers.

[AlanYoro35i]

speakers are powered by the headunit so it has limits.
if it wasn't shit then how would bmw make buyers to buy upgrade options lol..

alpine upgrade kit is your best bet.

i also head lci headunit has more power output hence the quality will be better but you will still need some good speakers.

[ahenners]

I think the lack of tweeters makes it sound so poor. After adding tweeters, I don't think it's that bad really. Mine has CIC iDrive, I'm sure I read somewhere that the CIC unit has higher output than standard radio.

[Jamie_E92]

I have cic buisness nav so the worst of both worlds really as it's nav I can't swap out to a professional version for £100 like you can with the head unit only, the sound is terrible also it doesn't go loud enough for my liking so looking into one of those LOC's which have a remote turn on too and adding a sub & amp in the boot.

[russdx]

Standard audio is cack spend 2k and the car will sound great!

[grzes]

ha, I can't even tell what I have, all I know it is upgraded version, the speakers do not look like in any other car, my have silver trip around it and are see thru, but the head unit does not tell if it a business or professional, would like to find out more about it

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by ahenners

I think the lack of tweeters makes it sound so poor. After adding tweeters, I don't think it's that bad really. Mine has CIC iDrive, I'm sure I read somewhere that the CIC unit has higher output than standard radio.

Yes it does. I have the standard audio with Pro Nav and find it quite good to be fair....

[335ier]

Thanks for all your info Is there a easy way of adding a amp to the standard head unit?

Car 2005 e90
Head unit bog std professional.

Cheers.

[AlanQS]

The old professional head unit had 4 x 15w output with the front speakers and subs sharing the output. Consequently, the subs didn't get enough power to be useful. The standard sound system also went without front tweeters which is utterly unforgivable in a car of this cost.

Even adding tweeters to the standard system does improve matters a bit.

The current professional head unit is supposed to be 4 x 25w so it's a bit of an improvement but still without tweeters.

The first step up - BMW Business - or is it now called "Advanced" does away with the head unit amplifiers and provides (at least it used to) 4 x 25w to the main speakers and 2 x 40w to the subs. It also adds the front tweeters.

The HK system upgrades the main speakers and adds some more and delivers 7 x 40w to the speakers and 2 x 70w to larger subs.

The Alpine upgrade is an in-betweener. The same number of speakers as the "advanced" but it gets upgraded speakers in the front and 2 x 40w - like the HK system but 2 x 40w to the standard subs (like the Advanced). It adds the front tweeters but the rear speakers get their power from the head unit. So it is a mixture of all three.

I started with the bog standard system then added the tweeters - noticeable improvement in that I could hear some high pitched instruments for the first time, then upgraded to the Alpine - huge improvement. The front sound stage is much improved but I miss the sound coming from behind me as well as in front.

Unless you are a musical fanatic, the HK system at time of purchase gives you the best bang for buck of any choice that might be available.

[KM79]

Originally Posted by grzes

ha, I can't even tell what I have, all I know it is upgraded version, the speakers do not look like in any other car, my have silver trip around it and are see thru, but the head unit does not tell if it a business or professional, would like to find out more about it

That's the Individual Audio option.

[RChez]

Hi guys,

Just bought my 2010 m sport 320d and I noticed how poor that sounded from radio at least - much better when using CDs.

AUX sounds pretty weak from iphone too....disappointed if I'm honest.

Join the club I guess...

[djgandy]

15W per channel is plenty of power really. IMO The main reasons it is cack are...
- Only 6 driver units, 2 of which are subs
- No tweeters
- 2 of the driver units are miles away in the back and sound muffled out from the front.

So from a driver perspective you have 4 speakers, of which two are subs under the seat. So that leaves you with 2 generic "full range" drivers that are stuck in the door pumping sound into your legs. The setup is dying for extra speakers behind the ears of the driver and some tweeters.

The subs may be ok, but it is hard to tell because the mid ranges are just so vacant.

[gazz1971]

Just had all mine changed E92 coupe Pioneer double din head unit MB Quartz component speakers and tweeters JL Audio amp sounds spot on . Standard system is very poor .

[Narcosis]

Originally Posted by gazz1971

Just had all mine changed E92 coupe Pioneer double din head unit MB Quartz component speakers and tweeters JL Audio amp sounds spot on . Standard system is very poor .

Can you share installation pictures? Specifically I'd like to see the head unit and where you put the amp. Did you go with the JL 600/6? Any type of signal processor?

I'm also heading down this road, currently gathering components and hope to install within the month.

[gazz1971]

It was all done by a company about three weeks ago .I can put a picture up of the head unit all installed .The amp is in the boot .

[grzes]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

That's the Individual Audio option.

would you be able to tell me more about it please, is it just better speakers or the entire unit is different, is the head unit business or professional just with different speakers?? Sorry, but don't know much about this. Thx

[Greg330]

Where's the best place to get all the Alpine gear?!

[jammy78]

Don't bother with the alpine upgrade - spend extra & get something better! Or get a LCI HU & tweeters!

[golfmck1980]

Actually sorting my audio gear atm changed my head unit to an aftermarket double din one and that alone has made a great change to the audio. Thinking about getting the rainbow kit which is a direct fitted made especially for the e90 much better than the alpine upgrade

[Ejog]

I've had the Gladen/Mosconi speakers and amp fitted in mine recently and I would recommend them to anyone.

I'm no audiophile but I do love my music and this set up is a cracker.

I've got the DSP version of the amp, but I'm sure even the non-DSP would be a massive improvement.

[Shafz325]

Originally Posted by jammy78

Don't bother with the alpine upgrade - spend extra & get something better! Or get a LCI HU & tweeters!

I thought you just did the alpine upgrade and was happy with it? Mines being done Saturday and you've got me worried lol

[gangzoom]

The Alpine upgrade is OK. I my view it brings the cars audio to an acceptable level. With the Alpine kit the audio is now slightly better than the STOCK audio on our Civic.

Is it really worth the cost?? That's up to the individual...