Bavarian Soundwerkz

[detach8]

Hey bros, I've been reading up on ICE and a few bros here have tried or recommended some such as:

Dimension Audio - http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/i-c-e-section/49867-dimension-audio-package-bmw.html
SoundWerkz - http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/i-c-e-section/27455-audio-system-upgrade-no-mess.html

But I am a fussy owner, and I believe many others here are. I don't usually trust people to take apart my car -- specially the interior. After looking at how my solar films were installed, I think I still trust my own workmanship better.

The stock speakers (and amp) truly sucks. Even my Volvo has a much better stock setup. The bass is muddy, the low-mid range is not even audible and the highs are annoying as hell.

I am looking for an ICE upgrade that is completely plug-and-play and found BSW - BMW Audio, BMW iPod, Speakers, Subwoofers, & more | BSW: Bavarian Soundwerks

They don't have a workshop or dealer here. Shipping costs a whopping US$270+ via UPS Worldwide Express. I'm thinking if any bros here want to join me to DIY install this together, or if any bro has already done it?

 

[wt_know]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

in comparing with bsw speakers, i will go with soundwerkz package for speaker upgrades, which is straight forward and plug-n-play too.
can also consider to upgrade the amplifier if comes as a package deal.

 

[detach8]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

Just to share, I found this on E90 post. Look at the nasty EQ curve that has been put into the stock sound system; yuck. What is happening at 2khz and 7+khz?! No wonder I can't hear some instruments!!!

Source:
Base radio 2010 E90 measurements - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

 

[detach8]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

in comparing with bsw speakers, i will go with soundwerkz package for speaker upgrades, which is straight forward and plug-n-play too.
can also consider to upgrade the amplifier if comes as a package deal.

Yeah looks like I need an amp of some sort to flatten out that nasty curve that deaf BMW engineers put into the iDrive. I was actually wondering if I could recode the iDrive to give me an EQ that I could tweak myself instead.

 

[wt_know]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

just becareful, pml is very picky on anything touch the idrive. to them the idrive = brain of the car.

i have heard about that after installing aftermarket ice upgrade / rear camera that integrated with idrive and then some perculiar problem happen, pml blame "any" installation that connects to the idrive.

Yeah looks like I need an amp of some sort to flatten out that nasty curve that deaf BMW engineers put into the iDrive. I was actually wondering if I could recode the iDrive to give me an EQ that I could tweak myself instead.

 

[detach8]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

Recode = software = they can't tell... AFAIK, these guys are mechanics. They aren't software guys

 

[mamat_mooza]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

hello. so sorry if i seem to hijack this post but i cant create new thread and this one seems like the most relevant to my question. so here goes

my father have just acquired the 535i F10 couple of weeks ago and is rather satisfied with the car. however, we both couldnt be satisfied by the quality level of the stereo.

a bit of history, he previously owned a 530d E60 and wasnt happy with the stereo too. he upgraded the components (speakers, amps, processors) and it costed him around RM20k. its either the ICE workshop calibrated wrongly or simply bad workmanship (some element of dispute), but the quality did not improved as much as he had expected.

so he's given up trying to upgrade the components, and looking for another solution. could anyone kindly suggest anything? we r considering/finding out ways to retrofit a professional/logic 7 system into his car. but now it's dead end since nobody seems to have done it

 

[detach8]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

i know the E90 has an alpine upgrade option (original BMW upgrade) so you might want to look into it. not cheap but if it's under warranty that's probably the way to go for now.

i'm still contemplating the alpine upgrade... but i guess i shall wait since i drive with the radio off nowadays. enjoy the drive. it's a bmw.

 

[blacktrek]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

For our BM, easy and cheap way is to change out the 4" door speaker to a good set like rainbow or morel component. Upgrade the underseat to 8" like morel ADMW 9 or Elate 9 and add a 4 channel amp to push it. This can be done at around 2k and this should give you a very decent setup. I did this on my E60 and I'm very sastified with the result since only 2K spent. But if you got more budget then should go for 3 way active and add pod and cut the door panel for a set I'd decent 6" and sub at the back.

 

[Algino]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

For our BM, easy and cheap way is to change out the 4" door speaker to a good set like rainbow or morel component. Upgrade the underseat to 8" like morel ADMW 9 or Elate 9 and add a 4 channel amp to push it. This can be done at around 2k and this should give you a very decent setup. I did this on my E60 and I'm very sastified with the result since only 2K spent. But if you got more budget then should go for 3 way active and add pod and cut the door panel for a set I'd decent 6" and sub at the back.

1 more vy important thing to add also ... Audison bit one !!!!!! No sq without it : )

 

[lucas111]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

I also wanna upgrade the sound system, but just cannot justify spending a few k at those audio workshop after hearing all the horror stories. I also got audition some of these expensive ICE and to be honest I am underwhelmed by some of them. It seems to me it is like a hit or miss thing. I have a hi-fi system at home and i tot spending on ICE gives poor value.

Spending money on upgrading amplifier and speakers aside, i feel the first step is to improve the source of the system. The iDrive rips the songs at low bit rate and (i read from overseas forum) restrict the volume to only 50% and it is possible to modify it. Adding a processor is the next step.

I will be happy to hear from any of you who managed to find a cost effective way to improve your system

 

[detach8]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

well that's why i don't play from the hard drive - i use my USB thumb drive with 192kbps MP3s instead. seriously, in a car... you can't tell the difference between 192 and 256kbps because of all the external noises. the only problem is that the idrive has a very crappy eq curve that at present the only way to solve it with stock speakers and HU is treble -3 and bass +3. try it and let me know if it sounds better (especially the mids) that way. bass +3 when stationary is abit heavy but once you are on the road it actually seems ok.

next step is amp + speakers... which seems like either BSW (speakers only) may not get the best effect but it's cheap versus the alpine upgrade ($1,400+ from PML)

 

[pengful]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

i know the E90 has an alpine upgrade option (original BMW upgrade) so you might want to look into it. not cheap but if it's under warranty that's probably the way to go for now.

i'm still contemplating the alpine upgrade... but i guess i shall wait since i drive with the radio off nowadays. enjoy the drive. it's a bmw.

My advice. Don't waste money on the Alpine upgrade.

 

[detach8]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

My advice. Don't waste money on the Alpine upgrade.

thanks for the useful advise

yes maybe wait till warranty over i'll go do a proper ICE upgrade. but i don't like those amps exposed in the boot.. looking for one that keeps everything hidden away.

 

[Soundwerkz]

Re: Bavarian Soundwerkz

I also wanna upgrade the sound system, but just cannot justify spending a few k at those audio workshop after hearing all the horror stories. I also got audition some of these expensive ICE and to be honest I am underwhelmed by some of them. It seems to me it is like a hit or miss thing. I have a hi-fi system at home and i tot spending on ICE gives poor value.

Spending money on upgrading amplifier and speakers aside, i feel the first step is to improve the source of the system. The iDrive rips the songs at low bit rate and (i read from overseas forum) restrict the volume to only 50% and it is possible to modify it. Adding a processor is the next step.

I will be happy to hear from any of you who managed to find a cost effective way to improve your system

Hi hell breath, if you are not comfortable with spending few K on sound upgrade, you can consider some of our entry-level package which starts from $1.5k. The sound improvement has been tested and proved by many of our customers, including many BMW-SG members! Result is guaranteed!

Cheers,
Kelvin