Need some advice with my sound system

[Polanskygreg1985]

I need better sound, but refuse to get rid of the original head unit. I want to install a small amp and new speakers, inconspicuously. How would this work with a stock head unit? Can the original head unit send a signal to an amp, which then send's it to the new speakers? Any links? Links would be helpful.

[polsta]

thing is...old head units are crap sound compared to new

i looked in to this a while ago with my old ford, and its possible to have an amp, with an ipod connedted direct to the amp, then that to the speakers....so you keep the old head unit in,and just play music with the ipod

i just fitted a new sound system in my 318is yesterday, and its awsome

2 sets of vibe slick 50 , speakers , foot well/shelf in standard 5.25" holes , and a 10" active sub, not piss take bass just fillss it out

the vibe speakers are 200w/70 rms , powered via my 4x50 rms head unit, no other amp, and it all sounds amazing , the vibes are awsome for the money !

[Jim320i]

I also have some vibes in the front of mine and a sub, which im currently not running, with regards to your stereo though, you'll be able to pick up some adapters to get it to work along side an amp and what not from halfords, just ask someone there... Might have to ask a few members of staff though as some right planks work there...

And as Polsta said, the sound wont be the same, but you'll still get something half decent going on... My mate is running the original 25watt speakers in his on a fairly new head unit and it sounds really good...

[Polanskygreg1985]

is it possible to set up a sound system with this amp,


http://cgi.ebay.com/4ch-CLASS-AB-MOTORC ... 3a57388381

,

I want to hide it in the console somewhere, as if its not even there. What do you think?

[Falkster]

I need better sound, but refuse to get rid of the original head unit. I want to install a small amp and new speakers, inconspicuously. How would this work with a stock head unit? Can the original head unit send a signal to an amp, which then send's it to the new speakers? Any links? Links would be helpful.

I had the same issue a while ago, original headunit and speaker. It sounded toss. I took it to my local family owner stereo shop and he told me the speakers had perrished over the years and the stereo didn't have sound coming out of all the channel.
I've kept the head unit for if the car goes but have new speakers in the footwells and rear.
A good sounding stereo is better than being sentimental.

[Jim320i]

That amp will be fine, just not sure on the sound your gonna get from it... Trial and error though I think... You'll need to get some decent speakers too to match it... The ones in the footwell you wont see anyway as they are behind the blanking plates... Thats all I have in mine at the moment and I get a good sound, but I do have a 450 watt amp...


Take it to a shop though and ask them?

[pukar]

i'd definately recommend changing the head unit....such a pain to try anything else

you can get old amps which will accept speaker wire connectors instead of RCA, but then old amp + old head unit will sound pretty bad. the time effort and money to get a good sound will be too much, then you still have no cd, mp3, bluetooth etc...

any new headunit will have about 50w x 4 speakers....all speakers catered for and no need for an amp, probably have mp3/ipod compatibility.

if you refuse to get rid of the old headunit, for looks only i presume, have you though of getting a new one with a remote control and mounting it in the glovebox??

you could get a newer bmw headunit....look pretty good, check out ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-BUSINESS-CD-P ... 414de1301d

[Shaheenk]

That last unit is very nice, however it still does not have pre outs which are optimal for using an amplifier.

You can get a decent amp which will have high level inputs, have a look at the Audison SRX3, it's a very versitile amp , which is 3 channels . 2 for the fronts which can run a very decent set of c-Axials or a complete component split as well as a woofer.

If you not looking to shell out too much , I have a decent Phillips DAP 600 which I wanna part with , it is perfect for the E30 as it is the same period build as the last E30's. It will have to be trunk mounted but has 4 channels and does 4 x 50rms. This could be used with a decent 10in woofer in the boot and again a set of co-axes or splits up front.

As for the stock headunit, you can use a High-Low conveter which will allow you to convert high (speaker) outputs to low (RCA) outputs.

[miniblob]

If the original unit has no RCA outputs, then you can get plenty of amps which have high level inputs, so you basically run your speaker wires from the h/u straight into the amp and then new cables from there to the speakers!!
It will improve the sound quality and volume (with decent amp and speakers), but ultimately, the source is where the quality (or lack of) comes from!!

My advice would be to do it bit by bit:
1) Get some good front speakers, see how they sound as a straight replacement. Fitting can make a difference too so make sure they are properly fitted (no gaps around one side!) and worth trying a bit of sound deadening behind/around them!!
2) Get a nice amp with high level inputs (it'll have RCA's too in case you change the h/u later) and see the improvement in that. (I would go with something from a known brand if you want sound quality!!).
3) If you still want more, change the h/u!!! Don't forget, they had aftermarket stuff back in the day too!!! And you can get modern stuff that looks good in the E30!!

I've got an old Pioneer radio/cassette h/u with one RCA out which sounds pretty decent and looks like it could've been a factory option!!
The old Alpine stuff was really highly rated and pops up on ebay/talkaudio quite a bit and looks good.
Or the newer Nakamichi stuff looks pretty standard - black, plain looking, amber/red illumination - and they're some of the best rated units for sound quality!!! (Had one in my 8 series and it's waiting to go in the touring )

[BadDave]

My advice would be to do it bit by bit:
2) Get a nice amp with high level inputs (it'll have RCA's too in case you change the h/u later) and see the improvement in that. (I would go with something from a known brand if you want sound quality!!).

Many of the newer amps don't have high level inputs

If you do decide you like one of the newer amps with x-overs, bass boost etc built in and it only has low level inputs(rca's) you can get high-low level convertors, but stay away from the cheap n nasty egay stuff.
If doing it myself,I'd be looking at one from Audiocontrol as all their line up is top quality built with decent components

[Polanskygreg1985]

Thank you for all the input. Im taking it step by step.

[tari]

If you really want to keep your original stereo but improve your sound, I'd recommend you get

-speaker to RCA adapters
-Line driver (This connects between the RCA adapters and the amplifier)

The line driver will make all of the difference without you having to change your stereo!!!

Good luck mate!

[Royalratch]

Replace all the speaker cable too from that 20 year old thing gauge doorbell wire they used!