E30 Zone

ok i want to instal a sound system into my e30 coupe. iv always been one for quality and clarity rather than sheer bass and loudness. i loved my old range rover when it came with harmon kardon sound system. so what can i do for my e30? advice please people

Tweeters behind mirror blanks
6.5" speakers in door pods
2x8" subs in ski hatch
Genesis amplifiers!!!

A good crossover/filter

For me it's
Pioneer deh-p700bt stereo
Alpine pdx5 amp
X2 sets of JL audio component speakers with the tweeters going in the mirror and bought BMW e30 premium rear speakers and fitted in to them too
X1 12" cerwin vega in a sealed box

Sounds crystal clear and I'm happy with it and for once it's something I don't intend to mess around with on my car.

kam-325i wrote:A good crossover/filter

Care to expand on this?

i go for both volume and clarity

+1

if you want quality over loudness its all about Alpine gear, if you really want them to they can handle the loudness as well

rainbow, focal, herts, for quality. Alpine and infinity are worth looking at

with audio, it all depends on budget

I wouldn't buy cheap alpine stuff. The high end stuff might be great but not worth put in most E30's

chu346 wrote:I wouldn't buy cheap alpine stuff. The high end stuff might be great but not worth put in most E30's

As far as audio goes i wouldn't buy cheap anything, you get what you pay for at the end of the day

i just wonderd if e30 offerd anything "FACTORY" that was the top audio package. like they offord in later 3 series. like bose or harmon kardon or anything else im unaware of. does anyone know?
or if theres other sytems i can use from other cars that will fit nicely?

chu346 wrote:

kam-325i wrote:A good crossover/filter

Care to expand on this?

Expand on what?

What is a Crossover/Filter or Why a Crossover/Filter ?

What kind of crossover?

Where in the system?

How will a good crossover benefit the op?

Most amps have them built in, are they not good enough?

chu346 wrote:What kind of crossover?

A basic Active 2 in - 3 Out (Front, Rear & Sub)

Where in the system?

straight after the head unit, using the PreAmp outputs, before any amplification.

How will a good crossover benefit the op?

The OP says they are after clarity over loudness, using a crossover will give the OP the abilty to tune the system to what type of drivers he/she is using......

Most amps have them built in, are they not good enough?

No.

I personally dont like the Amp/Crossover built in combo of most Mid range amps.

i would build a basic system with a good head-unit that has F/R pre-amp outs, then use a crossover to spilt and filter into 3 outputs, Front, Rear & Sub, then each channel having its own suitable amplifier..

First things first........ sound proofing!!!!
And the quality of installation will make a difference!!
The quieter and more solid the vehicle, the less your kit will have to try from the start!!!

Some of the best systems I have had, have been the simplest!!
A pair of high quality 2 way components up front and a sub in the back (12" for me!!!)!!!!

I'm assuming you want to keep factory speaker locations??
You will get better staging from a fully custom install and aligning speakers to the driver, etc!!!

At the end of the day, it all depends on how much you wanna spend and how much time you wanna put into it!!!

If you're looking for brands, you've got to trust your ears and have a listen to as many different speakers/amps as poss, with your type of music!!!

Personally, I like DLS for great vocals, JL for great bass, Nakamichi h/u for a quality source - but there are plenty of others you'll be happy with!!!

As Kos said - it's all down to your budget really!!!

+1 ^^

If you go for clarity then volume will come with it. First thing is sound deadening such is also the most important part. Then position of spearkers. IE none on the shelf if you have bass in your boot. Placed for good position for good bounce to ear. Decent wires kept at minimum lengths and away from other wires. Amps should be more power out put than the speakers and matched ohms. I found pheniox gold amps, auto acustics amps rainbow mids and mid bass with Sony ribbon tops a good combo. Log mono bass amps with jl audio subs give clear powerful bass and remeber to find out the air space in the car so you can build the box to match.

breakermart wrote:i just wonderd if e30 offerd anything "FACTORY" that was the top audio package.

The BMW HiFi pack or premium system.

It used tweeter pods behind the mirrors, up graded front foot well speakers, rear speaker and tweeter units mounted on the rear shelf and a small amp powering it all.

It sounds ok but its no Harmon Kardon (which isn't that great either).

A 4 channel amp connected to the 4 speakers the front footwells and wing mirror tweeters running through a cross over, tweeters and mids with channel 1 , 2 runnin medium gain on high power frequency and the rears runnin channel 3 , 4 again high power frequency, then the sub runnin on a good amp bridged to handle all the bass, you will have clarity top it off with a powercap but all this will be useless without quality wires no joins etc connected properly this setup will be very clear and sound will be crisp! Jus dont run remote and live on the same sides as the rca leads aswell. Oh and the earth is very important keep it short wnd well attached to the body. Good luck