hi everybody, i'm presently waiting for my phone call from the bmw dealer so i can order my m3. i just wanted to ask any of you guys that got the speaker upgrade, how the harmon kardons sound?. is it worth it? where are the 2 subwoofers placed, does it take up trunk space? your reply will be very helpful, thanks

Don't do it!!!! The stock system is barely adequate, but the HK system is WORSE! It must be the worst sounding upgrade factory audio system I ever heard. BMW is notorious for bad sounding HIFi's. Thank GOD they do everything else just about spot on.

Go to your local QUALIFIED car hifi shop and let them do it. MB Quart (http://www.mbquart.com) makes some great sounding speakers, possibly the best, that drop right in (Made in Germany!) and JL Audio (http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/3series2.html) makes a subwoofer system that bolts to the rear deck and doesn’t take up any trunk space. Both of these are real hifi products.

Xtant and JL Audio make amplifiers that interface directly with the factory radio. This way you don't lose your sterring wheel controls and factory look.

SoundGate (http://www.soundgate.com/adj-loc.html) also makes an interface box (Model number LOC4) that allows you to use any high quality amplifiers with the BMW factory radio.

Good Luck on your road to better tunes!

My next-door neighbor just got a SC-430 with the Mark Levinson system… now that’s a car hifi!!! Best factory system I’ve heard. BMW needs some serious lessons from Lexus in this arena, although who wants to drive one of those disconnected floaty marshmallows anyway? You can always change the HIFI!

HiFi Man http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by hifiman (edited 08-02-2001).]

He's some info I posted for jetblack. I hope it helps, utmiken! If you have any specific questions just ask!

HiFiMan http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif

I agree about the HK not being worth the money. Also, they have had problems with rattling. I spoke with the shop foreman at the dealership and he says they have this rattling problem with almost all HK systems and that they still have not found a good fix for it.

Thanks for the info on the aftermarket systems Hifiman!

I found a company that makes a kit that lets you change the stock headunit to a higher quality aftermarket unit without totally modifying your dash.
http://www.scosche.com/scosche/installation/kits/BW2320.asp


Although the headunit in the stock system is the strongest link in the stock audio system, it starts to become a limitation on better aftermarket systems.

My suggestion, jake01, is that you start by upgrading the speakers and amps. Depending on how good of a system you want, it may as some point require a headunit upgrade. This scosche kit will come in handy at that time.

Hope it helps,

HiFi Man

I just installed the JL Audio subwoofer system that specifically designed for the E-46 with a JL 250 watt amp to the factory system.
http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/3series2.html

It really works well and doesn't take up any trunk space. I'm planning to upgrade the system further. I'll keep you posted.

…I still have 400 miles to go in break-in period - This could be one of the most difficult exercises in restraint I've ever encountered!!! I CAN’T WAIT!!! LOL

HiFiMan


HiFi Man

So how much does the JL Audio stealthbox cost? And doesn't it say that you can't use the stock rear speakers anymore? So what do you use for rear speakers?

Thanks,

Tim

You don't need the rear speakers. You just replace them with the subwoofers. Some people who compete in stereo competitions set them up that way too.

My advice to you is go down to your dealer and listen for yourself (if they don't have an M3, any 3-series coupe will do). The stock system is not acceptable. The h/k upgrade is acceptable, for not a lot of money; I doubt you could do better with aftermarket equipment for less. Of course you can get much better quality with aftermarket equipment...it all depends how much you want to spend.

I haven't noticed any rattles ('02 model), but there is distortion at volumes that I don't consider loud. It is not as good as the Bose systems in Audis and Mercedes.

Having many aftermarket systems, its going to be rough for me to live with the stock radio, but im going to do it. IMHO the car is too classy to throw a few subs in the trunk. Also I wouldnt change the factory speakers in the doors because, unless you do the install yourself, you never kno what kind of job you will get, and as nice as the interiors are, I wouldnt want somthing gettin broken or scratched. + the fact that things will rattle from then on lol.

I think the JL trunk box would be a good idea as it doesnt take up space and JL is an awesome brand. I have a Kenwood 9000 series in dash dvd in my TA. I would love to fit in the bimmer, but again, wont fit with the nav system and it wouldnt look right. $2500 headunit and nothing to do with it, and no, i wont give it to you lol.

Scott

HiFi, I want to keep the stock head unit but upgrade from there. The upgrades you spoke of, what kind of dollar amount are you talking about. The HK is $675.00. How far will that 675 go. I personally will do the install do to the fact I trust a few people to drive any of my vehicles http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif. General pricing is suitable.
Thank you much

Hifiman, how does your new system sound with the stealthboxes? Is the amp driving them adequately and how happy are you? I am thinking of going your route as I want the car to look stock. Thanks

Thanks for the info. I am waiting on a January build -- with the HK stereo. In Canada, it is a mandatory "option". Based on everything I've read, I am thinking upgrade before February is out! Anyway, I would like to keep the factory head unit, and was wondering if there are EQs out there that would accept the "balanced differential" output and allow amps with line level inputs to be used? I know converters exist, but if I am going to introduce additional circuitry, I would like it to have some additional benefit.


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hifiman:
Don't do it!!!! The stock system is barely adequate, but the HK system is WORSE! It must be the worst sounding upgrade factory audio system I ever heard. BMW is notorious for bad sounding HIFi's. Thank GOD they do everything else just about spot on.

Go to your local QUALIFIED car hifi shop and let them do it. MB Quart (http://www.mbquart.com) makes some great sounding speakers, possibly the best, that drop right in (Made in Germany!) and JL Audio (http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/3series2.html) makes a subwoofer system that bolts to the rear deck and doesn’t take up any trunk space. Both of these are real hifi products.

Xtant and JL Audio make amplifiers that interface directly with the factory radio. This way you don't lose your sterring wheel controls and factory look.

SoundGate (http://www.soundgate.com/adj-loc.html) also makes an interface box (Model number LOC4) that allows you to use any high quality amplifiers with the BMW factory radio.

Good Luck on your road to better tunes!

My next-door neighbor just got a SC-430 with the Mark Levinson system… now that’s a car hifi!!! Best factory system I’ve heard. BMW needs some serious lessons from Lexus in this arena, although who wants to drive one of those disconnected floaty marshmallows anyway? You can always change the HIFI!

HiFi Man http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by hifiman (edited 08-02-2001).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can you guys give us the speakers and the subs that you have found to go well woth the car, I have found that if you do not mix the car well, with the proer speakers that the sound just doea not sound as nice, I noticed that when I took my Lexus system apart, more sound and quality from each speaker, but as a system did not sound as nice, please Reccomend

I got my M3 on Dec. 18. After reading all the stereo horror stories on this forum, I didn't expect anything from the HK system. To my surprise, I think the HK system sounds pretty good, much better that the regular system that was in the 330ci I drove. I think my stereo sounds as good as the Bose 200W that was in my '99 Maxima (Or maybe I just had gotten used to the awful sound of the stereo in my Tahoe). Just my opinion, but I think the system is pretty good.

hifiman, do you find that you can avoid the rattle in the front speakers by turning up the gain on your subwoofer amp and turning down the bass level on the dash? Also, is the bass in the JL subs really hard-hitting or just provide good "depth" to music?

Like a lot of you I too got the HK. I found that my front speakers rattled more than the rears. I moved more sound(2notches on the fader) to the back speakers and turned up the treble&bass to compensate. Try it you may like it. Personally, the thought of a stereo shop hacking up my new car makes me nervous.

hifiman,

My M3 Coupe has the Nav/CD changer liner. Will the JL Stealthbox still work with the limited space on the left side?

It has been one week since my stereo install and I am thrilled with the results. I had the install done at Myer-Emco and the sales guy convinced me to try the JL stealth system for the 3 series. I was skeptical at first, but a fellow 2001 M3 owner said he was happy with the JLs performance. Using the JL subs require the removal of the rear speakers in the package tray and negates the usage of the tweeters in the rear. Interestingly you don't notice they aren't there after they are removed. I am using one PPI 4x125 amp running a set of fabulous MB Quarts Qs up front (2-way, 5 1/4 mids mounted in the factory location and the tweeters in the factory location, and the JL stealth subs in the rear. My head unit is an Alpine 7797. The steering wheel functions still operate via an adapter that was installed. The Qs up front sound incredible and with the JLs crossed over at 110-120 you get great sub bass as well as a bit of rear fill that give the impression that rear mids are still there. My goal was to not add any weight to the car and have awesome sound. I added XM satilite radio to the install and I am absolutely thrilled with the whole system. The total bill on the system was $3500 including all the XM equipment and labor. Don't expect big time low end thump out of the JLs since they are 8 inch units, however if clarity and loud acurate reproduction is your goal, the JL system is excellent. The JLs will play clear and quite low, but if big booming rap is in your rotation, go for the big heavy box type install. After removing the worthless HK sub box and amp and the factory amp and head unit along with all six speakers up front and the two mids from the rear, the total weight removed is actually just about the same as the weight as the JL subs, the PPI amp, the MB Q seperates up front, the Alpine head unit, and all the XM satelite equipment. My goal was met. The car has all the performace and handling it did before the stereo install and the sound system is fantastic.

ziff,

Can you please provide more info on the adapter used to maintain the steering wheel controls. I have an Alpine CDA 7875 (XM ready) head unit in my jeep that I would like to transfer to the M3 when it arrives. I was also thinking of going the MB quarts route. Since I am getting a cab I will probably also put some in the back. Will I need 6x9 for the back? Since I love loud techno, I also plan on throwing a high powered amp and sub in the trunk.

Ziff,

Sounds like you're in the DC area. Can you tell me which Myer Emco you worked with? I'd like to work with someone who has experience with the system in the E46 M3. I work in Gaithersburg and live in McLean. I'd love to hear your system sometime, if possible.

Karl

I live in Gaithersburg and the Gaithersburg Myer-Emco did the install. I checked out 6 other places and picked Myer-Emco because of their experience with the M3s. Ask for Gary Breeden and tell him Walt Ziffer send you. I work in Bethesda and would be happy to meet up with you so you can sample my system. Call me at work 301-571-1158.

PAC makes the adaptor and you can even use the two steering wheel buttons for the phone if you don't have a phone for additional radio functions. My head unit is a 7977 not a 7797, I mistyped. Any Alpine that has a remote control can use the PAC adaptor control. Good luck

Hi guys, when I order my M3, I'll order it with Nav. Is it still possible to change out the stereo head unit and maintain a functioning nav system AND steering wheel controls with the PAC adaptor?

forget the sound system issue. i have hk system it is fine, but would rather listen to the engine, sweet music! note bmw warns that after market electronics may screw up the electronic system. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jetblack:
hi everybody, i'm presently waiting for my phone call from the bmw dealer so i can order my m3. i just wanted to ask any of you guys that got the speaker upgrade, how the harmon kardons sound?. is it worth it? where are the 2 subwoofers placed, does it take up trunk space? your reply will be very helpful, thanks<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

has anyone installed mb quarts, if so how do they sound? did you install an amp, if so which one. do you recommend going with an amp or not? i should be getting my mb quarts put in this week just wanted to know if i should get an amp also. i'm sticking with my factory head unit for now.