From digest.v7.n186 Thu Aug 28 18:31:10 1997
From: "Lien, Patrick" <PLien_at_skandia.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 18:24:55 -0400
Subject: RE: bmw-digest V7 #81

My <E36> is not Asia-spec, and has the ten-speaker setup with the mid and tweeters in the door. But maybe some general observations can apply to your car also.

When I first purchased the car, I was not very happy with the overall sound quality of the stock speaker system. It lacked a deep low end, couldn't produced the tight, percussive bass I prefer, and lacked any overall sense of "presence." Here's what I did, and why I did it:

• Added a 2x10" JL Audio sealed enclosure subwoofer in the trunk, powered by a Kenwood 160x1 mono amp. Reason: I wanted the extend low frequency response. Because BMW's have such solid construction (interior rattles notwithstanding), I felt I needed those 2 10" drivers with adequate power in order for the bass to penetrate into the passenger compartment without cutting holes in the decklid. I chose a sealed enclosure as opposed to a ported or bandpass enclosure to get tighter bass. The Kenwood amp gets its speaker-level signal off the rear speakers (I rarely use the fader, so it was acceptable).
• Switched the stock head unit with an Alpine AM/FM/Cassette with CD changer controls. Reason: I did not want to spend extra for an amp to drive the passenger compartment speakers. But the stock head unit is woefully inadequate. When checking the power ratings, it's important the check the THD figure at those rated output levels. For example, my stock head unit was rated at a nominal output level of 4.4W, but it's THD figure at that output level was 1%. The Alpine unit was rated at 10W with 0.08% THD, with max output at 35W. (Most manufacturers quote max output level for their head units.) Like many others, I thought seriously about keeping the existing head unit, but now I realize that with its anemic amp, even changing speakers wouldn't have helped much. Take it from me: the stock head unit is a weak link. Replace it and the improvement in sound *will* be apparent.
• Added an alpine 12-disc CD changer in the trunk Reason: I didn't want to keep shuffling CDs while driving. <g>
• Kept the 10 stock Nokia speakers Reason: With the subs filling in the low, and the new head unit providing a cleaner signal, the stock speakers sound pretty good.

So basically, I filled in the lows, and provided the stock speakers with a cleaner signal.

Patrick Lien
'93 325i, K&N, JC, M3 cat-back on the way BMWCCA# 142852

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Justin Chan <pcathome_at_pacific.net.sg>
> Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 00:42:36 +0800
> Subject: <E36>,<All> Newbie's Car Audio Tech Query
>
> Hi guys.
>
> I'm thinking of upgrading the stock stereo on my 318is and would like
> some
> advice.
>
> Some preliminaries:
>
> My asia-spec E36 does not come with the tweeters mounted in the door -
> I
> only have the speakers in the footwell and the rear speakers.
>
> Secondly, my stock system is a Blaupunkt Barcelona with Blaupunkt
> speakers
> up front and back, and Blaupunkt CD Changer in the trunk.
>
> My questions:
>
> The stock speakers are pretty acceptable, but I find that I can't get
> punchy
> bass (I mean sharp percussion type bass in jazz & rock music)with the
> stock
> woofers except at high volume. I'm thinking of adding an amplifier
> and a
> sub-woofer, and maybe upgrading the speakers after they start to go a
> little
> soft. The head unit has a built-in amp that is capable of running,
> and I am
> quoting off the manual, 4 ch x 19w or 2 ch x 25w RMS. It also has a
> pre-amp
> built in.
>
> *****
> What sub-woofers can you guys recommend? Bear in mind I just want
> clarity
> at low volumes, not necessarily to signal the next block of my

• Deleted 33 quoted line(s) ------

-----End Original Message-----