My stock system upgrade

[Headmaster]

So I started to hijack another thread and I promptly stopped as a noob here. I have owned/own a number of bmw's over the years and the only fault I have found with the cars is their lackluster sound systems....I'm not talking about the boom boom, just good clean full range sound. Here's my build on my 04 zhp sedan.


I'll start off by noting that I wanted my car's appear end to be as stock as possible. My car had factory nav and the hk upgrade (if you can call it that). I was also concerned about weight gain as it's the biggest hp killer...

Here's my list of gear:

Hertz hsk energy 165. 3 way speaker system
Jl audio 10w7
Zapco dc reference 6.650
Zapco dc reference 1000.1
Knuconcept wires and distribution blocks

I purchased the hertz new for $400, the Jl used (actually traded an amp for it), the two zapco amps cost $650 total (they were taken from a demo vehicle) and $150 on wires, fuse blocks and alpha damp.

So let's start with the front speaker install..


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[TigerTater]

I'm intrested always been a fan of full range audio. My front door mids recently blew :( looking for options


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[Headmaster]

First, i removed the seats, to be able to run new wiring to the front of the car. The stock wiring is actually pretty good in that its twisted pair, but its 18-20 Ga. which will create too much resistance @ 4ohms and the 100w which I am feeding the midbass.
I ran the wire under the carpet in the middle of the car because the alternator feed runs up the side.
Here's how I ran the wires to the door.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/usere9y8.jpg
Remove the 8 mm bolt on the wire boot. Lift the boot and pull from the car side, it should come off pretty easily. Disconnect the plug by pulling the end, it will pop right out.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/veresuja.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/za9ydave.jpg
Now take a flathead and remove the outer sheath on the connecter.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/unu4udyh.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/apade6y7.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/enu3ymyz.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/yqyhupyd.jpg
When you remove the sheath you will notice the plug is in two sections, one for the door controls, one for the speakers. Here i cut the speaker portion out for removal.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/amegyhe6.jpg
Now i pull the factory wires through the boot. And begin to snake the new wires. Make sure to put them through the sheath first (ask me how I know.. )
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/etyru9uj.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/yjude7aj.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/pu6a7uda.jpg
Pull about 3 feet of wire into the door. My system will be an active crossover setup so I'll need a pair of wires for the woofer, midrange, and tweeter respectively.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/5uha2ahu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/vydyme5u.jpg
Here's a pic of everything reassembled.

Now you probable noticed i cut a hole in the metal of the door.. This is to mount the midbass and use the door as a baffle. I created a mount from mdf, bolted it to the door with lock nuts (no rattles). I alao used weatherstrip foam between the metal of the door and the wood. Here are the pics
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/4e7ava9a.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/pu7ava7u.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/e2a7eqa4.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/de4apupu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/u4edy2yt.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/ha9yty3u.jpg
I threw a quick coat of rustoleum to protect the wood.
I also coated the outer door skin wuth alpha damp,to reduce vibration and increase bass output.
Now for the speaker
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/vemu6u7a.jpg
I installed the tweeter in the factory location with some double sided trim tape to hold it in place. I then installed the midrange in the factory location (no cutting of the door skin).

Now i had to modify the midbass mount on the door by cutting the plastic flush to allow the new deeper speaker to fit.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/qahy9y8e.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/pydeqe8y.jpg
Now the door skin gets replaced. Here's the finished look.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/4y6ederu.jpg
Next up is the headunit integration

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[ELCID86]

Nice. Where are you located? Please tell me VA!

[Headmaster]

So now we will tackle the bm53 integration. First off you will need to purchase the metro harness part #71-9003. This prevents the cutting of the factory harness.
Now remove the left (drivers side) luggage compartment carpet. It's the side with the door to the cd changer/nav unit. You'll need to remove the bm53 tuner, sorry I didn't take a pic. Now remove the harness by lifting up the handle. This is the harness:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/y9ygema7.jpg
Now pop out the plug with the blue center by pushing it through from the front. Now take the metes harness, pop out the same piece and replace it in the car.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/pa7usyma.jpg the replaced part has the twisted wires. These wires are labeled correctly on the metes package however they are not speaker level, they are balanced 5v low noise line level. This is the best signal available, better than line output/ clean sweep/ ms-8 etc.. Now simply solder RCA connectors for regular aftermarket amps.
Here's a pic from Doug bakers install, mine is different because my zapco's use din cables
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/nyqe3a7a.jpg
Now I selected zapco amplifiers because they are native to balanced inputs, the dc series uses class a/b amps with digital signal processing built in. They have a fully programmable network which is done by laptop with crossovers, eq, and digital line level matching. I'll get to the amps next



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[Headmaster]

I'm in boston. Thanks, cutting the doors was a little painstaking but I managed to get both sides done in one day. I would do it again in a heartbeat as the new setup is amazing... I'm running 50 w to the tweeter, 50w to the mid, and 100 to the mid bass. I removed the rears completely as they are not needed because of the quality front sound stage and the fill from the sub.


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[Headmaster]

Here's a pic of the sub, ill have more next week, my wife hijacked the camera for the weekend..
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/16/dareje3y.jpg

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[ELCID86]

Really impressive. So how much $s are you into it if you don't mind sharing.

[danewilson77]

Damn. That's a ton of work. Well done.

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[Johnmadd]

I need this now!

[danewilson77]

I need this now!

Hey Johnny boy...

:wave

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[Johnmadd]

Hey Johnny boy...

:wave

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Hey homie, sup!

[Headmaster]

Total spent is above, around $1200, but I've got good sources for gear having been around car audio for years. Best part is I removed rear ski pass, rear speakers, rear sub and amps, so my net weight gain is around 10 lbs.. Thanks.. Where are you Johnny? This can be done in a weekend..


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[Tnhl1989]

I would love to hear this in person if you are free tomorrow. I will be heading in that direction tomorrow and probably could stop by to hear the system. If not tomorrow we can do it some other time :)

[Headmaster]

What time, ill be out in the morning and back in the afternoon.

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[ELCID86]

Nice Tony. Would like your opinion too. I'm hoping the Master can come to the reunion and show of his system and handy work.

[Johnmadd]

Total spent is above, around $1200, but I've got good sources for gear having been around car audio for years. Best part is I removed rear ski pass, rear speakers, rear sub and amps, so my net weight gain is around 10 lbs.. Thanks.. Where are you Johnny? This can be done in a weekend..


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I really appreciate the offer but finances are tight at the moment, but I may take you up on the offer sometime in the future.

[ELCID86]

I really appreciate the offer but finances are tight at the moment, but I may take you up on the offer sometime in the future.

That is a bit rich. Any lower cost options?


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[Avetiso]

That is a bit rich. Any lower cost options?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

+1

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[Headmaster]

Oh yeah, a nice set of fronts, a DIY 3 way setup amp and sub can be done for under $1k, mine is a totally different animal. My buddy did his e39 540 m-tech for under $700 and it's pretty badass.. It really helps to identify your goals, just like engine mods it can get expensive quickly...


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[ELCID86]

Oh yeah, a nice set of fronts, a DIY 3 way setup amp and sub can be done for under $1k, mine is a totally different animal. My buddy did his e39 540 m-tech for under $700 and it's pretty badass.. It really helps to identify your goals, just like engine mods it can get expensive quickly...


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Come to the reunion so we can all pick your brain! Or perhaps in the mean time you can put together recommendations for a budget and mid-price upgrade on speakers/Amp. I think most here want to keep the OEM HU and some have OEM NAV HU.

[Headmaster]

Sure will, I'm assuming it's posted in the appropriate forum..

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[ELCID86]

Looks good to me. ICE. And thanks.

[ELCID86]

Bump, haven't seen the Master around lately.