New Stereo Time

[brewer90]

I couldn't stand the stock HK system and decided it was time for an upgrade. I went to several local shops but their suggestions were cookie cutter and when I told them what I wanted their prices doubled so I decided to do it myself. Now I can see why they wanted to charge so much.

I'm going with Hertz 165 components in the doors, an Infinity 8" sub set up IB firing through the ski pass, both of which will be powered by a Precision Power P900.4. I'm keeping the stock HU and am running it through an Audiocontrol LC7i.

Anyway here is the install for the driver door speaker. I did the passenger yesterday and it took me twice as long since I was figuring things out. I did a ton of reading on other people's installs in order to build up the courage to tackle this. It's the first time I've done one.

First step was to remove the panel, discard the stock speakers and start trimming away the plastic in order to get enough depth. I took the ring all the way down flush and also cut away one of the old speaker mounts on the right. No going back now! My midwoofer is 2.7" deep so I needed to get it as close to the grill as I good in order to have enough depth for the magnet.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-m5R8vqn/0/L/CA_03291315402420-L.jpg

Here is a clearance fit with the woofer and a mdf ring that I'll mount it to.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-rZnvPPd/0/L/CA_03291315404650-L.jpg

The next step was to assemble the baffle and two speaker rings and do a test fit on the door to make sure the panel went back on without a problem. The baffle will be screwed to the door so I wanted to make sure it was perfect before I started drilling holes. This stack is made up of a 3/4" plywood baffle, a 3/4" mdf ring and a 1/2" mdf ring sandwiched between the two. I cut all of these with a jigsaw.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-3z4GW62/0/L/CA_03291315405197-L.jpg

I mounted the speaker and did one last test fit and all was good.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-6fcQ26k/0/L/CA_03291315405686-L.jpg

The next step was to glue the whole thing together.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-f3S8bnF/0/L/CA_03291315404031-L.jpg

Once the glue was drying it was time to cut metal in order to give the speaker some breathing room behind it. I traced the mounting hole diameter onto the door, covered the seat and got busy with the dremel. Be sure and wear goggles. Sparks fly everywhere. Cover the inside of the car too.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-LPKcWfR/0/L/CA_03291315400916-L.jpg

Here is the hole. I masked it off and spray painted it for corrosion prevention. If you have a coupe you have to be very careful because the window track mount runs right the space for the hole. I loosened the bolt which pushed it back a tad and didn't have any problems.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-rmCG6fj/0/L/CA_03291315400090-L.jpg

The glue was dry enough at this point and I mounted the baffle and speaker back up and stuffed some dense foam around the edge of the gaps.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-5rP8SGp/0/L/CA_03291316052580-L.jpg

Then I covered it all in Dynamat.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-ds2DVz4/0/L/CA_03291315394411-L.jpg

All done.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-rSM7tJ8/0/L/CA_03291315392868-L.jpg

The tweeter mount was simple so no pics of that. I fired it up and it sounds awesome right now with the stock amp. I have it faded fully front and I'm getting more bass than I ever did with the stock subwoofers plus it doesn't fart out. I can't wait to hear it later this weekend when I'm pushing 100+ watts to them.

I'll get some pics of the sub and amp install later this weekend.

[johnrando]

Awesome!

[Tnhl1989]

Looks amazing! Can't wait to do something similar with my car :)

[brewer90]

No progress to report. After two days on I took the evening off and had a few beers. I did notice something interesting about the stock system. It has one heck of an active crossover thing going on. When I was testing the passenger side install I had both the tweeter and midwoofer connected and was able to fully fade front right and only hear those speakers. When I was first testing the driver side I only had the midwoofer connected. I had the stereo faded full front left and was still getting sound from the front right speakers. Once I connected the tweeter it isolated to the front left again.

Before I stopped work yesterday I yanked out the 6x9 subs and amp. I made a coffee run last night and grabbed my 2112 CD to rock out to with my new front stage. Well yanking the sub apparently caused the system to roll off the bass frequencies to the fronts and it sounded as crappy as my old speakers did. I'm not sure if it is the amp or head unit doing all of this but since I'm yanking the amp and installing a signal summing LOC I'm covered either way.

Time to get busy.

[johnrando]

No progress to report. After two days on I took the evening off and had a few beers. I did notice something interesting about the stock system. It has one heck of an active crossover thing going on. When I was testing the passenger side install I had both the tweeter and midwoofer connected and was able to fully fade front right and only hear those speakers. When I was first testing the driver side I only had the midwoofer connected. I had the stereo faded full front left and was still getting sound from the front right speakers. Once I connected the tweeter it isolated to the front left again.

Before I stopped work yesterday I yanked out the 6x9 subs and amp. I made a coffee run last night and grabbed my 2112 CD to rock out to with my new front stage. Well yanking the sub apparently caused the system to roll off the bass frequencies to the fronts and it sounded as crappy as my old speakers did. I'm not sure if it is the amp or head unit doing all of this but since I'm yanking the amp and installing a signal summing LOC I'm covered either way.

Time to get busy.
:fistpump

[UdubBadger]

awesome

[static667]

I've gone a little less invasive in my install. On my front speakers, I used a set of Memphis 5.25 that I had around and made a mount plate to adapt them to the factory mount points. For my rear deck speakers, I found that Rockford Fosgate makes a set of 6" speakers (their P-16 or T-16 component sets) fit into the actual HK mount rings with very little work. I will be replacing the Memphis speakers with Fosgates in the near future.

I'm pleased with the sound that I get but, I'm sure that yours sounds even better with the work that you are putting into it.

Sent from my yet to be hacked GS3.

[Go Horns!]

Looking forward to the IB setup.

[zhp43867]

Very nicely done so far! Looks like it should kick.

I just got done the first round of my install. I mounted the drivers to the panels- I'm ordering birch baffles from a specialty shop and am looking forward to increased midrange weight and mid-bass impact after I mount them to the door.

I also did an IB sub setup. Our trunks are sealed fairly well- just a couple of holes in the deck as I'm sure you know.

Great choices on everything. I heard the three way version of those Hertz components and was blown away. It seems (by photos) that the PPI amplifier is the same one used by companies charging 2-3x as much. Are you going to the family reunion?

[johnrando]

I've said it a half a dozen times, Kyle's setup kicks A$$! If this is going to be better....? Look out!

[Tnhl1989]

Ill be in for patterns and design specs for all the mdf cutouts so I could do something similar to my car :)

[brewer90]

Ill be in for patterns and design specs for all the mdf cutouts so I could do something similar to my car :)

I got the main baffle template from here http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=5548811&postcount=69. RSL did an awesome job with the template.

He used two 1/2" mdf baffle pieces and a ring on top. I used a 3/4" piece of plywood for the baffle and there wasn't room to stack two of them. So I used one, a 1/2 mdf ring and a 3/4 mdf ring. The rings don't have a pattern since the diameter varies with your midwoofer. Just get a compass, pretend you are in grade school again and start drawing circles. One to match the outer diameter of your midfwoofer and the other large enough to let the cone come through so it sits flush on the ring. Cut four of these and you are done.

[brewer90]

Very nicely done so far! Looks like it should kick.

I just got done the first round of my install. I mounted the drivers to the panels- I'm ordering birch baffles from a specialty shop and am looking forward to increased midrange weight and mid-bass impact after I mount them to the door.

I also did an IB sub setup. Our trunks are sealed fairly well- just a couple of holes in the deck as I'm sure you know.

Great choices on everything. I heard the three way version of those Hertz components and was blown away. It seems (by photos) that the PPI amplifier is the same one used by companies charging 2-3x as much. Are you going to the family reunion?

What did you do for your IB? How do you like it?

I'd read where several companies are using the same basic amp and rebranding it. I bought the cheapest version but read good reviews on it.

Unfortunately I won't make the reunion. Too much crap at work and a bit too far to drive for a long weekend.

[brewer90]

Slow but steady progress today. The pics don't look like much happened but I ended up having to yank out the rear seat and arm bolster in order to get the left trunk panel out so I could get to the amp stack.

I had already removed the ski bag and fold up door. I used a piece of cardboard to get the size right and then cut a piece of mdf for the front.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-dJH2ML9/0/L/CA_03311307014163-L.jpg

I did the same for the back. I didn't want to screw into the back of the seats so I thought I'd put a board on either side and bolt them together.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-mRjLLt5/0/L/CA_03311307005114-L.jpg

Speaker hole cut and tracing the circle on the back piece to cut it out.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-7rmGstb/0/L/CA_03311307002413-L.jpg

Test fit. I'll cover this in either carpet or vinyl. The armrest folds up but not totally flush. I guess I could have mounted the speaker to the back of that front piece and then it would fold flush.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-SZkr7Qq/0/L/CA_03311307001071-L.jpg

I decided to move on to the power side and figure out where to mount everything. I really wanted to keep this stealth and use the space where the stock amp is on the left but I had no idea how much room was available. So time to start yanking stuff. I got stuck on the right rear seat bolster and had to be saved by the internet. Once small clip cost me a lot of time.

Here is what I found with everything off. That silver thing on top is the ibus controller so that has to stay.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-KBrzVMR/0/L/CA_03311306594424-L.jpg

I also got a USA Spec ipod dock and was searching for the connection cable which I found.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-BFnVq7V/0/L/CA_03311306593379-L.jpg

I finally got the amp and ibus disconnected and pulled the whole assembly.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-gmRDgv6/0/L/CA_03311307005953-L.jpg

I was stuck on how to mount everything and as I looked at all the pieces I didn't have a clear picture on how I would wire it up. So I took a break, drew a wiring diagram and went to Radio Shack to get some spade connectors, fuses and cables.

I spent the last two hours of the day cutting some pieces off the old amp frame thinking the cleanest option would be to use it to mount everything too. I cut a mounting bracket from a piece of angled strap and bolted a mdf board to this to mount the amp too. I didn't get any pics of this but quit at 10:00 pm with the frame in the car and the amp mounted to it.

Today is Easter so I'll be off doing family stuff until about 1:00. So there will be a mad dash after that to connect everything, test it, mount and button the car back up so I can go to work tomorrow.

[zhp43867]

I got one side of the old stealthbox enclosure and replaced the JL driver with an Image Dynamics ID8. Your install is looking better than mine, I think you will be very pleased with the end result. I also removed the HK sub box, sealed the other three big holes in the deck.

I mounted my JL HD amplifier in that bracket area, it took a lot of trimming and filing. Here are some pictures- I think the amplifier is roughly the same size- maybe it'll give you some ideas. Not a pro install by any means but it works for me. This is the install almost finished (I re-attached it using better fasteners). You can just barely adjust the crossovers, levels and such via the little hinged door in the carpet. I also moved the passive crossovers below the nav drive. Shorter crossovers might fit up top fwiw.

After trimming:

http://imageshack.us/a/img194/4109/dsc01561gk.jpg

Amp installed:

http://imageshack.us/a/img805/607/dsc01566b.jpg

[UdubBadger]

baller

[brewer90]

Unfortunately my amp's inputs and controls are on the very ends of the amp so I couldn't copy Derek's installation. I cut a piece of mdf and attached it to the right side of the frame after trimming off some extraneous bits.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-GjQRqQ8/0/L/CA_04011308432402-L.jpg

Then I assembled the rest of the structure to see where I had room to mount the LOC. I put it opposite the amp using 3M Dual Lock. This stuff kicks velcro's ass in a major way. I found it at Target.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-vb5fN8P/0/L/CA_04011308431625-L.jpg

Then I took everything down and started stripping and connecting a bunch of wires and here it is ready for testing.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-GPD87ZL/0/L/CA_04011308425295-L.jpg

It all went downhill after this and I spent two hours chasing problems. I broke the cardinal troubleshooting rule of only changing one variable at a time and had to go back and start from scratch. It turns out I had to use the mid and woofer connections from the Technic harness and not the tweeter and mid. At first I had no midwoofers, so I swapped the mid connection and added the woofer. My channels were also swapped so I switched the RCA inputs. After this I had mids but no tweeters and shortly after that no front stage at all. Once I got the wires connected correctly, it turns out I had an intermittent connection at the actual harness connector. I finally got full sound about 9:45 last night and called it quits. I plan to set the gains and crossovers after work today and get the tower of power all installed and buttoned up.

[brewer90]

Finished! Well except for the vinyl covering on the subwoofer mdf but that can wait. I have great sound, good bass for an 8" and no deck rattles.

Here I have everything mounted in the frame but the wiring is a mess. LOC is on the left, one crossover above it, terminal strip for speaker connections attached to the car frame, amp on the right, and the second crossover next to it.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-tgvkc96/0/L/CA_04011322441043-L.jpg

I trimmed the wires and dressed everything up.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-82ChZDm/0/L/CA_04011322442557-L.jpg

Got the sub baffle mounted. I sandwiched some dense foam in between the boards hoping to stop any rattles and it seems to have worked.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-nvJpVf8/0/L/CA_04011322443889-L.jpg

Got the lining all back in. I can open the access panel and easily adjust the amp gains and filters if needed.
http://jmabry90.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-NZ5rrBf/0/L/CA_04011322445527-L.jpg

With it playing at a decent volume I can feel the drums and bass and it is nice and tight which is what I was after. The highs are clear and not muddy at moderate to high volumes like the stockers. I'm hearing things now in songs that I could only pick up in headphones previously. While the stock system sounded good at low volumes it quickly fell apart as the volume increased and this setup definitely doesn't have that problem.

This took two days longer than I thought it would but all of it was custom made so there was nothing quick about it. I can see why people go the BSW route but I'm happy I tackled this project and I know it was done right.

[Tnhl1989]

You sure made this looked a lot easier than I thought it would be. Awesome job. Too bad I won't get to hear it though :(

Demo video?

[nike001]

Damn... I wish I had the knowledge to do all of this.

I'm growing more and more tired of my stock system and there isn't much I can do about it..

Great work OP!

[Jlastor]

Nice job!!! I went the BSW way because this type of job i totally out my abilities (I guess I could do it but not into it, lol). I do like my BSW setup anyways.

Totally out of topic, I see your trunk is grey inside. My car (imola red sedan) has red (matte) spare tire well, and red inside panels. Is that a normal difference between coupes and sedans since they are assembled in different factories?

[brewer90]

Damn... I wish I had the knowledge to do all of this.

I'm growing more and more tired of my stock system and there isn't much I can do about it..

Great work OP!

Thanks. I had no knowledge of how to do this either before this project so don't let that hold you back. There is a ton of info in the e46fanatics ICE section that will get you the level of understanding needed to do this. It really isn't that technically difficult, it is just time consuming.


Nice job!!! I went the BSW way because this type of job i totally out my abilities (I guess I could do it but not into it, lol). I do like my BSW setup anyways.

Totally out of topic, I see your trunk is grey inside. My car (imola red sedan) has red (matte) spare tire well, and red inside panels. Is that a normal difference between coupes and sedans since they are assembled in different factories?

No idea. Mine was one of last ones built so maybe they were running short on paint:)

[zhp43867]

Nice job with the amplifier mounting! I'm impressed that you fit the custom amplifier rack withing the stock frame. My first install in my last ZHP used plywood to mount the amplifiers and it was sloppy- the carpet bulged out. Looks like you have plenty of space to adjust everything and keep the wires far apart (that need to be).

Let us know how you decide to trim the subwoofer baffle! 12Velectronics sells BMW trunk carpet if you're looking.


Damn... I wish I had the knowledge to do all of this.

I'm growing more and more tired of my stock system and there isn't much I can do about it..

Great work OP!

I can help you out. Through trial and error, I've been through E46 installations of (almost) every sort that there is.

[323TOZHP]

Nice. well done. I am getting ready to do mine so this has been a big help. I have a Herz free standing sub so I will not need an enclosure but the problem is that it is a 12". 8s are soooo tight. Did you change your head unit?

[brewer90]

Nice. well done. I am getting ready to do mine so this has been a big help. I have a Herz free standing sub so I will not need an enclosure but the problem is that it is a 12". 8s are soooo tight. Did you change your head unit?

No I kept the stock head unit. I never found an aftermarket one that I thought looked good. However I wish I had more integrated functionality with bluetooth, ipod, etc so I might rethink that. I guess I could go the Dynavin route.

What is your plan for mounting your sub?

[323TOZHP]

No I kept the stock head unit. I never found an aftermarket one that I thought looked good. However I wish I had more integrated functionality with bluetooth, ipod, etc so I might rethink that. I guess I could go the Dynavin route.

What is your plan for mounting your sub?

Well it is a very odd driver. From what I read it does not need an enclosure so I was thinking about cutting a hole out of the ski pass and mounting it there. It should take up minimal trunk space. But I am confused as to whether to mount it from the front or back. It quite possibly could be one of the best solutions for an E46. I did not know much about the company before I bought it. I am going back and forth about which head unit to put in. I had a Pioneer in my last car and it was VERY convenient to get in the car and have the iphone sync with the stereo over bluetooth and start playing music where it left off. Their new double din units have the app mode however $150 for a mount kit and $150 for the facia is kind of scary. But it would certainly bring the car up to date.

[brewer90]

The coupes only have about an 8" pass thru width where I think the sedans are more like 10" so I was limited in my selection.

My only issue with doing a double din unit is that you have to cut some stuff in the dash to get it to fit. I guess I should look into those again though as an option. I think I'm over my fear of hacking up my car now :-)

[ranger]

Very impressive.

[billyjack]

I really like how you fit everything in the stock amp location. Definitely what I would want to do if I re-do my system. :thumbsup