Upgraded stereo settings

[solidgold]

Sorry for being dense, but what is that?
Would something like the Focal KRX3 3 piece components fit?

OK if yr question is ICE installer? ICE is In Car Entertainment in short.
So ICE installer is basically car accessories and car audio shop.

I am using Focal KR 165 3-way component speakers (but I configured it 2-way since I only have a 2-channel amp). Most important is the fitting. Z4 side doors is only 4.5". So you need to find a speaker to fit snugly. So any config with a 5" or 6" mids cannot fit that space. Unless you want to cut out a whole in your side panel ( I don't want to deface it). The foot well space is easy for 6" speakers and that location gives you an added boast to the bass. So a decent mid-bass speaker will sound beautifully bassy. Of course you can add a kickbox type sub to beef up the lower freq but you will need space for a sub. No space.
Tweeter is easy too...most will fit snugly. Now come the cross-over, which is passive for me. Have them in the side doors but make sure your installer have a decent overlap between high-mid and mid-bass freq if u are thinking of 2-way setup.

Woola..u are ready to rock and roll!!

[disruptv]

any more settings guys?

[e85sbm]

bump for actual settings on the EQ....just picked up a new E89 35is and am just running the EQ with flat settings....pretty blah, would live to see something posted that is ideal for the Z4

[Voytek]

Originally Posted by JDB30

I actually work in the music industry and I find the premium sound system in my 2010 Z4 utterly atrocious! I've tried nearly every setting combination (eq, surround vs. non-surround setting, etc.) and it still sounds horrible. It's pretty much the only thing I don't like about the car but as I live in Los Angeles and would like to take advantage of my commute time to do some listening, I was hoping some kind soul out there could let us know if they've done any aftermarket upgrades to their system to get it to sound decent.

Thanks!

Same, I'm a professional DJ so I'm really trying to get the premium system to sound good but I'm a bit disappointed. They say the stock system is really terrible however it was fine in my previous BMW's but for a premium system of 1100 euro's I figured it would be much better. Not saying it is bad but the price is very steep for what you are getting. Other than that I LOVE my new Z4. (Had it for a week now)

I'll try to figure out some decent EQ settings myself.

[e85sbm]

Originally Posted by Voytek

Same, I'm a professional DJ so I'm really trying to get the premium system to sound good but I'm a bit disappointed. They say the stock system is really terrible however it was fine in my previous BMW's but for a premium system of 1100 euro's I figured it would be much better. Not saying it is bad but the price is very steep for what you are getting. Other than that I LOVE my new Z4. (Had it for a week now)

I'll try to figure out some decent EQ settings myself.

If you get the figures worked out, please let me know

thanks,

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by JDB30

OT--Anyone out there have BOTH fuel pumps go out on them?

The answer is yes, but not necessarily because both of them went bad. Especially with MY 09 and MY 10, people reported dealers replacing the HPFP, but the problem not being fixed and going back to have the dealer replace the low pressure in-tank pump. No doubt these are based on a misdiagnosis of the in-tank pump. BMW has since added diagnostic codes to help with this problem. Fortunately BMW is pretty much out of the woods with the HPFP issue.

[e85sbm]

Anyone have EQ specs on the Z4??

Should I copy the ones used for the E93 or E92??

[mstevens]

One of the things about this thread that makes no sense is that nobody is talking about several things that matter a lot when talking about equalizer settings:

- What's the goal? Equalizers were invented to provide a "flat" frequency response. That is, when a signal consisting of specific intensities and specific frequencies was fed into the system, that's what came out of the speakers. The analogy here would be to calibrating a TV to provide an objectively accurate color rendition.

However, many listeners don't *like* a flat response and prefer boosted bass or treble just as some viewers prefer a TV image with significantly distorted color rendition. So, "optimum" settings depend hugely on the listener's preferences. My preferences won't likely match yours, so my optimum equalizer settings probably won't match yours, either.

- What's the source material? Nobody really listens to electronically-generated test tones while driving down the highway. Even for those of us who generally prefer flat equalization for most music, there are types of material that work better with other settings (for example, spoken material). I tend to use somewhat different settings for chamber music than I do for big orchestral works.

Ultimately, the "best" equalizer settings end up being a matter of opinion.

[e85sbm]

Originally Posted by mstevens

One of the things about this thread that makes no sense is that nobody is talking about several things that matter a lot when talking about equalizer settings:

- What's the goal? Equalizers were invented to provide a "flat" frequency response. That is, when a signal consisting of specific intensities and specific frequencies was fed into the system, that's what came out of the speakers. The analogy here would be to calibrating a TV to provide an objectively accurate color rendition.

However, many listeners don't *like* a flat response and prefer boosted bass or treble just as some viewers prefer a TV image with significantly distorted color rendition. So, "optimum" settings depend hugely on the listener's preferences. My preferences won't likely match yours, so my optimum equalizer settings probably won't match yours, either.

- What's the source material? Nobody really listens to electronically-generated test tones while driving down the highway. Even for those of us who generally prefer flat equalization for most music, there are types of material that work better with other settings (for example, spoken material). I tend to use somewhat different settings for chamber music than I do for big orchestral works.

Ultimately, the "best" equalizer settings end up being a matter of opinion.

I can understand that a flat setting is ideally what we are looking for.....however, back a number of years ago (in the '90's) I have competed in stereo competitions.

During these competitions there were a number of goals and points to hit while at the show....technical abilities of stereo, etc. BUT no matter what the stereo, there was the ideal SQ setting for the car (essentially balanced and flat sound).....that is what I am trying to achieve without paying a guy to spend a couple of hours with equipment to configure the tuning for the optimal SQ settings.

[e85sbm]

Anyone with a good EQ setting that will make the sound a little richer and fuller for everyday driving and music enjoyment?

If I don't get any results on here, I will try out a few different settings from E85's or E92's

[Asbjorn]

I think the topic here is how to get the best listening experience with the higher end BMW sound systems! Let me offer a few points related to this:

1) At low volumes the ear is less sensitive to especially the lowest frequencies of bass and also treble. With age the ability to hear the highest frequencies, ie 15khz+, actually disappears altogether. Ideally there would be a loudness function which increased the lowest frequencies and highest frequencies gradually at lower volumes. That is, if the the system had a flat frequency response from all directions to begin with. This is never the case in any car. And even if you could make it flat with an equalizer, the loudspeakers are placed too far from each other and too close the ears, and anyhow, the sound enviroment in a cabin changes all the time, even depending on your own clothing... In other words, unless something is really sticking out, and unless you often play at lower volumes, I would try and leave the equalizer alone. (Here I am assuming that what we need is a natural sound, and I know some may have preferences towards a fuller or brigter or whatever sound picture. In such cases I would recommend to try and copy some of the eq presets seen on mp3 players etc. )

2) In my Z4 I find the sound to be more balanced with the roof down. It seems to have been tuned to open top listening! With the roof up the reflections from the windows makes the treble a bit aggressive and the upper bass becomes too dominating in the small pressure chamber.

3) Some digital processors will distort the sound slightly when applying + gains. If gains of some frequencies are desired then try and leave those at 0 and set the other frequencies to negative (minus) gains instead. I haven't tested this on the logic7 sustem though...

4) Make sure that your loudspeakers are properly run in mechanically - especially if the car is new or the sound system hasn't been used for a long time. In my experience the sound becomes more smooth and dynamic after a "break-in" period. Just give the system at good exercise at say, 80% volume, for a few hours...

5) Turn the engine off or replace it with a smaller one to decrease the noise which covers dynamic contents of the music. Fortunately most pop and radio music has been compressed dynamically to a point where the dynamic content is close to 0dB (that means the difference between the singer screaming and whispering is adjusted to the same volume btw)

6) Remember that the social environment and visual aspects are almost as important as the music. So find a road with a nice view and add a passenger with a cold beer.

7) And now back to topic...

[sussexdan]

Originally Posted by Land_Shark

Here is the best setup, I've ever been able to achieve:
(CD or iDrive HD music on)
Treble: Max
Bass: +3
Fader: -2
Surround: checked ON
Equalizer:
100HZ: Max
200HZ: +4
500HZ: -3
1KHZ: +1
2KHZ: -1
5KHZ: +5
10 KHZ: Max

I have to say that the above settings are great. Thank you for posting!

Let me know what you think guys and if you have a better setup. Tks!

I've been playing around with the setting for ages and by far, by putting in the settings above, the sound is better than ever. Not saying it's perfect, but then the 'upgraded' sound system is far from perfect. Thanks again. Dan.

[Gunzaro]

I have top of the line 14 speaker system in my Z4 and the above settings give too much bass - too boomy. Tone the bass down and the settings are improved. Also put fader to neutral is optimum.

[Mayhem]

Sorry, but in my opinion, everybody hears differently so how can you have any particular settings to appease the masses? For instance, I suffer from high frequency hearing loss due to years of loud noises. What I think sounds great sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard to my wife. But I tend to agree, the speakers themselves are rather cheap in relation to the price of the car overall. I would personally like recommendations on speaker *upgrades* along with creative amplifier options that leave a small footprint, i.e. do not take up precious trunk space. Once I get quality speakers and requisite amplifier, I think my old ears can do the rest.

[raven333]

hi guys! A simple question, I would like to use the slot between the two seats at the top for a speaker upgrade. I understand that this is used in the top spec sound system, but given I have bought my car second hand I did not have the option! I have asked before if BMW put the wiring loom in place for this to be added, if not has anyone done it and if yes how did you wire it in? Thank you!
ps I don't have great knowledge on sound systems but listen to lots of music, I would like to upgrade the speakers and would appreciate any help!!! I think I have the BMW Professional system with the CIC and single dvd disc player!!!

[nicknaz]

Hey guys,

When I picked my car up the sales person claimed "his friend who works in the music industry recommended these settings"

treble +10
bass +3
2khz +3

Frankly, I haven't been impressed with the stereo in general (I'm not an audiophile) and I'm not convinced these settings are that great but wanted to share with the group on the basis of the sales person's claim.

[laz4]

I do sound design, so I'm pretty sensitive to sound and these are the richest settings I have been able to achieve. Although I should say that the premium audio system is pretty terrible in the e89. My e85 had far better sound quality. Even on the default settings, some properly encoded tunes distort as if you have a torn speaker.

[nicknaz]

hey LAZ4, what are those settings in terms of button clicks? i.e. is that 10kHz maxed, or it is one away from max?

Thanks for posting, I can't wait to try your settings

[laz4]

It's definitely not maxed out, but id have to check to be sure whether it's one or two clicks away from max.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by laz4

It's definitely not maxed out, but id have to check to be sure whether it's one or two clicks away from max.

I tried to translate your settings into clicks from the midpoint based on the pics.. is this correct?

Treble: +5
Bass: +5
Fader: 0
Surround: checked ON
Equalizer:
100HZ: +3
200HZ: +2
500HZ: +3
1KHZ: +4
2KHZ: +4
5KHZ: +5
10 KHZ: +6

[nickm9]

Ever heard the lyrics ...white people turn up the treble? Black people turn up the base?

Everyone is different when it comes to tonal balance.....what might be right for someone doesn't neccessarily mean will work for someone else...

[laz4]

The actual settings are as follows:

Treble: +8
Bass: +8
Fader: 0
Surround: checked ON
Equalizer:
100HZ: +4
200HZ: +3
500HZ: +4
1KHZ: +6
2KHZ: +6
5KHZ: +8
10 KHZ: +9