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03-01-2017, 04:31 PM | #1 |
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Subwoofer Removal
I am looking to upgrade the stock subwoofers with Earthquake SWS drop in replacements. This swap has been done on various e9xs and e6x cars but I cannot seem to find anything on the e89.
Does anyone know the process of pulling apart the interior (rear parcel) so that I can get access to the subwoofer? I have searched since I got the car 1 month ago and havent found much to go off of. |
03-02-2017, 08:38 AM | #3 |
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Most of the bass from the premium sound option's system comes from the footwell woofers. I don't think you're going to achieve much by just swapping those two behind the seats. You're going to want amplify them independently. Since you're going to be in there anyway, it's little additional effort to put in an second amp near the stock one (that's where mine is for my trunk installed sub is) using Technic's 677 harness. Whatever little sound they produce in their existing configuration, both in Surround and non-Surround mode, won't be missed. They don't even produce 1/4 of the bass the stock underseats do in the 1 and 3 series. Most everyone that installs any drop in replacements either does or wishes they had amplified them even in those cars. Where you're headed in terms of install location is exactly what I would do if I wasn't leasing my car.
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03-02-2017, 03:12 PM | #4 | |
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This swap has been well documented on the e9xs and is good for more than 3 DBs with the stock amplifier. I have already done this swap on an x5 and 3 e92s with excellent results. Of course sound is all subjective but for my situation this solution fits the bill. I'm looking for something relatively stock and don't want to do anything in terms of amplification. |
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03-03-2017, 08:34 AM | #5 | |
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03-04-2017, 06:40 AM | #6 |
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BTW 3db gain with a stock amplifier means the a speaker efficiency improvement that would be the equivalent of doubling amplifier power on the stock speakers (if they could handle the power increase).
Bavsound, for which people have varying opinions, does not change any of the woofers on these cars, as part of their kit. Now they'll sell you the rear woofers if you want. Given they are in the business, so-to-speak, I'd love to know why they don't change the rear woofers or offer footwell speakers on the E89. I have the Bavsound kit and hope to do the install soon. Filippo
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03-06-2017, 08:51 PM | #7 | |
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3db gain does not necessarily mean the amp is working harder. There is much more to it than that. For example, different subwoofers resonate at different frequency ranges. Meaning their output increases in a specific band width. Everything from dustcap weight, to surround stiffness can affect a subwoofers resonance. The Earthquake SWS is actually a patented design used under license. Bavsound probably is not licensed. The motor on the SWS is HUGE in comparison to the dinky stock ones. |
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03-06-2017, 08:56 PM | #8 | |
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As far as how the processing differentiates from other BMW's I will have to see. Regardless. I have the SWS subwoofers and would like to put them in and see how it changes. Does anyone know how to get to the subwoofers behind the seats? |
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03-07-2017, 06:06 AM | #9 |
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Ok I'm going to list off first that I have been a sound engineer system designer for over 20years in the entertainment industry. I think the question you are really asking comes down to processing. If you have the the idrive system the rear subs work differently due to it being in a special surround mode that BMW uses. If you have just the the system with the subs and no idrive it works differently. It isn't really a surround mode and the rear subs have more output believe it or not. But yes. If you put in the SWS subs you will get more output. Yet more on the non idrive system. The reason for this is lower impedance and higher quality parts. It's kinda like this. You all baught your BMW's because of the performance and quality. But you weren't going to buy a Chrysler Sebring even though they are both convertible with roughly the same size motor. So I'm just going to use that. I'm not going to go into the technical as to why it always is better to upgrade your speakers from OEM. As for taking out the subs. I would think that the cover is succured to with clips. If it wasn't it would make a lot of noise. Try one of those plastic prying tools they make for trim.
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03-07-2017, 12:45 PM | #10 |
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z4 dash forum dot com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=75861
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03-07-2017, 03:33 PM | #11 | |
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Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of different processing between iDrive/non-iDrive! |
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03-07-2017, 11:39 PM | #13 |
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+1
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03-09-2017, 11:29 AM | #14 |
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I didn't intend my post to be read that way. It's the other way around - a 3db increase in speaker efficiency means the amp does half the work to produce the same sound output.
In other words, it's like keeping the same speakers and doubling amplifier power (the other way to think about it). Filippo
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03-09-2017, 09:53 PM | #15 | |
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03-10-2017, 03:12 PM | #16 |
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Just to share my experience with E89s speakers. Having owned one with Basic, and the last two with Premium, they all rattle and distort notes at reasonably higher volumes (my benchmark for measuring this was listening to Intro by The XX -- excellent at accentuating those demanding notes.) With my 2nd E89 with Premium Audio, I went to a reputable auto audio store in the city and was told that I pretty much had to upgrade the amp as well as the speakers to stop experiencing the rattling and distortion at higher volumes. He was surprised, however, to find that E89s came with a 3 way component speakers btw.... he thought it was an overkill for such a tiny cabin (he shared than even the Ferrari 458 he worked on earlier had a 2 way front component system, although I believe that's irrelevant since the notes come from the engine if that's your vehicle
Adding an 8 channel JBL amp as well as upgrading the front 3 way components (6 speakers in total) plus installation yielded a whopping $2700. I also had him add sound deadening which was very effective at reducing outside noise. After the speakers break-in period of 48 hours of playtime, fidelity improved a bit, but, more importantly, rattling and distortion disappeared completely at higher volumes. |
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03-10-2017, 07:57 PM | #17 | |
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03-13-2017, 09:04 AM | #18 |
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I think the factory Premium sound system's components are just fine. I really see no need to replace them and spend insane amounts of money re-doing the whole system. My biggest problem with it is that, unless you use surround mode (which I don't because it sounds like shit), you really only use 6 of the speakers available (the front 3 ways). Simply swapping out the rear subs for better 8's (or retrofit 10's if you want to), and amplifying them separately or doing what I did and throwing a 10" in the trunk instead of replacing the stock woofers gets you a more than adequate sound system for top up and down audio. I've blasted it for 3 hours, top down, from Houston to SA playing a wide variety of music and never noticed distortion.
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03-13-2017, 04:45 PM | #19 | |
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03-14-2017, 09:07 AM | #20 | |
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I fully agree sound is subjective. I know you've been trained to hear things that no one hears. I was born that way, I shit you not. I know the curse. I actually don't like going to concerts for the exact same reasons. I'm never happy with the sound in any venue. I find fault with the stock speakers as well but, in my case, the curse can be overridden by cost in some cases. I envy you for your training. I would love to know half of what you probably do about the technicals. At the end of the day, it's "good enough" that I don't feel it necessary to tear it apart, modify the housings to accommodate better components, re-run wiring, and adding yet another amp. Especially not in a convertible and especially not in a leased car. From my POV, there's just not enough audible distortion at the volumes I listen to it at. And screw you very much, now I'm thinking about swapping the rear 8's and selling my 10, you jerk. |
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03-14-2017, 05:47 PM | #21 | |
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03-14-2017, 07:45 PM | #22 | |
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I agree most people are happy. Obviously, I wasn't happy enough hence the sub. So the stock amp is 875W and I use the 500W for the JL sub (I, too, am a JL fan). I bought and had them use Technic's harness to grab low signal and remote from the stock amp. No cutting, fully plug and play. As I stated before, it really does suck that I'm really only using 6 speakers, from an available vs. use standpoint. All that wattage wasted on 14 speakers for a 2-seater roadster so it can have surround sound that sounds like crap. X2 on the Focals (or a number of others). I'm aware they're all mass produced off-the-shelf stuff. I think surround mode really brings out the flaws in them. Switch it back, though, and it's much different. Not spectacular, but more than tolerable to my ears. Let me get familiar with the guide posted and I will see if I can get in there to take some pics (it was done professionally by a trusted audio shop here as I have gotten lazier as I've gotten older). If the OP takes pics and beats me to it, I'll point out the location using his pics. |
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