Sound Crusade for 2000 540i

[BlkCofy]

What I thought would be a simple upgrade, has turned into something of a Crusade. The sound in my 2000 540i was not sufficient enough. So I led myself to believe that I could take the amp and sub from my previous car '99 SVT Contour (MTX Audio 5-Channel 800W & 10in box) and have a quick remedy to my problem. The sound from this setup (w/ 3-way Pioneers in the doors and back with a Blaukpunt unit) was awesome!! So one would think a simple swap would be a "Good" thing...WRONG!! After my favorite shop spent nearly 10 hours working on my car, the sound is actually worse than before!

I was given the MA Audio Y3K5C 5.25in 250w component system as a gift, which I figured had to be an improvement over the factory. With a more powerful amp and a big sub...where could I go wrong??

Here's the current setup on the new MTX 5 Channel Amp...Keeping the OEM BMW head unit, I have the front doors (5 1/4 and 2 components each) occupy the first 2 channels, the rears (5 1/4s rear window and 1 component in doors) take another 2 channels, and the sub box in the trunk take the 5th channel. This was a nightmare for the installer, as he had to disconnect every component connection from the original OEM amp and re-route everything to the new amp. I was surprised to find out that I had two tiny little subs hidden above the trunk! Surprised, because I have never been happy with the level of bass the OEM setup produced. These subs are still being run by the OEM amp. The OEM speakers were a killer to get out of the car, as they had to literally remove my entire back seat. I was nearly in tears. So, 10 hours later I had a banging new sound system right??? WRONG AGAIN!! It sounds "Ugly".

My installer is confident the outputs are all correct, but before blaming the speakers, he's going to test the polarity of the inputs (??), but suggested not buying new speakers before he tested it later this week. Of course I did not listen, and just bought some MTX Audio Thunger8000 T8.5 components, thinking that the MA Audio's are too weak/cheap for this setup. I'm taking my car back in later this week for the test and to install the MTX's, hoping that this does the trick.

Has anyone successfully upgraded the speaker setup on their 5 series w/out changing the Head Unit? I'm stuck now on this "expensive" Sound Crusade and would appreciate anyone who could let me know there is an eventual happy ending in sight!! Thanks.

 

[BlkCofy]

Well, after much searching (with very little help from this and other forums) I've been able to find out some great advice for greatly improving the OEM 5-series head units that have the DSP option. I made the adjustments and my system sounds a heck of alot better!! So much in fact, that I'm sharing the information with anyone who'd like to try it. This advice came from an old archive back in 2001 about the DSP systems, specifically for the 5 series.

To begin with, the stock DSP settings are only good at moderate volume settings and on certain cd's or stations. CD's and some Radio stations are using reverbs and echo's - DSP amplifies that. It also has the ability to FOOL the Bass response at higher volumes. It is sending 2 signals to the bass driver when that speaker is only expecting 1. Distortion is eminent in this case and worse when I added a high power amp and subwoofer.

But, programming Memory settings 1-2-3 adjusts to the ideal sound setting, giving really impressive improvements.

Memory 1
Set the Room to position 2
Set the Echo to position 2
Set the EQ to the following positions:
#1 - max, #2 - 1 short of max, #3 - +3, #4 - flat, #5 - +2, #6 - 1 short of max, #7 - max.

The separate Bass and Trebel on the tape deck are also set at MAX. - With this set-up virtualy everything sounds incredible even at very high volumes. But if you're adding an additional power amp and subwoofer like I have, you'll probably want to keep the Bass flat.

Memory 2 is set the same with the only change to EQ positions #1 - 2 short of max and #2 is maxed. - This allows for certain high Bass cd's - Rap/Hip-hop to be played without the bass distorting. These CD's tend to be recorded with ultra low bass in the 18-20 hz range. This will distort sound with the DSP set with any echo or room size.

Memory 3 is set the same as Mem1 except all Room and Echo is removed. This will allow for max Bass response at High Volumes.

If you are used to $1500-$5000 aftermarket systems with 100+++watts and 2-4 10-15 inch subwoofers, than yes, the OEM Head Unit and electronics will never bounce quarters off of your roof or win any parking lot contests....but then again, I'm now happy with the fact that I can put off the expensive decision of having to replace my head unit and potentially loose my computer and connected functions.
[shake]

 

[tfrasier540]

I have the same car with a completely seeled trunk. I have also not changed the stock radio out due to the fact that I like the stock look. I did not mess with the stock speakers either besides removing the subs that I had blown that came with the car. I ran a pack adapter to the sub frequenscies that plugged into the stock subs, then wired a amp kit and put 2 15 inch original circle solo barics in and I am currently running a Brutus Hifonics 1000D. It is definately the sound I was looking for however I am having to modify the back deck lid inside so I can cut some holes into the cab due to no movement of air. The factory component set I am not changing because they are good, I used to work for BMW, so I know certain things.