Upgrading the BMW Sound System (Z4 e89)

Upgrading the BMW Sound System (Z4 e89)

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SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

159 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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Hi all,

I’m finally getting to the point of hating the sound system in my car.

I have the basic 6 speaker setup (only optional extra not ticked rolleyes ) which consists of a 4” speaker just behind the seats, a 4” speaker in the doors and 6.5” speakers in the footwells.

A kind member on here sent me some Mini speakers which are a big upgrade to the standard BMW ones and I’ve fitted some MB Quart co axials but to be honest, it doesn’t really sound any better.

So I’ve been looking at amps and speaker setups and I’m a tad all over he place.

One place priced up an MB Quart amp, separate DSP, MB Quart components and a slim line under seat active sub to go behind the seat. This came to around £600... I thought it sounded cheap but the guy was adamant that I’d be amazed.

Another place (better known) has quoted me the following...

Mosconi 130.4 DSP Amplifier £409.00
Gladen 201 3 way Extreme Speaker Kit £489.00
Cabling/Looms/Accessories £100.00
Labour £525.00
Total £1533.00

Does anyone have any experience with Gladen equipment?

I’m leaning towards the latter as I have more confidence in the company (they will tailor the speaker kit to include 6.5” speakers instead of 8”) but it seems a tad expensive (amp is 4 times the price as are the speakers compared to the mb Quart setup).

So, anyone know much about Gladen products?

SteBrown91

2,358 posts

128 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
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Speak to these guys - pretty much the go to place for bmw audio upgrades

http://www.audiofile-incar.co.uk/audio-upgrades/bm...

SteveS Cup

Original Poster:

1,996 posts

159 months

Wednesday 6th December 2017
quotequote all
SteBrown91 said:
Speak to these guys - pretty much the go to place for bmw audio upgrades

http://www.audiofile-incar.co.uk/audio-upgrades/bm...
Thanks mate, prices are basically the same so that’s interesting. I’ll have a chat.

Blue Oval84

5,276 posts

160 months

Wednesday 6th December 2017
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Also recommend Highdown Audio in Worthing. They are amongst the best in the country at upgrading audio, I sat in an A5 that they had done and the quality and sound stage were out of this world!

http://www.highdowncaraudio.com/

steve-5snwi

8,592 posts

92 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
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Gladon and Audison seem to be popping up all the time now, Helix and Match make small amps with dedicated wiring looms and preset DSP's for a lot of the BMW/Mini range now.

Blue Oval84

5,276 posts

160 months

Thursday 7th December 2017
quotequote all
steve-5snwi said:
Gladon and Audison seem to be popping up all the time now, Helix and Match make small amps with dedicated wiring looms and preset DSP's for a lot of the BMW/Mini range now.
Yeah the system I heard at Highdown was Audison and had been tuned specifically for that car, I think I recall him saying that even the driver's seat was set in the same place as the usual driver had it to ensure the sound field was perfect.

I have to say, you could hear the difference, I've never heard audio as clean and well staged.

RXED

360 posts

189 months

Friday 8th December 2017
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Speak to Highdown Car audio about the new Audison BMW Plug and Play kit that is being launched in january. It consists of custom fit speakers, under seat woofers and a pre tuned amp with DSP. All on BMW wiring so you don’t need to cut anything in the car!