E46 Speaker upgrade
Discussion
Hi guys,
Can anyone recommend repalcement front & rear speakers and an amp for my E46 convertible as the standard set up is shockingly poor.
I don't want to replace the standard headunit and I don't want the speakers to be visble as upgrades.
Any ideas?
Can anyone recommend repalcement front & rear speakers and an amp for my E46 convertible as the standard set up is shockingly poor.
I don't want to replace the standard headunit and I don't want the speakers to be visble as upgrades.
Any ideas?
Edited by scratch pervert on Monday 18th August 15:10
If you are after OE you have the Harmon Kardon upgrade which comprises HK speakers at the front and rear speakers/subs that are amped that sit in the parcel shelf. Alot of money brand new, but they do appear on ebay regularly enough. Failing that, i'd spend the money on some decent aftermarket front components which will sit nicely behind the grilles, but you will need to take the door cards off to fit. Again, a bit hit and miss as to what will fit but I'm sure people will be able to advise
With regards to the HU, I'd strongly recommend replacing it, as IMO this is the weak link in the sound system. The Business unit only puts out about 20w per channel. I changed mine for a 4x60W Alpine unit using an adapter plate. Sound is infinately better and the bass is much better and can go much much louder before distorting. Such a difference. I will be doing the speakers soon too.
Granted it doesn't look factory fit, but it is worth it for the sound.
With regards to the HU, I'd strongly recommend replacing it, as IMO this is the weak link in the sound system. The Business unit only puts out about 20w per channel. I changed mine for a 4x60W Alpine unit using an adapter plate. Sound is infinately better and the bass is much better and can go much much louder before distorting. Such a difference. I will be doing the speakers soon too.
Granted it doesn't look factory fit, but it is worth it for the sound.
There aren't manty speakers that fit the front doors because of a lack of depth. If my memeory is correct 57mm sounds about right.
As the post above says, changing the headunit alone will make a big difference, and you can always swith back to the original unit when you come to sell.
In my opinion the HK system sounded awful, with overblown bass and poor soundstaging, but it depends on what type of sound you are loking for.
6.5" components are best for the front doors, and 6.5" coaxials in the rear parcel shelf. There are spacer rings available at good auto audio specilists to help in fitting aftermarket speakers.
I wouldn't go to the hassle of fitting an amp unless you are particularily fussy about sound quality, or you are going to fit a sub in the boot.
As the post above says, changing the headunit alone will make a big difference, and you can always swith back to the original unit when you come to sell.
In my opinion the HK system sounded awful, with overblown bass and poor soundstaging, but it depends on what type of sound you are loking for.
6.5" components are best for the front doors, and 6.5" coaxials in the rear parcel shelf. There are spacer rings available at good auto audio specilists to help in fitting aftermarket speakers.
I wouldn't go to the hassle of fitting an amp unless you are particularily fussy about sound quality, or you are going to fit a sub in the boot.
I am also struggling with this.
I bought an amp (Blaupunkt) that plugs into the original loom and the sound is much better, but still not great. So bought some components for the front (Infinity 5010) and coaxials for the back (it's a touring) but all the base disappeared. Left the tweeters in the front and put the original woofers back in. Didn't even bother with the rears, so have them still in the packaging and with the spacers.
It's a tough one.
I bought an amp (Blaupunkt) that plugs into the original loom and the sound is much better, but still not great. So bought some components for the front (Infinity 5010) and coaxials for the back (it's a touring) but all the base disappeared. Left the tweeters in the front and put the original woofers back in. Didn't even bother with the rears, so have them still in the packaging and with the spacers.
It's a tough one.
I assume you don't have Harmon Kardon speakers fitted, or the hi-fi option.
If you don't have either, the head unit does not have low-level outputs that you can connect an amplifier to, however you can connect the high level speaker outputs to an amp that supports them (or a converter such as the Audiocontrol EQS). Quality will not be as good as a low-level/RCA output but it will be least hassle and easy enough to reverse once you sell the car.
In my coupe Diamond M6's fitted nicely into the doors and sounded good, the crossover fits into the door panel and so you don't need to run extra wiring for the components.
If you don't have either, the head unit does not have low-level outputs that you can connect an amplifier to, however you can connect the high level speaker outputs to an amp that supports them (or a converter such as the Audiocontrol EQS). Quality will not be as good as a low-level/RCA output but it will be least hassle and easy enough to reverse once you sell the car.
In my coupe Diamond M6's fitted nicely into the doors and sounded good, the crossover fits into the door panel and so you don't need to run extra wiring for the components.
Edited by john_p on Tuesday 19th August 13:19
Don't bother with the Hi-Fi or HK set-ups, they're utter rubbish. I've got Hi-Fi pack in mine, and although it's ear-splittingly loud, the quality is akin to a mid 80s Alba 'stereo' that Dixons used to flog.
I did look into this for mine but decided not to anything in the end. I'm no ICE expert, and this is a year out of date now;
Doors - Standard items are paper-coned Nokia speakers (as is the Hi-Fi pack, there's just more of them)... The lack of bass is because the speakers have nowhere to vent to. Apparently cutting away the door trim behind them massively increases the bass ability. This will also allow you to fit some decent speakers as well.
Rear shelf - this applies to a saloon, but I can't see it being any different for the Coupe. Someone, think it might be JL Audio, does a 10" free-air sub specifically for the rear shelf of the E46. It mounts on the standard rear speaker mounts in the middle of the shelf - comes with some sort of adapter too.
Alternatively, some manufacturers do direct replacement Co-Ax for the rear which won't require cutting.
Tweeters - they're in a crap position to start with - most seem to mount them up on the back of the door mirror trim.
Head Units - standard units are Alpine, and apparently actually not that bad.
Amps - is best done by something other than HK - Alpine, Sony, et al, all do small 4/6 channel items for not a lot of cash, or if you're into reference, get a pair of little 2 channel Genesis items.
I did look into this for mine but decided not to anything in the end. I'm no ICE expert, and this is a year out of date now;
Doors - Standard items are paper-coned Nokia speakers (as is the Hi-Fi pack, there's just more of them)... The lack of bass is because the speakers have nowhere to vent to. Apparently cutting away the door trim behind them massively increases the bass ability. This will also allow you to fit some decent speakers as well.
Rear shelf - this applies to a saloon, but I can't see it being any different for the Coupe. Someone, think it might be JL Audio, does a 10" free-air sub specifically for the rear shelf of the E46. It mounts on the standard rear speaker mounts in the middle of the shelf - comes with some sort of adapter too.
Alternatively, some manufacturers do direct replacement Co-Ax for the rear which won't require cutting.
Tweeters - they're in a crap position to start with - most seem to mount them up on the back of the door mirror trim.
Head Units - standard units are Alpine, and apparently actually not that bad.
Amps - is best done by something other than HK - Alpine, Sony, et al, all do small 4/6 channel items for not a lot of cash, or if you're into reference, get a pair of little 2 channel Genesis items.
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