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Posted by Bob Hazelwood on October 07, 1998 at 10:56:36:
In Reply to: DSP Stereo posted by John on October 06, 1998 at 14:01:11:
: I am getting ready to order a new 5. Is the upgraded stereo option worth getting? I have heard the DSP system, but have not heard the standard system. Is there a big difference?
: Thanks for the help!
Just so my bias is obvious up front, I'll start by letting you know that I am the VP of Product Management for audio company a/d/s/.
Now that that's out of the way, it seems from the many communications I have with other BMW owners that many (fortunately not all) aftermarket installers seem to have either a fear of Bimmer's, a lack of knowledge, or a desire to milk as much money as they can from us. Adding aftermarket electronics and speakers to the BMW system is a LOT easier than you would be led to believe by most dealers.
Point 1: The BMW radio's output is a pretty standard common ground high voltage preamp output. Dealers get confused by the fact that BMW uses twisted pair wiring instead of shielded cable, but the fact is it can be plugged directly into just about any competent aftermarket amp once you change the plugs. Unless you choose one of the very few incompatible amps, you do not need any sort of adapters, converters, or anything else that dealers keep trying to add on to the sale. Just remember to pick up the signal between the radio and the amp, not at the BMW amps speaker outputs.
Point 2: The BMW speakers are pretty common sizes, so there are many replacement choices which will fit with little or no modifications.
Point 3: Here's the only really strange thing about the BMW system architecture. The speaker crossover components are contained in the BMW amp instead of in line with the speakers as with most other systems. In practical terms means replacing the amp if you replace the speakers or vice versa. There are ways to work around this, but neither the BMW amp or speakers are really worth keeping once you replace the other parts.
Although I'm in the industry, I've "outgrown" the desire to make my car an audio science project. So like many of you, I've taken the route of keeping the factory radio and changer while upgrading the rest of the system. I won't bore you all with the details here but if anybody is interested feel free to E-mail me. I'll be happy to help out with any questions you all may have. BTW, my car is an E34, but the same ideas will apply to the E39.
Back to the original question. The DSP system definitely has advantages over the stock system. I'ts worth is subjective though, you'll have to listen for yourself to decide.
Best Regards
Bob Hazelwood
93'525i 5-sp. Sharked, BL/SS'd, H&R+Bilstein,
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