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Re: Sound system woes. (archive)
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Posted by 3literX5 on December 17, 2000 at 17:11:37:

In Reply to: Sound system woes. posted by x530 on December 17, 2000 at 13:30:48:

theJrod is 100% right about finding a shop that does high end, and getting customer references. If you are just looking for some incremental improvement, bavarian auto has a subwoofer/amp package the should help the worst of the shortcomings. (check popular products, then subwoofer.)

Remember, this is a "driver's car;" German philosophy in general is that you should be driving, not getting distracted by things like music, drinks, etc. It's only the market that has pulled BMW and MBZ into these "creature comforts."

The sound system in my X5 is a disappointment. I listened to the $1,200 premium dealer upgrade and found the extra features don't really make up for the awful speakers.

So I went to three different sources for upgrading quotes, with the only common requirement being that they do not replace the in-dash components, as they are well integrated into the overall design.

All three came up with the same solution: Replace the front speakers with a new modular set. Titanium tweeters, better mid-range materials, and improved crossovers. Leave the back speakers alone. Add a small sub-woofer in the rear side compartment, left. Add a five channel amplifier to drive the whole mess in the rear side compartment, right.

Bryn Mawr Stereo also wants to create a custom, molded, sealed fiberglass enclosure for the sub-woofer, fitting the space behind the removeable side panel, with a discreet grill masking the speaker location. Their overall price is $2,100. The showroom sound is superb.

Circuit City sales people were very helpful in admiring the x5, but did not inspire confidence in their package (or installation staff). Their price is $1,400. Great sound in the showroom.

Sound Something or Other touted the big, boomy bass sound that would be heard from the next street over, and which would probably produce bubbles in your bloodstream. Toned down, their price was $1,500.

I know I'm not listing equipment brands, etc. I'm asking the following:

1. Do you generally get what you pay for in auto sound?
2. How do you know a good shop from a bad one?
3. How is my warranty likely to be affected?
4. Does anyone have a package they can recommend?

Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.




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