2006-07 M35/45 Speaker, Amp, sub upgrade??

[Backdoc7]

I've searched around a bit. I'm sure some people have upgraded the bose 5.1 system in their M's. Haven't really found any threads with any detail as to what was done, what needed to be done to get a new amp etc working. i'm sure the seat speakers are not being changed, but im sure if the main speakers were upgraded and the sub was upgraded, i'd be a big imrovement. Anybody have any links they can refer me to? thanks! Bill.

[audtatious]

If you plan on keeping the electronics and want to upgrade the speakers and such you will need an interface that will give you RCA outputs and will need to install new amps and speakers. If you just want bass then you can tap into a rear speaker and add an aftermarket sub/amp

[fiveliterbeater]

If you plan on keeping the electronics and want to upgrade the speakers and such you will need an interface that will give you RCA outputs and will need to install new amps and speakers. If you just want bass then you can tap into a rear speaker and add an aftermarket sub/amp

yes i read about that somewhere on this site. it was a pretty detailed writeup. the only thing i think that i was confused on was sliding a constant power supply from the battery to the trunk for the amp. i might have to pay a stereo shop guy for the install.

[Backdoc7]

If you plan on keeping the electronics and want to upgrade the speakers and such you will need an interface that will give you RCA outputs and will need to install new amps and speakers. If you just want bass then you can tap into a rear speaker and add an aftermarket sub/amp

Thanks for the reply, yes, I plan on keeping the electonics.. I realize i can just add a sub etc... will probably do that in fact. I was looking for some links to ppl that have done the main speaker, sub upgrade just to get some ideas on what speakers they used, amps, signal cleaner (jbl cleansweep etc)... you know what I'm talking about..

I was thinking main front's and back speakers upgraded, obviosly keep the seat tweeters stock (unless they are an easy exchange, which i doubt is the case), use a 5 channel amp to power the thing and probably use a jbl clean sweep type singal cleaner.. not sure about the center channel or if the sub can be upgraded in it's current location or it i'd have to be left alone....etc.

was hoping someones done something like that without getting too much into custom work. adding main speakers, an amp, sub is custom enough for me.. not looking for volume as much as clearity.

thanks again!

Bill.

[audtatious]

You should be able to replace the tweeters without any issue at all as they are probably 4ohm. The woofers are a different story as they are <2ohm. If you replace them with 4ohm speakers (which is the resistance of most car-based speakers) then you will end up losing about 3/5 of the volume (as in how loud they are). Some have purchased 2ohm speakers but those are usually at a premium price.

[SteveTheTech]

The speakers in the seats of the M are a serious PITA to remove as is anything related to the seats in that car, that is my least favorite operation on these cars. Just removing and replacing the seat frame takes almost two full hours.

I have been looking into helping a friend build an adult stereo system in his M.

I was thinking starting with a signal processor would be a fairly priced test for the factory components to see what needs to be upgraded and which direction to go in. I think we are looking for something clean and clear like the Drivers Audio Stage in the premium package 07+ models. Starting with a clean digitized signal and maybe running new shielded speaker wires to the speakers themselves would provide the best signal possible to get the most out of what you have already payed for. The install for this would be big if you wanted to do it correctly, but stripping the interior can be done in about 1.5hrs(one way and about 2-3 to go back).

In the hunt for a digital signal processor, I have been doing some research and I thought the CleanSweep might have been the way to go but the MS8 seems like a better device for the long run, although the difference in price almost cover the rest of the install making the CS worth the shot. I am a little confused as to what procedure works best for tuning them, there are so many conflicting methods. Allot of the information seems to be either overly anal or redundant if the car is insulated properly. Plus this doesn't make any accommodation for the center channel speakers or seat speakers that some of the Ms already have installed. I guess I need to do some specification comparison but I know one of you audiophiles has an opinion on this.

-Matt- Great addition did you drop the Max for a G? Great choice with the Red S, what options did you get?

[rsagen]

ok I got a question for you guys. I installed a 2000 watt amp. two 500 watt eight inch and 1 1000 watt 10 inch.

In the middle of installing I played the sterrio as I was connectin wires to make sure I got em right. Well I connected everything but the pos and neg to the amp. I connected the pos without the ground wire and the subs start. they sounded like s*** and but it worked. Then I connected the ground and it cleared up. I was like wtf its not supposed to ground without the dam ground wire!!!???

I disconnected the ground to show my buddy to ask him what he thought. I turned it up to 1/4 volume and my LINE fuse by my battery melted. Thats a 50 amp fuse! On 4 gauge wire. Weird. Well anyway thats my story. I have done alot of car installs with systems but that was a differnet one.

Im thinkin it grounded out somewhere and arced somewhere. Not too sure.

[SteveTheTech]

Using lightning as an example of what large amounts of electricity can do when not correctly grounded. The lack of ground is going to force the electrons to find the closest ground and with enough pressure pushing it will force it to go through an undesirable path shorting out something along the way. If you are using a 50A current input you need to be using a sufficient ground with direct path to complete the circuit. This is basic electrical theory and in operating an incomplete circuit you most likely have ruined something, and my guess would be your amp. My experience with this type short is limited but it going by theory alone it is not looking so good. If the shortest path to ground is through a non protected source like an amplifier case it will take it and then there will be a low resistance path to ground sufficient that the 50A fuse will open. You should have almost welded something together.

[rsagen]

its only a 35 dollar amp from ebay. so if its fried so be it lol. its 2 years old. But ill post back here in a couple days to let you guys know if it still works once i replace the fuse

[Backdoc7]

Doesnt sound like a quick main speaker exchange and addition of a powered sub has been done very much. that would be cost friendly but i wonder what kind of sound improvement would be had. like most ppl i think, the volume level (or lack of) is a concern that would need to be addressed with a new amp and signal cleaner... if anyone's done this, i'd still like to hear their story! thanks. Bill.

[rsagen]

Doesnt sound like a quick main speaker exchange and addition of a powered sub has been done very much. that would be cost friendly but i wonder what kind of sound improvement would be had. like most ppl i think, the volume level (or lack of) is a concern that would need to be addressed with a new amp and signal cleaner... if anyone's done this, i'd still like to hear their story! thanks. Bill.

I have never done this nor seen it done. Being 18 I have a fair number of buddies that have systems in their vechiles. Most of them just have the deck, subs and amp.

[EcstaSPT]

I just had a Bose tech call me back, she confirmed that the door speakers are 2ohm, sub is .5 and the 3-inch is 4 ohm. I forgot to ask about the tweets but I'd assume they're 4 as well. I'll be swapping out the door speakers for a pair of 2ohm Infinity reference speakers soon. I got em cheap so if there's not much difference no big deal.

[SteveTheTech]

Good job on the research.

Replacing these speakers should in theory give some better performance. I am curious to see what the results of only a speaker replacement are in direct comparison to the OE setup. The speakers are indeed the weak link in the overall sound quality of the M which seems to lack some more pronounced midrange may be remedied by a simple compatible speaker swap.

Please keep us informed. I always liked the Infiniti Reference series.

EDIT- I cannot get out of the habit of adding the y to other Infinitys lol.

[Backdoc7]

for sure keep us posted on your results with the speaker swap. I just drove my first 400 miles (300 tonight) and the sound system (bose 5.1) leaves alot to be desired. my alpine 6.5" door speakers in my dodge put out 3x the bass this system does.. I don't think i heard, much less felt one note of bass in this car... wonder if adding a simple bass speaker like the infinity bass link and some infinity speakers like your gonna add would be "enough".. with all the different ohm speakers.. doesn't seem like a amp exchange (5 channel alpine maybe) would be easy at all to do.. I might have to drop by the local stereo shop and ask some questions..

keep us posted on your results! while your at it, add a infinity bass link too and report back!

Bill

[audtatious]

The speakers in the seats of the M are a serious PITA to remove as is anything related to the seats in that car, that is my least favorite operation on these cars. Just removing and replacing the seat frame takes almost two full hours.

I have been looking into helping a friend build an adult stereo system in his M.

I was thinking starting with a signal processor would be a fairly priced test for the factory components to see what needs to be upgraded and which direction to go in. I think we are looking for something clean and clear like the Drivers Audio Stage in the premium package 07+ models. Starting with a clean digitized signal and maybe running new shielded speaker wires to the speakers themselves would provide the best signal possible to get the most out of what you have already payed for. The install for this would be big if you wanted to do it correctly, but stripping the interior can be done in about 1.5hrs(one way and about 2-3 to go back).

In the hunt for a digital signal processor, I have been doing some research and I thought the CleanSweep might have been the way to go but the MS8 seems like a better device for the long run, although the difference in price almost cover the rest of the install making the CS worth the shot. I am a little confused as to what procedure works best for tuning them, there are so many conflicting methods. Allot of the information seems to be either overly anal or redundant if the car is insulated properly. Plus this doesn't make any accommodation for the center channel speakers or seat speakers that some of the Ms already have installed. I guess I need to do some specification comparison but I know one of you audiophiles has an opinion on this.

-Matt- Great addition did you drop the Max for a G? Great choice with the Red S, what options did you get?

If you want a high-end system in the M and keep the factory radio setup then you would start with the JL Audio Clean Sweep. This will give you a neutral low level output for amps. From a speaker perspective, assuming a 3-way setup in the doors (woofer / mid / tweeter) I'd get a matched setup of high end speakers (For fronts I've always like the MB Quart Q-series) and run each side off a single channel of a quality amp. The rear speakers would be simple co-axial off another amp. For the "drivers stage", if the car has the dash-mounted speaker, I'd replace that with a new driver and run a separate mono amp to that speaker. With proper adjustments it should sound strong and clean with a firm sound stage.

[rsagen]

I finnally got my subs and amp workin. The bad thing is my rear view mirror on my car fell off! Some people say I have too much bass. I can still hear people talk afterwords, so maybe I dont. Im not deaf yet lol.

[EcstaSPT]

for sure keep us posted on your results with the speaker swap. I just drove my first 400 miles (300 tonight) and the sound system (bose 5.1) leaves alot to be desired. my alpine 6.5" door speakers in my dodge put out 3x the bass this system does.. I don't think i heard, much less felt one note of bass in this car... wonder if adding a simple bass speaker like the infinity bass link and some infinity speakers like your gonna add would be "enough".. with all the different ohm speakers.. doesn't seem like a amp exchange (5 channel alpine maybe) would be easy at all to do.. I might have to drop by the local stereo shop and ask some questions..

keep us posted on your results! while your at it, add a infinity bass link too and report back!

Bill

Will do, and it may be a few weeks before I get them in. I've had a Basslink for a few years in my leased one and am in the process of swapping it to the one I bought and fishing the wires beside the driver backseat, good times there I've been pretty happy with it and have the gain control mounted below the shifter on the console so it's super easy to adjust.

[radigan]

I have this same exact setup, JL 13.5 SUB, JL 1000/1 AMP, 2 kinetik power cells in the back, cleansweep unit up front. If you look inside my car you would think I have stock audio.

[Backdoc7]

ecstaSPT, Looking forward to hearing your impressions.. good luck.

radigan, sick setup.. im sure it pounds! more than i'm looking for.. maybe a 10' fiberglassed in the side of the rear trunk.. clean and still leaves room for "stuff".. saw a picture of one on that other forum that looked pretty clean.

[M4T5]

I guess an integrated stereo system is very hard to upgrade.I wanted to upgrade my 5.1 system in my M, but was quickly deterred.For kicks I emailed Crutchfield to hear their solutions.Unfortunately it was a two page response informing it could be done, but will not be an easy upgrade for that particular OEM system.They gave me about 3 different directions I could go, but the best way would need a professional to perform. At least that's what they recommended. Some hacking, cutting, and fabrications would need to be done to replace some of the factory speakers with higher quality units. Sounded good until they mentioned some things will be required to be cut off of the car. They were very informative, but it just wasn't what I had in mind. Therefore, the OEM system will be staying.

J

[EcstaSPT]

ecstaSPT, Looking forward to hearing your impressions.. good luck.

radigan, sick setup.. im sure it pounds! more than i'm looking for.. maybe a 10' fiberglassed in the side of the rear trunk.. clean and still leaves room for "stuff".. saw a picture of one on that other forum that looked pretty clean.

Well I finally got around to installing the driver speaker only for comparison. It took a little work to make it fit but with the adapter plate, a drill and some sheetmetal screws it was no problem. The vocals and mids / highs definitely sound clearer when you compare from 1 door and walk around to the other. The volume between the 2 is almost the same as well, and the magnet on the bose (paper) filter is so small it's sad. In the car I can't really tell a difference yet since it's only 1 / 4 door speakers, but with a whole swap I'm sure it'd be noticeable. Now with the basslink I can turn down the bass to the 6.5s (and existing sub) and let them do what they're supposed to do.

[Backdoc7]

Nice, look fwd to the report once they are all in! Your only doing the door speakers for now.. or did you do the tweets in the doors also?

[EcstaSPT]

Nice, look fwd to the report once they are all in! Your only doing the door speakers for now.. or did you do the tweets in the doors also?

Just the doors, probably won't mess with the tweets.

[dorlandm]

Well, how did it sound with all 4 speakers? I am doing the exact same thing with the Infinity Referance speakers this weekend. Did you do any sound deadening?

I did all 4 speakers this weekend and it was simple and effective! I could hear a nice difference in the base but mostly high and midrange was much improved. When you really want to "Rock Out" the old speakers left you wanting just a little more but the new speakers take it to "Thats enough" level for my taste. Also, the bluetooth phone calls sound MUCH BETTER! Very much an improvement there.

The FATMAT proved a bear to install and therefore not too much of it got layed down. I would recommend doing the removable door panels themselves.
Modified by dorlandm at 1:07 PM 10/5/2009

[finikM35]

Digging up an OLD thread
So i got 2 Alpine type R subs powered by Kenwood amp plenty power, but sounds muddy, not very clean bass... Those of you guys with JL cleansweep did it help at all? My components sound a bit too harsh (Infinity kappa) and bass is loud but not vrey clean.
Is there a better sound processor out there? Or could you give me a link to which JL processor you got for M. Looks like headunit in our cars isnt that great at all. My subs sound 100 times better with pioneer headunit and same amp