Premium sound option and an aftermarket radio.
This is a new thread.. based on another thread I started. My radio install has taken a turn and I seek new advice.
First of all, my OE radio has never worked… well sort of.
I took the OE unit apart and discovered the output amps were blown. I replaced chips and put the unit back in the car… still no sound. This really didn’t disturb me, I thought I might have missed something when I had the unit apart.
Fast forward a few months and now I’m putting in an aftermarket radio. Sure enough after I install the new radio… still no sound….. So I check the Bently… ahhh perhaps my car has an amp… So I go looking in the trunk and Yep there is a secondary amp. Damm.
I pull the amp and notice the fuse is blown… I wonder…Hmmm… I pop in a fuse and connect the original OE unit and fire it up… SOUND!
OK, so the original sound system is good.
This new Sony radio has RCA line outs and amplifier enable control wire. So its compatible with the BMW amplifier.
Currently the new radio wired wrong because I was not aware of the power amp in the trunk. My current configuration is utilizing the built in 17 Watt amp in the Sony unit. I’m aware that this would overdrive the BMW trunk amplifier… just for giggles I tried it and sure enough it all works at low volume. I didn’t try to bump up the volume for fear of blowing the BMW amp.
Anyway here is my question:
Is the BMW amplifier worth keeping? It appears to work and I can rewire my Sony to provide line level input to the amp.
Or I could just bypass the amp and have the Sony provide the power.
I’m inclined to keep the BMW amp if its worth keeping.
Comments?
bypass at your peril.....
keep the bmw amp if it has more or less the same output than the sony. If you absolutely want to use the sony the followig applies:
1) rewiring is an extensive job - crossovers need to be included, shared ground for the front speakers are confusing -
2) research research research....this site was my haven for stereo wiring
diagrams. http://www.bmwe34.net dont know if this here site has the same.
3) big balls needed - cutting them there wires commits you.
4) Count on some $$$ if you get an auto shop to do it - make sure they know what they are getting into as its not straightforward and if they havent done it before...well, you've been warned :D
5) Stock up the cooler....you'll be at it a while if you do it yourself.
6) Add a nice big removable subwoofer whilst you are at it - what a difference !!!
My own setup after about 8 hours work:
- Alpine 9850RI head unit (4 x 50 watts)
- rear speakers : JBL GTO - 2 way
- Front speakers - withe jbl crossover - combination of : tweeters-jbl component, mid range-stock, woofers-Stock; I cant fit my JBL woofers due to an inverted mounting system in the front kick panels...havent found the patience to figure it out yet)
- Crunch 300w subwoofer amp - mounted in the car jack compartent
- Crunch 500w subwoofer : A removable box which sits really nicely under the rear seat rim in the trunk - I just un-plug the speaker wires and make sure they dont ground out !!
LOUD and AMAZINGLY CRISP - my kids particularly love the body shaking bass booms my system now makes !!!:D