I have an 04 with the stock alpine HU, no HK. This puts out only 15W per channel, I think. I am not too keen on bothering to change the head unit, but was wondering if changing just the front speakers in the doors would help. Are there any speakers out there that can be just dropped in there without having to modify and make spacers.......which speakers have people used, how difficult, and does it really make a big difference?

 

I know people that have the standard Boost CD stereo head unit from factory but have replaced all 4 speakers and they have gotten pretty decent results over stock.

Actually, your Boost head unit is pretty good as the limiting factor in sound quality is the stock speakers.


I have HK in my '04 MCS and the speakers are a cut above the standard ones anyday of the week.

You can also go to http://www.mini2.com to talk with other owners that have only replaced their factory speakers but not replaced the Boost head unit.

Good luck.

 

I'm using the factory H/U and upgraded all the speakers with MB Quart, added a 4-channel amp, Basslink sub woofer, and dynamat. Both SQ and SPL are dramatically improved and definitely better than HK.

I believe that minihune initially upgraded only the speakers with reported improvement. Now he has a full blown system, with Nakamichi HU, amp, JL sub, etc.... :smile:

 

one of my first mods was to replace the stock speakers in my car with Polk EX series speakers front and rear. 6x9's in the back and 6.5 components in the front. Cheap and easy, and huge sound improvement over stock.

 

The front's are easy. Replaced mine with Focal's. Used the plastic shroud from the stockers as a mounting plate for the Focals. You will add another reason to hate BMW after you see how cheap the speakers are. New fronts will make it so much better you will replace the rears. Bigger job as the rear seat backs and side panels have to be removed. Now it sounds twice as good as stock. When you have done all of that you may then want to amp the head to get more power. I did. That makes it 50% better. Along the way you will want to add a cd changer capable of handling mp3's. After you finish all of that and you find that the stock head works the changer sluggishly, has no titles and still distorts and you know its not the rest of the system you will replace the head. Now it sound great. 1,000% better than stock.

Now add a loud exhaust so you can't hear the stereo anymore.

 

yeah, but what specific models of speakers fit with the least amount of modification and fabricating spacers, and are still very efficient to work with the 15W per channel stock head unit? And, does anybody have some good instructions on removing the door panels and installing the speakers, tweeter and crossover?

Thanks

 

Gee, Umberto, I have never seen "bolt-in" speaker upgrades. I always have to figure some new form of attachment. They do make a lot of stuff to make the job easier but I usually fabricate my own. The fronts are 5 1/4. Try Crutchfield as they sell kits for installation if you buy the spreakers from them (at top dollar). The rears bolt right in, andy 6x9. The fronts take some minor fab and the tweeters as well. If you aren't comfortable with this have a pro do it for you. Here is a site with some stereo installation info: http://homepage.mac.com/normalizer/PhotoAlbum20.html