» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 03-15-2012, 06:55 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 13 | Complete Sound System Upgrade Hello, I was going to upgrade all of the speakers, head unit and amplifier in my 1996 318ti. However, I'm not sure if the 3 1/2 inch speakers in the door would not work with the 4-channel amp that I am putting in, as I will already be running the wire to the 5 1/4 inch kick panel speaker and its tweeter. My main question is this, do I just not install 3 1/2 inch speakers and take the old ones out or can I run 2 leads from 1 amp output, enabling them to work. | | | 03-15-2012, 09:05 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 281 | Personally, I disconnect the 3.5 mids as they sounded like junk when paired with my 5.25 components. You could, however, run them off the HU power while your 5.25s are run off the amp. | | | 03-15-2012, 09:44 PM | #3 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 13 | I was thinking of just taking them out all together, as they do not seem to make much of a difference at the stock level, but I think that I might try your other idea first. | | | 03-15-2012, 09:49 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 281 | Just hook up the HU adapter like normal (with the OEM speaker wires connected) and you can leave the 3.5's plugged in to run off power from the HU. Im assuming you ran some new 16g wire from all 4 sets of speakers back to your amp instead of splicing into your factory harness. | | | 03-16-2012, 12:52 AM | #5 | Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida - Tampa Posts: 92 | HU & speakers. BSW speakers for the 3.5 are still available on Ebay, and perhaps elsewhere. I've used Hertz, bass/mids and tweeters, and am still searching for a good solution for main rears, with the Hertz Tweets. To get good sound, with little hassle and a self install, patience, good components and a decent HU, label your wires. Otherwise, go pro. MHO | | | 03-16-2012, 01:05 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 281 | | | | 03-16-2012, 03:39 AM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 13 | Yes, I am planning on running new wire rather than dealing with the OEM wire and I was looking into the Infinity Kappa 32.9cf speakers for the 3 1/2s and for the 4 inch speakers I am probably going with DLS X-Program X-SC42, as there are almost no 4 inch speaker designers. Any other suggestions/comments? | | | 03-16-2012, 03:54 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 281 | dont run 4's. buy the bracket i linked Last edited by Uber E30; 03-16-2012 at 03:59 AM. | | | 03-16-2012, 05:59 PM | #9 | Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida - Tampa Posts: 92 | Hertz makes 4" but although a quality product, 4s just don't have enough surface area to push a great sound stage. Follow Uber E30's advice. It s Looks to be a good solution (BSW used to make a bracket for Ti's but don't offer it anymore). Quote: Originally Posted by Jabels Yes, I am planning on running new wire rather than dealing with the OEM wire and I was looking into the Infinity Kappa 32.9cf speakers for the 3 1/2s and for the 4 inch speakers I am probably going with DLS X-Program X-SC42, as there are almost no 4 inch speaker designers. Any other suggestions/comments? | | | | 03-16-2012, 05:59 PM | #10 | Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida - Tampa Posts: 92 | Quote: Originally Posted by Uber E30 dont run 4's. buy the bracket i linked | Bump. | | | 03-16-2012, 06:02 PM | #11 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 13 | thanks, missed that post, I will, not particularly pleased with any 4" and 5.25"s are going to be wayyy better | | | 03-16-2012, 07:43 PM | #12 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 13 | I have one last question, how much audio cable should it take to rewire my car, I thought that 100 ft might be overkill but that 50 ft might not be enought, however, I have not done this before. | | | 03-16-2012, 08:08 PM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 281 | 50 should be plenty... its about 10-12 feet of wire each side for the front and another 2-3 feet each side for rears. As im sure you know, dont run the amp power wire with the speaker wires, RCA is fine though. | | | 03-16-2012, 09:10 PM | #14 | Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 13 | Alright, so this is what I am going with, Head Unit: Kenwood KIV-BT901, Amp: Kenwood KAC-8405, and Speakers: 2 sets of Polk Audio db5251 5-1/4" Component speakers. Any objections? | | | 03-16-2012, 09:18 PM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 281 | Similar to my setup, im running: Polk Audio db5251 front/rear Kenwood KDC-BT852HD Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 So I see no issues with what you have. | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |