XSeries-forum

Hi, I have just bought a 2003 e53 3.0d sport which I am just getting to know and have a question regarding the audio set up.

I have spent hours searching the forums looking at ways to improve the sound quality and understand that it is not a straight forward job.  My car would appear to have the upgraded speaker package as it has two speakers in each rear door, now reading other threads it should also have a second amp under the cd changer but it doesn't?  Should it?  It has no dsp/sub but a nav head unit with a knackered nav dvd drive in the boot.

I am going to install a parrot MKi9200 system to allow streaming music from my phone and thinking of adding a sub.  I have seen the custom enclosure someone on here made that fits in where the factory one goes but unable to find dimensions to make one.  Any ideas? 

Anyway enough rambling from me for now.....

Follow this thread, nice picture halfway down.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... ation.html

I saw that and I do have a metal mounting plate just no amp. The question is has it been previously removed or did it ever have one?

You should definitely have the amp and it will be a Harman Kardon, plus in that location.

My set up is good enough for me - upgraded the front door speakers to better components and then added an amp to power the custom enclosure. You won't get dimensions for it btw - x555 made them. There is a chap on here called RustyNail, send him a PM he's gonna be selling his shortly (if interested).

Thanks Sanj.  So if looking for an amp it is a Harmon Kardon, I will have a look on Ebay as there is a plug under the CD changer which I assume will be for this. 

The strange thing is I am still able to play music through all of the speakers with this missing, is that normal?

Also, what components did you upgrade to in the front and is there any limiting factors to consider like depth of speaker when choosing?

I will pm RustyNail to enquire about his enclosure.

I have had a look on Ebay and they all seem to be Alpine units listed for the e53......cant find a single Harman Kardon unit.

I bought a Sub Enclosure from x555 and never ever installed it. In fact after it was delivered, it went in the spare room and stayed there! Would consider selling because I can't see me every bothering to install now after 7 years owning the car.


Turks.

PM sent

Cheers, will reply once the missus has got back to me... I'm working overseas at the moment and want to be sure that when we moved house in October she did not throw it out!


Turks.

Can anyone shed some light on exactly which amp my car would have been fitted with as I am struggling to identify one.  Ideally with a photo if possible..

Hi, you wll have an amp. It is hidden deep within the well on the passenger side below CD changer. It is BEHIND the black metal plate with the bluetooth amp mounted on front.

I changed this amp when I bought my car as it had water damage resulting in a crackly / dead channel.

It is defo an Alpine unit.

See attached pics.

Derek

Thanks for that Derek. There is definitely no amp and I can only assume it has been removed by a previous owner.  What puzzles me is that music is still playing through all channels without it?

Perhaps some clever wiring as when I did my testing all 10 speakers were wired to the amp.

Is the stereo loud? There is another amp in the boot beside the spare wheel that is the sole amp for the 6 speaker stereo system and is used as a kind of pre amp with the outputs feeding the missing one in the 10 preaker set up. Perhaps the speakers have been wired back to that.

Out of interest do you have the wiring that I arrowed in the photo?

Yes the plug and harness is there, as is the black steel mounting plate....just no amp.  I will take a punt on a cheap one on ebay now that I know what to look fo.

As for loud......very subjective I suppose....it just sounds ok to be honest and lacking some subtle bass which I will also address with an  active sub.

Is there no amp down by the battery?  I thought the BM54 modules were down there?  I had 10 speakers in mine but no amp in that high position.