Bass upgrade in M3 sedan (pics!)

VP Electricity · 03-04-2011, 03:40 PM

We recently did a bass upgrade to a 2011 M3 with Enhanced Premium.

The customer actually liked the mids and highs OK from the EP system, but was unhappy with both the upper bass and the lower bass. The former was not fast or snappy, the latter was mostly missing. The client is an audiophile, not a cranker, and wanted the subbass to be felt, and the upper bass to be heard in the cabin.

So we installed Jehnert flat 8" from Germany into the underseat enclosures, ran those as midbass off of a Zapco DC350.2 100x2 amplifier, and then added a Morel Ultimo 10 in the trunk using a Zapco DC500 500W amplifier.

We used an Audio Control LC2i for attenuating the 40V outputs of the EP amplifier's woofer channels, and the RCA output of the LC2i was plugged into the Zapco balanced transmitters. The signal between the LC2i and the Zapcos was Symbilink balanced cable. (Note that the LC2i seems to not consistently sense the EP bass channels using its internal remote-turn-on circuitry, so we used the remote turn on at the back of the head unit to control the system.

The DC amplifiers have DSP equalization and other processing onboard, which we used to counteract the EP system's equalization and also to optimize the sound for the cabin acoustics. For instance, we extended the sub-bass a bit to counteract the EP subsonic filtering, which was limiting our trunk subbass response.

We ran the Jehnert 8" as true midbass - bandpass filtering them so that they did not "see" the sub-bass which we now routed to the trunk subwoofer. This kept them from straining when ultra-low notes were present.

The client requested that we not modify the trunk load floor height at all, so we sourced the trunk trim panel for the Euro CD changer to house the amps. The amps are fan cooled and get plenty of circulation under there as a result.

The two amps stack over the top of the EP amplifier. The subbass module is easily removable if lots of trunk space is needed (the pic shows the wiring pigtail which is Molexed for easy unplugging).

The rack for the lower amp:

Both amps in place:

Trunk assembled and USB cable temporarily plugged in for tuning:

Trunk all reassembled:

The Musicar subbass module:

Notice how it doesn't encroach on the trunk opening:

We used a PC-based audio analysis system (both constant and impulse driven) to tune the DSP initially, and did listening afterwards to finalize the settings.

The sound was really great in terms of dynamics, sub-bass extension, and midbass attack. Drums sounded like drums! No sensation of bass coming from the trunk! Overall, a great upgrade.

GOLFFRR · 03-04-2011, 03:41 PM

wow thats a clean set up. Very nicely done

dvn · 03-04-2011, 07:18 PM

How much would it cost for an identical setup?

PM me, if necessary.

Jordan

808MGuy · 03-04-2011, 07:50 PM

Oh, I like that a lot. I was thinking about getting a DC500 and putting in that location. If the hi-fi amp stays in place, you think I could get a DC500 to fit above it? I would need to buy the new trim since mine is the shorter option but that is minor. I like the carpeted grill on the sub too. Makes it all stealth as well as protected.

I've been meaning to ask, you think an IDQ10V3 would fit in that enclosure? I know you mentioned the ID10 before but the IDQ is slightly deeper.

stocksure · 03-06-2011, 05:10 PM

VP Electricity,

I sent an email through your website. Would love to get some information about what you can offer for a E92.

fullrev · 03-06-2011, 05:58 PM

wow thats the cleanest setup i've seen in a m3!

E. Honda · 03-08-2011, 03:15 AM

clean setup. how long and tedious was the install?

VP Electricity · 03-08-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocksure

VP Electricity,

I sent an email through your website. Would love to get some information about what you can offer for a E92.

Got it.

VP Electricity · 03-08-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E. Honda

clean setup. how long and tedious was the install?

Well, it's what we do, so it wasn't that tedious. I believe that was a 2-day install start to finish including tuning.

VP Electricity · 03-08-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrev

wow thats the cleanest setup i've seen in a m3!

Thanks for the kind words, I will relay those to Tom.

330iToy · 03-29-2011, 11:02 AM

That is one of the best installs I have seen. Great job.

JerryK73 · 03-29-2011, 01:26 PM

Nice work! Wish I were closer to you guys so you could do the install on my car

Das M · 03-29-2011, 04:33 PM

That looks great. Nice work.

rbk1115 · 04-02-2011, 05:53 PM

Very Impressed! Super clean and "OEM-like"!

mastek · 04-05-2011, 12:30 AM

How much and how do i get this done in my 2008 e90m3 here in LA?

theriz · 04-05-2011, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastek

How much and how do i get this done in my 2008 e90m3 here in LA?

+1 and just forr the record did this Void his warranty?

Gitti_M3 · 04-05-2011, 01:36 AM

Wow nice work

Budge · 04-06-2011, 02:19 PM

Is the rack used for the amps a BMW part? Where can I get one?

VP Electricity · 04-06-2011, 02:55 PM

The rack is not, we made that, the amplifier cover is the EU trim part for CD changer, and is a dealer part which costs $125 or so (have fun getting the right PN, there are like 12 of them for different trim levels, some of which are only Korean or Japanese).

The enclosure woofer assembly is shipped all the time. For the install, in LA, we can make some recommendations.

mastek · 04-07-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

The rack is not, we made that, the amplifier cover is the EU trim part for CD changer, and is a dealer part which costs $125 or so (have fun getting the right PN, there are like 12 of them for different trim levels, some of which are only Korean or Japanese).

The enclosure woofer assembly is shipped all the time. For the install, in LA, we can make some recommendations.

Please do

I am only interested in this same exact setup WITH your calibration

1sexyfd · 04-07-2011, 12:28 PM

Very Clean. Best install that I've seen in a M3 and probably any car. I've used a couple of companies here around Cincinnati and they have the end product look nice, but go beyond skin deep and it's ugly. And I have had to redo a lot of work that I've payed people to do.

I noticed above that you ship the sub enclosure all the time, do you use that exact speaker setup? I have a JL 13TW5-3 that I had in a previous car, and really liked the performance. Could your box design be changed to accommodate that sub? I’m not sure if you use a CNC or anything to cut out the box parts so the change in speaker might be easy.

So… I am sort of interested in that exact same setup as well…

mastek · 04-11-2011, 07:30 PM

Sent PM

03-04-2011, 03:40 PM	#1
VP Electricity Brigadier General 289 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	Bass upgrade in M3 sedan (pics!) We recently did a bass upgrade to a 2011 M3 with Enhanced Premium. The customer actually liked the mids and highs OK from the EP system, but was unhappy with both the upper bass and the lower bass. The former was not fast or snappy, the latter was mostly missing. The client is an audiophile, not a cranker, and wanted the subbass to be felt, and the upper bass to be heard in the cabin. So we installed Jehnert flat 8" from Germany into the underseat enclosures, ran those as midbass off of a Zapco DC350.2 100x2 amplifier, and then added a Morel Ultimo 10 in the trunk using a Zapco DC500 500W amplifier. We used an Audio Control LC2i for attenuating the 40V outputs of the EP amplifier's woofer channels, and the RCA output of the LC2i was plugged into the Zapco balanced transmitters. The signal between the LC2i and the Zapcos was Symbilink balanced cable. (Note that the LC2i seems to not consistently sense the EP bass channels using its internal remote-turn-on circuitry, so we used the remote turn on at the back of the head unit to control the system. The DC amplifiers have DSP equalization and other processing onboard, which we used to counteract the EP system's equalization and also to optimize the sound for the cabin acoustics. For instance, we extended the sub-bass a bit to counteract the EP subsonic filtering, which was limiting our trunk subbass response. We ran the Jehnert 8" as true midbass - bandpass filtering them so that they did not "see" the sub-bass which we now routed to the trunk subwoofer. This kept them from straining when ultra-low notes were present. The client requested that we not modify the trunk load floor height at all, so we sourced the trunk trim panel for the Euro CD changer to house the amps. The amps are fan cooled and get plenty of circulation under there as a result. The two amps stack over the top of the EP amplifier. The subbass module is easily removable if lots of trunk space is needed (the pic shows the wiring pigtail which is Molexed for easy unplugging). The rack for the lower amp: Both amps in place: Trunk assembled and USB cable temporarily plugged in for tuning: Trunk all reassembled: The Musicar subbass module: Notice how it doesn't encroach on the trunk opening: We used a PC-based audio analysis system (both constant and impulse driven) to tune the DSP initially, and did listening afterwards to finalize the settings. The sound was really great in terms of dynamics, sub-bass extension, and midbass attack. Drums sounded like drums! No sensation of bass coming from the trunk! Overall, a great upgrade.
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03-04-2011, 03:41 PM	#2
GOLFFRR 10776 Rep 27,588 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	wow thats a clean set up. Very nicely done __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL OUR GUY KOTE FIRST! Kote M Sales:Kotem@bmwofcamarillo.com Cell:805-368-9101 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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03-04-2011, 07:18 PM	#3
dvn Lieutenant 32 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 2012 C63 Coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	How much would it cost for an identical setup? PM me, if necessary. Jordan
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03-04-2011, 07:50 PM	#4
808MGuy Colonel 219 Rep 2,339 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oahu, Hawaii iTrader: (3)	Oh, I like that a lot. I was thinking about getting a DC500 and putting in that location. If the hi-fi amp stays in place, you think I could get a DC500 to fit above it? I would need to buy the new trim since mine is the shorter option but that is minor. I like the carpeted grill on the sub too. Makes it all stealth as well as protected. I've been meaning to ask, you think an IDQ10V3 would fit in that enclosure? I know you mentioned the ID10 before but the IDQ is slightly deeper. __________________ 2016 Porsche Cayman GTS - Sapphire Blue / Black Full Leather Interior / Carrera S Wheels
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03-06-2011, 05:10 PM	#5
stocksure Private First Class 31 Rep 113 Posts Drives: '19 BMW M5C Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	VP Electricity, I sent an email through your website. Would love to get some information about what you can offer for a E92. __________________ 2019 F90 M5 Comp \| Marina Bay Blue, stealth PPF 2016 F80 M3 \| Mineral White - sold 2011 E92 M3 \| Jerez Black - sold 2001 E46 M3 \| Carbon Black - sold
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03-06-2011, 05:58 PM	#6
fullrev 2011 E92 M3 34 Rep 432 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	wow thats the cleanest setup i've seen in a m3! __________________ 2011 E92 M3 6MT Gone - 2007 E90 335i
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03-08-2011, 03:15 AM	#7
E. Honda Private First Class 4 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2007 Nissan 350Z Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West LA/UCLA iTrader: (0)	clean setup. how long and tedious was the install?
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03-29-2011, 11:02 AM	#11
330iToy First Lieutenant 71 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2011.75 M3 Space Gray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Jacksonville Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011.75 BMW M3 [0.00]	That is one of the best installs I have seen. Great job. __________________ 2011 M3 Space Gray Metallic, Silver Novillo Extended leather, M-DCT, ZCP, Prem Pkg 2, Conv Pkg, Sycamore Anthracite Wood Trim, BMW Apps, Moonroof, Split Fold Down rear seats, Enhanced Premium Sound
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03-29-2011, 01:26 PM	#12
JerryK73 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2009 LeMans Blue Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey/New Orleans/Houston iTrader: (3)	Nice work! Wish I were closer to you guys so you could do the install on my car
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03-29-2011, 04:33 PM	#13
Das M Colonel 69 Rep 2,382 Posts Drives: YMB F80 ///M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NoVA iTrader: (3)	That looks great. Nice work. __________________ 2016 F80 ///M3 [YMB / Black Full Merino / Carbon Fiber Trim / DCT / Everything] I picked DCT because I want to be more involved in my un-involvement.
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04-02-2011, 05:53 PM	#14
rbk1115 Lieutenant 14 Rep 527 Posts Drives: Acuras & BMWs Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Mazda3 i Touri ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 535i Sedan [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 Sedan [0.00]	Very Impressed! Super clean and "OEM-like"! __________________ 2009 BMW M3 Sedan 2013 BMW 535i M Sport Sedan 2014 Mazda3 i Touring Sedan
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04-05-2011, 12:30 AM	#15
mastek e36s54, e70x5d 151 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (15)	How much and how do i get this done in my 2008 e90m3 here in LA?
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04-05-2011, 01:36 AM	#17
Gitti_M3 New Member 2 Rep 23 Posts Drives: '11 E90 AW/FR Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vienna, VA iTrader: (0)	Wow nice work
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04-06-2011, 02:19 PM	#18
Budge Professional Trophy Husband 25 Rep 150 Posts Drives: '09 M3 Sedan DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Is the rack used for the amps a BMW part? Where can I get one?
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04-06-2011, 02:55 PM	#19
VP Electricity Brigadier General 289 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	The rack is not, we made that, the amplifier cover is the EU trim part for CD changer, and is a dealer part which costs $125 or so (have fun getting the right PN, there are like 12 of them for different trim levels, some of which are only Korean or Japanese). The enclosure woofer assembly is shipped all the time. For the install, in LA, we can make some recommendations.
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04-07-2011, 12:28 PM	#21
1sexyfd Private 7 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio iTrader: (1)	Very Clean. Best install that I've seen in a M3 and probably any car. I've used a couple of companies here around Cincinnati and they have the end product look nice, but go beyond skin deep and it's ugly. And I have had to redo a lot of work that I've payed people to do. I noticed above that you ship the sub enclosure all the time, do you use that exact speaker setup? I have a JL 13TW5-3 that I had in a previous car, and really liked the performance. Could your box design be changed to accommodate that sub? I’m not sure if you use a CNC or anything to cut out the box parts so the change in speaker might be easy. So… I am sort of interested in that exact same setup as well…
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04-11-2011, 07:30 PM	#22
mastek e36s54, e70x5d 151 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (15)	Sent PM
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