novice needing advice on amp install please - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**elsabor67** · 11-30-2007, 05:30 PM

#3 refers to using 1 set (l/r) of RCA's (if the head unit only has 1 set) and the unused speaker level input (normally the rear ones) as the other connections.

**320de46m47** · 12-01-2007, 03:52 AM

yes, i've got it now. what i hadn't realised was that the bass needs to be present regardless of fader/balance positions for HUs that have none or only two RCA line level outputs.

So I need
8 gauge power wire
8 gauge ground wire
in line fuse holder and 40 amp fuse
16 gauge speaker wire

can you advise lengths needed????

many thanks

**320de46m47** · 12-03-2007, 02:34 PM

Thanks to your help I've come a long way..
My shopping list is growing though!!!!
4 x 8awg Fork Terminal
1 x 2.5mm 14 awg Speaker Cable (compromise as 20 metres of 12awg is a silly price)
Length: 20 metres
1 x AGU Fuse Holder - Hex
2 x AGU Fuses
Fuse Size: 40A
1 x 8awg Primary Power Cable
Length: 1 metre
8 x Speaker Fork Terminal
1 x 8awg Primary Power Cable
Length: 3 metres
5 metres remote wire

where on earth do you get this stuff? even dedicated sellers dont stock all the speaker wire gauges! the kits are ALL wrong! can you suggest a good outlet?

I'm thinking of ditching the Infinity basslink (anyone want to buy it?) I need something smaller...can the alpine amp also power a subwoofer?

**bueras** · 12-03-2007, 04:01 PM

I have three amps in my car, a 4 channel for the front mids and tweeters, a 4 channel for the rear mids and tweeters, and a mono amp for the subs in the back. Instead of running 3 pairs of RCA cables and running new wire into the doors and panels, I simply used the existing speaker wires in the car. For the front and rear speakers, I used the speaker level inputs on my amp to minimize road noise and used the existing wiring that led to those speakers. I ran 1 set of RCAs for the subs, that was it. Anyway if you haven't installed your system by now, I will post DIY pics this weeked probably. Its pretty simple, you just gotta take your time on it. In the mean while here is an exellent wiring diagram for car audio:

http://www.commandocaralarms.com/wiring/BMW/

Good luck and keep us posted

**320de46m47** · 12-03-2007, 04:09 PM

sounds loud! im not really interested in volume/power. just after crisp defined music as it was made to sound ....surely a 4 x 40 watt amp rms (which is the amp i have) is enough when compared to a 16 watt amp in a standard HU?

**320de46m47** · 12-05-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bueras

I have three amps in my car, a 4 channel for the front mids and tweeters, a 4 channel for the rear mids and tweeters, and a mono amp for the subs in the back. Instead of running 3 pairs of RCA cables and running new wire into the doors and panels, I simply used the existing speaker wires in the car. For the front and rear speakers, I used the speaker level inputs on my amp to minimize road noise and used the existing wiring that led to those speakers. I ran 1 set of RCAs for the subs, that was it. Anyway if you haven't installed your system by now, I will post DIY pics this weeked probably. Its pretty simple, you just gotta take your time on it. In the mean while here is an exellent wiring diagram for car audio:

http://www.commandocaralarms.com/wiring/BMW/

Good luck and keep us posted

given that my amp is 40 w rms x 4 what would be the best power rating for a mono sub amp?

**elsabor67** · 12-05-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 320de46m47

given that my amp is 40 w rms x 4 what would be the best power rating for a mono sub amp?

It really depends on what kind of subwoofer you plan to power, the kind of box you plan on placing it in(ported, sealed, bandpass) and that subwoofer's power rating.

**320de46m47** · 12-05-2007, 03:12 PM

any pointers, suggestions?

bandpass?

**elsabor67** · 12-05-2007, 04:02 PM

I prefer sealed. I'm not into the door shuddering bass. I like my bass tight and solid. I'm running 4 Kicker S8c solobarics (the round ones) in a box with their individual chambers. Running 500 Watts to all four and they are still underpowered (RMS 450 Watts each) I would suggest a good reliable 10 inch sub in a sealed box and with a 200 watt mono amp.

**320de46m47** · 12-06-2007, 04:05 AM

any 200 watt mono amp? big range of prices

**bueras** · 12-06-2007, 09:36 AM

As elsabor67 said, I also prefer a sealed box (in this car anyway). BMWs are notorious for having sound deadener which is good for a quiet ride but not good when you are trying to get sound into your cabin. If you are going with a sealed box, I would suggest that you go with a little bigger amp (usually 25% more power than the sub). A sub in a sealed box can handle more power than a sub in a ported box so you want to make sure that your amp is not clipping because clipping = sound distortion.

In order to get the best quality sound out your BMW, you will have 1 of 3 options

1. You can drive with the back seat folded down
2 You can take off the rear speakers
3. You can cut away at the rear dash

The goal of all three is to get clean bass into the cabin without vibrations and rattles from your rear dash. Hope this helps

**320de46m47** · 12-06-2007, 09:59 AM

mine is a touring which presents different problems. i dont want to compromise the load area at all. kinda defeats the who purpose of having a touring. i wanted to put the basslink under the floor panel but stupidly i miss calculated and its too big im now looking for something that will fit under there between the floor and the spare wheel. i will probably get a piece of mdf and cut out a new floor panel so that if i ever sell the car i cat the original without a speaker attached to the underside back in. im just interested to know if i can get away with spending £30 on a mono amp (seen lots on ebay) seems ridiculously cheap. i take it i would need to spend more to get decent quality?

**320de46m47** · 12-06-2007, 11:33 AM

http://forum.bmwcarmagazine.com/view...&highlight=sub

aiming a this...want to copy but im probably too lazy and not enough spare time

**bueras** · 12-06-2007, 01:17 PM

I don't think it would take that long. It seems that the glass work is minimal and that you would have to make some cardboard templates to get the MDF to fit right. Looks like a great project.

**elsabor67** · 12-06-2007, 03:51 PM

That would look awesome and like B said, it would make a great weekend project. I would do it.

**320de46m47** · 12-06-2007, 04:24 PM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-Xplod-Car...QQcmdZViewItem

why is this so cheap? is it rubbish or ok?

**320de46m47** · 01-04-2008, 07:02 PM

well this is where i'm at so far

old speaker new speaker

new tweater

speaker in situ with crossover in door

site for amp

wiring hell

**320de46m47** · 01-05-2008, 09:05 AM

so this is what it looks like before the brackets went in. old brackets that held cd changer came out of course

amp installed

40 amp fuse

location for ground

it was too wet and i was to cold to do anymore today..

**320de46m47** · 01-06-2008, 10:44 AM

back to work tomorrow so really its all just a question of putting it all back together

**elsabor67** · 01-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Man, that looks great. Good to see you're moving in a good direction. Can I suggest that the ground be shorter on the amp? Less chance of noise. Other than that, I can't wait to see how it looks finished.