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Front Door Speaker Replacement

12K views 20 replies 8 participants last post by  Halston@BSW 
#1 ·
I have a 2003 325xi with the Business CD and my right door has a blown out speaker. But I don't want to blow a ton of money on a BSW Stage one. I just want to replace it with something aftermarket like Alpine or Polk Audio. My questions is besides the woofer there is the tweeter, If I buy a co-axial speakears then I double up on Tweeters, are tweeter that are included in Component Speakers drop in replacement, or could I buy a component system and only install the woofer. I thought I read somewhere else that OEM Speakers and Aftermarket speakers have different ohm values too. I have an Alpine CDA-9833 from my last car that I might install....

Thoughts... Opinions.... Experience stories...
 
#4 ·
Since oem amplifier does the crossover functions, it is hard to come up with replacement speakers that will work with the oem system. BSW has done the homework for their stage 1, but, as you said, there is a hefty cost and you are still bound by the anemic oem amplifier.

Since you already have the alpine, just put it in, bypass fcatory amp and power new speakers from the alpine.
 
#5 ·
No need to run wires. You can reuse existing wires coming from the head unit and going out to the individual speakers. All these connections are at the oem amplifier, so this task is very easy. No need to run any wires. For bass, you could keep the stock amp/subwoofers alive.

As far as speakers, get a 2-way component setup up front (no need for mid range, since the new mid would do both midrange and midbass) and maybe a coaxial setup in the back if you are on a budget.
 
#7 ·
All of the factory speaker wiring originates from the amp in the trunk so if you want to wire front speakers from the Alpine, it would probably be easier to run new wire from the dash to the doors. Or you can use the existing wire to get signal to your new/remaining speakers. At the speaker, you will either need to cut off the proprietary connectors at the speaker or fab up some leads that connect to the plug with wires going to your speaker (leave a few inches of wire with the connector so you can reuse them if you ever decide to put it back to stock... saving them would also help :thumbsup:). If you want to keep some of the stock speakers and reuse them, you can either wire them directly to your Alpine (or amp) and see how it sounds to you (keep in mind they wont be crossed-over) or run line outputs from the Alpine to the factory amp which is already hooked up to those speakers. As Alvaro said, the factory amp is pretty weak so you will probably get better SQ wiring directly from the HU and yet even better sound from an aftermarket amp.
 
#9 ·
They are both right (or wrong, depending how you look at it). 5.25 is a bit small and might require building a filler plate to make sure there are no gaps and 6.5 is a bit large and might need some cutting. Since a 6.5 gives you much better midbass than a 5.25, go with the bigger speakers. You can probably do 5.25s for the rear.
 
#11 ·
I certainly know what is correct, I just want to fix the annoying blown out speaker and re-use my existing HU.

As far as installing the HU, is it pretty straight forward, just a rewiring of the harness and installation of the new bezel?

If there is a DIY step-by-step link please forward.
 
#14 ·
to answer this - strictly depends on the speaker. some do need modification, even with the rings.

i was just browsing a thread here that people inputted on the 6.5 speakers and if they require modification.
 
#15 ·
you're simplest and cheapes option may be to simply buy the speaker from BSW. you don't need to buy the whole set, you can just buy the woofers. this will be matched to fit without modification, will match the factory amp, and probably be the cheapest(though i think the woofer pair runs around $160) you could go to BMW and get a replacement, but i'd bet it'd cost a ton and still be crappy. replacing with anything else requires much more work and money. i replaced mine with an aftermarket amp and 5.25 components. i wish there was a little more midbass, but they sound ok. i may in the future try to install 6.5 inch speakers, but i know that would require cutting the door metal and probably building a custom mount. for now i simply turned the crossover point on my sub a little higher than i normally would and it sounds pretty good.
the difficulty of finding speakers that work with the factory amp makes the choice between coaxial or component irrelevant. if you choose to put your alpine deck in, that has its own 4 channel amp in it, with which you could put aftermarket speakers in and hook right up to that. i'd recommend replacing the front speakers with component replacements in this case, though you have to be sure to find a pair that have low power requirements so the deck's amp can handle them. i tried years ago hooking Alpine S series components up to my Alpine amp, and it simply wasn't enough power, the speakers distorted at middle volumes due to low power. an installer i recently spoke with says the newest alpine S series are designed to run right off he amps in HUs, without the need for an external amp in the trunk. i went against installing an aftermarket HU because i like the stock look of the business CD. i had 4 channel amp lying around that i threw in the trunk and replaced my front speakers with Alpine R series components. oh and as for mounting the tweeters, my alpines came with an adhesive lined foam donut that holds the tweeter in place, super easy tweeter install... hope this helps.

basiacally, if you just want to replace the blown speaker, try to buy one from someone else who has one laying around (i might have 1) or go with BSW. anything else would mean overhauling your system, which i recommend, but its a lot more money and work.
 
#16 ·
It sounds like if I don't want to cut metal and have a somewhat easy install the best configuration would be to Install the Alpine and buy 5.25" components and only use the woofer with the scosche mounting rings wire a high range blocker in-line wired directly to the HU.

Good config?

FYI, the major reason I want to install the alpine HU is I want the MP3 CD Funtionality and I have a Subwoofer and amp from my last car I want to install.
 
#17 ·
You do not need to cut metal for either size (it does improve sound quality, but not necessary). Head unit probably has a built-in crossover, but if not, I wouldn't worry about a bass blocker either, as the head unit is not going to get enough power to damage the speaker or create major problems.
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
If you want high quality 6.5" components using the factory mounting location, look into the Diamond Audio S600s/a sets. The mid driver is actually a tad over 6" in diameter, almost the same diameter as the factory driver and will install in the factory location with minimal effort. They are great sounding speaks but probably wont be too happy being underpowered. The S500s/a will also fit in the door panels.
 
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