1800 watts (part 1)
#11
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
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Premium Sound
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Active Cruise
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Folding rear seats
I'm really not familiar with all of the myriad different brands of car audio components that are out there and which are considered the best. I could have spent weeks boning up on this and taking a more active role in which brands were chosen, but one thing I do know is that car audio in 80% installation and 20% components, and from everything I've seen and heard these guys are wicked good installers.
Obviously I have my personal preferences for particular brands, but I won't get into all that now.
I think your installer has made a wise suggestion with leaving the factory headunit.... particularly since you're leasing. I don't know how much BMW is going to like you cutting the rear deck on a lease car, though.
$9000 for a car audio system installed is not unheard of.... although it sounds awfully expensive to me considering the simplicity of the system. The system in my Acura was about $15,000, and the system in my Lexus was probably closer to $20,000 after everything was said and done. But both of those systems were complete competition setups with a ton of gear, and installs with custom fiberglassing, plexiglass windows for amps and processors, neon lighting, etc....
The Lexus system was similar to an E60, because I could not remove the factory headunit. On the Lexus I had, the AC controls were on the radio panel.. so we couldn't remove it. So, what we did was to remove the entire center console, and build a custom console from fiberglass. We installed a 6 CD changer in the armrest area, and an Alpine CVA 1005 TV headunit for the NAV and audio control. Unfortunately, removing the center console in my E60 is not possible... due to the SMG shift knob. So, in the Lexus, I actually had 2 stereos. The factory system was left intact, and my aftermarket system was built around it. I could actually play both systems.... haha.
#12
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Originally Posted by subterFUSE' date='Apr 30 2005, 07:40 PM
I think your installer has made a wise suggestion with leaving the factory headunit.... particularly since you're leasing.? I don't know how much BMW is going to like you cutting the rear deck on a lease car, though.
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' date='Apr 30 2005, 07:40 PM
$9000 for a car audio system installed is not unheard of....
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' date='Apr 30 2005, 07:40 PM
although it sounds awfully expensive to me considering the simplicity of the system.? The system in my Acura was about $15,000, and the system in my Lexus was probably closer to $20,000 after everything was said and done.? But both of those systems were complete competition setups with a ton of gear, and installs with custom fiberglassing, plexiglass windows for amps and processors, neon lighting, etc....
First, I think we can agree that the brands they've chosen are worthy of a high-end system. Although some may prefer one over another, it seems unanimous on all the car audio boards I've read that Arc amps and subs and Morel Elates are some of the best.
Now onto price. First, the physical items:
1. About $1100 for wires, dynamat, box (all custom-built), and Soundgate items. To my unexperienced eye this doesn't look unreasonable offhand. If I scrounged online, maybe I could save $200?
2. About $3200 for two pairs of Elate 6's and two pairs of Elate 5's. Some Russian site has these for about 15% less, but this is without shipping and probably without a warranty. Maybe I could get $500 less.
3. About $2200 for the Arc 4150-XXK, 2100-XXK, and 1500-XXK. Not available online anywhere, but one site lists MSRPs for them that total to $1750. So perhaps I could save $450 here.
4. Three Arc 10" subs for maybe $600 total (not sure since we changed our brand choice after the invoice was made). Again not available online, maybe I could save $100.
So the physical items run to $7100. Sales tax is 8.25% here, so total is $7685. Assume I could get the max savings mentioned above, then the figures would be $5850 and $6332. So the most I could save on these would be around $1300.
Labor is listed as $1500. For five days of work by experienced installers, this doesn't seem inflated to me. If they were going to rip me off here they would keep it two days and charge $1500, right? They look like they've got enough business that it wouldn't be in their best interests to have a car taking up a slot in the bay while nothing's being done to it.
So the total is $8600. If I found all those items above online or at other dealers for less, then it seems I could theoretically knock $1300 off that - 15%. So they're building in profit here, but not excessive (by my standards at least). Am I on the mark here?
Originally Posted by subterFUSE' date='Apr 30 2005, 07:40 PM
The Lexus system was similar to an E60, because I could not remove the factory headunit.? On the Lexus I had, the AC controls were on the radio panel.. so we couldn't remove it.? So, what we did was to remove the entire center console, and build a custom console from fiberglass.? We installed a 6 CD changer in the armrest area, and an Alpine CVA 1005 TV headunit for the NAV and audio control.? Unfortunately, removing the center console in my E60 is not possible... due to the SMG shift knob.? So, in the Lexus, I actually had 2 stereos.? The factory system was left intact, and my aftermarket system was built around it.? I could actually play both systems.... haha.
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#13
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My Ride: 2004 525i Jet Black on Grey Interior---
Tint: Sides 20% Rear Windshield 5% Front Windshield 35%
Wheels: Zenetti Five's 20" by 8.5(front) 20" by 10(rear)--
Tires: Pirelli Asimmetrico 245/35/20(front) 285/30/20(rear)--
Body: Hamann Full Front Spoiler, Rieger Side Skirts, Rieger Rear Apron, AC Schnitzer Trunk Wing
Interior: AC Schnitzer Pedal Set and E-Break
Springs: H&R Sport Springs--
Audio: 2 12" Kicker L7's with a Rockford Fosgate 1501bd Amp With Custom Trunk Enclosure
SOON TO COME:
-M5 Mirrors
-M5 Trunk Finsher
-Brembo GT Big Brake Kit
-Hamann 6 Series Front Spliter Molded
-Hamann Roof Wing
-Full Custom Sound System with TV's
Well mine was alot cheaper... the equiptment rean me about $1000..the installation ran me $500.. that includes wires box installtion and a ported hole on the back deck...I dunno urs seems a little pricey but then again you are getting dyno matt which when adding alot of layers will acot u around $200-$300 plus your getting more speaker cut outs.. that includes more wireing more labor and such ...So I do think it should be a little cheaper its still in the ball park
#14
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
The equipment in my Lexus was about $8000-9000 before installation... if my memory is correct. For that amount, here is what I got:
Alpine CVA-1005 headunit
Alpine 6 CD changer
Alpine Navigation system
1 set of Dynaudio System 220 MKII 5.25" component speakers
1 set of Dynaudio System 240 MKII 7" component speakers
3 JL Audio 10W6 subwoofers
Precision Power PowerClass amp (1400 watts x 1, for the subs)
Precision Power PowerClass amp (4 x 100 watts, for the Dynaudios)
Precision Power PAR-245 parametric EQ / preamp
2 Precision Power DEQ-230 1/3 octave EQs (30 bands each)
Precision Power FRX-456 active crossover
Precision Power Phase Shift controller
AlumaPro CAP 15 farad capacitor
Optima YellowTop Battery
Installation was at least another $8000, however. We spent a week doing Dynamat, Foam filling, and spraying of the body to prepare. Then ran wires for everything. We did a lot of custom fiberglassing for the sub enclosure, amp rack, and the custom center console, and the custom kickpods for the Dynaudio speakers. Install took forever, because I did it at a shop where my friend worked... and I insisted on helping out with it. So we had to work when I had time available. I think the whole job took about 6 months.... but I had lost track.
Alpine CVA-1005 headunit
Alpine 6 CD changer
Alpine Navigation system
1 set of Dynaudio System 220 MKII 5.25" component speakers
1 set of Dynaudio System 240 MKII 7" component speakers
3 JL Audio 10W6 subwoofers
Precision Power PowerClass amp (1400 watts x 1, for the subs)
Precision Power PowerClass amp (4 x 100 watts, for the Dynaudios)
Precision Power PAR-245 parametric EQ / preamp
2 Precision Power DEQ-230 1/3 octave EQs (30 bands each)
Precision Power FRX-456 active crossover
Precision Power Phase Shift controller
AlumaPro CAP 15 farad capacitor
Optima YellowTop Battery
Installation was at least another $8000, however. We spent a week doing Dynamat, Foam filling, and spraying of the body to prepare. Then ran wires for everything. We did a lot of custom fiberglassing for the sub enclosure, amp rack, and the custom center console, and the custom kickpods for the Dynaudio speakers. Install took forever, because I did it at a shop where my friend worked... and I insisted on helping out with it. So we had to work when I had time available. I think the whole job took about 6 months.... but I had lost track.
#15
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My Ride: 2004 525i Jet Black on Grey Interior---
Tint: Sides 20% Rear Windshield 5% Front Windshield 35%
Wheels: Zenetti Five's 20" by 8.5(front) 20" by 10(rear)--
Tires: Pirelli Asimmetrico 245/35/20(front) 285/30/20(rear)--
Body: Hamann Full Front Spoiler, Rieger Side Skirts, Rieger Rear Apron, AC Schnitzer Trunk Wing
Interior: AC Schnitzer Pedal Set and E-Break
Springs: H&R Sport Springs--
Audio: 2 12" Kicker L7's with a Rockford Fosgate 1501bd Amp With Custom Trunk Enclosure
SOON TO COME:
-M5 Mirrors
-M5 Trunk Finsher
-Brembo GT Big Brake Kit
-Hamann 6 Series Front Spliter Molded
-Hamann Roof Wing
-Full Custom Sound System with TV's
Well there is my friends S500...
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/275735
He has:
3 Phoenix Gold Amps
4 Phoenix Gold Xmax 10" Subs
Phoenix Gold Capicitor
Phoenix Gold EQ
Phoenix Gold Electronic LCD Voltage Reading
2 Poineer 7" Flip Down TV's
1 Pioneer Motorized In-Dash 7" TV
1 Pioneer Navigation System
1 Pioneer 12 Disc DVD/CD changer
Cliff Design Interior Speakers
He had alot of customized stuff done to this car...swade motorized amp rack with spare 20" ...this setup cost him about $60g's for everything (not including exterior) this took about 6 months as well
This stuff can sometimes get ridiclous
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/275735
He has:
3 Phoenix Gold Amps
4 Phoenix Gold Xmax 10" Subs
Phoenix Gold Capicitor
Phoenix Gold EQ
Phoenix Gold Electronic LCD Voltage Reading
2 Poineer 7" Flip Down TV's
1 Pioneer Motorized In-Dash 7" TV
1 Pioneer Navigation System
1 Pioneer 12 Disc DVD/CD changer
Cliff Design Interior Speakers
He had alot of customized stuff done to this car...swade motorized amp rack with spare 20" ...this setup cost him about $60g's for everything (not including exterior) this took about 6 months as well
This stuff can sometimes get ridiclous
#16
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Originally Posted by Hamann5' date='May 1 2005, 09:25 AM
Well there is my friends S500...
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/275735
He has:
3 Phoenix Gold Amps
4 Phoenix Gold Xmax 10" Subs
Phoenix Gold Capicitor
Phoenix Gold EQ
Phoenix Gold Electronic LCD Voltage Reading
2 Poineer 7" Flip Down TV's
1 Pioneer Motorized In-Dash 7" TV
1 Pioneer Navigation System
1 Pioneer 12 Disc DVD/CD changer
Cliff Design Interior Speakers
He had alot of customized stuff done to this car...swade motorized amp rack with spare 20" ...this setup cost him about $60g's for everything (not including exterior) this took about 6 months as well
This stuff can sometimes get ridiclous
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/275735
He has:
3 Phoenix Gold Amps
4 Phoenix Gold Xmax 10" Subs
Phoenix Gold Capicitor
Phoenix Gold EQ
Phoenix Gold Electronic LCD Voltage Reading
2 Poineer 7" Flip Down TV's
1 Pioneer Motorized In-Dash 7" TV
1 Pioneer Navigation System
1 Pioneer 12 Disc DVD/CD changer
Cliff Design Interior Speakers
He had alot of customized stuff done to this car...swade motorized amp rack with spare 20" ...this setup cost him about $60g's for everything (not including exterior) this took about 6 months as well
This stuff can sometimes get ridiclous
[snapback]122536[/snapback]
#17
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Originally Posted by subterFUSE' date='May 1 2005, 07:26 AM
Installation was at least another $8000, however.? We spent a week doing Dynamat, Foam filling, and spraying of the body to prepare.? Then ran wires for everything.? We did a lot of custom fiberglassing for the sub enclosure, amp rack, and the custom center console, and the custom kickpods for the Dynaudio speakers.? Install took forever, because I did it at a shop where my friend worked... and I insisted on helping out with it.? So we had to work when I had time available.? I think the whole job took about 6 months.... but I had lost track.
[snapback]122493[/snapback]
#18
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My Ride: 2005 545i (SMG)
Titanium Gray
Black Interior, Anthracite Trim
M-tech kit
Sport Package
Premium Sound
Satellite Radio
Active Cruise
Comfort Seats
Navigation
Folding rear seats
Kick pods don't attach to the doors. They go in the footwell, to the outside. They are called kickpods because they are right next to where you feet rest.
Kickpods are common in sound quality competition systems that use speakers instead of compression horns. The reason is.... the driver and passenger don't sit in the middle of the car. The driver is closer to the driver side speakers than the passenger side, and vice versa.
By moving the speakers to the kickpanels, the distance from each speaker to the driver & passenger becomes more equal. This helps put the listeners more in the sweet spot.
However, you have to consider a few things before having kickpods built.
1. You will lose some legroom. On the driver side, you'll have to remove the dead pedal. Most people won't like the comfort factor.
2. Some cars install computer gear in the kickpanels, and speakers have magnets. You don't want to put a speaker in the kickpanel if there is a computer behind there... because the magnet will mess the computer up. This is a common problem in Honda cars, because they traditionally put the car computer in the passenger kick panel.
Kickpods are common in sound quality competition systems that use speakers instead of compression horns. The reason is.... the driver and passenger don't sit in the middle of the car. The driver is closer to the driver side speakers than the passenger side, and vice versa.
By moving the speakers to the kickpanels, the distance from each speaker to the driver & passenger becomes more equal. This helps put the listeners more in the sweet spot.
However, you have to consider a few things before having kickpods built.
1. You will lose some legroom. On the driver side, you'll have to remove the dead pedal. Most people won't like the comfort factor.
2. Some cars install computer gear in the kickpanels, and speakers have magnets. You don't want to put a speaker in the kickpanel if there is a computer behind there... because the magnet will mess the computer up. This is a common problem in Honda cars, because they traditionally put the car computer in the passenger kick panel.
#19
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Called today... not possible to mount the woofers on top of the door panel because it would stick out too far, so I'll have to cut. Oh well. Also decided to use two 12's instead of three 10's for various reasons. Having the bass port to an invisible hole cut behind the rear-seat pulldown instead of above the rears is a great solution... I'll get the highest volume only with it pulled down, but I never crank the bass with three rear passengers anyways.
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