Upgrade: BMW Standard audio system on an 08 535xi (LCI)
Scope: Remove & reinstall four mid/full range speakers and four tweeters

What's your impression of custom speaker wires? Lots of people say it's like selling snake oil. What about speaker upgrades - is it worth the money? In this case, the BSW speakers are night and day difference than the stock BMW speakers and I'm glad Halston gave us the group buy discount.

I will echo what other members have noted about the crappy speakers BMW installs in a premium car. Take a look at the picture comparisons... BMW cheap paper cones, inferior voice coils, and substandard magnets. I'm not an audiophile, not even close, but I can clearly tell the difference after installing four new BSW mid/full range speakers and four new tweeters. I have one ear that is extremely sensitive to distortion. Prior to the upgrade, I was unable to turn the volume up without the ill effects of white noise vibration chatter in my bad ear. Now, with the BSW speakers, the volume can be reasonably increased without distortion. Having said all of that, I have heard much better sounding car stereos and am very conscious of the overall BMW sound system limitations.

About the install... I sort of followed the printed documentation and it was a piece of cake. Make sure you buy the de-installation tools... they work! If you do this upgrade, take your time, work the clips off around the edges on the door panels with the tools carefully.

 

Thanks for the write up. It's on my to do list.

 

Where did Halston go anyway? What about the other 10 people on the bulk buy... how did your install go? BTW, the deinstallation tools work well with other BMW mods!

 

The install of the BSW Stage 1 speakers was pretty straight forward. I printed their website's install recommendations first and also browsed another members install experience before i installed my own.

The sound output, I find, is improved over the OEM speakers...somewhat less harsh. I also think the quality of the speakers lends itself to better speaker separation for a less-muddied affect. These speakers do provide a nice clean, crisp sound reproduction...it is noticable.


My only comment would be to save the extra $20.00 on their install tools - they really aren't needed if you already have decent toolbox or workbench setup.

 

While I still haven't had the time to install the BSWs on my e60, I did the install on my old e46. There is definitely an improvement in sound quality (which is why I purchased a set for my e60 as well), but don't expect wonders. I think the underpowered factory amp is really what's holding these cars audio systems back.
But, given the ease of installation and not having to research and design a custom solution, the BSWs are a GREAT option to upgrade your sound.

 

Is there another bulk purchase in the works. I would like to be apart of it as I want to improve the sound quality in my 530i

 

What kind of speakers come with the logic7 system?

 

harmon kardon

 

I'm wondering if the BSW speaker upgrade would sound better...

 

yes very much so