I plan on adding the earthquake SWS 8s over Thanksgiving. I cant remember where I read this but someone gave this comparison:

OEM subs sound rating - 3/10; earthquake sound rating 8/10.... thats good enough for me.

I originally had a 10 inch JL W3 in the trunk but due to the outstanding interior soundproofing - I couldnt hear the bass at all.

So I already have an amp wired up. I had a local shop install it for me. I am using the standard HiFi headunit. They just installed a RCA converter which they then ran to the trunk.

So all I need to do is install the subs (by using bruce's write-up) and run speaker wires to the trunk and plug into the amp.

Personally - I wouldnt touch the stock amp, just leave it be and let it drive your speakers.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Can you please explain further on what exactly you had the installer do for you?

 

My sense from the replies is that even if I put in the 2 ohm version the stock amps in the car are not enough to drive these speakers.

Is that the general concensus? If so, its a shame because it would have been a reasonably priced upgrade.

The speakers run about $130-$140 each (internet retail, nobody sells them in my town) plus an estimated $150-$200 to install.

The installer wants $700 to put in a new amp and a 10 inch speaker hooked behind the rear seats. But people here don't think that is such a great idea either.

 

Here ya go snuffy........

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-NEW-EARTHQUAKE-SWS-8-Car-8-Subwoofer-Amplifier-Amp_W0QQitemZ180302800244QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Subwoofers_Enclosures?hash=item180302800244&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
I just saved you a couple hundred dollars...Id be willing to be you could get this set up installed for about $200.

 

I decided to make my own box since the JL audio one is kinda pricey and does not fit L7 cars.

 

It is not obvious to me....when upgrading the subwoofer amp, is there a way to put the new amp where the old one is?

What I am really after is keeping everything looking stock....no extra visible electronics.

 

I suposse if you find and amp roughtly the same size then the answer would be yes, however (only a guess here) if you find an amp that small it may not be much more powerfull then the factory amp. Unless someone on here already has the demensions handy you could remove the covering and get some demensions and do some research before you bought your amp.

What I plan on doin is the same thing Bruce did and add the DVD changer cover BMW part # 51477122191 and oddment tray 51477074479, to conseal the amp.

 

I just had ordered this set - came about few days ago, will have my BMW stealer install it during this week! Can't wait to hear the difference! After reading tons of stuff about E60 676 upgrade I assumed this is a reasonable price/value option.

 

Well, I originally went to my local shop with my old system and told them to put it in my e60. Since I did not want to change out my stock CD player, they needed to wire in a RCA converter ? http://www99.shopping.com/xDN-car_audio_an..._line_converter

If you look at aftermarket CD players they already have a RCA connection ? which gives the amp the right frequency for bass etc.. the rca converter wires in parallel to your speakers and allows you to run rca cables from the converter, to the amp

 

Please report back as to how you like it and if it was worth the upgrade......as I plan on doing this right after Thanksgiving, when I get back from my vacation.