Zedonist Z3 Audio Setup

[Dino D]

Have you connected the remote lead, should be a blue wire, but dont mix it up with the power antenna lead

Remote is ok.
I think it's faulty RCA's, dead pre outs on headunit or dodgy ground to the amp. Need to get a multimeter to check properly.

 

[Dino D]

Hi, I need to replace my kit this summer - it's all aftermarket but the amp in the boot over heats on sunny days making it useless.

So... Initially 2 questions:

In my 2.0l I have the HK solution (with vibe rear speakers and new head unit) and it sounds pretty good. Have you tried anything with the HK sub and amp?

And, can you clarify the tweeters? Do they come free with the other speakers? If so does that mean you got 4 of them as you got 2 sets of speakers ( or did I read that wrong?)

I used the HK amp with my 8inch JL sub sub but it was not very powerful to deliver what the sub is made for.

The HK set up uses 4 wires per speaker and different ohm ratings so a bit different from 'regular' speaker. It's much better than what came as standard but if you have a louder car and want something more like a newer car sound system then best of bypassing it I feel.

The Hertz components come with 2 tweeters per pair so yes you get some extra tweeters (and mini crossovers).

 

[Dobiwallah]

I Asked the German on ebay for postage for 2 sets of Hertz Dieci DSK 130.3 speakers. Its a hefty Euro55 to get it to NZ. But the thing is, one set in NZ is 2 sets on ebay...

 

[Jack Ratt]

I have found this thread a massive help to me. I've recently fitted an Alpine Mechless head unit and new speakers but it's got no "oomph".

I don't usually listen to music when I'm out in the Zed as I like to listen to the engine, and anyway my radio is set to Talksport or 5Live, much to my wife's annoyance

However, I've decided to get it sorted and after reading this thread again I'm now looking for a decent amp and some proper speakers

 

[zedonist]

I have found this thread a massive help to me. I've recently fitted an Alpine Mechless head unit and new speakers but it's got no "oomph".

I don't usually listen to music when I'm out in the Zed as I like to listen to the engine, and anyway my radio is set to Talksport or 5Live, much to my wife's annoyance

However, I've decided to get it sorted and after reading this thread again I'm now looking for a decent amp and some proper speakers

Jack, If you have an Alpine HU then you can buy the Alpine in line AMP it just plugs into the harness at the back of the HU and sits in the gap behind the HU.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Jack, If you have an Alpine HU then you can buy the Alpine in line AMP it just plugs into the harness at the back of the HU and sits in the gap behind the HU.

That's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm looking at one on Ebay at the moment at £117 delivered. I'm getting new wishbones and front discs this month ready for the MOT in early December but I might drop a few subtle hints to 'er indoors for Christmas

 

[Dino D]

Keep an eye out for used amps, I picked up the inline Alpine amp and Alpine mono (sub) amp secondhand.
They are quality products so last and of course Ebay protects the buyer if you get sold a pup!

 

[zedonist]

You don't need one with the correct fitting block connector as you can also cut the wires and hard join them, this gives you the scope to use other versions of the amp, might get one cheaper

 

[Bananasport]

Right Guys,

After many years and near success and the missus now believing i own a speaker shop! I have finally cracked it!

Below is the setup and how it is wired, it by passes the BMW wiring, this was first cause of frustration, it also by passes the BMW tweeter location, second frustration, having managed to get full range punchy speakers i have done away with the mid pass filters third frustration, and finally on mk3 version of the sub enclosure, i have achieved OEM placement of a phenomenal subwoofer.

View attachment 7956

The full range speakers came as a result of discussing with an audio guru on the T5 forum, who sent me a pair of 6.5" Hertz component speakers for the T5, they were awesome, so i tried them in the Z3, wow, unbelievable, as they did not fit OEM, i sought out the 5.25 versions and i was not disappointed, so i fitted a second pair in the rear, bass is excellent. I then turned my attention to the sub again, and finally nailed the dimensions that allowed full extension of the speaker, and now it all works perfectly, and the sound is as good if not better than the T5.

So cost of set up now, not what i paid:

Alpine IDA X311R Head Unit - £80
Alpine KTP 445 Inline Amplifier - £70
Fli Underground FU360.2 2 channel amplifier (For sub) - £50
Hertz Dieci DSK 130.3 - £80 x 2 sets (front and rear)
Kicker CompRT 6.5" Sub woofer - £80
RCA Cables - £15
Speaker Wire - £20
MDF for sub enclosure - £15

£490 in total.

If anyone is interested i will post the dimensions of the panels to make up the sub enclosure, but please note this is for the kicker sub only, as it is a shallow mount speaker, i could not find another sub of similar dimensions.

Hi about to upgrade and Zedonist's system sounds interesting. Are there grill/covers for the 6.5 Hertz speakers and where can I find the dimensions to make the box for the Kicker sub.?

 

[oldcarman]

You can either PM @zedonist or post it here and he will get an alert and get back to you @Bananasport !! It takes a while to figure the forum out but keep trying different things and if all else fails "ask". JIM

 

[Bananasport]

You can either PM @zedonist or post it here and he will get an alert and get back to you @Bananasport !! It takes a while to figure the forum out but keep trying different things and if all else fails "ask". JIM

Thanks Olderman

 

[oldcarman]

No, no @Bananasport! I'm just "old" as there is an "older" and an "oldest" also on forum!! lol JIM

 

[Chazzy]

This is a great post, I have a question though.

My car is pre facelift so only has 3 inch rear speakers - can you recommend any replacement items for these?
Which tweeters do you use - the standard ones or do you recommend some good aftermarket ones?
I need to keep the cubby box for storage when on holiday so was planning on an active slim under seat sub for some extra bass. Have you much experience with these?

Cheers!

 

[Dino D]

I got some facelift rear interior panels and cut those up to fit the hertz speakers (so you can keep your original ones if you like). The way facelift ones work means you can cut out what you need, fit the Hertz speaker and the grill goes back over so looks stock (the prefacelift doesn have a seperate removable speaker grill).

 

[Antm72]

I got some facelift rear interior panels and cut those up to fit the hertz speakers (so you can keep your original ones if you like). The way facelift ones work means you can cut out what you need, fit the Hertz speaker and the grill goes back over so looks stock (the prefacelift doesn have a seperate removable speaker grill).

Have thought this the beat way to go just haven't been able to locate beige facelift panels

 

[Dino D]

I actually just cut into my original panels and had the speakers exposed and when some facelift panels turned up I swapped it over at my leisure.
If panels didn't turn up I don't I would have bothered wapping them actually, if done neatly it looks fine.

 

[Chazzy]

Have thought this the beat way to go just haven't been able to locate beige facelift panels

What about these ones:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-LA...281451?hash=item46481895ab:g:DfcAAOSwa-dWpn1O

 

[Antm72]

Thanks @Chazzy they are the same as the ones fitted but the facelift ones have a seperate cut out that the speaker is mounted in and they are a larger speaker (not that that matters) but thank you.

 

[Chazzy]

Thanks @Chazzy they are the same as the ones fitted but the facelift ones have a seperate cut out that the speaker is mounted in and they are a larger speaker (not that that matters) but thank you.

I think what I am going to do is get another set of trim, then hack them up to put new speakers in and keep the originals for if I sell the car on.

 

[Antm72]

If i could find a set of 3" speakers i would repair whats there its not the lack of sound they just crackle now if turned up too much, the rest of the system is ok but as its around my lug'oles its annoying