BMW E90 base audio upgrades

acg2002us · 04-22-2023, 10:58 AM

Does anybody know of any budget friendly mods to improve the base audio system in a E90?

I would love to go Bavsound or Bimmertech but those upgrades are pricey $$$

Anybody just replace the OEM 4" speakers with something quality?

ctuna · 04-22-2023, 11:00 AM

acg2002us · 04-22-2023, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

Thanks I guess??? Posted this because wasn't really getting clear answers in the others.

whyzee125 · 04-23-2023, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acg2002us

Does anybody know of any budget friendly mods to improve the base audio system in a E90?

I would love to go Bavsound or Bimmertech but those upgrades are pricey $$$

Anybody just replace the OEM 4" speakers with something quality?

If you have the base audio, upgrading speakers won't make it any better and will likely make it worse. It's insanely underpowered, lacks speaker locations, and has a weird EQ curve to compensate for the garbage speakers.

I didn't click on each of ctuna's threads but there really are a ton of audio threads on here. If you want decent sound, you NEED to recode to hifi and start from scratch with a good amp and decent speakers.

FWIW, I have the Bimmertech amp and I'm not impressed at all with it.

Something like a JL XD600/6 and some MBQuart or used EPS or L7 speakers would be a good budget upgrade. Anything cheaper than that will probably not get you where you want to be.

tankertoad · 04-24-2023, 12:27 AM

As with many things, you get what you pay for. A budget upgrade will likey disappoint. You don’t have to spend thousands but don’t cheap out.

ctuna · 04-24-2023, 01:37 PM

If you are a master at digging things up you could piece something together if you
know what your doing. Technic was good at that but the best he could do was
around 750 and that was 10 years ago.

acg2002us · 04-24-2023, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

If you have the base audio, upgrading speakers won't make it any better and will likely make it worse. It's insanely underpowered, lacks speaker locations, and has a weird EQ curve to compensate for the garbage speakers.

I didn't click on each of ctuna's threads but there really are a ton of audio threads on here. If you want decent sound, you NEED to recode to hifi and start from scratch with a good amp and decent speakers.

FWIW, I have the Bimmertech amp and I'm not impressed at all with it.

Something like a JL XD600/6 and some MBQuart or used EPS or L7 speakers would be a good budget upgrade. Anything cheaper than that will probably not get you where you want to be.

Thanks after researching it does look like #1 step is converting to HIFI if keeping the original OEM H/U. Unfortunately I haven't found any actual useful steps or instructions on how to accomplish that.

Any benefits going with a aftermarket head unit?

whyzee125 · 04-25-2023, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acg2002us

Thanks after researching it does look like #1 step is converting to HIFI if keeping the original OEM H/U. Unfortunately I haven't found any actual useful steps or instructions on how to accomplish that.

Any benefits going with a aftermarket head unit?

Nope, aside from added features like nav and stuff. I would keep the factory HU. Use a remote coder like Alpinemss.com. They can do coding sessions for about $50 and then you'll have a better platform to start with.

ctuna · 04-25-2023, 11:07 AM

The thing you have to be aware of with the base system is the Front door and Under
floor speakers are wired in parallel . To make a decent system you have to split this connection and use a multi channel amp such that one channel powers each major physical location. And all the stock speakers have to go.
Do not make the change to Hi Fi until the rest of your system is totally planned and
you have the parts , because it will drop the voltage out of the Head Unit to pre out levels.

The instruction's are old but the concept is the same .
Either recode to Hi Fi or use a DSP or DSP/amp to flatten the eq curve.
Split the under seats out to there own channel .
Use good speakers
Buy the BMW tweeter pods for the front tweeters
Use a good amp or amp DSP.

Don't buy super cheap amp's that advertise ridiculous wattage and no distortion
specs. Shoot for between 50 watts to 100 watts per channel with low distortion
specs and match to decent to good speakers.

Aftermarket Head units = Modern functions but increased integration problem's
If you have Idrive it will be a can of worms to put one in or even worse.

twinscrolled · 01-02-2026, 01:38 PM

The wiring link is dead, Can I tap into the subwoofer 4 wire connector for a high level input to my amp? Or is a DSP the only option? All of my speakers are from bavsound.

ctuna · 01-03-2026, 06:39 PM

You need to read this stuff and especially the base system guide link.

there is plenty of info in those links at to the best approach.
If you have the base system .
Base System Guide
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253

Maybe the attachment will work .
Site went down yesterday .

04-22-2023, 10:58 AM	#1
acg2002us Private First Class 23 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 2010 328ix Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Austin TX iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	BMW E90 base audio upgrades Does anybody know of any budget friendly mods to improve the base audio system in a E90? I would love to go Bavsound or Bimmertech but those upgrades are pricey $$$ Anybody just replace the OEM 4" speakers with something quality?
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04-22-2023, 11:00 AM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 2438 Rep 14,067 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	That's dead end. This has got to be the most covered topic here try to do some searches. BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e...n-752.1275694/ base system wiring pre/post 3/09 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...tDpLJPcGkw_ui_ Base System Guide http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...5&d=1493273253
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04-24-2023, 12:27 AM	#5
tankertoad Second Lieutenant 120 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2000 e46 coupe Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	As with many things, you get what you pay for. A budget upgrade will likey disappoint. You don’t have to spend thousands but don’t cheap out.
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04-24-2023, 01:37 PM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 2438 Rep 14,067 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	If you are a master at digging things up you could piece something together if you know what your doing. Technic was good at that but the best he could do was around 750 and that was 10 years ago.
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04-25-2023, 11:07 AM	#9
ctuna Lieutenant General 2438 Rep 14,067 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	The thing you have to be aware of with the base system is the Front door and Under floor speakers are wired in parallel . To make a decent system you have to split this connection and use a multi channel amp such that one channel powers each major physical location. And all the stock speakers have to go. Do not make the change to Hi Fi until the rest of your system is totally planned and you have the parts , because it will drop the voltage out of the Head Unit to pre out levels. The instruction's are old but the concept is the same . Either recode to Hi Fi or use a DSP or DSP/amp to flatten the eq curve. Split the under seats out to there own channel . Use good speakers Buy the BMW tweeter pods for the front tweeters Use a good amp or amp DSP. Don't buy super cheap amp's that advertise ridiculous wattage and no distortion specs. Shoot for between 50 watts to 100 watts per channel with low distortion specs and match to decent to good speakers. Aftermarket Head units = Modern functions but increased integration problem's If you have Idrive it will be a can of worms to put one in or even worse. Last edited by ctuna; 04-25-2023 at 02:44 PM..
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01-02-2026, 01:38 PM	#10
twinscrolled Private First Class 39 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	The wiring link is dead, Can I tap into the subwoofer 4 wire connector for a high level input to my amp? Or is a DSP the only option? All of my speakers are from bavsound.
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