Questions about E39 speakers

[mrogers]

I've spent all night looking up info about replacing the speakers in my '97 540i with standard stereo, and I'm about to go insane. I've read the write-ups on BMWtips and I've read through every thread on this forum that contains the words "E39" and "speakers", but I still haven't found what I'm looking for, and I've found conflicting information. I hope someone here can help me, because while I'm generally pretty savvy with electronics, I'll be the first to admit I know pretty much nothing about car audio.

I purchased this car about 3 weeks ago, and quickly noticed there's something wrong with one or more of the speakers. It sounds like crap (yes, even worse than E39s normally do -- my dad's got a 528i and it sounds a lot better than mine). I did some very unscientific testing: I stuck my ear next to each speaker and tried to hear a problem. I can't tell about the front tweeters, but I found that the ones in the rear doors were completely shot. All I heard was a hiss with an occasional attempt at sound.

OK, I thought, I'll replace those. When I started looking up info, however, I ran into two problems: 1) I can't find ANYWHERE what size these rear tweeters are. Everyone that's done a write-up on this procedure fails to mention the size of the tweeters. And 2) in one of the articles (here), the author stated that only DSP-optioned cars have tweeters in the rear doors. WHAT? So now I'm wondering if I actually DO have tweeters back there. I'm thinking the author was wrong, though, because I'm pretty sure I remember my dad's rear tweeters operating, and he doesn't have DSP either.

So, assuming I do have rear tweeters, here's what I'm thinking about doing: buying two sets of MB Quart RSC 213 (like these), and replacing front and rear midbass and tweeters (I assume the rear deck speakers are the same size as the midbass ones in the front doors??). Any opinions on that plan? I ONLY want to replace speakers, nothing else.

Finally, if you take a look at the MB Quart auction I linked to, what the hell is that clear-ish, reddish box with the connections on it, and what is it used for?

Thank you all for your patience and your help.

[jllphan]

I'm glad you only wish to replace your speakers and NOTHING else because cars like yours are good for two things in my opinion, leaving the audio system bone stock or yanking everything and starting from scratch.

That being said, replacing your rear components wont involve too much drama. The Reference line from MBQuart is a decent component set. Much like the Discus Line, the Reference system involves drivers that are relatively efficient which is a bonus when using the oem amp. The "clearish redish box" is a crossover network. Essentially, it delivers the proper frequencies to the proper drivers. More than likely (not positve), the oem drivers will have the proper crossover component (coil, capacitor, etc.) attached to the speaker itself. Nokia has done this on every BMW ive owned, but i havent purchased as new as you yet. Hope this is the case, because that will mean you have a full range signal at each driver location.

Connect the speaker lead terminating at the Mid Driver to the input on the crossover and connect speaker wire to the proper driver. The instruction manual will better illustrate, as pictures speak volumes in comparison to such boring drivel...

[mrogers]

Thanks for the info, jllphan. Yes, I know that replacing everything would provide a much higher quality sound system, but I'm not an audiophile, I just want a bit better sound--especially with my damaged speakers. It's so bad I can't stand to listen to it right now. The other thing is I love the flow of the dash, and if I replace the stock head unit I would loose all my OBC control (because in the 540i the computer interface is operated through the head unit).

Can anyone confirm the size of the tweeters, and if I actually have them in the back doors? I really don't want to take the doors apart just to look.

[jllphan]

i hear ya. Replacing the oem head unit is a very big endevor, and usually interupts the flow of the origional ergonomics.

I can confirm most anything you want tommorow, as i will be at work and have a very expensive computer program that will tell most anything i want about your car.

[mrogers]

Thanks, jllphan, I really appreciate it.

From what I've heard about the MB Quart speakers, for the price they're a great alternative to the stock speakers. I'm pretty much sold on them, but if anyone has any experience with MB Quart I'd still love to hear about it. Thanks!