What's a good subwoofer for 97 528i

[cpuken]

I listen to some smooth Jazz as well as some R&B. I'm not looking for the thumping type of bass but I do want to be able to hear it. The stereo installer tells me that I need to add at least a 10" sub as well as a nice Alpine amp in order to be able to hear the bass from the front seats. A small job I thought might run $300-$350 he is quoting as costing $600-$650. I know that's only a drop in the bucket for many of you, with top of the line audio systems but I'm just looking for a small upgrade to my standard system.
So, is there a small sub that will do the job?? I guess in addition to thinking about this project in a new dollar range, I'm concered about giving up too much of my turnk space.
thanks
Ken

[007ben]

basslink

selfcontainted and amplified and can hook right up to your stock system and can be hand $175 then you install it..

or you can spend a lot more for a plugnplay one from bavauto. or the job the isntaller you were talking too

I also would recomened checking around town for other installers and quotes for a similar system. that quote seems a bit high to me.

[jllphan]

I have a Kicker Solobaric L7 8" sub. The Amp, box, and sub take up less than a cubic foot. It is louder than i would ever need (i have it turned way down). It is more expensive than the basslink and would be a more difficult install, but it will smoke a basslink any day...

[cpuken]

The installer had commented that he had done several 5-series subwoofer installs and that because of the quality & construction of the car, it required a lot more umph to get bass to pass through the back seat. He says a sub that might work fine in another car would come up short in this one.
I don't know.
Ken

[007ben]

I'm a fan of the basslinks for simplicity, and its small formfactor the price is pretty decent as well.

I'm sure it doesn't take a whole lot to beat out a basslink.

[El Presidente]

I would personally go for something larger. I have an issue getting the bass through my backseat. If you have a pass thru then you shouldn't have problems though. Otherwise, I should think a 10 is needed.

Stealthboxes are another alternative, but I don't know if they make them for the 5

[007ben]

Previous owner cut the back firewall out of my car. so anything can get though.

[Eggrolled211]

Wow I thought all rears seats fold down like mine? guess not.........

[007ben]

nope...

I kinda wish they did... but they don't

[jeppcharts]

I have the exact same problem in my '97 528. I listen to jazz and RnB, and like you, I'm not trying to rattle the neighbors' windows, just boost the bass a smidge. I was hoping I could find something that would replace the stock rear deck speakers; something that doesn't take up any trunk room. I may end up having to use a basslink, though. I love the plug and play idea.

[CiscoKid]

crutchfield makes custom boxes to fit in the trunk,,, then just put a 10 or 12 of your liking. I personally would use JL (only available at reatilers)

[Furious]

honestly for the type of music you listen to a simple 8" or 10" sub would be perfect. id get a nice stealthy box thrown in the back to liven up the bass in the car. but not enough to really kill the ears. check out JL subs , they are my personal favorite,

[sean]

i have heard some good things about infinity subs, you should look at those too

i have two 12" alpine type- r subs so i have no problem hearing my bass thru my backseat :P

[CiscoKid]

unless you have an aftermarket headunit... you will most likely have to get it professionally installed, so they can mess with the factory amp

[cpuken]

Guys, I thought I'd pass this information along... it was found in the BMWTIPS web site in their archive section. In addition to adding a sub, it explains a few other details on why the Standard Audio in some 5-Series is... well... lacking.
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In Reply to: Standard E39 Sound syetem posted by Gwynne Spencer on February 10, 1999 at 15:13:30:

Fortunately, the standard system is pretty straight-forward. There are four channels of common ground signal from the radio running through twisted pair wiring back to the amp location behind the CD changer. Then, a set of wires from each individual speaker location comes right back to the same place. You could not ask for a more upgrade-friendly set up!
An unusual but effective way to upgrade the midrange is to add a subwoofer.
Huh?
That's right, a subwoofer! It is not uncommon for the muddy effect to be generated by the same small 5-1/4" speaker moving so far trying to generate bass that the cone is distorting everything else too. By adding even a small subwoofer, and simultaneously taking appropriate measures to block the bass from the main speakers (200uF bi-polar capacitors in series with each 5-1/4" speaker), the midrange will clean up rather nicely. Knocking only one octave off of the low end of the midrange speakers will reduce 75% of the cone motion. This is what we call the "level 1" upgrade on our web site.
If this is not enough, the next step is to upgrade power and/or speakers. This can be done to all, or selectively. My value oriented suggestion is to upgrade the front system and leave the rear. That is unless you are chauffer driven, then do the reverse;-)
The nice thing about the BMW architecture is that all the necessary system connections are accessable in one place. The radio/CD is pretty good, and the signal levels present from the radio will plug right into an aftermarket amplifier without requiring line output converters or any similar band-aids. You will need to change the plugs from BMW's proprietary connectors to RCA jacks, but that is relatively trivial.
We'll have all the standard system wiring color codes up on our web site in a few days.

Best regards,
Bob Hazelwood
VP Product Management, a/d/s/
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I plan on having this done once I'm content that my newly aquired 528i doesn't need any real work done to it.
Ken