Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Head units and speakers, MP3 and CD changers, GPS and SatNav, plus PDAs, mobile phones, Bluetooth, TalkAbouts...
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Gooseacre
Joined: Thu 10 May, 2012 18:18
Posts: 152

  M roadster S50

Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by Gooseacre »

I am keen to upgrade the sound system in my Z3M. It has an aftermarket head unit but I think it is hooked up to original speakers. The headunit has Bluetooth for handsfree phone - with a mic installed also.

I am after a DAB head unit with Bluetooth for my iPhone. Where I am particularly keen for advice is amp/speakers/sub setup. Don't need it to go loud but do want it to sound good.

Any suggestions gratefully received.
2001 Z3M S54 LB64010 #10/73
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by Southernboy »

..... this idea is possibly one of the better ones...the speakers can be large enough, and positioned on the door, it will provide better sound than all the OEM speakers together...
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Z3 Upgrades and Additions
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by bertiejaffa »

My M has had an aftermarket solution fitted... new head unit, amp and speakers which have (very well IMHO) been built into the door below. I dont know how much it cost or would cost now but I am sure I have the company details if you like?

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Only down side is you cant adjust the back of the chair with the door shut ! :head:
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Gooseacre
Joined: Thu 10 May, 2012 18:18
Posts: 152

  M roadster S50

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by Gooseacre »

Both of these look OK but I'm not of a mind to mess with the doors.

Any other options?
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Mike123
Joined: Tue 21 Mar, 2006 14:34
Posts: 323

  M roadster S50
Location: Leamington Spa

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by Mike123 »

The OEM system is poor, but I'm not sure that it's worth spending a fortune on audio upgrades - the car is just too noisy for any real hifi.

The standard speakers have no real bass, so it's worth considering a small sub unit. I have one mounted behind the passenger seat which adds considerably to the range - there are a number of alternatives depending on how much you want to spend.

The speakers can be usefully upgraded, particularly the rears which can take slightly larger units without much work.

The best music from the car is hood down, exhaust blaring, tyres smoking! :twisted:
Gooseacre
Joined: Thu 10 May, 2012 18:18
Posts: 152

  M roadster S50

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by Gooseacre »

Agree!

I just would like better than OEM. Will hoof it down to my local friendly car audio specialist - any suggestions in the Amersham - Wycombe - Hemel - Aylesbury area?
2001 Z3M S54 LB64010 #10/73
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gIzzE
Joined: Mon 06 Aug, 2007 21:32
Posts: 169

  Not specified

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by gIzzE »

I would get an Alpine head unit and one of their power pack amps, is all plug and play and will fit behind the dash, install takes 20 minutes at most.

That is head unit sorted.


Speakers?

Before upgrading those I would consider a compact active sub, with the new head unit send everything below 120hz to a sub and everything above to the factory speakers.
Some good ones from Focal, nice and slim will fit behind the seat, some better priced ones that will do the job well enough in a Z from Pioneer and Alpine for half the money.

That would be my choice after starting to mess around with a Z.
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by bertiejaffa »

Just also to add.... the sound system I have has an amp in the boot which is handy to boost the sound when the top is down and the MPH is above 50... however, top down usually means the sun is out and therefore the weather is hot, including inside the boot where the amp sits and is now being asked to boost the sound - to the point that the amp gets too warm and cuts out - usually on an hourly basis !! :head:

As such, when I start the restoration of the M I will be removing the amp and buying a decent head unit which has an amp integrated within it
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G2JRP
Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 04:34
Posts: 454

  M roadster S50
Location: Dereham

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by G2JRP »

I do have a alpine power pack amp for sale if interested £50. I had it behind the passenger seat in my M and did add a lot more bass.

Please pm if you want more details.
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gIzzE
Joined: Mon 06 Aug, 2007 21:32
Posts: 169

  Not specified

Re: Upgrade sounds on my Z3M - advice please!

Post by gIzzE »

Which one is it?

The one with Alpine ends or bare wires?
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