[Matthewbeam]

Hey, I have a 2020 bmw 530i with the basic hi-fi system which is really the main downfall of this car. I wanted to start by upgrading the amp first but I’m not sure which would be the best option. I’m looking to get louder clearer and stronger audio, I was looking into the bimmertech alpha one amp because it is plug and play however for $1600 I’m sure I can get a better amp for cheaper, I recently found that audison 8.9dsp amp which is only $600 but I’m not sure if it would be plug and play like the alpha one amp, I’m looking to keep everything as stock as possible, I’d like to add an amp and keep the factory speakers for now and add a 10 inch subwoofer in the trunk with an external amp.

[Joe-BMW33]

I would recommend the Alpha One solution. It is literally the only plug and play amp on the market and the reviews have been great. You are smart to start with the amp. The amp is the issue with both base hifi as well as HK.

[Mike 540]

Hey, Matthewbeam, I have had the same problem and have posted quite a few posts here.
I replaced all stock speakers with Focal and Steg, added a centre channel and all is driven through Match Up8 DSP amp (plug and play with cable harness bridge). Professional install and DSP setup. Result is wonderful music reproduction and still one channel free for future subwoofer install.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Mike 540

Hey, Matthewbeam, I have had the same problem and have posted quite a few posts here.
I replaced all stock speakers with Focal and Steg, added a centre channel and all is driven through Match Up8 DSP amp (plug and play with cable harness bridge). Professional install and DSP setup. Result is wonderful music reproduction and still one channel free for future subwoofer install.

Curious, how much $USD are you into this project so far?

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I would recommend the Alpha One solution. It is literally the only plug and play amp on the market and the reviews have been great. You are smart to start with the amp. The amp is the issue with both base hifi as well as HK.

I'm looking to upgrade my HK and have been messing around with plug and play speaker swaps. Would you argue that an AMP upgrade on HK speakers offers as much of an improvement as a speaker swap with the stock AMP? I'm looking to get more out of my system and I'm stuck in analysis paralysis with all the options and marketing chatter.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Volasko

I'm looking to upgrade my HK and have been messing around with plug and play speaker swaps. Would you argue that an AMP upgrade on HK speakers offers as much of an improvement as a speaker swap with the stock AMP? I'm looking to get more out of my system and I'm stuck in analysis paralysis with all the options and marketing chatter.

2022M550i can weigh in. He started with the AMP and then did all the speakers and subs. In other words a complete HK swap to Alpha One. He posted a thread on it. I think he was originally so impressed with just the amp, he was sold on the company and did the speakers. I don't want to speak for him, but I am pretty sure the biggest bang for the buck was the amp and the improvements after that more marginal.

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by Volasko

I'm looking to upgrade my HK and have been messing around with plug and play speaker swaps. Would you argue that an AMP upgrade on HK speakers offers as much of an improvement as a speaker swap with the stock AMP? I'm looking to get more out of my system and I'm stuck in analysis paralysis with all the options and marketing chatter.

If you can only do one, do the amp upgrade. The factory amp is awful. The Alpha one amp is outrageous And it is an easy straightforward job… a couple hours at most. That will be your biggest bang for the buck upgrade.

If you have a couple days to spare, then do the speakers later. That’s how I did it. My car only had 5000 miles on it when I did the upgrade and I took my time because I didn’t want to break anything. The factory HK speakers were easily overdriven by the alpha one amp. Sound quality was fantastic for low to medium volume sound.

[Mike 540]

If this is the case, then the stock HK amp must be real cheap. Normally, I would expect the biggest difference in swapping the speakers. I did the entire install in one day so I could not judge what was the biggest improvement.

Joe BMW33 - I am in with just over 2,5 th. USD including all labour and DSP setup (and additional fine tuning later on).

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Mike 540

If this is the case, then the stock HK amp must be real cheap. Normally, I would expect the biggest difference in swapping the speakers. I did the entire install in one day so I could not judge what was the biggest improvement.

Joe BMW33 - I am in with just over 2,5 th. USD including all labour and DSP setup (and additional fine tuning later on).

That's not bad for all the work you've had done. Glad you are happy with it.

[Mike 540]

Well I knew exactly what speakers I was buying so I am very happy. I used Focal K2s in the front + Focal Inside for the center channel so these perform very well. When playing hi-res music (FLAC files) it sounds just fantastic. I also considered a 10ch amp with separate connection of front tweeters and woofers directly to the amp without a crossover (this would be replaced by the DSP in the amp), but this would require more cabelling, labour, etc and I did not want to overdo it.
If I am very picky I would say the only missing part is the deepest bass (the underseat woofers do not produce the lowest lows). But the amp still has one channel free for future addition of a subwoofer.