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      12-28-2018, 04:51 PM   #1
LetsrollM550
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Amp, Lc2i and sub install

Finally got some pics of my audio install, Alpine sub amp, LC2I audio control and SWS 8" subs, with the Harmon Kardon system. Super clean install as amp and Lc2i are installed behind trunk lining, can't even tell anything has been done until you listen to the sound difference. Sounds great!
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      12-28-2018, 05:17 PM   #2
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where did you put the speaker? When I turn up the volume I get let down. I honestly feel that the 2016 VW GTI I traded in had a better sound quality at this point.
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      12-28-2018, 05:20 PM   #3
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where did you put the speaker? When I turn up the volume I get let down. I honestly feel that the 2016 VW GTI I traded in had a better sound quality at this point.
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
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      12-28-2018, 05:25 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
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      12-28-2018, 05:27 PM   #5
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2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with.
Used the factory wiring, made it easy
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      12-28-2018, 05:29 PM   #6
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Used the factory wiring, made it easy
Last question (that I can think of right now), what is the Lc2i needed for? Is it the interconnect for the OEM BMW connectors for wiring up the amp?


NM, just did a little research and found that this is what its for...
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      12-28-2018, 05:29 PM   #7
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2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with.
Used the factory wiring, made it easy
The HK amp is right next to the Alpine amp and you can get the HK wiring diagram somewhere on this blog
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      12-28-2018, 05:43 PM   #8
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Used the factory wiring, made it easy
Last question (that I can think of right now), what is the Lc2i needed for? Is it the interconnect for the OEM BMW connectors for wiring up the amp?
It separates the factory signal, the HK amp from the factory is running everything except the subs, the Lc2i is connected between the HK and the Alpine amp that runs the subs. Alpine amp cost $139, the Lc2i cost $99 (Amazon)the SWS subs were $110 apiece (Amazon) , wiring kit cost $50 and install (I was afraid, but after watching install I should've done it) cost me $380. I let my service advisor at bmw listen to it and he thought it sounded amazing. More bass than the b&w system, and with the HK amp freed up from driving the mid bass the HK speakers have enough power to really come alive. If you google "Bmw stereo upgrade" there is a link to a post that has this same upgrade done to a M4. It's pretty detailed, that guy also put in Bav Sound all through the car. I don't think it needs anything else.
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      12-28-2018, 06:03 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
It separates the factory signal, the HK amp from the factory is running everything except the subs, the Lc2i is connected between the HK and the Alpine amp that runs the subs. Alpine amp cost $139, the Lc2i cost $99 (Amazon)the SWS subs were $110 apiece (Amazon) , wiring kit cost $50 and install (I was afraid, but after watching install I should've done it) cost me $380. I let my service advisor at bmw listen to it and he thought it sounded amazing. More bass than the b&w system, and with the HK amp freed up from driving the mid bass the HK speakers have enough power to really come alive. If you google "Bmw stereo upgrade" there is a link to a post that has this same upgrade done to a M4. It's pretty detailed, that guy also put in Bav Sound all through the car. I don't think it needs anything else.
great info, what boggles my mind is knowing that there are subs under the seats but I can't "feel" anything from them.
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      12-28-2018, 06:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
It separates the factory signal, the HK amp from the factory is running everything except the subs, the Lc2i is connected between the HK and the Alpine amp that runs the subs. Alpine amp cost $139, the Lc2i cost $99 (Amazon)the SWS subs were $110 apiece (Amazon) , wiring kit cost $50 and install (I was afraid, but after watching install I should've done it) cost me $380. I let my service advisor at bmw listen to it and he thought it sounded amazing. More bass than the b&w system, and with the HK amp freed up from driving the mid bass the HK speakers have enough power to really come alive. If you google "Bmw stereo upgrade" there is a link to a post that has this same upgrade done to a M4. It's pretty detailed, that guy also put in Bav Sound all through the car. I don't think it needs anything else.
great info, what boggles my mind is knowing that there are subs under the seats but I can't "feel" anything from them.
I know, it's a small space, the earthquake subs make a huge difference, the HK's don't even look like a sub, if you want to see what they look like I'll take a picture of one for you
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      12-28-2018, 07:51 PM   #11
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2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
SWS 8x $109 Amazon. The x model runs at 4 ohms the I model is 2 ohms
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      01-02-2019, 08:20 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
SWS 8x $109 Amazon. The x model runs at 4 ohms the I model is 2 ohms
Nice work. I swapped the underseats to the SWS also. Big improvement. I also swapped the stock HK amp with the MATCH 82DSP. They are getting about 25 more watts per speaker (75W). I kept the stock HK speakers. They do a pretty good job with more power. I'm now thinking of adding a separate amp for the underseats. I think 200watts would be good. How much is the Alpine amp delivering?
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      01-02-2019, 08:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
SWS 8x $109 Amazon. The x model runs at 4 ohms the I model is 2 ohms
Nice work. I swapped the underseats to the SWS also. Big improvement. I also swapped the stock HK amp with the MATCH 82DSP. They are getting about 25 more watts per speaker (75W). I kept the stock HK speakers. They do a pretty good job with more power. I'm now thinking of adding a separate amp for the underseats. I think 200watts would be good. How much is the Alpine amp delivering?
Alpine MRV M500 amp 500 watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms, I paid $139.00 on sale from Amazon. It really rocks the subs, great bang for the buck!
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      01-02-2019, 08:31 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpt99 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
SWS 8x $109 Amazon. The x model runs at 4 ohms the I model is 2 ohms
Nice work. I swapped the underseats to the SWS also. Big improvement. I also swapped the stock HK amp with the MATCH 82DSP. They are getting about 25 more watts per speaker (75W). I kept the stock HK speakers. They do a pretty good job with more power. I'm now thinking of adding a separate amp for the underseats. I think 200watts would be good. How much is the Alpine amp delivering?
Alpine MRV M500 amp 500 watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms, I paid $139.00 on sale from Amazon. It really rocks the subs, great bang for the buck!
250 x 2 @ 4 ohms
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      01-02-2019, 08:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpt99 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
SWS 8x $109 Amazon. The x model runs at 4 ohms the I model is 2 ohms
Nice work. I swapped the underseats to the SWS also. Big improvement. I also swapped the stock HK amp with the MATCH 82DSP. They are getting about 25 more watts per speaker (75W). I kept the stock HK speakers. They do a pretty good job with more power. I'm now thinking of adding a separate amp for the underseats. I think 200watts would be good. How much is the Alpine amp delivering?
Alpine MRV M500 amp 500 watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms, I paid $139.00 on sale from Amazon. It really rocks the subs, great bang for the buck!
250 x 2 @ 4 ohms
Sweet! You have the 4 ohm speakers?
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      01-02-2019, 08:35 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpt99 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpt99 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mach550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
2 Earthquake SWS 8" subs under the seats where the HK mid bass speakers were installed, they are made to fit in BMW's
these guys? How much of a pain was it running the wires under the carpet? I haven't installed a system in a car since 09 or so and that was in a much simpler car to work with. Don't see a ground wire, where did you run yours?
SWS 8x $109 Amazon. The x model runs at 4 ohms the I model is 2 ohms
Nice work. I swapped the underseats to the SWS also. Big improvement. I also swapped the stock HK amp with the MATCH 82DSP. They are getting about 25 more watts per speaker (75W). I kept the stock HK speakers. They do a pretty good job with more power. I'm now thinking of adding a separate amp for the underseats. I think 200watts would be good. How much is the Alpine amp delivering?
Alpine MRV M500 amp 500 watts RMS x 1 @ 2 ohms, I paid $139.00 on sale from Amazon. It really rocks the subs, great bang for the buck!
250 x 2 @ 4 ohms
Sweet! You have the 4 ohm speakers?
Yes
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      01-02-2019, 08:36 PM   #17
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I have the 2 ohm. Would that be too much power?
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      01-03-2019, 07:26 PM   #18
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I have the 2 ohm. Would that be too much power?
Sorry, I'm not sure, don't want to give you bad info, there ought to be a stereo shop that could tell you. Good luck!
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      02-13-2019, 11:58 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Finally got some pics of my audio install, Alpine sub amp, LC2I audio control and SWS 8" subs, with the Harmon Kardon system. Super clean install as amp and Lc2i are installed behind trunk lining, can't even tell anything has been done until you listen to the sound difference. Sounds great!
Haven't done this yet, do the idrive bass settings change the output of these speakers or do you have to change the setting manually with the amps knob? Also how did mount lc2i and amp to the car?
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      02-14-2019, 07:53 PM   #20
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Can you change these without taking out the front seats? Asking because that is what amazon description for speakers say. That's never happening. Better price the BavSound subs but are they as good. They look interesting.

Would love to see pic of bmw original subs side by side with sws8 subs. If you can't then maybe just a pic of the bmw subs.
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      02-14-2019, 08:04 PM   #21
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Can you change these without taking out the front seats? Asking because that is what amazon description for speakers say. That's never happening. Better price the BavSound subs but are they as good. They look interesting.

Would love to see pic of bmw original subs side by side with sws8 subs. If you can't then maybe just a pic of the bmw subs.
You can unbolt the seats and just lean them back while you work instead of totally taking them out.
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      02-17-2019, 05:07 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LetsrollM550 View Post
Finally got some pics of my audio install, Alpine sub amp, LC2I audio control and SWS 8" subs, with the Harmon Kardon system. Super clean install as amp and Lc2i are installed behind trunk lining, can't even tell anything has been done until you listen to the sound difference. Sounds great!
Hey,

If you have time, could you please supply some more info about the install?

* which wires to tap(really cant find the diagram)
* remote connection?
* any secrets to getting the bootline off?

I did a sws + alpine upgrade in my old e90 but it was not the same

Thanks
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