My 98 328i has the non Harman Kardon head unit, but has the CD changer in the trunk. It sounds VERY average (or below)! If I want to keep the same head unit with CD changer, can I improve sound quality with a 2 channel amp in the trunk, and new kick panel/rear speakers? Power the amp with the battery in trunk, and use the existing wiring from the CD changer to power the amp on and off from the head unit?
How to improve stereo sound?
- Thread starter Gibby
- Start date
Replacing the current amp and speakers will make a huge differece. Thing is, its really hard to do without changing the HU. Unless you really know what your doing, I wouldn't cut wires back there that might not go back together very well. Your best bet is to get an aftermarket HU, speakers, and amp. Then you'd be set up easy.
Should you try and cut wires in the trunk, make sure you give yourself some cushion in case your plan fails....other wise you'll have to buy all new harensses to replace the ones you screwed...and that can get spendy real quick.
Should you try and cut wires in the trunk, make sure you give yourself some cushion in case your plan fails....other wise you'll have to buy all new harensses to replace the ones you screwed...and that can get spendy real quick.
That gets me thinking.... I have these great MB Quart speakers that people are saying that I need to hook up to an amp... if they'd sound good without the amp I'd sure like to save that money...
I guess if I'm already going ahead and getting a new alpine HU though I should just complete the system and get a speaker amp
I guess if I'm already going ahead and getting a new alpine HU though I should just complete the system and get a speaker amp
You probably have the stock cassette head unit, the C33. Just upgrading the head unit to the CD43 (which has a CD player) will produce a huge improvement in sound quality. See Factory Head Unit Deficiencies (a few posts down the page, if the link doesn't take you directly to it) for more detail, reportedly from someone who helped design the E36 factory audio systems.
BMW's part number for the CD43 head unit is 65 12 6 909 884. It was never offered as an option on American E36's, but it was available on the Z3 and (I think) European E36's.
The CD43 is expensive ($730) if you buy it from the dealer or Bavarian Autosport, but it occasionally shows up on eBay for much less. I picked up a new, unused unit off of eBay for about $350, and I've seen used units sell for less than that. I'm still using the stock amplifier and speakers, and sound quality is much improved over the original head unit. Plus I get in-dash CD, RDS/RBDS, and a completely stock appearance. No weather band, though.
BMW's part number for the CD43 head unit is 65 12 6 909 884. It was never offered as an option on American E36's, but it was available on the Z3 and (I think) European E36's.
The CD43 is expensive ($730) if you buy it from the dealer or Bavarian Autosport, but it occasionally shows up on eBay for much less. I picked up a new, unused unit off of eBay for about $350, and I've seen used units sell for less than that. I'm still using the stock amplifier and speakers, and sound quality is much improved over the original head unit. Plus I get in-dash CD, RDS/RBDS, and a completely stock appearance. No weather band, though.