E36 Speaker Solution

[Benny Z]

I searched hi and low for a 3-way component set that would fit the OEM speaker locations in my 325i without modification. As I'm sure you have found from searching older threads...like all n00bs, of course, do ( :rolleyes )...you have learned that the sizing is not standard and not readily available in the mainstream car audio world. You have also learned that MB Quart made a 3-way set that fit well in the car, but it is discontinued. So then you find all teh threads (about 2-3 per week?) where people ask what speakers fit, and you see that everyone tells everyone that there is not a direct replacement and you are SOL. Ah, the dilema.

Then you learn that you should just use a 2-way component set and disconnect the OEM midrange. But this creates a new problem, especially for us sedan owners, in that the OEM kick location in the E36 aims the speaker into the foot well under the dash. In the sedan, the speaker isn't even visible unless you duck down to see it. There's no way the important midrange frequencies are going to make it to your ears unobstructed.

So what's a guy to do??? Custom kick panels! Of course! Because fiberglassing is "sooo easy" and everyone can just miraculously get professional results on their first attempt. I dunno about you, but there's no chance in hell I would be able to create anything remotely asthetically appealing on a whim. I'm not about to junk up my fine german automobile ( :cool ) with some half-assed kicks. ...and on top of it, lose my dead pedal.

So, crap. It's a lose/lose situation. Might as well just get a 2-way and live with the poor imaging.

BUT WAIT!!! THERE'S MORE!!!

Introducing, the forgotten child. This component set is the DLS Ultimate Pro series 5.25" component system with a 2.5" soft textile midrange and 1.1" soft textile tweeter. The speakers fit like a glove - as if DLS designed these speakers around our car. There is also a 6.5" version available for those of you willing to tackle cutting a larger hole or custom-mounting via an MDF baffle. The magnet on the woofer is a neodymium magnet, which is small in physical size, but large on punch. The QTS of the 6.5" driver is .76, I believe. Check www.dls.se for all the details.

I do not work for DLS. I do not work in the audio industry. I'm just a consumer and a BMW enthusiast, so I thought I'd pass along my finding.

I'm sure these would look even better in a black interior car, but they aren't an eyesore to me. For $350 shipped, I couldn't be happier. These things sound amazing. I set the midrange and tweeter to the "low" jumper on the crossovers and also changed the phase of the tweeters. I saw this recommended in a review I had read before purchasing and agree that it sounds more natural with the tweeter reverse phase. Accoustic instruments sound like they are being played live on my dash...the realistic sound is incredible for this price range. Electronic music sounds better than I have ever heard it, and it's what I usually cruise to. I'm hearing details in the midrange that get lost with the 2-way Infinity Kappa set we have in my wife's car. Green Day's "American Idiot" CD sounds great. I have no doubt that I will be completely satisfied with these speakers.









(Yes, I know the doors are dirty, the glove box doesn't shut completely, and the trim was missing from the door handles. I took these pics as soon as I had them in place. )

It should also be noted that this midrange driver and tweeter are available seperately, should anyone be looking for components to comprise a custom active system.

I hope this helps someone some day. :redspot