Can/should I run SWS-8 with the OEM amp?

oilcrankinject · 04-18-2009, 10:06 PM

I would rather not mess with the OEM amp now but I would like a harder hitting and wider range amp.

So can/should I?

Driv3r · 04-18-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtfast

I would rather not mess with the OEM amp now but I would like a harder hitting and wider range amp.

So can/should I?

me too, and what would people suggest as the most practical/ economical

RipsE92 · 04-18-2009, 10:16 PM

You can run SWS-8 on the stock amp, but you should not ... not enough watts to power those drivers.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...78&postcount=3

Morpheus · 04-18-2009, 11:05 PM

search! there are several people that recommend better amp and stock subs, with the option to upgrade subs later. Blaupunkt makes PNP amps.

VP Electricity · 04-19-2009, 12:29 AM

Yes/No.

enforcerman · 04-19-2009, 02:54 AM

No. I initially hooked up my SWS-8's to the stock amp and was underwhelmed. I hooked up an amp and bam, amazing difference.

The nice thing about US BMW's is all the speaker wires hook up to the stock amp in the trunk. And since your battery is in the trunk, you dont have to rerun wires inside your car. Just splice into a few wires next to the stock amp and bam, you have amp action on your SWS's. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

Thats my two cents.

scanboy · 04-19-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtfast

I would rather not mess with the OEM amp now but I would like a harder hitting and wider range amp.

So can/should I?

Well, if you want "harder hitting", you should get an amp that could provide that. Changing only the sub would not get you what you want like others have said. I'm also in the process of upgrading my system, the first thing I'm gonna replace is the amp and sub with PDX-5 and sws-8. The thing I like about PDX-5 is that I can fit it into the OEM amp location and it will drive all the speakers + sub (two sub in parallel).

oilcrankinject · 04-19-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scanboy

Well, if you want "harder hitting", you should get an amp that could provide that. Changing only the sub would not get you what you want like others have said. I'm also in the process of upgrading my system, the first thing I'm gonna replace is the amp and sub with PDX-5 and sws-8. The thing I like about PDX-5 is that I can fit it into the OEM amp location and it will drive all the speakers + sub (two sub in parallel).

Are you talking about the Alpine PDX-5? Crutchfield wants $600 for that amp, no thanks.

Can I install the SWS-8s first then the amp later?

enforcerman · 04-19-2009, 02:24 PM

Yes you can install the subs first. Trust me when I tell you that you wont be happy w/ the sound. I had the EXACT same thoughts as you and thought a sub only upgrade would sound better. It didnt. So after having the subs in for about a week I upgraded the amp as well.

All you have to do is cut off the stock harness at the sub, splice those wires into the SWS-8's, and then install the subs back in the enclosure. Just realize that you will have to do a little modifying of the enclosure to get the subs to fit. The holes for the screws fit perfectly though.

jcarlucci1 · 04-20-2009, 12:41 AM

upgrading the subs is useless..I tried. you wont get any more bass. Either hook up a bigger amp to the stock subs, or get a new amp and earthquake subs

scanboy · 04-20-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtfast

Are you talking about the Alpine PDX-5? Crutchfield wants $600 for that amp, no thanks.

Can I install the SWS-8s first then the amp later?

Yes, I'm talking about the Alpine PDX-5, you can have one for under $400 on ebay, $380 shipped to be exact, that's how much I paid for mine. $380 isn't too bad considering the smaller size in comparing with other amps with similar output. Just my 2 cents.

Halston@bsw · 04-22-2009, 03:17 PM

You would want to put an amplifier on it. The only issue is that the OEM subwoofer does play a good bit of midbass and if you would want to tune the SWS8 to play a good bit of midbass as well. Unfortuantely they aren't great at that but it can be done.

One option that does work is using an amp on the OEM subwoofer. This actually does work quite well.

E92 LeMans · 04-22-2009, 04:54 PM

I have just fitted alpine retro fit and it does improve sound and bass massive amounts and is only £250

twinturboa51 · 04-23-2009, 01:44 PM

new amp. been in the audio biz for about 8 years now and trust me theres is a bigger difference in adding more power, thats cleaner, than trying to change speakers. you still have an underpowered cheaply made amplifier running good speakers.

thisguyhere · 04-23-2009, 01:48 PM

Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to add in an amp to a logic 7 system, to power the OEM subwoofer?

VP Electricity · 04-23-2009, 02:08 PM

If I gave them to you, I'd be liable when the OE sub blows...

thisguyhere · 04-23-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

If I gave them to you, I'd be liable when the OE sub blows...

LOL! You're joking right?

That's pretty funny

seriously, what's the best way to tap an amp into the OEM subwoofers? which wires should be looking at?

04-18-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
oilcrankinject Captain 80 Rep 996 Posts Drives: nothing Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Can/should I run SWS-8 with the OEM amp? I would rather not mess with the OEM amp now but I would like a harder hitting and wider range amp. So can/should I?
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04-18-2009, 10:16 PM	#3
RipsE92 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Goodyear, Arizona iTrader: (2)	You can run SWS-8 on the stock amp, but you should not ... not enough watts to power those drivers. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...78&postcount=3 Last edited by RipsE92; 04-19-2009 at 12:48 AM..
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04-18-2009, 11:05 PM	#4
Morpheus Captain 25 Rep 941 Posts Drives: 335i Titanium Silver Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cockaigne iTrader: (1)	search! there are several people that recommend better amp and stock subs, with the option to upgrade subs later. Blaupunkt makes PNP amps.
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04-19-2009, 12:29 AM	#5
VP Electricity Brigadier General 291 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	Yes/No.
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04-19-2009, 02:54 AM	#6
enforcerman The Man 17 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2007 328i / 2014 328i MSport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	No. I initially hooked up my SWS-8's to the stock amp and was underwhelmed. I hooked up an amp and bam, amazing difference. The nice thing about US BMW's is all the speaker wires hook up to the stock amp in the trunk. And since your battery is in the trunk, you dont have to rerun wires inside your car. Just splice into a few wires next to the stock amp and bam, you have amp action on your SWS's. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Thats my two cents. __________________ 2007 328i (01/07 Production) Monaco Blue / 2014 MSport 328i - Glacier Silver Modifications: Blacked out Kidney Grill \|\| Bluetooth Retrofit \|\| Ipod Retrofit \|\| Rear Power Outlets \|\| Euro Switch \|\| Blacklines
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04-19-2009, 02:24 PM	#9
enforcerman The Man 17 Rep 348 Posts Drives: 2007 328i / 2014 328i MSport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Yes you can install the subs first. Trust me when I tell you that you wont be happy w/ the sound. I had the EXACT same thoughts as you and thought a sub only upgrade would sound better. It didnt. So after having the subs in for about a week I upgraded the amp as well. All you have to do is cut off the stock harness at the sub, splice those wires into the SWS-8's, and then install the subs back in the enclosure. Just realize that you will have to do a little modifying of the enclosure to get the subs to fit. The holes for the screws fit perfectly though. __________________ 2007 328i (01/07 Production) Monaco Blue / 2014 MSport 328i - Glacier Silver Modifications: Blacked out Kidney Grill \|\| Bluetooth Retrofit \|\| Ipod Retrofit \|\| Rear Power Outlets \|\| Euro Switch \|\| Blacklines
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2009, 12:41 AM	#10
jcarlucci1 Lieutenant Colonel 64 Rep 1,642 Posts Drives: Jet Black 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa iTrader: (10)	upgrading the subs is useless..I tried. you wont get any more bass. Either hook up a bigger amp to the stock subs, or get a new amp and earthquake subs
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04-22-2009, 03:17 PM	#12
Halston@bsw Guest 16 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 99 M3 - 89 325i - 86 535i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	You would want to put an amplifier on it. The only issue is that the OEM subwoofer does play a good bit of midbass and if you would want to tune the SWS8 to play a good bit of midbass as well. Unfortuantely they aren't great at that but it can be done. One option that does work is using an amp on the OEM subwoofer. This actually does work quite well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-22-2009, 04:54 PM	#13
E92 LeMans Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 296 Posts Drives: E92 330d M Sport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2007 330d M Sport [0.00]	I have just fitted alpine retro fit and it does improve sound and bass massive amounts and is only £250 __________________
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04-23-2009, 01:44 PM	#14
twinturboa51 Captain 20 Rep 637 Posts Drives: Mineral Grey F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	new amp. been in the audio biz for about 8 years now and trust me theres is a bigger difference in adding more power, thats cleaner, than trying to change speakers. you still have an underpowered cheaply made amplifier running good speakers. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-23-2009, 01:48 PM	#15
thisguyhere Captain 75 Rep 736 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (7)	Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to add in an amp to a logic 7 system, to power the OEM subwoofer?
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04-23-2009, 02:08 PM	#16
VP Electricity Brigadier General 291 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: F34 xDrive Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: portland oregon iTrader: (3)	If I gave them to you, I'd be liable when the OE sub blows...
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