Subject: Adding sub / bass to E38 - another viewpoint Author: willyroo : member since March, 2006 : 71 posts Posted on: 2007-12-09 21:51:32

It doesn't need to be noted here that the E38 and decent bass (especially without DSP) aren't compatible. After a lot of hunting, looking at subwoofers, bass drivers and so on, I've gone for a 8" IB (Infinite Baffle/Free Air) driver installed in the skiport.

A couple of reasons for this option:
1) I owned a Subaru Lbierty (Legacy) with the awesome McIntosh system, which had an IB driver in the rear shelf. That sounded very clean and resembled the real thing (live music).
2) With only 5.25" "woofers", I find it difficult to see how you would be able to have clean transition from a sub max (150-200Hz) to a small driver - you need at least an octave of clean crossover.

My research led me to 2 drivers, with the high “Q” needed for IB:

Hybrid Audio Legatia L8

Morel ADMW SW9

The first part was removing the rear seats, plenty of info on www.e38.org. Then cut a hole in the skiport - and since the skiport plate is a removable piece, I didn’t feel too bad about cutting into it with a jigsaw.

Next step is to make an MDF board.






Here's the speaker:



And how it all looks in the end. Didn't quite get the perspective right on the rear carpet but looks pretty clean...










Next few weeks will be connecting the Alpine PDX 4.150, which will fit in the same space as the current BMW amp...

• Adding sub / bass to E38 - another viewpoint (pic) (url) - willyroo 2007-12-09 21:51:32 (411 views)
  • Great enclosure work. Makes me wish I did not have the ski pass-through in mine. (nt) - Brian 2008-01-10 07:10:05 (73 views)