Zedonist Z3 Audio Setup

[Dino D]

Hoping to do this at some point this year. As a complete novice I'll have lots of questions...

@zedoniat From looking at the Alpine amp it plugs into any existing alpine head hint and then it's simply a case if running new speaker wires to the new speakers correct?
I already have a harness that adapts the Alpine head unit wiring to the OEM HK wiring set up. I assume I just remove that and plug in the harness from the Alpine amp?

Do the Hertz fit easily into the existing front speaker holes (down by your feet).
I see the rears need some help, did you strip out the rear plastics or just open the speaker grille and make room from there?

I've already got a sub, enclosure, small amp and wiring for that now just need to get the inline amp, hertz speakers and some tweeters.

Finally Any recommendation on tweeters and final position pictures?

 

[zedonist]

Hi Dino,

Yes the amp plugs into the head unit, and you run all new speaker wires, word of caution, not all Alpine head units have the same plug, so check that your head unit and amp is compatible. The hertz speakers will fit perfect in the foot well, and yes you will need to cut the plastics at the rear, but the speakets are low mount so will fit flush, no need for a spacer, I used a Dremel.

The hertz speakers should come with tweeters, use the supplied cross over with the tweeters, but allow the full signal to go to the hertz speakers, I.e don't use a cross over. The tweeters should be mounted on the dash at the left and right corners, I will take a picture for you.

I think you will be impressed once setup and dialled in.

Rich

 

[Dino D]

Thanks for the reply Rich.

My Alpine CD-9880R head unit is compatible (!) so saves changing that (although it only has iPod control and not able to control iPhone 5 so will have to go eventually..)

The amp has gone up in price around £120 now...

Checking for deals on the Hertz and I see there are two kinds of 130.3.
1) coaxial (around £50)
2) component with the separate tweeters for around £90.

Do you think it's ok to use the coaxial in the rear and the components for the front thus saving around £40?

Link to coaxial:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=380856309841

Link to component:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=261678397242

 

[zedonist]

I tried coaxial in the back and found them to be to bright, due to the tweeter, and in essence you need the tweeter to draw the direction of the sound stage, so having them up front is best, my suggestion would be to borrow some if you can to try and see if you like the sound. That said you could always cut the feed to the tweeters.

I did notice you do not get grilles with either of the sets.

These are the actual ones I have fitted, last years model, you can have bith sets for the orice of one of this years:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hertz-Die...095?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f3ff90177

 

[Dino D]

Hi Rich,
Thanks for the reply.
Good point re the tweeters in the coaxial..

Yes saw those older models and noticed they are slightly smaller at 5.11" instead if 5.25". I'm thinking that shouldn't be a big problem, probably better fit at the rear and may need some help to sit properly in the front.

 

[zedonist]

It's a typo DIno, they are 5.25, so it's a very good buy.

Rich

 

[Dino D]

I tried coaxial in the back and found them to be to bright, due to the tweeter, and in essence you need the tweeter to draw the direction of the sound stage, so having them up front is best, my suggestion would be to borrow some if you can to try and see if you like the sound. That said you could always cut the feed to the tweeters.

I did notice you do not get grilles with either of the sets

These are the actual ones I have fitted, last years model, you can have bith sets for the orice of one of this years:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hertz-Die...095?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f3ff90177

I've ordered 2 sets from this German seller. I put in a Best Offer of £92 for 2 including shipping but had no reply so just ordered at full price which is still a bargain compared to UK prices.
They show 68 sets left for sale if anyone else's is looking.

I've picked up a used amp on eBay and learned something very interesting.
There difference between the KTP-455A and the KTP-445U is that the "A" has a plug for Alpine head units and the "U" has a Universal plug for any unit.
A helpful link here: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4sjgCa...Power-Pack-vs-Alpine-KTP-445U-Power-Pack.html

 

[zedonist]

That's good news Dino, you won't be disappointed, I've seen that link before, but from having several makes of HU in the last 12 months including Pioneer and a JVC, I don't think you can beat Alpine.

Give me a shout when it arrives and you are ready to fit, don't forget to buy quality speaker cabke and interconnects.

 

[Dino D]

Speakers and amp arrived, might get it down this weekend or at least part way!
The amp was supposed to plug straight into my head unit but the seller had cut the plug off, never mind it was a good saving so just have to do the connections myself.
Found a helpful guide online for the wires in and out the amp as manual is not much use:
http://www.i-bmw.com/showthread.php?t=47464

@zedonist Where did you mount the amp? I'm thinking somewhere down passenger side behind the radio down towards the transmission tunnel/glove box area. Seems to be some room there, the other side has the vent control cables.

The tweeters have nice mounting options, I'll use the little wedge mounts it came with.

 

[zedonist]

Hi Dino, the amp sits nicely behind the HU. My tweeters are in the wedge cups sitting but each of the A Pillars and pointing forward, don't forget only use the crossover for the tweeter, let the speaker feed go direct to the 5.25's without the cross over.

 

[Dino D]

I think once the OEM loom with it's mass of wires is in the way. I'm going to tuck it away so there will be more room, right now it's quite tight there.

 

[Dobiwallah]

Hi Zedonist, about he speakers behind the seat, were you able to put these fronts back, or do you see the bare speakers? How is the sound quality of these speakers, they are not the cheapest speakers I have seen, but I like to have some quality as well.

 

[zedonist]

Hi Dobi, the speakers are excellent in both terms of quality and sound, i got recommended Hertz by an Audio Guru on the T5 forum, once i had fitted some to my T5 i knew i had found the right speakers for the Z3. unfortunately they are 5.25" (original were 3") at the rear so the original grille will not fit, but they are slim enough to fit flush with the speaker grilles only sitting proud 5mm it looks very factory, i will take some pictures shortly for you.

 

[Dino D]

I've fitted the rears, fronts and the tweeters so far, still have to do my sub an reassemble the jnterior(!)
For the rears I used a dremel to widen the holes and fitted the speaker from the outside in, will get some grilles to cover them. I think if you are creative enough you fit them behind the original hole but I like the look of speakers there.

I didn't get time to fully test but can say it's a massive improvement, crisp and punchy.

 

[zedonist]

Thought you would like them, i used the same method to fit, did yours not come with Grilles? i'm wandering if i have used some pioneer ones now! will have to check.

 

[Dino D]

No grilles with the ones I bought but I knew that.

Haven't looked into it but don't image it's expensive.
The speakers look nice exposed (as is my sub still) but they will better be covered as I have 3 pairs of little hands in the family that enjoy the car as much as I do!

Hopefully get a chance this evening to wire up the sub.
I need to get off the drive and away from house to test the speakers as they are much louder (!) than the HK set up so don't want to trouble the neighbours!

 

[zedonist]

You need to give your self time to set up the speakers and the sub.

 

[Dino D]

Had a go at putting the interior plastics back in and it doesn't fit comfortably without a little spacer for the rear speakers.
Need to check measurements properly something like this sprayed black should be perfect:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=180792805715

Still haven't worked out why my sub isn't working...Something with the wiring to and from the amp (I've checked it all and seems fine) or the sub out channel has failed on the head unit, a job for later.

However the Hertz on their own are LOUD. I used to use up to 35 on the volume control now up to 15-20 is as much as I need. The clarity is really good, very pleased!

 

[zedonist]

Have you connected the remote lead, should be a blue wire, but dont mix it up with the power antenna lead

 

[bertiejaffa]

Hi, I need to replace my kit this summer - it's all aftermarket but the amp in the boot over heats on sunny days making it useless.

So... Initially 2 questions:

In my 2.0l I have the HK solution (with vibe rear speakers and new head unit) and it sounds pretty good. Have you tried anything with the HK sub and amp?

And, can you clarify the tweeters? Do they come free with the other speakers? If so does that mean you got 4 of them as you got 2 sets of speakers ( or did I read that wrong?)