Good custom install for speaker upgarde

[bmw2805]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good stereo install shop in the Bay Area to install JL Subs/Amps and upgarde the stock speakers to MB Quart.

Thanks.

[540inSac]

Here's their info:

Car Acoustics
2875 S. Winchester Blvd.
Unit E
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 866.1250

Owner is Howard Blitz

They specialize in "high-end" audio and video for "high-end" vehicles...including BMW's.

They're a bit expensive, but well worth the price IMHO.

Here's a pic of the install in my 540i/6:




E39 - 1997 540i6 [11/96 Production]

Mods:
* CDV-ectomy (Thanks Dave Z!!!)
* Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 [235/40ZR18 x 265/35ZR18]
* Style 37 wheels
* Xenon/AE's (Euro)
* CELIS/LED Rears
* PIAA Plasma Ion Yellow H7 Fogs
* Clear sides
* M5 Rear Lip Spoiler
* M5 Grills
* M-Sport Steering Wheel
* Backlit M5 Shift Knob
* M5 Dead Pedal
* ///M Door Sills
* ///M-Tech Aerodynamic Front Spoiler
* Shadow-line Trim (windows still chrome!)
* Euro Sliding Armrest with storage bin
* Window Tint (Doors and Rear Vent @ 51%, Back @ 36%)
* Zapco C2K-4.0X - 4 channel amp
* Zapco C2K-6.0X - 2 channel amp
* Zapco SX-SL SymbiLink Preamp/EQ
* a/d/s 345is reference 3-component system (front)
* a/d/s 345im coaxial 2-component system (rear deck)
* Eclipse SW8102-4 10" aluminum subs

[bmw2805]

If you dont mind me asking.... How much did it cost to do the install? It is very very nice. Also did they have to cut thru the top back plate where the rear speaker go ?????

Thanks.

[540inSac]

and once again I shake my head in disbelief in the amount of $$$ I spend on upgrades! :-)

Labor for this install was $1,500 which included installation of all speakers/amps/EQ along with running new speaker wire and mounting the Eclipse subs. Took 2-days working only on my car, so that puts the labor rate right around $100/hr.

As far as any cutting, none was done anywhere on the car. What you see in the pic are the Eclipse subs hanging from an additional board mounted underneath the rear deck. These particular subs aren't intended for "free air" use, but I wasn't going to sacrifice a good portion of my trunk to a box! As it turns out I'm more than happy with the performance.

E39 - 1997 540i6 [11/96 Production]

Mods:
* CDV-ectomy (Thanks Dave Z!!!)
* Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 [235/40ZR18 x 265/35ZR18]
* Style 37 wheels
* Xenon/AE's (Euro)
* CELIS/LED Rears
* PIAA Plasma Ion Yellow H7 Fogs
* Clear sides
* M5 Rear Lip Spoiler
* M5 Grills
* M-Sport Steering Wheel
* Backlit M5 Shift Knob
* M5 Dead Pedal
* ///M Door Sills
* ///M-Tech Aerodynamic Front Spoiler
* Shadow-line Trim (windows still chrome!)
* Euro Sliding Armrest with storage bin
* Window Tint (Doors and Rear Vent @ 51%, Back @ 36%)
* Zapco C2K-4.0X - 4 channel amp
* Zapco C2K-6.0X - 2 channel amp
* Zapco SX-SL SymbiLink Preamp/EQ
* a/d/s 345is reference 3-component system (front)
* a/d/s 345im coaxial 2-component system (rear deck)
* Eclipse SW8102-4 10" aluminum subs

[bmw2805]

That seems way over my budget but I will call and talk to them about my install.

Thank you very much for the info.

[GeorgeH]

They're one of the best shops in the Bay Area/Northern California, and have had many of their installs featured in various car audio magazines. They do extremely clean, high-end work and are very familiar with BMWs and other luxury cars. They're a JL Audio and MB Quart dealer too so they are familiar with the products you are going to install in your car.

Sound Innovations

Sound Innovations installed Dynaudio speakers, Brax amps in a custom fiberglass amp shroud/enclosure, and a JL Audio 12W7 subwoofer in sealed enclosure firing through the arm rest (they cut a hole since I didn't have the pass-through) in my '01 540ia.

Ernie Onate is the owner and he is a great guy. He is very straight-forward, extremely knowledgable, and took the time to see what my needs/wants for my car stereo prior to the install.

Hope this helps a little...

Thanks,

George H

[GeorgeH]

[Bay Area... GeorgeH]

Peter Lufrano (owner of The Autophile/Brax distributor) compiled these:


http://www.caraudioforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=170485


Sound Innovations
Hayward
(510) 471-9062

Walnut Creek Auto Radio
Walnut Creek
(925) 934-8447

Car Acoustics
Campbell
(408) 866-1250

Peter’s Auto Radio
San Francisco
(415) 567-4678

Performance Sound and Security
Campbell
(408) 369-9597

Custom Exotica
Mountain View
(650) 988-1004

===========================

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by M3 Upgrade
Thanks. Do you have a personal experience with any of them? Who's best, in your opinion?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Yes, I am familiar with all of their work. These are some of our authorized dealers in the Bay Area and they are all capable of very fine work.

Ernie at Sound Innovations is excellent and a great guy. He has done some of the work on my own car. They do alot of systems featured in magazines and manufacturers show cars.

Howard at Caracoustics is very knowledgable.

Jim at Performance Sound and Security is dynamite. Jim has also done alot of work on my car, and they do all of Nole Lee's (Monster Cable) cars. But they can be difficult to schedule a job as they are very booked up.

Mike at Custom Exotica is outstanding. This crew does alot of show cars for manufacturers.

The crew at Wlanut Creek Auto Radio turns out some very nice systems.

And Rick over at Peter's Auto Radio is also a very good guy.

I would recommend visiting them and speaking with them personally. See who you feel the most comfortable with.
Tell them that I referred you and they will treat you very well........


http://www.caraudioforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=170485

[540inSac]

E39 - 1997 540i6 [11/96 Production]

Mods:
* CDV-ectomy (Thanks Dave Z!!!)
* Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 [235/40ZR18 x 265/35ZR18]
* Style 37 wheels
* Xenon/AE's (Euro)
* CELIS/LED Rears
* PIAA Plasma Ion Yellow H7 Fogs
* Clear sides
* M5 Rear Lip Spoiler
* M5 Grills
* M-Sport Steering Wheel
* Backlit M5 Shift Knob
* M5 Dead Pedal
* ///M Door Sills
* ///M-Tech Aerodynamic Front Spoiler
* Shadow-line Trim (windows still chrome!)
* Euro Sliding Armrest with storage bin
* Window Tint (Doors and Rear Vent @ 51%, Back @ 36%)
* Zapco C2K-4.0X - 4 channel amp
* Zapco C2K-6.0X - 2 channel amp
* Zapco SX-SL SymbiLink Preamp/EQ
* a/d/s 345is reference 3-component system (front)
* a/d/s 345im coaxial 2-component system (rear deck)
* Eclipse SW8102.4 10" aluminum subs

[elmagnificante]

I called them about tuning my system (to get another ear's opinion) and they said $75/hr. I asked if that was just for tuning and Howard said it is for everything they do: install, design, tune, etc.

[tom]

I reciently had mb speakers and jl subs installed in my 04 330CI by Rolling Thunder in SanRafael. They are definately professional.
Regards
Tom

[blakjak20]

88 528e Auto
Finished Projects: Pioneer DEH-P860MP (WELL WORTH IT), Directed 500W 4-Channel Amp pushing a 15" RF Sub and all speakers.
Future projects: Speakers (MB Quart), OBC Light Bar, Foglights (One got chewed off... Any good cheap suggestions??).