Nick’s BMW 3-Series

Head Unit: Sony Mobile ES CDX-C90  EQ: Orion DEQ-30  Xover, 10 band parametric EQ, Time Alignment: Sony XDP-4000X  Front Stage:Focal 7KX mid(x2)   Focal T2X tweet(x2)   Focal T1X tweet(x2)   Focal 5KX subwoofer(x4)  Subs: RFR-2212 Power DVC(x2)  Amps: RF Punch 500@2(x3)   RF Power 800@2  Power and signal: Streetwires    My system is built for IASCA competition. The signal starts at the Sony Mobile ES CDX-C90. I fashioned a custom steel bracket for the deck. The bracket is bolted to the deck and then the whole thing is bolted to the dash (impossible to get out without taking the whole dash apart). A 1/4 aluminum trim ring was made and painted to match the rest of the dash. A system status display resides below the deck in the center console where the map pocket used to be. It reads SUB, SUB, MID, HIGH, EQ, X-OVER from left to right. It is backlit with read 12volt lamps and painted and textured to match. If a fuse is blown the lamp goes out. Just in front of the status display, four spst switches correspond to the four amp lamps (SUB SUB MID HIGH). When a fuse blows, all I have to do is flip the corresponding switch to the blown fuse and a back up fuse is engaged. I dont have to run to the back to switch any fuses. In the front ashtray, a custom 1/8" aluminum piece was machined to fit snuggly under the lid and house 5 spst switches. They are labeled T(for temperature),V(voltage),F(fans),N(neon). The fith switch has no current function as of yet. Next in the center console is the joystick remote for the head unit, followed by Dakota Digital multi temp gauge and voltage gauge all mounted in a custom machined 1/8" piece of aluminum painted and textured to match everything else. I replaced the back ashtray in the center console with a custom machined 1/4" in piece of aluminum that mimicks the shape of the ashtray as well as the top of the Sony XDP-4000X digital signal processor. Since a laptop must be used to control one of the signal processors, a RS-232 computer cable can be plugged in here after removing the plexi cover to communicate with the signal processor that is hidden in the trunk. The cable is attached to the processor at all times. The Orion DEQ-30 is located behind the stock rear quarter panel. The middle portion of the panel can be removed for access to the EQ from the driver's seat. A small portion of the seet metal had to be removed to fit the EQ in there.    The heart of the front stage consists of Focal 7KX midbass and Focal T2X tweeter in custom kickpanels that are aperiodically damped. They are covered in factory BMW vinyl. 1/8" sheet of black plexiglass conceils the mounting hardware of the two drivers in each kick. Grills are fashioned from metal mesh, 1/8" black plexi, and covered in black grill cloth for daily driving and another set is made without the metal mesh for sq judging. The doors were reconstructed to house a pair of Focal 5KX subwoofers with one cubic foot per set. The doors were covered in more factory BMW vinyl. Like the kicks, the subs are trimmed in 1/8" black plexi as well as grills to match the kicks. A spst switch is used to cut the 5KXs off and on. The A-pillars were used to house Focal T1X tweeters to raise and widen the soundstage. The tweeters are angled toward the center of the windshield. They are also crossed over very high and attenuated a few db. The A-pillars are covered in factory BMW headliner with black grill cloth covering the tweets.    When the rear seats are folded down the cones of the subwoofers(RF Power DVC 12s) are visible. A piece of 1/2" mdf was cut to seal off the cabin from the trunk and provide a trim piece for the subs. The mounting hardware cannot be seen, only the surrounds and the cone. The trim piece is painted black to match the trunk and exterior of the car. The sub box is just a tad over 3 cubic feet when sealed. It is used sealed for spl testing. For sq judging, it is used aperiodically. A 2" Warner actuator is used to open and close a door depending on the type of enclosure needed. The actuator is controled with a dpdt switch located on the left side of the steering wheel.    All I will say about the trunk is it is all painted with a motorized amp rack.    If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to e-mail me at jiffy15798@aol.com.    thanks for checking out my install
This is my baby. This pic was taken at the MB speedway at a show in 98. Only thing that has changed is the clear euro lenses on the side, blinkers, and tailights.
This shows the back of the inside of the enclosure coated with a few layers of RF Noisekiller. Also shown is teh wooden baffle just before grill cloth and resin were applied.
Here the door is after it has been covered with grill cloth and its first coat of resin.
test fitting the focal 5.25" subs
Here is the passenger door after it has been sanded down and ready to be covered.
A pic of both doors sanded down and ready to be covered.
Just test fitting everything one last time before taking them to my local BMW upholstery shop.
Pic of the doors and kicks with the Focal drivers all ready to provide me with sonic nirvana. They were covered with factory BMW vinyl at $50/yard. I can do vinyl but at that price I let a professional upholsterer do the job. He works exclusively on BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes.
Nice close up of the doors.
This was the first sub set up. The enclosure has been replaced with a more exotic shape for better visual appeal. Will get pics up of it as soon as possible.