[cjn]

I'm happy with the Focal speakers (4x IC BMW 100L and 2x ISUB BMW 4) but Focal have killed my interest in the 4.320 amp. As a simpler alternative to the Match UP 7DSP, I am considering the Match 5.4 DSP + MATCH PP-BMW 1.4ASD harness, although I'd prefer a non-DSP amp. Can't remember the price but somewhat less than the UP 7DSP. Four channels is adequate, provided I can drive the fronts and under-seats.

 

[Matt5964]

I'm happy with the Focal speakers (4x IC BMW 100L and 2x ISUB BMW 4) but Focal have killed my interest in the 4.320 amp. As a simpler alternative to the Match UP 7DSP, I am considering the Match 5.4 DSP + MATCH PP-BMW 1.4ASD harness, although I'd prefer a non-DSP amp. Can't remember the price but somewhat less than the UP 7DSP. Four channels is adequate, provided I can drive the fronts and under-seats.

Looking at the Match upgrade selector it imply you will need the RAM wire in g harness

Audiotec Fischer

www.audiotec-fischer.de

Which could mean some fiddling still to be done

5.4 looks to be £500 and the harness £200
Up is £620 and Ram harness £80

so little advantage on pricing, unless I’m looking at wrong items

 

[cjn]

Sorry, I couldn't follow your description. The A-F website doesn't seem to have a clear explanation of anything related to connection harnesses. I'm nearly convinced that I don't need DSP, and I'm looking for a more basic 4-ch amp, i.e. like the Focal unit but with proper P&P harness.

 

[cjn]

Having arrived at a waypoint in my journey, here are my conclusions:
1. I don’t need more than a basic non-DSP 4-channel amp. Anything more is just a wasted expense.
2. The only amp that seems to be OK for this is the Focal 4.320.
3. Focal’s “plug and play” harness for the F40 is useless on several counts and I haven’t been able to find an appropriate P&P harness for any other lower cost amp.
4. A potentially usable harness is the Audiotec-Fischer MATCH PP-BMW 1.7RAM, which plugs between the RAM and its cables.
5. This won’t fit the Focal amp directly, as it uses a 20-pin Molex connector, while the latter uses 14- and 8-pin connectors. Repinning the harness leads should be OK, if achievable.
6. Finding suitable Molex plugs to fit the 4.320 may be difficult. “Molex” is now a generic name, and the Molex catalogue has an infinity of connectors, none of which look like the required shape and size.
7. EBay is a source for various “Molex” plugs, which may be the answer.
8. My likely approach is
(a) Get a selection of Molex plugs (8- and 14-pin) for say £5.
(b) Get the 4.320 from a supplier that will accept returns, around £200.
(c) If an acceptable Molex plug to fit the amp is found then proceed to 9.
(d) If not then proceed to 10.
9. Get the A-F harness, around £90, and re-pin the cables to the new Molex connectors. Job done, total cost less than £300.
10. The choice is to:
(a) Give up and return the amp, or
(b) Buy both harnesses (Focal £80, A-F £90), use the Molex plugs from the Focal harness and solder/re-pin. Job done, total cost around £380.
At present I’m at 7 => 8(a).

 

[cjn]

It's done and working!
So here's the list:
The car came with the basic stereo, as HK couldn't be ordered last July.
Sounded pretty grim so I replaced all 6 speakers:
Focal coaxial IC BMW 100L in all 4 doors. I couldn't be bothered to use the separate tweeter setup in the front, as it needs the upper door trim replacing to fit the tweeters, at considerable expense. A simple job, once the door cards could be bullied into being removed.
Focal ISUB BMW 4 under the two front seats.
Still with the base stereo, the mid and upper sounds were greatly improved. The bass was still very lacking, however.
I then embarked on the amplifier upgrade.
The Focal 4.320 is a basic 4-channel non-DSP unit, and I'm perfectly happy to use this for the two front doors and the under-seat woofers. The rear doors remain driven directly from the car stereo, albeit with improved sound quality.
The only other item was an Audiotec Fischer MATCH PP-BMW 1.7RAM wiring harness. Quite a lot of work in connecting this, together with some of the very basic items that came with the Focal amp. It fits between the RAM module and the head unit and connects to the amp.
The amp does input and output for the front doors and the woofers, while the rear door connections bypass the amp.
The first installation is done, shoving the amp and a lot of cable behind the small hatch where the "mobility system" used to live, and right below the RAM. Will need a bit of tidying when the 'round tuit' arrives.
Overall it's outstanding. I'm not a wake-the-neighbours type, and I do my quality listening at home, but this puts the base stereo to shame. I did try turning up the volume on some Bach and I could feel it through the seat and the vibration of the steering wheel.
That's it, all done, and I can move on to something else, like washing the car.

 

[Simon Site Manager]

Glad your listening to Bach cjn

 

[cjn]

Must be something to do with that organ throbbing beneath my seat.

 

[Dion]

The only other item was an Audiotec Fischer MATCH PP-BMW 1.7RAM wiring harness. Quite a lot of work in connecting this, together with some of the very basic items that came with the Focal amp. It fits between the RAM module and the head unit and connects to the amp.
The amp does input and output for the front doors and the woofers, while the rear door connections bypass the amp.
The first installation is done, shoving the amp and a lot of cable behind the small hatch where the "mobility system" used to live, and right below the RAM. Will need a bit of tidying when the 'round tuit' arrives.

This Friday my f40 118i will arrive (with base audio system). I'm also interested in this upgrade. Can you specify how this connecting went? So the connection between the harness, amp and RAM, does this all take place in the booth? pictures would be nice

cheers,

Dion

 

[cjn]

This Friday my f40 118i will arrive (with base audio system). I'm also interested in this upgrade. Can you specify how this connecting went? So the connection between the harness, amp and RAM, does this all take place in the booth? pictures would be nice

cheers,

Dion

No pictures, sorry.
The only slightly difficult bit is modifying the MATCH harness, which will require some soldering.
What I have is my 'map' of all the connections, which may need some clarification.
If you PM me an email address I'll send you the map, plus links to various bits of equipment that will help to understand the various plug/socket connections.
Installation was all behind the small hatch on the LHS side of the boot, once I had removed the pointless 'tyre repair kit'.

 

[Dion]

No pictures, sorry.
The only slightly difficult bit is modifying the MATCH harness, which will require some soldering.
What I have is my 'map' of all the connections, which may need some clarification.
If you PM me an email address I'll send you the map, plus links to various bits of equipment that will help to understand the various plug/socket connections.
Installation was all behind the small hatch on the LHS side of the boot, once I had removed the pointless 'tyre repair kit'.

Thank you i will send a pm

 

[Mitchd10]

I am upgrading the audio on my f40 128ti, is it worth changing the subs under the seats or better just upgradin the speakers?

 

[cjn]

I am upgrading the audio on my f40 128ti, is it worth changing the subs under the seats or better just upgradin the speakers?

Have a look at my post #25 above. Happy to answer any questions. Assuming, of course, that your 128 has the same setup as my 135.

 

[Mitchd10]

Cheers, how hard is the door card removal?

 

[cjn]

Before you start, you need the instructions! PM me an email address and I'll send you the relevant pages from the manual, plus some other stuff I sent to another interested party.

 

[Rally555Ron]

Hi, I am interested in hearing what you done and the info you, sorry could not see the PM option to send yo my email address for your info, thanks Nick

 

[Mitchd10]

I also can’t find where to send a personal message?

 

[cjn]

To send a message move your mouse over the large coloured initial on the left of the target's post. You should see a popup item that includes "Message". Click on that.

 

[Rally555Ron]

There is no message option for me, not sure if its due to me being a new member.

 

[cjn]

If Messages doesn't work, try clicking your avatar at top right and then "Conversations".

 

[Rally555Ron]

Gone in there but no option to start a new conversation either, can you PM me to kick off a conversation, sorry for all the hassle.