Many new BMWs and Minis come with original speakers that are not really convincing in terms of sound. Thanks to suitable retrofit systems, however, a sound upgrade is quite simple.
If the sound in a new used BMW isn't right, it's no wonder. Especially in the lower trim levels, there aren't even any tweeters and a puny full range driver in the door is supposed to do the bulk of the music. Help comes from Emphaser, who have just relaunched their retrofit speakers for front and rear doors. The EM-BMWF1 and R1 systems fit perfectly in almost all models in the F and G series, as well as in many of Mini's corporate siblings. The BMWF1 front system is quite intricately made and is a feast for the eyes from the get-go. The woofer comes in an injection molded basket with BMW three-point mounting complete with foam rubber gasket and BMW connector.
The small speaker radiates via an aluminum diaphragm, which is driven by a 25-millimeter voice coil. The drive works with a ferrite ring for the magnetic field and details such as the finely planned and turned (instead of just punched) pole plates please the eye and technician heart. The BMWF1 is of course a two-way system with tweeter that fits into the original mirror triangles - available at BMW dealers if no installation opening available. The associated crossover is very elaborately made, because it contains in addition to the separation of tweeter and woofer a switchable high pass to relieve the small 10 before low frequencies. The separation is done with the tweeter classically with a capacitor, with the woofer we find in principle a low-pass second order, with a small tweak for frequency response correction.
The rear system is as expected similarly made with injection molded basket and aluminum diaphragm, but it is a coax with a small. but fine fabric tweeter (instead of plastic dome) in the center. The drive works with neodymium and the crossover is also divided into a system high-pass as a cable crossover and a separation of the tweeter directly at the speaker.
Measurements and sound
The BMWF1 front system really gets going from 100 Hz, and when the high-pass filter is switched on, it matches the existing under-seat woofers. The tweeter is levelled quietly because it is closer to the ear than the woofer in the mirror triangle. The distortion behavior of the small system is quite outstanding. Levels can be achieved that are very respectable for the tiny diaphragm area of 83 square centimeters and the woofer produces extremely little distortion.
The rear system also works well, here the mid-highs are at the level of the bass in the angular sum, as it should be. Both systems have a crisp, detailed sound, drums and percussion are reproduced in a lively manner and voices do not lose their character, but it is rather emphasized. The tweeter does a great job on the front system, it delivers without sounding sharp and thus annoying. The small 13-millimeter tweeter of the rear system also does an excellent job, it is one of the best tweeters you can find in a small coax.
Conclusion
If you are looking for really well-made speakers for your BMW or Mini, you will find them at Emphaser. The systems EM-BMWF1 and EM-BMWR1 are very high quality manufactured and provide with elaborate crossovers and aluminum membranes for crisp sound.
Source: Hifitest
