Stereo V No Stereo

[Poloace]

Arrgh... I love my 02.

I want to put better music in there. Currently I drive around w a bose Bluetooth soundlink sitting on the dash. I do want better sound in there, but- I'm somewhat reluctant to cut into the car to have the install done as I know I'm stabbing a purist in the back somewhere. Anyone have any advice?

P

[Dev02]

I am SOOOOO not a purist and am happy cutting and adding as I want, but I respect those who have pristine cars and want to keep them period correct.

 

I have seen "shelf" speakers that I believe came out of a 320 being put in the back of some '02s and think that looks great, and very true-to-year. Have also seen kick panels, with carpet covers, that look good and do not destroy any of the car. And of course you can do a center speaker in the console, or some small ones under the dash.

[eurotrash]

I just finished my long term audio build plan on my car in the spring.  I went the mp3/iPod/iPhone player only route.  After driving the car for four years, with no audio to speak of, having a 2.1 system in the car is pretty amazing.  Not competition audio, but just full bodied sound.  Its rather intoxicating when you're scooting along on a twisty road to your favorite tunes. 

 

I put a 5 channel amp under the rear driver side seat.  Audio input cables from there to an Apple iPhone Home dock the center console.  JLAudio line leveler in the choke location on the column as a volume controller.  Kick panel kit from Bolt On Bliss (me) with Esty's carpet covers over top. Nice component speakers in the kick panels. And a 6.5" JLAudio "sub" woofer in the Bolt On Bliss (me) box under the passenger side rear seat. 

 

Here's a link to the old sites sticky where my panels and sub box were listed, if you are interested.  Its a no-cut situation.

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/87736-sub-enclosure-speaker-kick-panelsesty-carpet-integrat/?hl=speaker%20kick%20panels

20kick%20panels

Edited September 20, 2013 by eurotrash

[dbmw2002]

On my first 02 I went with speakers under the seat, built shallow boxes that slid right under. The females seemed to really enjoy the thump in their rump.

[Koblenz]

I just finished my long term audio build plan on my car in the spring.  I went the mp3/iPod/iPhone player only route.  After driving the car for four years, with no audio to speak of, having a 2.1 system in the car is pretty amazing.  Not competition audio, but just full bodied sound.  Its rather intoxicating when you're scooting along on a twisty road to your favorite tunes. 

 

I put a 5 channel amp under the rear driver side seat.  Audio input cables from there to an Apple iPhone Home dock the center console.  JLAudio line leveler in the choke location on the column as a volume controller.  Kick panel kit from Bolt On Bliss (me) with Esty's carpet covers over top. Nice component speakers in the kick panels. And a 6.5" JLAudio "sub" woofer in the Bolt On Bliss (me) box under the passenger side rear seat. 

 

Here's a link to the old sites sticky where my panels and sub box were listed, if you are interested.  Its a no-cut situation.

 

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/87736-sub-enclosure-speaker-kick-panelsesty-carpet-integrat/?hl=speaker%20kick%20panels

20kick%20panels

So when are you going to be in Florida?

On my first 02 I went with speakers under the seat, built shallow boxes that slid right under. The females seemed to really enjoy the thump in their rump.

LMAO!  So is there a fight for " shotgun."

[deanres]

I use the Bose Sound link also. I have the original radio in and use that for AM.

[Conserv]

Arrgh... I love my 02.I want to put better music in there. Currently I drive around w a bose Bluetooth soundlink sitting on the dash. I do want better sound in there, but- I'm somewhat reluctant to cut into the car to have the install done as I know I'm stabbing a purist in the back somewhere. Anyone have any advice?P

It seems as if there is range of "intrusions" on the original fabric, from the single speaker in the console option (only for those without A/C) to holes in the metal superstructure. I cut a pair of 5 1/4" holes in my '76's rear parcel shelf when it was new and some days wish I hadn't. On the other hand, you don't see me rushing to replace that missing steel!

But besides all the "above-surface" suggestions already listed, and which you should consider, there are other solutions (perhaps sub-optimal from an acoustic standpoint) that are easily reversible. For instance, the original Becker stereo mounting instructions included two underdash speakers, at the far left and far right of the dashboard. 4x6 speakers will fit into these two underdash panels and if your underdash panels are both original and pristine (and hence you don't wish to cut them), it's easy to buy either a pair of new 2002AD replacements or a scuzzy set, either of which you can cut and drill to your heart's content. Keep your mint originals in the back of your closet and re-install them before your car goes to Barrett-Jackson! But don't go without a radio or stereo if you want a radio or stereo.

Steve

Edited September 20, 2013 by Conserv

[saaron]

I feel like I'm getting stabbed!  (being a purist and all).  

 

I do think the 02s look cool w/the speakers on the back parcel shelf facing forward.  Of course you won't be able to put your parcels back there, or at least not as many.  

 

Eurotrash's stuff is cool - new tech that is non-invasive and you can't even really see it unless you really look.  He is a re-formed audio-visual designer, so he knows about such things.

 

Scott

(Going nuts w emoticons.    )

[eurotrash]

You need to hear it Scott.  Its pretty amazing.  Silk tweets and all....  Images pretty amazingly.  You need one, considering your affinity for quality tunageness.  After all, its reversible..

Edited September 20, 2013 by eurotrash

[Mike Self]

I hate to make modifications that can't be easily undone so I have four surface-mounted speakers for my 1987 Alpine AM/FM stereo cassette player (yeah, I know...but I have lots of cassettes!).  The rear package shelf has two 70s vintage Blaupunkt surface mount speaker boxes with modern 4x6 coax speakers.  Under the dash I made surface mount boxes to hold 5" coax speakers, one on each cowl panel (the carpeted area between the firewall and front door opening.  Good sound balance and all can be removed without leaving marks (the package shelf speakers are velcro'ed in  place).  One of these day's I'll have to figure out how to install an I-pod adapter to my Alpine. (yes, I do have an I-pod)

 

cheers

mike

[mikebontoft]

you could do like the previous owner did on mine and cut a hole into both door panels and the center console

[glemon]

Did I buy your car? Am I you? my 2002 came with a late 80s Alpine am/FM cassette, similar speaker set up, I have tons of cassettes too. It actually sounds pretty good, I like it.

I hate to make modifications that can't be easily undone so I have four surface-mounted speakers for my 1987 Alpine AM/FM stereo cassette player (yeah, I know...but I have lots of cassettes!). The rear package shelf has two 70s vintage Blaupunkt surface mount speaker boxes with modern 4x6 coax speakers. Under the dash I made surface mount boxes to hold 5" coax speakers, one on each cowl panel (the carpeted area between the firewall and front door opening. Good sound balance and all can be removed without leaving marks (the package shelf speakers are velcro'ed in place). One of these day's I'll have to figure out how to install an I-pod adapter to my Alpine. (yes, I do have an I-pod)

cheers

mike

Edited September 22, 2013 by glemon

[mikebontoft]

wait these did have factory radios?

[Conserv]

wait these did have factory radios?

Radios on 2002's were a dealer or owner-installed option.

Steve

[Zorac]

my car had the dealer installed stereo and they put 5.25" speakers under the rear seats.  i upgraded and used all the old holes when i installed my new deck and speakers.