Integral Audio Essentials Upgrade

[hellokitty]

I just installed the Integral Audio essentials upgrade which involves replacing only the front mid bass, tweeter and adding a crossover to the door card. These are the same speakers and crossover used on the $4,000 Soundstage DSP system.

For $500, it is worth every penny. The stock HK system was way too bright and was fatiguing to listen to at higher volumes for more than minutes at a time. Now volume at 80% is louder and crystal clear with strong mid bass.

The upgrade resulted in a much more natural and balanced sound without the harshness due to the silk dome tweeter compared to the HK aluminum. I set EQ to flat, Logic 7 off with center balance. Sounds damn impressive and I have a bit of an audiophile background. While it isn't on the same level as my old system that cost over 10 grand to build, it's it sounds something that costs much much more than the $500 I spent. It sounds like something that cost $4-5k to build in my opinion.

Get the Integral setup if you are looking for a hassle free way to greatly improve sound quality . Kevin will also give you future discounts toward a full DSP system if you want to go in stages, which is what I'm likely going to do. Next step will be the underseat woolfers.

The install is very easy. Just make sure you have some spare door clips because one or many may break as you are reinstalling the door panels. All you need is some quality plastic pry tools, 18mm torx bit and a hour of your time. If inclined, spend a few bucks on Dynamat for around the speaker, which I decided not to do for the being. There was foam in front and behind the speaker which helps with any vibration.

10/10 mod in my book.

[Budget M3]

I have the full Soundstage DSP System. Due to time constraints (and me going slow, so as not to break my new(ish) car interior) I installed my system in stages. I started with the front speakers as OP did and noticed a similar improvement. Added the under seat woofers in stage 2 ==> more noticeable improvement.

I drove the car for awhile like that before I got the time to do the rest of the system. I thought it was pretty great and I was quite happy with the sound. Had I not already purchased the rest of the system, I might have been perfectly satisfied with just the speaker upgrades. Since I’d already paid for the expensive woofer, amp and DSP, however, I went ahead and finished the install….

Holy $#!+ The DSP/amp/woofer rounded out what was already a great sounding system and took it way beyond the next level. I can now hear instruments on tracks that I never knew existed before. While the 10-inch woofer will not rattle the neighborhood, it is a perfect match to the rest of the system to feel the low end and provides a nice tight sound below 80 Hz.

The only thing I’ve heard that is better than this system is a full audiophile set up for >$10k (and even then, it would be hard to distinguish between the two in a blind test). For the price, it is far and away the best system out there, and easiest to install and tune, for our F80’s.

[N44RP]

Hellokitty

Any idea how this compares to Bavsound stage 1 w/ ghost subs?

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by N44RP

Hellokitty

Any idea how this compares to Bavsound stage 1 w/ ghost subs?

Bavsound stage 1 involves a lot more speakers to replace. Its also twice the cost without factoring in the ghost subs.

I think that alone makes the integral setup a better value. Half the cost, much less labor and sounds great over the HK system.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by N44RP

Hellokitty

Any idea how this compares to Bavsound stage 1 w/ ghost subs?

Just do the full DSP upgrade...well on our way to a 25% discount, which makes it a great value.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1915310

[Jim45678]

hellokitty which product do you refer to? https://integralaudio.com/products/b...sedan-f80.html

I did long trip over the weekend and HK is garbage. BMWs HK comparing to B&O sound system I had in 2010 Audi S4 its total crap. Same songs I listened to on B&O sound like shit on HK. I stopped listening to my fav songs to avoid frustration.

According to my VIN I have: S688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System


I have a lot of upgrades upcoming to my M3 this year, so I don't want to spend anything above 1000$ as of today. so.. 500$ which supposendly makes difference sounds great to me.


Oh... not to mention... if HK system has "subwoofer" its a pure joke. I always thought that HK is a premium system... what a mistake!

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Jim45678

hellokitty which product do you refer to? https://integralaudio.com/products/b...sedan-f80.html

I did long trip over the weekend and HK is garbage. BMWs HK comparing to B&O sound system I had in 2010 Audi S4 its total crap. Same songs I listened to on B&O sound like shit on HK. I stopped listening to my fav songs to avoid frustration.

According to my VIN I have: S688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System


I have a lot of upgrades upcoming to my M3 this year, so I don't want to spend anything above 1000$ as of today. so.. 500$ which supposendly makes difference sounds great to me.


Oh... not to mention... if HK system has "subwoofer" its a pure joke. I always thought that HK is a premium system... what a mistake!

This is what I have installed.

https://integralaudio.com/soundstage...-4-series.html

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by Jim45678

hellokitty which product do you refer to? https://integralaudio.com/products/b...sedan-f80.html

I did long trip over the weekend and HK is garbage. BMWs HK comparing to B&O sound system I had in 2010 Audi S4 its total crap. Same songs I listened to on B&O sound like shit on HK. I stopped listening to my fav songs to avoid frustration.

According to my VIN I have: S688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System


I have a lot of upgrades upcoming to my M3 this year, so I don't want to spend anything above 1000$ as of today. so.. 500$ which supposendly makes difference sounds great to me.


Oh... not to mention... if HK system has "subwoofer" its a pure joke. I always thought that HK is a premium system... what a mistake!

your not going to get much of an upgrade under 1k.

[Jim45678]

what about this system?

Soundstage™ + Subwoofer System for BMW 3-Series [F30/F80]
link: https://integralaudio.com/soundstage...eries-f3x.html

1,6K is better than 4K usd

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Jim45678

what about this system?

Soundstage™ + Subwoofer System for BMW 3-Series [F30/F80]
link: https://integralaudio.com/soundstage...eries-f3x.html

1,6K is better than 4K usd

There is a group buy going on right now for 25% off the full system.

Honestly, anything is better than the factory speakers so do what your budget allows. I don't think you'll be disappointed by anything from Integral Audio

It's a very well made and thought out system.

[dmanb2b]

I only wish I could describe how blown away I am by the IA setup...until then, all I have is crappy iPhone recordings...it's honestly too loud over 3/4 volume!

Group buy ends 5/31.

[Conissah]

Hmmmmm. You have my interest, might have to buy it as the HK system isn't too impressive.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by Conissah

Hmmmmm. You have my interest, might have to buy it as the HK system isn't too impressive.

The videos really don't do it justice. The biggest surprise for me was previously, trying to listen to the radio with windows open and driving down the highway was a joke. This setup however somehow overcomes that wind noise and manages a pretty darn clear listening experience. Plus the system is plug and play...easy to resell if the car is ever sold.

[J925]

Does anyone know if integral audio is still in business? Been trying to get in touch with them and no answer.

[NealfromNZ]

Originally Posted by J925

Does anyone know if integral audio is still in business? Been trying to get in touch with them and no answer.

They had a note on their webpage last year saying the were closing down and selling off stock. A real shame as they went beyond most with carefully matching speakers / amps and DSP mapping and making the install straight forward fo F series.

[J925]

Got it thank you

[BetaSteve]

Kevin affirms IA is closing “very, very slowly”, no longer developing new product and selling off remaining stock. I thought it’d be rude to ask slowly because of large inventory or slow sales…