Upgrading BMW Audio
Upgrading BMW Audio with Zen Audio
BMW has used infotainment networking for years. While most current BMWs use Ethernet, for many years BMW used MOST 25 networks.
Zen Audio makes network preamps and network amplifiers compatible with MOST 25-equipped BMWs.
How to tell if your BMW has MOST 25?
- Check this compatibility chart. Make sure your BMW appears on it.
- Enter your 17-character VIN into a lookup tool with actual BMW database access, such as MDecoder.com. Look at the option codes for audio. If there's no option code, that usually means you have base audio. If you see S676 "HiFi" or S674 "harmon/kardon", those are systems without a MOST amplifier. In these listed models, S677 (sometimes branded "Logic 7"), S688 "harmon/kardon", and S752 Individual Audio systems have a MOST 25 amplifier. That means they and compatible with Zen Audio MOST 25 products.
- Instead of the VIN lookup, you could disassemble the right rear corner of the vehicle enough to see the amplifier. The amplifier heat sinks don't all look the same, so look for the MOST 25 cables:
4. If your vehicle does not have a MOST 25 amplifier from the factory, that doesn't mean you can't upgrade the vehicle with Zen Audio. Check the Support section for the DA1 for information on optionally recoding the vehicle and installing the missing MOST 25 cabling.
NOTE: Successful recoding is the responsibility of the installer - Nav-TV cannot perform this for you.
System Diagrams - OEM
Here is the system map for nine-channel BMW premium-sound systems. In real terms, this system sends 25 watts RMS o mid/tweeter channels, and around 100 watts RMS to the two bass channels. That's a total of 375W RMS.
NOTE: Convertibles delete the rear-deck pair of speakers.
In this scenario, you can install any compatible Zen Audio preamp, and get audiophile sound for your new amp-and-speaker system. This has been done with thousands of BMWs around the world. Click here to review Zen Audio preamps for BMW.
Zen POWER9 MOST 25 amplification
The Zen POWER9 is a groundbreaking combination - a nine-channel high-end amplifier, with a MOST 25 network preamp and a ten-channel DSP built in!
If all your speakers are in good operating condition, the Zen POWER9 will improve their performance markedly. However, most OEM speakers - especially in the center of the dash and the rear deck - deteriorate after just a few years, so installing aftermarket speakers is a good idea. (In SUVs, the rear D-pillar speakers rarely need upgrading and can be used as ambiance speakers.)
System 1: Zen POWER9 in place of OEM amplifier
In this system, new aftermarket speakers are installed in place of the OEM speakers. (For rear surround or rear door locations, coaxials can be used in place of components if desired). This system supplies considerably more power to the speakers - 150 watts to each underseat woofer, 150 watts to each front door set, 70 watts to each of the four rear doors, and 125W to the center speaker (the ZP9 mono channel is set to Center mode).
The Zen Upmixer is used if a two-seat presentation is desired, deriving a center channel for the center speaker, and ambiance channels for the second set of rear speakers. (Many users set up their Upmixer settings on Preset 2, and use Preset 1 for a one-seat tune. This allows the "Surround on/off" setting in the tone menu to switch between one-seat and two-seat presentations.)
System 2: Zen POWER9, center deleted, trunk subwoofer installed
In this system, the mono channel of the Zen POWER9 is used in Subwoofer mode, driving an aftermarket subwoofer with 500W RMS. In this mode, the Bass setting in the tone control menu will adjust the level of the subwoofer relative to the rest of the system.
System 3: Zen POWER9, Center Retained, Trunk Sub powered by dedicated amplifier
This system retains the center and adds the trunk sub - along with a dedicated bass amp. This can be done without the center speaker, if the vehicle owner just needs more than 500W of bass power.
