What are the best aftermarket speakers for E46?

I just got a new 2004 bmw 325ci about a week ago and I'm loving it~! My only complaint with it is the stock stereo system. I'm thinking about replacing the speakers and the amp.
Any suggestions on which speakers I should get? I'm not a big sub fan so I won't be getting any sub.. also, I want to keep the stock head unit. I heard some nice stuff about A/D/S speakers but are they worth the money? I need a speaker which can produce a good bass without the sub..

Thanks in advance~!

I had OZ Audio Matrix speakers a couple of years ago and they sounded awesome. MB Quarts are great speakers too but the tweeters are pretty shrill. The OZ Audios are just about the smoothest speakers I've heard. I'd say that if you want loud, go with the MBQ's, if you want nice and pleasant, go with the OZ Audio.

You can get the OZ Audio's from www.wholesalesounds.com for $285 (Matrix CS-180). It includes the 6-1/2 woofers, 1"silk dome tweeter and a crossover w/tweeter protection.

But then again as long as you give the speaker a good amount of power and create a good baffle for the speaker, just about any quality speaker will sound great.

Thanks~ I'll check those out. I went to a local car audio dealer and checked out Focal Utopia speakers. They were just AWESOME, but since I'm a bit short on money, I'll go check OZ audio speakers.
How about the size of the speaker? How big should they be? I heard for the front it's 5.25. How about for the rear speakers?

focals are good also check out a/d/s

I'm not too sure about the sizes, I'd like to know. The rears look like a 5.25" but I don't think there is too much depth unless you cut. You can try calling Crutchfield.

As for the rears, JL Audio makes a pair of stealthboxes loaded with a JL Audio 8IB woofer that fit under the rear deck. Never heard them but JL makes awesome subs and shouldn't be overpowering. I've seen a couple for sale here so you can ask around. I think hamann330ci just sold a set.

Here's my suggestion:
I'm putting the OZ Audio components in the front, either the JL stealthboxes or Rockford Fosgate 10's as subs with an OZ Audio midrange in the rear driven by a Rockford Fosgate Power 551S. Not impressive by some of the stuff I've seen on this site but it will sound very good. Don't forget your caps and coils. You can get all of this plus a decent head unit with MP3, CD Changer and 4V outputs for under $1K, uninstalled. I have a list, email me if you want it.

mb quartz q series

Hah, same question always comes up. Same answer from me. 1st Seas lotus reference
2nd Dynaudio
3rd Focal Utopia

Diamonds Hex all the way

Originally posted by egyptnads
mb quartz q series

I considered this move but the $500 increase from Premiums did not allow for it, at least with my wife who had a say in my ICE budget

1 possibility could be the Alpine Type X flagships (SPX-F17M). These use Vifa XT mids and a Scanspeak2904/60001 tweeter. I looked on Madisound.com and found that just buying these drivers alone would cost almost $500 ($148 for each tweet and around $90 for each mid). These speakers retail for $700, but I have seen them for about $480 on the web.

I have heard the model below them and they sounded good. I imagine these sound REALLY good given they have better drivers and a supposedly great xover.

Focal Utopia Speakers are amazing.

mb quart or jl audio...

Originally Posted by mickjagger

1 possibility could be the Alpine Type X flagships (SPX-F17M). These use Vifa XT mids and a Scanspeak2904/60001 tweeter. I looked on Madisound.com and found that just buying these drivers alone would cost almost $500 ($148 for each tweet and around $90 for each mid). These speakers retail for $700, but I have seen them for about $480 on the web.

I have heard the model below them and they sounded good. I imagine these sound REALLY good given they have better drivers and a supposedly great xover.

Alpines would not be a bad choice. I tried out some vifa xt drivers before and they are pretty good, so are the scan speak 6001's. My only complaint are that the vifas lack a lil detail and are a little rich for my tastes. The scans are a good full sounding tweeter, they lack a little top end though.

Thank you guys for all your help.
I decided to go with Focal Utopia speakers.
How about amps? Which amp is good?
Is Rockford Fosgate amps any good?

i like jl audio...amps and subs...

Originally Posted by sashimiblade

Thank you guys for all your help.
I decided to go with Focal Utopia speakers.
How about amps? Which amp is good?
Is Rockford Fosgate amps any good?

No. Say no to RF. If you are gonna run utopia, run some nice amps. Tru, Zapco, Brax, Audison. Cheaper amps, try JL or PG.

learthworml, has RF gone to hell? I haven't followed car audio much over the past 7 years. Back then, RF was pretty damned good. I guess that's what happens when you start selling at best buy.

Originally Posted by learthworml

Hah, same question always comes up. Same answer from me. 1st Seas lotus reference
2nd Dynaudio
3rd Focal Utopia

I have bought the Seas lotus reference kit, but I'm having a hard time fitting them.

Anyone got any Pics/tips?

Also, have anyone actually heard them in a E46 or any other car? What is the sound like. I'm getting all excited already

Good man. Nice choice in speakers. I have heard them in 4 cars btw, 1 with the reference complete set and 3 with jsut the mids. This is not including myself. I have a pair of reference mids installed. Two of them are the best sounding cars I have, including the IASCA winners' cars I have heard.

Back to the subject. You might have to make an mdf baffle and or trim some of the plastic on the speaker part of the door. I have them in kick panels, so it was easy to fit. I think they are slightly smaller than the Utopia mids and some people have been able to fit those. Post a review after you get them installed and tuned.

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

learthworml, has RF gone to hell? I haven't followed car audio much over the past 7 years. Back then, RF was pretty damned good. I guess that's what happens when you start selling at best buy.

Well, their 2004 lineup isnt that bad. Pretty impressive actually, but I still think RF has turned into a low to middle low end company. You are totally right about the best buy thing. lol