It stands to reason that the ulti-mate driving machine, BMWs X5 SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle), should be equipped with an a/v system to match the quality of the vehicle itself. Adam Marr of Phoenix, AZ felt so. As a music lover and musician since the age of eight, Adam appreciates dynamic audio playback wherever he is. Like most of us, he spends a great deal of time enduring weekday gridlock traffic and enjoys weekend drives on the fringes of suburbia. What better than a custom installation with quality components to raise the bar?
In addition to his love for music, Adam appreciates well-built machinery. In his search for a vehicle that would perform well, while offering plenty of room and comfort for road trips, he came to the conclusion that the BMW X5 fit the bill perfectly. The 25-year-old pre-med student chose the smooth operating 3.0 in-line six cylinder over the hot-rod V-8 option. While the 4.4 V-8 packs more of a punch, the six offers great torque and the smooth power delivery of a tried-and-true BMW six. Regardless of engine selection, the creature comforts and options are virtually identical, making the 3.0 setup a more practical choice. Adam gives thanks to John Splitek at Camelback BMW for getting him into the vehicle he wanted without the unwanted grief.
Practicality carried over to system design as well. Dynamic playback, a clear video screen and the ability to use all of the cargo space with minimal penalty were all strict requirements. Adam heard the nightmare stories about aftermarket components/installations affecting the complex factory integrated systems and sub-systems. Side air bags, for instance. Simply removing the door panel alerts the on-board computer that there may be a malfunction of the air bag system. It would take a BMW tech to reset the computer. ABS components are located in the rear, as is the battery, where the majority of installation would take place. Altogether a delicate procedure.
Streamline Audio is familiar with, and even specializes in delicate procedures. Located in the heart of prim and proper Scottsdale, AZ, the shop is familiar with the delicate workings of most modern high-end automobiles, and gracefully integrates aftermarket gear without a hitch.
In the spirit of keeping a mostly stock appearance, and using stock locations wherever available, the overall scope of the system was kept to a minimum. The components used, however, are high-end to reach the level of playback that Adam demanded and, frankly, a level of performance that Streamline Audio is critical about. And while the installation was kept reasonable, it was built with the kind of solid integrity found in top-ranked car-audio contenders' cars.
The system consists of a simple two-amplifier, multi-channel set-up with integrated crossovers, Pioneer's AVX-P7000CD source with video screen, Rockford 5.25" component speakers in factory front and rear door locations and a custom wood and fibreglass enclosure. For audio/video switching and tuning a Pioneer AVMP9000R "brain" could be used and mounted out of sight, as it needs no on-the-fly tuning. The Pioneer XDV-P9 DVD player would be mounted in the rear cargo area.
Complete, the interior of this X5 looks little different than most in showroom stock condition. The addition of the Pioneer AVX-P7000CD and custom mount in the stock dash location gives a hint, though the Rockford Fosgate FNQ2514 5.25" component speakers in the stock front and rear door locations are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.