BMW 118i - Making A Connection

Having a solid relationship with a car audio installer is essential if you want a top-notch setup

Every product we buy, every service we pay for, has something to do with building relationships. No, I’m not suggesting that you start dating the shopkeeper (or his daughter). But I do recommend going back to the same store if you’re happy with its products and services, so as to maintain a good rapport with the boss.

BMW 118i - Making A Connection

This way, you are guaranteed (most of the time, anyway) of great service, and even some “preferential treatment” should the need arise. For instance, Kelvin, the owner of the BMW 118i hatchback featured here, has known Eddie of ST Mobile for years and the latter has taken care of Kelvin’s ICE needs since the beginning.

That Kelvin loves to take part in car audio competitions is a bonus for Eddie. “These events are a great way for my company to showcase its work, and he has been kind enough to allow us to participate with his vehicle,” said Eddie. “While we always treat every car we work on with the same commitment, it goes without saying that we will do that little bit extra for customers like Kelvin, as we want the setup in his ride to perform as well as possible.”

This attention to detail is immediately obvious when you open the driver’s door and sit down. The customized A-pillar, with its “natural” trim and near-perfect fit lines, looks like it was done in BMW’s factory. Pop open the rear hatch, and Eddie’s handiwork is again on show for all to see. Despite the relatively small boot, he has managed to “load in” four amplifiers and a huge 13-inch subwoofer. They are neatly and stylishly mounted, speaking volumes of Eddie’s expertise. The cargo space has been compromised, of course, but there is still sufficient room for some Barang Barang.

The entire setup is headlined by just one brand - Focal. This French maker of ICE equipment specializes in both home and car audio, and its offerings are a favorite among many aficionados in Singapore. Both Eddie and Kelvin agreed that a three-­way active configuration in the front is the best way to show off the performance of the components. Focal’s Utopia Be Kit No. 7 Active component speaker kit (comprising tweeters, mid-range speakers and mid-bass units) was chosen for its all­-round versatility.

Going “active” means there are dedicated speakers for the low, mid and high frequencies, and this helps in optimizing the way songs are reproduced. With Eddie’s expert tuning skill added to the equation, this setup plays a wide range of music superbly, especially complex tracks that feature strong vocals. There is a “warmness” and clarity to the playback that makes this system very enjoyable to listen to.

One of the most significant “contributing” components is the subwoofer. The Focal Utopia Be 33 WX 2 has won numerous accolades and awards around the world for its gorgeous design, quality construction, and most importantly, excellent bass. If you desire strong, punchy and deep bass, then this is the subwoofer to have.

Paired with the Focal speakers and subwoofer are four power amplifiers from the same brand. Like the former, these “blocks” are beautifully made. Sporting a shiny exterior finish and contrasting matte­black cooling fins, all four amps are from the FPS (Focal Power Symmetric) range. Each features useful technologies such as double-sided power circuit boards (which enable the amps to be made smaller for easier placement), and thermo-controlled ventilation and airflow that target the hottest parts within the amps to cool them properly.

This BMW 118i is a fine example of what a longstanding relationship between a customer and retailer, based on trust and loyalty, can achieve.

Last but not least, the “head” of the whole system is an Alpine combo. Aptly named Premium Sound System by the Japanese firm, the IVA-D800 head unit and PXA-H800 processor are a tried-and-tested duo that is a favorite of many installers and audiophiles in Singapore.

The setup in Kelvin’s car has already garnered two prestigious awards. In round two of last year’s EMMA series, it claimed top prize in the highly competitive Advanced SQ Unlimited category - one of the toughest classes. And in the EMMA Asia Final, which featured many of the top entries from around the region, the car clinched a hard-earned second placing (in the same category), narrowly missing out on the hard-fought top position.

This BMW 118i is a fine example of what a longstanding relationship between a customer and retailer, based on trust and loyalty, can achieve. With the car slated for more EMMA events this year, we wouldn’t bet against it winning even more trophies.