Bavsound Review

[Tizz]

I've got the bavsound speakers new in box in my garage sitting there now for over a year. This thread motivated me to get out there and install them. Been dreading the install

[WOODOO]

I have just the standard HiFi system and one of the rear speakers just went out. Anyone upgrade to these on the same system? I'm not familiar with the differences between HiFi and the HK but I'm assuming the amplifier in my system is weaker. Is it worth doing the upgrade to my system?

[Tbonem3]

No IMO. Just find a cheap hifi speaker on ebay or whatever. If you want to really make an impactful upgrade, you should get an aftermarket amplifier. That will make even the basic speakers shine.

[GreyM340i]

No IMO. Just find a cheap hifi speaker on ebay or whatever. If you want to really make an impactful upgrade, you should get an aftermarket amplifier. That will make even the basic speakers shine.

Is there a aftermarket harness that will allow me to connect a new aftermarket amplifier using my factory speaker wires and not cut any of them?

[WOODOO]

No IMO. Just find a cheap hifi speaker on ebay or whatever. If you want to really make an impactful upgrade, you should get an aftermarket amplifier. That will make even the basic speakers shine.

Thanks for the input. That's pretty solid advice as the Bavsound website itself suggests doing an amp first, but unfortunately they don't offer one for the E46 hah. I guess I will just replace my speaker for $60 then. Do you recommend any amps? I dabbled in mono amps with subs about 20 years ago but not multi-channel amps for speakers. I'm not really sure how many channels I would need with this factory set up, there's technically 8 different speakers, so 8 channels? I don't imagine there are external crossovers here like with aftermarket component speakers where the tweeter and mid combine as 1 channel.

[maw1124]

OP is in a convertible. He knows his next step is the ski pass sub and an amp, from this prior thread… https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...m3-convertible. The discussion of 6x9s and deck subwoofers does not apply.

EDIT… for a time, I ran the BavSound with ski-pass sub on the factory head unit and amps (HK Nav). It was plenty powerful (sub not in the trunk, so that helped) and sounded great actually. What was missing was control — no separate sub or crossover control from the head unit, so that made things tough. A modern (Dynavin) head unit with a dedicated sub channel solved that. The extra 4-way (4x75 Hertz) cabin amp was a bonus, and probably overkill for the BavSound speakers. As I’ve said before, I’m surprised I haven’t blown any yet.

maw

Sonically, I think the head unit is the weak link (no independent subwoofer control, crossover, EQ or time alignment). Once you change that, next is amps (a 5/6-channel is probably fine). From there, take your time selecting speakers. The factory HK setup goes through all kinds of machinations to make the head unit sound decent for the bell curve of listeners. If you’re reading this, you’re outside that bell curve and the above is how you can make changes to suit your style without going down a rabbit hole.

The JLAudio DSP amps are the best out these days, but they are expensive. With the right head unit, any multichannel amp with 5/6 channels will do (Alpine or Hertz are probably next). You can always do Mosconi or something exotic but I think that’s overkill. With any amplification, only the BavSound speakers are PnP anyway, and once you’re modifying speaker fitments for me you’re down the rabbit hole.

maw

[toy4to]

Is there a aftermarket harness that will allow me to connect a new aftermarket amplifier using my factory speaker wires and not cut any of them?

Yes technicpnp makes one. They don't have it listed on their website anymore though, maybe send them a msg and see if they can still make them.

https://technicpnp.com/

[GreyM340i]

Yes technicpnp makes one. They don't have it listed on their website anymore though, maybe send them a msg and see if they can still make them.

https://technicpnp.com/

Thanks email sent.

[DoubleSidedTape]

maw1124

Is there a head unit that you know of that looks similar to the factory unit (no screen, buttons that fit with bmw style, etc) that has the capabilities that you mention?

[9kracing]

maw1124

Is there a head unit that you know of that looks similar to the factory unit (no screen, buttons that fit with bmw style, etc) that has the capabilities that you mention?

https://avinusa.com/avant-4-multimedia-navigation-system-for-bmw-3-series-e46-m3.html

[jrgatfh]

Thanks email sent.

Please follow up and let us know what they said. I might be interested in something like that.

[DoubleSidedTape]

https://avinusa.com/avant-4-multimed...es-e46-m3.html

That has a screen.

[Shonky]

I have just the standard HiFi system and one of the rear speakers just went out. Anyone upgrade to these on the same system? I'm not familiar with the differences between HiFi and the HK but I'm assuming the amplifier in my system is weaker. Is it worth doing the upgrade to my system?

Are you sure it's a rear speaker? Not an amp channel? In a non HK car the BM54 radio includes the amp that drives the speakers directly (it still drives the HK amp in HK cars but the HK amp is what's really pushing the speakers). It's known to fail. There are upgrades you can do reasonably cheaply to improve/repair the BM54 amplification. People report great improvements to the sound.

I should clarify there seems to be 3 levels although I'm pretty sure I've only ever seen two variants here (basically HK or no HK). The mid level does have its own separate amp similar to HK.

[GreyM340i]

Please follow up and let us know what they said. I might be interested in something like that.

Will do

[maw1124]

That has a screen.

I do not. Sadly, the industry is all into Nav units. Well IMO a phone is a better Nav device and I’m interested in making the car stereo JUST a stereo. What a concept. I think that would be easier and better.

BUT I think a business CD with a DSP Amp that lets you “separate” the sub channel might get you to the same place. My car had HK Nav so I never went down that route. So I’ve had 2 Dynavin units where I almost never use the Nav function🙄.

As I think of it, I might soon be in the market for a factory Business CD. I wonder if Becker NJ refurbs these and adds BT.

GL

maw