Bavsound Review

[Tbonem3]

That was the point I was going to make earlier… which is, the factory head unit doesn’t have a separate subwoofer channel. That’s the buzzsaw that I ran into. So if you ever want to run a sub and, you know, actually control it, then the factory head unit is no bueno. And once you get into changing the head unit, you’re down to factory look alike or no. If no, then Christian’s Enfig units are perfect. Otherwise, you’re down to Dynavin or Other Chinesium, where I chose Dynavin.

But that’s your decision tree, and it starts with sub / amps or no. If sub / amps, then the factory head unit is incompatible, in my view and experience.

I’m happy to know what others think.

maw

You can just steal the audio signal from rears no? Line out or hi level and run a small class d to power the 6x9 "subs" or better, a 10/12. Then run a knob up front for gain. I always have used an after market amp anyway so I don't know for sure, but other cars can.

[Pklauser]

I found this interesting from Baris @ Carphonics, especially since I'm trying to retain the OEM Navigation unit. I'll probably end up going this route since the OEM unit can now support Android, touch screen, etc.

https://www.carphonics.co.uk/ibusappleplay.htm

Whoa, that carphonics carplay stuff looks pretty neat. Curious to hear how it is to actually use compared to something like a dynavin, especially the touch retrofit. There's a lot of "hacking" going on to make all that work I'm sure.

[maw1124]

That was the point I was going to make earlier… which is, the factory head unit doesn’t have a separate subwoofer channel. That’s the buzzsaw that I ran into. So if you ever want to run a sub and, you know, actually control it, then the factory head unit is no bueno. And once you get into changing the head unit, you’re down to factory look alike or no. If no, then Christian’s Enfig units are perfect. Otherwise, you’re down to Dynavin or Other Chinesium, where I chose Dynavin.

But that’s your decision tree, and it starts with sub / amps or no. If sub / amps, then the factory head unit is incompatible, in my view and experience.

I’m happy to know what others think.

maw

[WestBankM4]

I can try to confirm this (maybe help me remember). I have the Technic harness (actually, an ebay copycat, but same thing really) in my E90, and I have a spare E46 harness. That would be fantastic as I don't know of any E46 harnesses anymore, certainly not with RCAs.

I bought a Technic harness back in 2020, pretty sure before they stopped making them. I plan on utilizing it, but what's the benefit if I were to switch to a different head unit, say a Dynavin? I don't mind adding a box in the trunk with an external amp and subwoofer, I just need a more modern audio/blue tooth solution especially when the BavSound speakers go in.

[maw1124]

NW, hit me up.

maw

[WestBankM4]

May ask you for tips regarding the setup before I jump into the Carphonics setup, it's pricey at ~$850, but you do retain all OEM stuff. Only problem is, the bass is weak and the lynchpin is the headunit. So I've wrestled with the idea of going with Bremmen or Dynavin, just on the fence right now. I love my Bluetooth setup, but the muffled music is pretty bad.

[maw1124]

No doubt. Seats are next up for me as some of the stitching is starting to pull apart. If my upholstery guy can't restitch it I may just go with a factory leather re-do. As for sound deadening, the thing I like about Dynamat is almost everyone has used it, are familiar with it and can get it. Takes some of the guess work out -- there's plenty of other things that need it on these cars -- like speakers and head units, amps and such.



maw

[WestBankM4]

The difference is night and day, N7 Pro to D99.

WestBankM4 don’t sleep on the Dynamat doors and floors since the interior will be out anyway.

maw

What's funny is I read that thread you chimed in on and I have on order Melamine foam already, still researching on which type of mat though, there's so many. I want a "luxury" car since I'm using it as my daily right now. About to send out some parts to TexasZ3 soon for refinishing and when they return I'm doing the complete interior refresh to complete black. Recaro Sportsters vs. Nogaro's are the next up and then get the exterior parts painted and installed, install my brakes and find a nice set of BBS CH's. I'm on a tight timeline here man, summer is around the corner and I want to get this thing out in a respectable manner.

[maw1124]

Dynavin claimed the N6 through N7 Pro had Burr-Brown 24 bit DACs, for whatever that's worth.

The difference is night and day, N7 Pro to D99.

WestBankM4 don’t sleep on the Dynamat doors and floors since the interior will be out anyway.

maw

[K-Dawg]

No Burr-Brown 24-bit D/A converters in these units??

Dynavin claimed the N6 through N7 Pro had Burr-Brown 24 bit DACs, for whatever that's worth.

[WestBankM4]

I found this interesting from Baris @ Carphonics, especially since I'm trying to retain the OEM Navigation unit. I'll probably end up going this route since the OEM unit can now support Android, touch screen, etc.

https://www.carphonics.co.uk/ibusappleplay.htm

I have a full black interior swap waiting to happen with BavSound speakers waiting in the wings. I too went with the RK 6x9's in the rear so lets see how that turns out. I've done the Carphonics BM54 upgrade already too so I'm hoping the BavSound speakers will sound better than an aging factory system.

[maw1124]

LOL re Burr Brown... Agreed. I first used them in a HK system, which convinced me to get a head unit (Dynavin D99) and an amp (Hertz 4way) which convinced me I needed better source sound (D99 was the weak link).

As a package, the BavSound work, especially if you can get a deal on them, which I have both times (I bought a spare set, for just in case). You can probably piece together something better but your time will eat through that benefit. Although now with DSP amps you can cut out some of that time by spending a lot more money. TBH, the handle tweeter is the best part IMO, that and the old vert sub convinced me.



maw

[Tbonem3]

No Burr-Brown 24-bit D/A converters in these units??

I doubt these bavsound speakers have much of that material improvement in them that you speak of. My point was to not expect bavsound to be something special or have revolutionary tech. They're middle of the road drivers, but that even middle of the road drivers can sound good with a musical aftermarket amp.

To be fair though, my experience with factory amp in E46 is non HK; perhaps HK is decent. I don't know the output voltage, only my E90's.

[maw1124]

The factory amp can power the BavSound speakers but you need to turn it up a bit, which starts to "color" the source sound. +1 that amps are better if not necessary.

The downside of amps is what your owner may run into, which is they unmask any deficiencies in the source sound quality (which is where the cheap "Chinesium" starts to sound like cheap Chinesium). This was the problem with my first Dynavin (D99). The amplified noise was intolerable and inexcusable. Installers just threw up their hands and said "you need better source sound." That hasn't been a problem with the N7 Pro, and Jeff Bechtel explained to me why.

TLDR version is he took a heavier role in the company on the design side and moved it away from a phone compatible device that plays music toward a car stereo (his background) that's compatible with phones. Think of it as horse v cart. Now the horse (stereo) is first, instead of the cart (phone). The result is better source quality sound, which when amplified doesn't sound like trash.

maw

EDIT... also, most of the improvement in car speakers these days is in materials sciences... not the design, but the materials. And that has evolved A TON, much like tire rubber and car waxes.

[Tbonem3]

technicpnp.com said they no longer support the E46. Someone messaged me and said the E90/92 Hi-Fi 676 harness should work. I cant find the PM so not sure.

I can try to confirm this (maybe help me remember). I have the Technic harness (actually, an ebay copycat, but same thing really) in my E90, and I have a spare E46 harness. That would be fantastic as I don't know of any E46 harnesses anymore, certainly not with RCAs.