My new amplifier upgrade

[oceansize]

I have the XAV-AV5000 and it has been very good. It has been more reliable, with respect to Apple CarPlay, than any OEM unit I've ever had. My wife has had three new cars over the last 5 years. 2018 VW Tiguan, 2020 Honda CRV, and her current 2022 Subaru Outback. They all had problems with CarPlay at one time or another so I'm not sure that any head unit is perfect. My brother's wife has a 2022 X7 M50i and it locked up on me in CarPlay when I was driving it the other week at the beach. My Mach 1 will lock up from time to time on CarPlay, so does any unit not?

The shortest high quality USB cord you can connect to the unit from your phone the better your experience will be. I tested an Android phone against this unit and I will say it was far more sensitive to cord length than my Apple. I've only used a wired connection.

[GreyM340i]

White button illumination doesn't bother you too much against the OE amber?

Not really, I did change the screen color to a red/orange and it looks good to me.

[genesis]

85W RMS is a lot for the cabin. Did you upgrade your handle speakers in the front doors? I'm running 65W and it feels like a lot. I've said before I'm surprised I haven't blown the BavSound speakers yet but they handle it just fine.

maw

My current amp is running 35W per channel, which, for the most part, is more than enough for my 51 year old ears. The problem is that the music I’m streaming from Apple Music outputs at different levels, some songs are super loud, and other songs are just a a moderate level, even though the volume is maxed out. Gets even worse with the top down, so the step up to the 85W/ch would be just to give me a little bit more headroom, I don’t ever plan to max it out at that point.

The 6.5 are rated to 150W and the tweeters 210W, so they’ll be fine even at the higher wattage.

[maw1124]

My current amp is running 35W per channel, which, for the most part, is more than enough for my 51 year old ears. The problem is that the music I’m streaming from Apple Music outputs at different levels, some songs are super loud, and other songs are just a a moderate level, even though the volume is maxed out. Gets even worse with the top down, so the step up to the 85W/ch would be just to give me a little bit more headroom, I don’t ever plan to max it out at that point.

The 6.5 are rated to 150W and the tweeters 210W, so they’ll be fine even at the higher wattage.

I have the same issue running off BT or iPod, but the Dynavin has the input level adjustment which, along with Sound Check helps a bit. GL with the install.

maw

EDIT… now I see, I misread the specs on the amp. I’m running an older Hertz non-DSP at 65x4 with what is probably the same RF sub amp.

[0-60motorsports]

That sucks. Please update once you hear back.

Sure. I sent him a reminder too. Since I am thousands of miles away with a time difference someone CONUS should pick up the phone and call them.

[jrgatfh]

My current amp is running 35W per channel, which, for the most part, is more than enough for my 51 year old ears. The problem is that the music I’m streaming from Apple Music outputs at different levels, some songs are super loud, and other songs are just a a moderate level, even though the volume is maxed out. Gets even worse with the top down, so the step up to the 85W/ch would be just to give me a little bit more headroom, I don’t ever plan to max it out at that point.

The 6.5 are rated to 150W and the tweeters 210W, so they’ll be fine even at the higher wattage.

FYI, if you go to Settings > Music > Sound Check and turn that on it should help level out the volume from song to song on your iPhone.

[0-60motorsports]

Jason said:

I’m not showing a direct plug and play application for the E46. It would be best for an authorized dealer in your country to check the car and amplifier, there may be a compatible harness that is not showing up in the upgrade finder.

So unfortunately there is no option for us HK optioned M3 guys 🤣🤣

[GreyM340i]

Jason said:

I’m not showing a direct plug and play application for the E46. It would be best for an authorized dealer in your country to check the car and amplifier, there may be a compatible harness that is not showing up in the upgrade finder.

So unfortunately there is no option for us HK optioned M3 guys 🤣🤣

Thanks for the update. So the only option for HK would be a harness and a JL or Audio Control multi channel DSP amplifier

[maw1124]

...So the only option for HK would be a harness and a JL or Audio Control multi channel DSP amplifier

I think the hard part there would be the harness, which is one of the benefits of an aftermarket head unit (good luck getting someone to build harnesses for these cars). Then the DSP amp becomes PnP. Getting a head unit with the source SQ, functionality and stability becomes the issue. So far I've been pleased with the N7Pro, not the least of which reasons is because all of that back end wiring to go to an outboard amplifier (or multiple) is already done. From there, I can upgrade head units as necessary. Also, the separate subwoofer control at the source was a real game changer for me.

maw

[GreyM340i]

I think the hard part there would be the harness, which is one of the benefits of an aftermarket head unit (good luck getting someone to build harnesses for these cars). Then the DSP amp becomes PnP. Getting one with the source SQ, functionality and stability becomes the issue. So far I've been pleased with the N7Pro, not the least of which reasons is because all of that back end wiring to go to an outboard amplifier (or multiple) is already done. From there, I can upgrade head units as necessary. Also, the separate subwoofer control at the source was a real game changer for me.

maw

Technic used to make the harness however good luck finding one now.

[0-60motorsports]

Technic used to make the harness however good luck finding one now.

I have one. I would need to find it but I know I have it lol

[Tbonem3]

Ebay has some Technic knock-offs I've seen for E9x, might be worth looking for E46.

[tcp]

This conversation sounds familiar...

GreyM340i What cable/adapter did you end up using to hook up the amp? Also, any idea how the 7 channels are wired? My Hi-Fi/676 setup has 10 channels from the stock amp...

[GreyM340i]

This conversation sounds familiar...

GreyM340i What cable/adapter did you end up using to hook up the amp? Also, any idea how the 7 channels are wired? My Hi-Fi/676 setup has 10 channels from the stock amp...

The Match UP7 BMW comes with the correct harness in the box. Not sure how it’s wired. Just know it works well and the E46 hi-fi system as far as I know is also 10 channels. Wish I knew more.

[0-60motorsports]

This conversation sounds familiar...

GreyM340i What cable/adapter did you end up using to hook up the amp? Also, any idea how the 7 channels are wired? My Hi-Fi/676 setup has 10 channels from the stock amp...

I know I know. Been really busy and no time to go to the storage to find it.