Looking for AMP options to replace HK AMP in 2006 Convertible

[mstalhamer]

As the title says, and I have searched but not found a good answer solution. I am looking to replace the HK AMP in my 06 vert to something better. I may improve on the speakers later but I want to keep it is as stock as possible. I have the SAT NAV from BMW. I have heard of some say that dropping in one of those android head units improves the sound over stock setup, but I find that a bit difficult to swallow.

And no I do not want to go the route of a full custom install, its not a daily driver but I want something a bit better as I feel the stock HK system is lacking and I did replace the front door speakers with new BMW ones so I know that the front speakers are decent for what they are.

Thanks for any help.

[maw1124]

My $.02... save your money until you're ready to do more. That factory system is hopeless, and the reason is (1) the head unit; and (2) the subwoofer, not the amplifier. Amplifying the sound from that head unit to those speakers and subwoofer is a complete waste of time and money.

To answer your question the way you've posed it, I'd suggest one of the JLAudio DSP amps, or some more exotic DSP amps (Audison, etc., something with line level inputs), but those generally cost over a thousand and after you get it installed and tuned... you'll realize you need new speakers and a subwoofer for it to sound like anything. And by the way, the DSP amp MIGHT even separate out the subwoofer channel for you, the way the factory system does not. The lack of a separate subwoofer out channel is a large part of the reason people say to get a new head unit (20year old tech being the other obvious reason).

My advice is start with BavSound Stage 1. Those do well with the factory head unit and amp (which actually has plenty of power top down up to about highway speeds). Top down at highway speeds, you need a subwoofer and better speakers to carry the punch.

But of course, at that sound level you won't hear the wonderful intake noise people are so after with these cars. For that reason, mine may be the only answer you get here, because who needs music?

maw

[mstalhamer]

Maw, thanks for the response. Pretty much spot on with my thoughts and what I expected. Considering it’s not a daily driver and I want to keep it long term as stock as possible, as the audio is really not why anyone drives these cars……..It ls like an air cooled 911, rip the radio out and listen to the glorious motor music!

Just wanted to see if it could be done. At $1000 plus for an amp, doesn’t make sense unless you go all in at that point. (As you said). I replaced the front door card speakers as they were the original HK one and figured they were shot and sounded like it. Not sure the bavsound is really worth the money and if it would make a difference as I have heard people say both ways.

Anyway, food for thought for sure.

[maw1124]

I'm also one for stock look and feel, just not stock sound. Like I said, it was "hopeless."

FWIW, "all out" was less than $2500 for me and looks as pictured, but sounds like the band is in the back seat top down at highway speeds. I've owned it for over 12 years, have no intention of selling it. We don't use it much, but when we're in it (me and/or the kids), we're typically on vacation and need to enjoy it. I own a few of these older German "classics", so I always end up thinking too hard about bringing the sound system modern without it looking kraykray.

The BavSound speakers are invisible, the BSW Sub is invisible (but NLA) and the head unit looks "stock enough" that people don't know the difference. "Stock sound system?" is a question I often get from passengers.

For your case, just do the speakers and judge from there how far you go. I did the speakers first which was 75% of the benefit, but that included the Bavarian Sound Works (BSW, BavSound predecessor) subwoofer, which they stopped making. Everything else was chasing that last 25%, which required a separate subwoofer channel, etc. 12 years later, that + the sound deadener in the doors and floors is some of the best money I've spent on the car -- you hear the S54 OUTSIDE, not inside the cabin.

You might be OK with stock everything and BavSound speakers. They come up for sale here from time to time. Seems like I just bought a spare set for a few hundred. EDIT... I don't know if this guy ever sold his... https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/c...m3-convertible

maw

[mstalhamer]

I'm also one for stock look and feel, just not stock sound. Like I said, it was "hopeless."

FWIW, "all out" was less than $2500 for me and looks as pictured, but sounds like the band is in the back seat top down at highway speeds. I've owned it for over 12 years, have no intention of selling it. We don't use it much, but when we're in it (me and/or the kids), we're typically on vacation and need to enjoy it. I own a few of these older German "classics", so I always end up thinking too hard about bringing the sound system modern without it looking kraykray.

The BavSound speakers are invisible, the BSW Sub is invisible (but NLA) and the head unit looks "stock enough" that people don't know the difference. "Stock sound system?" is a question I often get from passengers.

For your case, just do the speakers and judge from there how far you go. I did the speakers first which was 75% of the benefit, but that included the Bavarian Sound Works (BSW, BavSound predecessor) subwoofer, which they stopped making. Everything else was chasing that last 25%, which required a separate subwoofer channel, etc. 12 years later, that + the sound deadener in the doors and floors is some of the best money I've spent on the car -- you hear the S54 OUTSIDE, not inside the cabin.

You might be OK with stock everything and BavSound speakers. They come up for sale here from time to time. Seems like I just bought a spare set for a few hundred. EDIT... I don't know if this guy ever sold his... https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/c...m3-convertible

maw

Thanks for the detailed response. I may go that route, not certain yet. I just don't think the Bavsound speakers alone will cut it to be honest. But we'll see. Keep putting them in my cart when they have a sale, but never just finish and buy them .

[maw1124]

I understand. But they’ll certainly do better than a head unit and the factory speakers. It’s an easy first step but never the last, as there really is no one step solution in my view.

maw

[maw1124]

Here’s a good overview … https://youtu.be/Eh-PR9M4gxk?si=UeGpzDpbLuZBN4is

You can do a Dynavin head unit and a smaller sub box that fires into the cabin like the old BSW units, but I think the Focal speakers *might* beat the BSW units, although the BSW are plug and play, come with the handle mids and work well for me. I have a separate mono amp running the sub and a more powerful amp running the cabin.

Funny thing about this is where he put the subwoofer bass knob, because I’m not sure that’s on my car. If it is I’ll feel foolish because I’ve been looking for where I could mount a bass knob and not have it look, well, foolish.

maw