BAVSOUND Complete Upgrade Review and Pics >>>

[nuru]

Thanks for this post. I did the Ghost subwoofer and the front speakers of the Stage 1 this weekend. I assumed, because I didn't open the box, that they had screwed up and not sent me both flanges and the crossovers for the rear tweeters. As a result of your post, I verified that they had indeed sent me the right thing. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

To anyone else considering this upgrade: I'm very pleased myself. The sound is crisper to me (better separation of sounds) even with the standard amp and with only the front speakers done. If you do do this, I found the subs to actually be the most pain in the ass and tedious part of the install - especially the passenger side. Second biggest pain in the ass was reinstalling the window trim that holds the tweeter and getting everything to line up just right.

In the end, as I said, I'm really happy with it. All told, it took me about three or four hours. I'm sure others can do it faster, but there are some points that you just don't want to rush, or you'll break plastic or have bad alignment.

[SteveEvans]

I've just installed the Match PP 82DSP (basically the same amp less a bracket and preloaded config) driving the standard base speakers.

As standard BMW drive the underseat woofers using two channels (FL/FR) and then feed, from there to the front doors where the mids have a capacitor in series to knock out the base. RL/RR have a channel each.

The standard plug-n-play configuration for this amp is to still use four channels as above, and to reserve the other four for a plug-n-play sub in the boot.

Does the bavsound kit do the same or does it use all eight channels for the speakers provided?

I've created a custom wiring harness that drives each speaker (rear/underseat (sub)woofer/front mid/front tweeter) directly with no crossovers. I have no rear tweeters so only need eight, rather than ten channels. Wiring currently reaches the doors, but I've yet to install the tweeters.

I have to say I'm hugely impressed with this amp. It takes a few hours to tune, but the results, even with base speakers, are amazing.

Can't wait to install Focal ES100Ks in the front doors, and Focal IFBMW-SUBs under the seats.

What's the general view on this amp? Is is marketed as a plug-n-play components with wiring harnesses/adaptors for ease of install, whereas the Helix product line is targeted at more custom installs. As I was able to get the amp, new and unused, for only £230 it seemed to good to miss, but have I got a top flight amp here or an entry level model aimed at simple installations?

Steve

[becausephilchow]

Still waiting on my order from BavSound.

DHL Global Mail...not happy with it.

[E90M3velocity]

Pare have you tuned the amp yet? Just wondering because I got it from Bavsound and out of the box tune the high's and mid's sound too separated (if that is an audio saying) and the bass from the mids sound too much and barely supported by the subs. Looking at the software instructions and looking a little over the top of my head to mess with it haha

[BombaE90]

Great write up!

Quick question, was the amp truly plug & play or did you need to run power and a ground for it?

[E90M3velocity]

Originally Posted by BombaE90

Great write up!

Quick question, was the amp truly plug & play or did you need to run power and a ground for it?

It was plug and play. I would hit Bavsound up for an e90 tune. Mine sounded better when I installed theirs into the amp.

[Merlin_83]

Greetings,

Great write up for sure - I wish I was this brave, I'm very mechanically and electronically experienced (I can solder fine pitch SMT 805 parts, and write software) - buuuut...when it comes to my M3...I get scared I'll screw something up...derp-de-der....

Anyway, OP did an astounding job and kudos...


Cheers,
Merlin

[BMW3DK]

Hi,
Did I miss something about the x-overs for the midrange and tweeter, what was included in the kit?

thx

[BRNDNSLVRA]

Thank God I found this thread. My car has the HiFi system and it doesnt impress me. My 04 Camry sounded better with just a Pioneer radio upgrade. Now I know what I should buy. Only other thing I'd really love to do is get the combox that'll allow OEM Bluetooth Audio. Wanted the L7 as well for full customization of the sound, but I probably wont need it once I get this system.

[dj_dub]

Originally Posted by BMW3DK

Hi,
Did I miss something about the x-overs for the midrange and tweeter, what was included in the kit?

thx

This is a plug and play setup, no need or requirement for the addition of crossovers for the midrange and highs.

[D1ESEL]

Thank you for the write-up!

I will be ordering this soon for my car now!

[ijnoj09]

Tax return money coming.. still debating if I I should get the stage 1 to upgrade my enhanced premium sound system. I haven't done crap to my car in a while lol

[qbnlykwhoa]

I was looking at going this route but ended up with the Focal es100k comps and focal underseats powered by a JL 600/6 and skipass sub powered by a JL 600/1 using technics harness. DSP will probably be the next step as tuning is pretty limited atm.

[_Mozes_e93m3]

im sorry but bad sound amp is the worst. my subs keep cutting off. no wonder why they stop selling it. I need an alternate amp. I'm leaning towards bimmer tech alpha one.

[dj_dub]

Originally Posted by _Mozes_e93m3

im sorry but bad sound amp is the worst. my subs keep cutting off. no wonder why they stop selling it. I need an alternate amp. I'm leaning towards bimmer tech alpha one.

I'm not sure if you noticed in these pics and read the post...but the amp I'm using is a BimmerTech amp that was sold by Bavsound available at that time years ago. It's not a Bavsound branded amp. Literally have had zero issues with my BimmerTech amp over the years.