Options for basic audio upgrade?

Joe-BMW33 · 10-14-2022, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

I'd love to hear your B&W audio (and your Dinan exhaust) but unfortunately I moved away from Boston many years ago.

Bummer, I would also love to hear your upgraded BavSound system so I can actually speak with conviction vs. what I have heard or read! Hell, I could be talking out of my ass, it wouldn't be the first time!

peteinpa · 10-15-2022, 07:08 AM

Bimmertech is the option I went with to upgrade the hi-Fi system. The primary reason for going the bimmertech route was that they offered an Amp where bavsound did not at the time. The amp can be tuned via a laptop or they will send you updated tunes on request.
I also replaced the subs, center and rear deck speakers with their alpha ones mid and tweeter. I went with the after market B&W speakers in the doors for the ambient lights.
Can't really say how it compares to bavsound or a factory B&W but for me it works just fine.

WretchedRefuse · 10-15-2022, 11:01 AM

I just checked BimmerTech and confirmed: Still no amp option for my car (MY2020 550). I assume it's because of the proprietary optical link between the headunit and amp. Does anybody know of an amp upgrade (other than the B&W amp, which I understand has its own challenges like needing an FSC code, etc.)

2022M550i · 10-15-2022, 01:02 PM

I reached out to BavSound regarding an amp for our cars….here's their response. I encourage everyone to go to the product request link and fill it out.

"Our New Revenant PRO amplifier is not yet compatible with the new G01, G02, G04, G05, G06, G11, G12, G20, and G30 chassis models.

We are only in the research phase of finding the adaptor piece necessary for the Revenant PRO amplifier to work in the G chassis models with Standard HiFi and Harman Kardon audio systems.

Sorry we do not have an anticipated release date. Please feel free to sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of any page of our site for new product announcements.Or use our product request app below and we'll notify you if/when that's ready. "

http://bit.ly/bavproductrequest

2022M550i · 10-15-2022, 06:50 PM

While cruising around in my Viper this weekend, I realized how lame the BMW HK system is. The Viper has a 900w 18 speaker Harman Kardon system and it shit's on the BMW system. The music is felt throughout your entire body when it's cranked up....18 speakers and it's only a 2-seater.

https://www.harmankardon.com/viper-srt.html

I would love to experience the 1200w B&W system in the 5 series. Too bad it wasn't an option in 2022.

Joe-BMW33 · 10-16-2022, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2022M550i

While cruising around in my Viper this weekend, I realized how lame the BMW HK system is. The Viper has a 900w 18 speaker Harman Kardon system and it shit's on the BMW system. The music is felt throughout your entire body when it's cranked up....18 speakers and it's only a 2-seater.

https://www.harmankardon.com/viper-srt.html

I would love to experience the 1200w B&W system in the 5 series. Too bad it wasn't an option in 2022.

HK can sound very good, especially if it's the best audio option available. I'm guessing it was tops on the Viper. It's just not engineered or implemented very well on the G30. Maybe by design to get people to move up to B&W. B&W was not cut out by design for the LCI's impacted by supply chain shortages and BMW just threw their hands up and said too bad instead of improving HK.

SonD · 10-16-2022, 12:59 PM

This is where I get somewhat miffed with the naming and design of these 'HiFi' systems.
B&W do not make amplifiers.
I understand that those are made by Harmon for the setup in BMW ( I could be wrong on that)
I do not believe there was a shortage of B&W speakers per se, but more the amplifier side of things.
Now - amps in cars..
When will they tell the truth about what they actually are producing power wise?
They will inevitably be class D switching items, simply due to size.
Claiming 400 / 600 / 900 /1200 watts.
Watts what?
It is meaningless without putting a proviso to it such as "RMS" or the dreaded "music power"
The '400' watt version within the G30 with HK surround is more likely to be circa 20w rms class D, per channel. This will easily explain why it runs out of guts on bass real quick, as class D simply does not do bass without a massive PSU (my 400W switching amp has circa 4KW of instantaneous backup for bass) - that is not going to happen in aproduction line car.

ezaircon4jc · 10-16-2022, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonD

This is where I get somewhat miffed with the naming and design of these 'HiFi' systems.
B&W do not make amplifiers...

A previous car had a THX Certified sound system. All the components were made by Pioneer.

10-15-2022, 07:08 AM	#24
peteinpa First Lieutenant 399 Rep 385 Posts Drives: 2013 535xi Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Bimmertech is the option I went with to upgrade the hi-Fi system. The primary reason for going the bimmertech route was that they offered an Amp where bavsound did not at the time. The amp can be tuned via a laptop or they will send you updated tunes on request. I also replaced the subs, center and rear deck speakers with their alpha ones mid and tweeter. I went with the after market B&W speakers in the doors for the ambient lights. Can't really say how it compares to bavsound or a factory B&W but for me it works just fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2022, 11:01 AM	#25
WretchedRefuse Lieutenant 209 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M550i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I just checked BimmerTech and confirmed: Still no amp option for my car (MY2020 550). I assume it's because of the proprietary optical link between the headunit and amp. Does anybody know of an amp upgrade (other than the B&W amp, which I understand has its own challenges like needing an FSC code, etc.)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2022, 01:02 PM	#26
2022M550i Lieutenant Colonel 3048 Rep 1,563 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i, 2015 Viper Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I reached out to BavSound regarding an amp for our cars….here's their response. I encourage everyone to go to the product request link and fill it out. "Our New Revenant PRO amplifier is not yet compatible with the new G01, G02, G04, G05, G06, G11, G12, G20, and G30 chassis models. We are only in the research phase of finding the adaptor piece necessary for the Revenant PRO amplifier to work in the G chassis models with Standard HiFi and Harman Kardon audio systems. Sorry we do not have an anticipated release date. Please feel free to sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of any page of our site for new product announcements.Or use our product request app below and we'll notify you if/when that's ready. " http://bit.ly/bavproductrequest
	Appreciate 1 Joe-BMW337444.50 Quote

10-15-2022, 06:50 PM	#27
2022M550i Lieutenant Colonel 3048 Rep 1,563 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i, 2015 Viper Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	While cruising around in my Viper this weekend, I realized how lame the BMW HK system is. The Viper has a 900w 18 speaker Harman Kardon system and it shit's on the BMW system. The music is felt throughout your entire body when it's cranked up....18 speakers and it's only a 2-seater. https://www.harmankardon.com/viper-srt.html I would love to experience the 1200w B&W system in the 5 series. Too bad it wasn't an option in 2022.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2022, 12:59 PM	#29
SonD Lieutenant 325 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 545e (Finally :-) ) Join Date: May 2021 Location: Midlands UK iTrader: (0)	This is where I get somewhat miffed with the naming and design of these 'HiFi' systems. B&W do not make amplifiers. I understand that those are made by Harmon for the setup in BMW ( I could be wrong on that) I do not believe there was a shortage of B&W speakers per se, but more the amplifier side of things. Now - amps in cars.. When will they tell the truth about what they actually are producing power wise? They will inevitably be class D switching items, simply due to size. Claiming 400 / 600 / 900 /1200 watts. Watts what? It is meaningless without putting a proviso to it such as "RMS" or the dreaded "music power" The '400' watt version within the G30 with HK surround is more likely to be circa 20w rms class D, per channel. This will easily explain why it runs out of guts on bass real quick, as class D simply does not do bass without a massive PSU (my 400W switching amp has circa 4KW of instantaneous backup for bass) - that is not going to happen in aproduction line car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote