Base Hi-Fi kind of disappointing, options?

m_michael · 08-27-2018, 06:02 PM

Seems Bavsound is very highly regarded as an upgrade for our M cars. I recently picked up a used 2015 F80 M3. Most of the used M3s I test drove had the HK system, which sounded pretty good, but ended up in a car with the base system (for various reasons, low miles, etc), thought I could live with the base system. Turns out, REALLY lacking. My 16 years old A4 had a better sounding system.

I did some searching and seems there are lots of positive reviews of the bavsound upgrades. Seems most people are upgrading from HK, not many from base. Has anyone updated from base to bav? Is the base amp adequate? it it worth the money to go all in with the bav updates (speakers, sub, amp)? did you do your own install? anyone know of a good SF Bay Area shop that could do the install for me? other options to consider?

Thanks!

Junkball · 08-27-2018, 06:15 PM

I have the Hi-Fi '15 and the stock amp is really the problem. The speakers aren't great but they're not absolute garbage either. I'm pretty sure, if you have a US model, that you actually have the Hi-Fi system, as the base stereo wasn't sold in US cars. I installed the bimmertech amp a few weeks ago and it was a worthwhile and easy upgrade, albeit somewhat pricey for what it is.

From the research I did, the Bavsound speakers are a pretty marginal improvement if you don't upgrade the amp, and most recommended upgrading the amp as a first step.

Hope that helps.

m_michael · 08-27-2018, 06:55 PM

Yes, you're right it is the HiFi. Great info on the amp. Thanks!

m_michael · 08-27-2018, 09:28 PM

Ordered it

Junkball · 08-28-2018, 06:11 PM

Cool, enjoy, hopefully you're not disappointed!

sandwi54 · 08-29-2018, 02:43 AM

Stock hi-fi is really horrible. I wonder how I lived with it for three years in my 2012 328i. I'd upgrade the amp to bimmertech amp before doing anything else. The hi-fi speakers are not great but are powerful enough. The weakest link is the amp.

m_michael · 08-29-2018, 10:42 AM

It was pretty noticable after testing driving 4 M3s with the HK system, then driving one without. I thought something was broken with the system. Should have the bimmertech amp in a couple days. Will attempt the install myself. Hopefully it’s not too complicated.

goneloco · 08-29-2018, 01:01 PM

If you have a non HK equipped car and are considering the Bavsound upgrade, hit me up. I have the upgrade (no subwoofer) with the sound deadening and tool kit never installed.

m_michael · 09-04-2018, 01:09 AM

Installed the Bimmertech amp. It made a very noticeable difference, pretty happy with the results. OEM speakers seem to be decent enough. The ASD bypass is great too, exhaust sound coming from behind the car like a proper car is a good thing, such a nonsense gimmick.

Any amp tuning tips?

m_michael · 09-04-2018, 01:46 AM

Then I found this: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1182351

cryptz · 09-04-2018, 08:26 PM

did bimmertech have the kit for the m4 and is it just a swap in the trunk or do you need to route some wires from the headunit back? I checked bavsound's site and they actually advertise the bimmertech amp but when i put 2015 m4 in the selector it said the amp wasnt available for the car..

Encanto · 09-04-2018, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cryptz

did bimmertech have the kit for the m4 and is it just a swap in the trunk or do you need to route some wires from the headunit back? I checked bavsound's site and they actually advertise the bimmertech amp but when i put 2015 m4 in the selector it said the amp wasnt available for the car..

Most probably your system is HK (Top HiFi). This is a HiFi thread, completely different systems and connectors.

Junkball · 09-18-2018, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cryptz

did bimmertech have the kit for the m4 and is it just a swap in the trunk or do you need to route some wires from the headunit back? I checked bavsound's site and they actually advertise the bimmertech amp but when i put 2015 m4 in the selector it said the amp wasnt available for the car..

It should be available, just ensure you have the proper option of HiFi checked on their site. There's no wiring to be done. The amp is plug & play as advertised.

08-27-2018, 06:02 PM	#1
m_michael Private 20 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Base Hi-Fi kind of disappointing, options? Seems Bavsound is very highly regarded as an upgrade for our M cars. I recently picked up a used 2015 F80 M3. Most of the used M3s I test drove had the HK system, which sounded pretty good, but ended up in a car with the base system (for various reasons, low miles, etc), thought I could live with the base system. Turns out, REALLY lacking. My 16 years old A4 had a better sounding system. I did some searching and seems there are lots of positive reviews of the bavsound upgrades. Seems most people are upgrading from HK, not many from base. Has anyone updated from base to bav? Is the base amp adequate? it it worth the money to go all in with the bav updates (speakers, sub, amp)? did you do your own install? anyone know of a good SF Bay Area shop that could do the install for me? other options to consider? Thanks!
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08-27-2018, 06:15 PM	#2
Junkball FLY NAVY 26 Rep 61 Posts Drives: YMB F80 6MT & 330i ZSP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I have the Hi-Fi '15 and the stock amp is really the problem. The speakers aren't great but they're not absolute garbage either. I'm pretty sure, if you have a US model, that you actually have the Hi-Fi system, as the base stereo wasn't sold in US cars. I installed the bimmertech amp a few weeks ago and it was a worthwhile and easy upgrade, albeit somewhat pricey for what it is. From the research I did, the Bavsound speakers are a pretty marginal improvement if you don't upgrade the amp, and most recommended upgrading the amp as a first step. Hope that helps. __________________ ED April 2015 - F80 M3 YMB Executive & Lighting Package, 19's, 6MT M Performance Exhaust, 275/35&295/35 PSS FLY NAVY
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08-27-2018, 06:55 PM	#3
m_michael Private 20 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Yes, you're right it is the HiFi. Great info on the amp. Thanks!
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08-27-2018, 09:28 PM	#4
m_michael Private 20 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Ordered it
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08-28-2018, 06:11 PM	#5
Junkball FLY NAVY 26 Rep 61 Posts Drives: YMB F80 6MT & 330i ZSP Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Cool, enjoy, hopefully you're not disappointed! __________________ ED April 2015 - F80 M3 YMB Executive & Lighting Package, 19's, 6MT M Performance Exhaust, 275/35&295/35 PSS FLY NAVY
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08-29-2018, 02:43 AM	#6
sandwi54 Major 538 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: G07, F90 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Stock hi-fi is really horrible. I wonder how I lived with it for three years in my 2012 328i. I'd upgrade the amp to bimmertech amp before doing anything else. The hi-fi speakers are not great but are powerful enough. The weakest link is the amp. __________________ 2022 X7 M50i Phytonic Blue 2019 M5 MBB (wife's DD)
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08-29-2018, 10:42 AM	#7
m_michael Private 20 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	It was pretty noticable after testing driving 4 M3s with the HK system, then driving one without. I thought something was broken with the system. Should have the bimmertech amp in a couple days. Will attempt the install myself. Hopefully it’s not too complicated.
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08-29-2018, 01:01 PM	#8
goneloco First Lieutenant 129 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2019 M4 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	If you have a non HK equipped car and are considering the Bavsound upgrade, hit me up. I have the upgrade (no subwoofer) with the sound deadening and tool kit never installed. __________________ 2019 M4 Coupe MG SS DCT ZCP 2015 M4 Coupe MG SS DCT (Trade) 2009 335xi Coupe Dinan Stage 2 (Sold) 2003 M3 Coupe (Sold) 1998 M3 Sedan (RIP)
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09-04-2018, 01:09 AM	#9
m_michael Private 20 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Installed the Bimmertech amp. It made a very noticeable difference, pretty happy with the results. OEM speakers seem to be decent enough. The ASD bypass is great too, exhaust sound coming from behind the car like a proper car is a good thing, such a nonsense gimmick. Any amp tuning tips?
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09-04-2018, 01:46 AM	#10
m_michael Private 20 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Then I found this: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1182351
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09-04-2018, 08:26 PM	#11
cryptz Lieutenant 172 Rep 435 Posts Drives: 2015 m4 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: pottstown pa iTrader: (1)	did bimmertech have the kit for the m4 and is it just a swap in the trunk or do you need to route some wires from the headunit back? I checked bavsound's site and they actually advertise the bimmertech amp but when i put 2015 m4 in the selector it said the amp wasnt available for the car..
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