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      06-12-2023, 06:00 PM   #1
Tuxon_Speed
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G87 Speaker upgrade

I know bav sound is pretty popular in general when it comes to BMWs.

These new woofers completely exceeded my expectations and when coupled with the Bowers and Wilkins sound profile from bimmercode, it’s a night a day difference.

Thank for watching! And as always happy to answer questions.

The G87 M2 Sound System Is HORRIBLE, Let's Fix It.
https://youtu.be/4IEnnL8rUa8
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      06-13-2023, 12:16 PM   #2
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Any review with "HORRIBLE" in all caps screams clickbait.

The HK system is decent (but lacks bass like many higher end systems). It got an A on the M240i version and a B on the M2 from Daily Motor (M2 a bit less because it's in a more expensive car).

I would be interested in the subwoofer upgrade though tbh. Adding a dedicated rear sub would be tricky but much more powerful than playing around with the shallow 8" seat subs.
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      06-13-2023, 12:40 PM   #3
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Like I said before, “baller”! Lol
Cool video man.

And yours is an interesting perspective. Because the HK in my car (especially now with the B&W sound profile, thanks to your suggestion) is the best sounding stereo I’ve ever had. I’m always pleased with it so I could never say it’s horrible. I’d be curious to hear what improved speakers could do.
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      06-13-2023, 12:45 PM   #4
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I'd deactivate the ASD before actually judging the HK system as horrible. In my x3 with the HK sound system I was extremely underwhelmed by the sound. Once I realized the ASD was using the sound system while I was trying to listen to music I unplugged the module (later used bummer code) and the sound system was 300% better. Once the speakers only have to produce the sound of music they sound way better.

It would be like asking a pitcher to also be an outfielder and then getting upset because his pitching is lacking.... Maybe let him focus on pitching only and then judge his pitching.
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      06-13-2023, 12:56 PM   #5
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But I thought you said in previous posts that the stereo already sounded good especially after being able to add the concert profile.
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      06-13-2023, 01:11 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c1pher View Post
But I thought you said in previous posts that the stereo already sounded good especially after being able to add the concert profile.
It definitely did help.

This just takes it to a completely different level.
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      06-13-2023, 04:23 PM   #7
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There is only one stereo option, correct? I was looking at bavsound and it mentions a base stereo and HK option for the M2. Also, is the stereo a bit bright or is the bass muddy? Wouldn’t new subs shift the balance away from the higher frequencies?
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      06-13-2023, 04:55 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c1pher View Post
There is only one stereo option, correct? I was looking at bavsound and it mentions a base stereo and HK option for the M2. Also, is the stereo a bit bright or is the bass muddy? Wouldn’t new subs shift the balance away from the higher frequencies?
There are two options:

- Base
- Harman/Kardon

HK is an option you have to pay to get.

I think the BavSound upgrade yields even better results with the base system.
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      06-13-2023, 05:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2siast View Post
There are two options:

- Base
- Harman/Kardon

HK is an option you have to pay to get.

I think the BavSound upgrade yields even better results with the base system.
HK doesn’t come standard in Canada? He don’t have the option here, only HK.
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      06-13-2023, 05:45 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmgbk75 View Post
HK doesn’t come standard in Canada? He don’t have the option here, only HK.
Interesting. It seems american cars come standard with what’s called Premium Package here, which include HK and Comfort Access.
You also get the moonroof for free.
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      06-13-2023, 05:49 PM   #11
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I’m in the US. I ask because I didn’t see a stereo option when I configured the car. I’m still at 112 status so can fix it and get the HK stereo if it isn’t included already.
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      06-13-2023, 05:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c1pher View Post
I’m in the US. I ask because I didn’t see a stereo option when I configured the car. I’m still at 112 status so can fix it and get the HK stereo if it isn’t included already.
It’s included, step away from the configurator.
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      06-13-2023, 05:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2siast View Post
Interesting. It seems american cars come standard with what’s called Premium Package here, which include HK and Comfort Access.
You also get the moonroof for free.
You mean some poor fool has to unlock their own doors?
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      06-13-2023, 07:58 PM   #14
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I have zero issues with the HK sound system and I listen to extremely demanding music. Lol.
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      01-07-2024, 09:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuxon_Speed View Post
I know bav sound is pretty popular in general when it comes to BMWs.

These new woofers completely exceeded my expectations and when coupled with the Bowers and Wilkins sound profile from bimmercode, it’s a night a day difference.

Thank for watching! And as always happy to answer questions.

The G87 M2 Sound System Is HORRIBLE, Let's Fix It.
https://youtu.be/4IEnnL8rUa8
Hey Tuxon,
I thought I saw you switched from the Bavsound subs to something different recently. Curious why?

I’ve noticed an annoying distortion with my bavsound subs when volume is turned up above ~50%. Almost like the speakers are blown. Just wondering if that was a reason for you change(if I’m remembering right). Thanks though!
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      01-08-2024, 11:07 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T4dey View Post
Hey Tuxon,
I thought I saw you switched from the Bavsound subs to something different recently. Curious why?

I’ve noticed an annoying distortion with my bavsound subs when volume is turned up above ~50%. Almost like the speakers are blown. Just wondering if that was a reason for you change(if I’m remembering right). Thanks though!
I did just change over to the Orella acustics because they offer an amplifier that is specifically tuned to the g87. Zero distortion and it sounds incredible! It literally sounds like a hifi home theatre now
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      01-08-2024, 11:09 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuxon_Speed View Post
I did just change over to the Orella acustics because they offer an amplifier that is specifically tuned to the g87. Zero distortion and it sounds incredible! It literally sounds like a hifi home theatre now
That’s great to hear!
No noted issues with the bavsound?
Is the Orella amp plug and play with OEM connectors?
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      01-08-2024, 11:13 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T4dey View Post
That’s great to hear!
No noted issues with the bavsound?
Is the Orella amp plug and play with OEM connectors?
Yep Orella has plug and play solutions. Idk much about the install because they installed the system in my car. If you’re interested I could probably get you a discount.

BAVSOUND was alright. This is just night and day difference
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      01-08-2024, 11:34 AM   #19
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I can help as well, and have installed the Bimmertech Alpha One speakers into my G87 (amp coming soon) along with all of my previous cars and a dozen others.

Massive upgrade over the HKs and absolutely worth it. I can also source the A1s at a discount if folks reach out.
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      02-27-2024, 07:18 PM   #20
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I may try the Alpha1 speaker package and the Orella amplifier. And the Bowers & Wilkins programming.
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      02-27-2024, 07:21 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MG20i View Post
I may try the Alpha1 speaker package and the Orella amplifier. And the Bowers & Wilkins programming.
I can help source the Bimmertech gear if you need it, shoot me a message.
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      02-27-2024, 10:40 PM   #22
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Bavsound and Bimmertech are kind of meh. The Bavsound subs etc. are rebadged Chinese drivers and it is not even clear that they are better than the OEM units in all ways based on measurements I have seen and made from the F8x platforms. The Bimmertech amp used to just be a rebadged Audiotec Fischer DSP/amp, which is very good, but you can just go to the source and get one you can actually fully tune.

It is a lot of work do it correctly and may not be for everyone, so perhaps they are worth buying if you don't want to go down the rabbit hole, but without proper frequency response measurements you are shooting in the dark and may improve one area at the cost of others.

People using the B&W coding without measurements are also most likely doing more harm than good. If you like it, great, but the filters are tailored for the response of the driver and if you don't update to the B&W drivers, you are getting some unknown result.

I do not know anything about Orella but I can tell from pictures their amp+DSP is also a rebadged Audiotec Fischer. Their sub looks like it is from the same OEM that makes Eton and Rockford Fosgate BMW subs and probably one of those rebadged. Not sure about their other drivers. Those are reasonable choices to start from so I am not surprised the end product sounds good.
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