Bavsound underseat subwoofer installed!

[OneRib]

Update at the end of the post. Had a chance to compare Bavsound with subs to HK system.

Post updated to indicate gasket install. Additional notes at the end of the post.

Just wanted to give an initial review about the new Bavsound subs.

I ordered mine during the initial pre-order sale and they arrived today.
My car is an F80 with HK system. No other sound system mods except a newly installed Bavsound stage 1 speaker setup.

Packaging was top notch and installation was straight forward. They are truly drop in/plug and play ready.

I of course recommend watching the installation video.

Now I did the install slightly differently. Instead of unscrewing and pulling out the whole casing. I just unscrewed the stock subwoofer and swapped it out. The advantage was I didn't have to mess with the wire harness that was attached to the casing. Now which way you approach the install is up to you and I know why Bavsound recommends their method. When you swap the sub under the seat you must be careful when removing the old sub and inserting the new sub due to space constraints. Also when screwing in the ghost sub, it is easier to accidentally puncture the cone when screwing it down. If you patient and careful, leaving the casing in place is better because you don't mess with the harness, you leave most of the carpeting in place, and you don't have as many screws to deal with. Just note I am not responsible for any screw ups or damage if you try my method.

One possible advantage of taking out the casing is you may find some things you thought were lost. Even with the small amount of carpet I moved around, I found my wife's watch. It had somehow slipped under the carpeting and she was looking for it the past few months.

Here are some photos I took during the install.

Woofer in packaging


Stock woofer vs Bavsound woofer




Woofer grill


You can see how the Bavsound woofer has no gasket. I just wrongly assumed it was the intended design.


Woofer casing




One main point about the speaker difference is the Bavsound woofer cone appears to have less restriction. The stock woofer has a covering over the top that looks like it would inhibit movement and airflow.

Sound impressions:

Overall the system sounds much better but you notice it more with better material. This is in line with most opinions. Listening to SiriusXM is the worst way to look for improvements. It's the same as hooking up a DVD player to a 4K TV.

Listening to CD's or streaming music from my phone really presented the differences. The biggest change is when you crank up the volume, it comes through with no distortion.
The bass is tighter and does shake the seat if you play it loud enough and choose the right song and source. I do expect the low volume difference will be more apparent as the speakers break in.

Overall I am pleased with the upgrade. Better bass response and range, but don't expect deep pounding bass. You will need a trunk sub for that. Since I also installed the stage 1 speakers earlier this week, everything is new and needs to work itself into shape.

I recommend the upgrade to anyone who listens to music often, especially if its not satellite. Also you will appreciate the setup if you listen at louder volumes.

It's nice to have a complete speaker upgrade. Of course people will now scream for a direct swap amp upgrade.

I will be interested to see how those with HiFi systems feel and also those who only upgrade the subs on their HK system.


The gasket was installed today and listened for a short while. Not a huge difference but better. I wish I had installed the gasket on one side and compared, but that shipped has sailed. I still recommend the update as long as your expectations are in line with what the speakers can improve on and what it can't.

After playing around with the EQ settings, I am more pleased with the upgrade. Its a definite improvement over the stock subs. To get maximum bass you can do a few things; increase the volume, increase the bass setting, and/or increase the low end on the EQ setting. While you can also do this with the stock woofers, they will start to distort as you push them. The Bavsound woofers do not distort at all.


UPDATE SO I had a chance to compare my Bavsound Stage 1 + sub system vs a stock HK system this weekend. MRCUR and I met up so I could see his Frozen Red M3. Photos in this thread http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1231259

He has the standard system with no upgrades. Mine started as a HK but I upgraded to the stage 1 system with the underseat woofers. I did apply sound deadening to all the doors.

Source material was from the HD after I transferred some music files from a USB stick. So this is a same song same source comparison. We played mostly pop/rap and some classical. All genres sounded significantly better on the Bavsound setup. We both agreed the bass was MUCH stronger and richer. Mids and highs were clearer. After listening to both, it was clear to me the Bavsound setup is a significant improvement to the stock speakers in every way. Well worth the $1300 investment. So for anyone on the fence, just get it. My only warning is you will have to listen at higher volumes than stock to get the same volume. This is just semantics because there is still plenty of room before you reach max volume. Complaints about the subs are justified only if you want chest rattling bass. For that you will need a larger sub with a dedicated amp.

[sittingmongoose]

Omg omg omg thank you! I can't wait to get mine installed

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by sittingmongoose

Omg omg omg thank you! I can't wait to get mine installed

No problem. You'll enjoy the improvement. Just don't expect it to sound like some high powered system out of SEMA.

[Herofmine]

Just installed bavsound woofers and i am not impressed compare to stock woofers very small difference, i even felt less "punch", i have 2014 f10 with HK sound system. I don't think it worth $400 (

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by Herofmine

Just installed bavsound woofers and i am not impressed compare to stock woofers very small difference, i even felt less "punch", i have 2014 f10 with HK sound system. I don't think it worth $400 (

Sorry to hear that and I think it's good we get as many opinions as possible. Just make sure your source material is decent and the volume is fairly loud. These changes may give you the improvement you are looking to hear. I would expect as the speakers break in the differences should be more apparent.
If none of that works and playing with the eq doesn't help, you should contact Bavsound and return them.

[OneRib]

updated original post

[MSportTune2]

I am just wondering if we should use some of the Bavsound soundproofing material which is pretty thin to line the inside of the factory sub enclosure?. Will the bass be tighter? The enclosure is ported anyway so enclosure internal volume should be ok? Will we be able to reduce the resonance from the plastic enclosure? Enough clearance?

What do you guys think?

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by MSportTune2

I am just wondering if we should use some of the Bavsound soundproofing material which is pretty thin to line the inside of the factory sub enclosure?. Will the bass be tighter? The enclosure is ported anyway so enclosure internal volume should be ok? Will we be able to reduce the resonance from the plastic enclosure? Enough clearance?

What do you guys think?

Interesting thought. I don't know the answer. I would ask Bavsound to see what they say.

[MSportTune2]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Interesting thought. I don't know the answer. I would ask Bavsound to see what they say.

Thanks. Pls share once you have the answer. I am holding contacting them for now until they sort out my order which is still elusive after 2 months. Actually, I am all for sealed boxes. If we can get a sub which can operate with small cubic inches in tight volume and make a small enclosure under the seat, it would be awesome.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by MSportTune2

Thanks. Pls share once you have the answer. I am holding contacting them for now until they sort out my order which is still elusive after 2 months. Actually, I am all for sealed boxes. If we can get a sub which can operate with small cubic inches in tight volume and make a small enclosure under the seat, it would be awesome.

I think you misunderstood me. I was suggesting you contact Bavsound and ask them. I wasn't going to.

Sorry for the confusion.

[MSportTune2]

Haha! No problem. I cross the bridge when I get my subs!

[OneRib]

Updated post after listening for a few days.

[Xerxes480]

Installed my subs today. I also left the enclosures in the car and swapped out the speakers. Super simple install.

I do notice a difference in sound - I feel like I can hear a broader range in the low end, and they definitely seem "punchier" (is that a word?) to me. Not as significant a difference as when I put the Stage 1 set in, but still an improvement. As others have noted, at high volume there is zero distortion.

Are they worth the price? For me, yes.

-X-

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by Xerxes480

Installed my subs today. I also left the enclosures in the car and swapped out the speakers. Super simple install.

I do notice a difference in sound - I feel like I can hear a broader range in the low end, and they definitely seem "punchier" (is that a word?) to me. Not as significant a difference as when I put the Stage 1 set in, but still an improvement. As others have noted, at high volume there is zero distortion.

Are they worth the price? For me, yes.

-X-

Agree with everything you said. This is now a respectable sound system. It's not going to blow anyone away but at least when you're in the mood to crank up the volume, you won't be embarrassed by distorted music.

[Xtabi]

OneRib - Any chance you can post the tools needed for install?

[vonmayr]

Originally Posted by Xtabi

OneRib - Any chance you can post the tools needed for install?

It's in the bavsound video but:

Torx 50 bit for the 4 bolts holding the seat mounts (extensions for the 3/8 in socket driver were handy)

Torx20 4 screws holding the grille

Torx 16 4 screws holding the speaker to the enclosure

Metal panel removal tool to pry OEM speaker out of enclosure (carefully)

If you remove the enclosure (I did)
10mm driver for the 2 bolts holding the enclosure to the car
Metal panel removal tool 2 places for releasing the wire harness attached to the housing

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by vonmayr

It's in the bavsound video but:

Torx 50 bit for the 4 bolts holding the seat mounts (extensions for the 3/8 in socket driver were handy)

Torx20 4 screws holding the grille

Torx 16 4 screws holding the speaker to the enclosure

Metal panel removal tool to pry OEM speaker out of enclosure (carefully)

If you remove the enclosure (I did)
10mm driver for the 2 bolts holding the enclosure to the car
Metal panel removal tool 2 places for releasing the wire harness attached to the housing

Correct. The only 2 things I would add is save yourself the trouble and get the tool kit. It's well worth it and you'll use it for other projects. Second, v there is a possibility of mismatched screws keeping the speakers in. I didn't have any but it was mentioned as a possibility in the Bavsound video.

[Xtabi]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Correct. The only 2 things I would add is save yourself the trouble and get the tool kit. It's well worth it and you'll use it for other projects. Second, v there is a possibility of mismatched screws keeping the speakers in. I didn't have any but it was mentioned as a possibility in the Bavsound video.

Thanks

Heading to Harbor Freight tomorrow!

[MSportTune2]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Correct. The only 2 things I would add is save yourself the trouble and get the tool kit. It's well worth it and you'll use it for other projects. Second, v there is a possibility of mismatched screws keeping the speakers in. I didn't have any but it was mentioned as a possibility in the Bavsound video.

Hi, my Bavsound toolkit do not include the Torx50 needed to remove the bolts on the seats. I had to buy it separately from local hardware stall. Just wanted to make that clear.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by MSportTune2

Hi, my Bavsound toolkit do not include the Torx50 needed to reinvent the bolts on the seats. I had to buy it separately from local hardware stall. Just wanted to make that clear.

Yes that is correct. It is not included but it is mentioned in the video that you would have to get it yourself. I found it for under $3 at Home Depot.

[MSportTune2]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Yes that is correct. It is not included but it is mentioned in the video that you would have to get it yourself. I found it for under $3 at Home Depot.

Time for Bavsound to update the toolkit and add the Torx50 since they have introduced the underseat woofers.

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by MSportTune2

Time for Bavsound to update the toolkit and add the Torx50 since they have introduced the underseat woofers.

I guess, but it was so easy to get, I don't consider it a must.