3er's BAVSOUND Stage 1 Review

[3er]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Congrats 3er. You made front page news

[Falafel Combo]

The attention to details, the write up, the photography, editing, the AWESOMENESS! It's all very over whelming. Hats off to you sir.

Just ... Perfection.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by 3er

#honored

BAVSOUND was kind enough to mention my review in their blog. It's great enough to hear appreciation for the review (especially from the co-founders), but another to have them go out of their way, as they have. I think they'll use a few of my photos as well, but am not sure to what capacity. In any case, what a great and humble company!

Well deserved. You should be an editor somewhere (that's if you do not already do this for a living)!

[BIGW0RM]

I did there f10 m5 package. It sounds good, but it's been years of waiting for the floor subs they keep making excuses about not releasing yet.

[whatheheck]

Excellent write up indeed. Thanks for sharing!

Dan

[3er]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

The attention to details, the write up, the photography, editing, the AWESOMENESS! It's all very over whelming. Hats off to you sir.

Just ... Perfection.

Wow, thank you!

[3er]

Originally Posted by Falafel Combo

Well deserved. You should be an editor somewhere (that's if you do not already do this for a living)!

Thanks, again! For better or worse, I am no photographer or editor (in IT).

[3er]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

I did there f10 m5 package. It sounds good, but it's been years of waiting for the floor subs they keep making excuses about not releasing yet.

Fortunately, our day will soon come:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...5&postcount=59

[3er]

Originally Posted by whatheheck

Excellent write up indeed. Thanks for sharing!

Dan

Thanks, happy to help!

[DriveHard]

Great write up. Happy for you it made it to the front page.

But I have to mention the "elephant" in the room.

The pic of your work bench. 5 screwdrivers an adjustable wrench and a bottle opener. Really. The bottle opener I get. But come on, an adjustable wrench! you can do better than that. 😄

[Jedi_M]

Hi 3er,

I noticed on your car description a Dinan S1 mod.

Is that the DINANTRONICS™ Performance Tuner Stage 1:
http://www.dinancars.com/product/d44...ries&mid=1178/

If so, how do you like the increase in HP and torque?

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Nice review.

As an accomplished professional installer; and trained Audio Engineer, I can add a few tips.

Always work on the passenger door first. If you break something, this door is used less than the driver's door. Waiting for a replacement part will have less impact; plus even cosmetic damage is further away from the owner!

Work on the door with the window up. I've seen plenty of scratched tint film and shattered glass to learn that lesson!

After installing or overseeing well over a square mile (literally) of Dynamat damping and sound control materials; I personally prefer to cut out the circle of damping sheet from the speaker cutout (rather than fold it in). Besides lowering the chance of reducing the opening size too much; I like to stick this circle (and any sizable scraps) on the outer door skin (on the inside of the door of course). We want to minimize resonances on the outer skin too!

Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly before applying adhesive damping materials; and always use a roller (I prefer wood) to maximize effectiveness.


On frequency response...

Musicians and their balance in the mix is the macro perspective. How their instruments actually sound is a micro perspective. Respect the art/science balance when evaluating.

It is better to cut an EQ/tone adjustment rather than boost. Consider what (frequencies/instruments) you have too much of rather than getting too fixated on what you don't have enough of.

Enjoy the ride.

[3er]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Great write up. Happy for you it made it to the front page.

But I have to mention the "elephant" in the room.

The pic of your work bench. 5 screwdrivers an adjustable wrench and a bottle opener. Really. The bottle opener I get. But come on, an adjustable wrench! you can do better than that. 😄

Ha, touche. I have "real" wrenches in my tool chest. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever used the adjustable wrench, lol.

[3er]

Originally Posted by OnYourLeft

Hi 3er,

I noticed on your car description a Dinan S1 mod.

Is that the DINANTRONICS™ Performance Tuner Stage 1:
http://www.dinancars.com/product/d44...ries&mid=1178/

If so, how do you like the increase in HP and torque?

Great question. I purchased it when I purchased the car, but it hasn't been installed yet. I'm having it installed on May 22 so that I can establish a baseline to write an informed review. I'm also getting a baseline dyno run this Saturday, so I'm pretty pumped! I'll post a review in late May or early June to give myself some time to familiarize myself with the tune and get a second dyno run.

[3er]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Nice review.

As an accomplished professional installer; and trained Audio Engineer, I can add a few tips.

Always work on the passenger door first. If you break something, this door is used less than the driver's door. Waiting for a replacement part will have less impact; plus even cosmetic damage is further away from the owner!

Work on the door with the window up. I've seen plenty of scratched tint film and shattered glass to learn that lesson!

After installing or overseeing well over a square mile (literally) of Dynamat damping and sound control materials; I personally prefer to cut out the circle of damping sheet from the speaker cutout (rather than fold it in). Besides lowering the chance of reducing the opening size too much; I like to stick this circle (and any sizable scraps) on the outer door skin (on the inside of the door of course). We want to minimize resonances on the outer skin too!

Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly before applying adhesive damping materials; and always use a roller (I prefer wood) to maximize effectiveness.


On frequency response...

Musicians and their balance in the mix is the macro perspective. How their instruments actually sound is a micro perspective. Respect the art/science balance when evaluating.

It is better to cut an EQ/tone adjustment rather than boost. Consider what (frequencies/instruments) you have too much of rather than getting too fixated on what you don't have enough of.

Enjoy the ride.

Great tips! As an music snob myself, I definitely agree with your recommendation that it's better to cut signals rather than boost. However, without a spectrum analyzer, I attempted to find a "good enough" scenario until I can formally measure it and "really' adjust the EQ. Ideally, I like to leave my speakers flat (such as the case with my B&W setup in the house), but those 2kHz frequencies were killing me and there was a real lack of bass. Fortunately, BAVSOUND is soon releasing their subwoofer upgrade, so I'm quite excited about that. Thanks again!

[Ftenner]

Good review!!! 1/3 of my driving pleasure is listening to good music!!! just wondering if you guys have a list of HK settings for different genre of music, or the best setting to suit any kind of music, thanks

[3er]

Originally Posted by Ftenner

Good review!!! 1/3 of my driving pleasure is listening to good music!!! just wondering if you guys have a list of HK settings for different genre of music, or the best setting to suit any kind of music, thanks

Thanks! When I had my HK setup, I used Lincoln30's settings, but boosted the bass a bit.

Treble: 0
Bass: +2

100Hz: +2
200Hz: -4
500Hz: -1
1kHz: +2
2kHz: -2
5kHz: 0
10kHz: -1

Source: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=77

[ScoopsLR]

I am just wondering if it is really worth it. I got the upgraded sound option with my M3. Wondering does it sound better than the Harmon K"s

[3er]

Originally Posted by ScoopsLR

I am just wondering if it is really worth it. I got the upgraded sound option with my M3. Wondering does it sound better than the Harmon K"s

It certainly sounds better - mainly the system's clarity. In my review, I stated that it's a ~20% improvement. That may not sound like a lot due to diminishing returns, but that's quite significant in the audio world.

If you love music, really care about making the most of your system, and want to keep a stock look, it's a fantastic option for the money. Perhaps other owners can also chime in.

[ScoopsLR]

Originally Posted by 3er

It certainly sounds better - mainly the system's clarity. In my review, I stated that it's a ~20% improvement. That may not sound like a lot due to diminishing returns, but that's quite significant in the audio world.

If you love music, really care about making the most of your system, and want to keep a stock look, it's a fantastic option for the money. Perhaps other owners can also chime in.

Yea. I am interested in a better sound in my car. And have been hearing about this for awhile. Close to pulling the trigger. I wish someone in my city had so I can hear the difference. Anyone in NC with this setup ?

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by 3er

Not yet . BAVSOUND is allegedly releasing an upgrade sometime this year. I wouldn't hold my breath, though.

June is what Cory stated. June for the sub replacement release. It better happen.

[3er]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

June is what Cory stated. June for the sub replacement release. It better happen.

Awesome, can't wait!