[NYC_340i]

The stock system did seem very lacking when I tried it on a loaner but I am pretty happy with my H&K system. Took a little tweaking with the EQ but I'm liking the overall bass and clarity of the system.

Need to say that I'm not an audiophile by any means and I would always prefer to listen to a BMW straight 6 engine

[90rr]

I have hk in my '13 335i. sounds great

[Wires]

I found doing the EQ settings at the top of that thread was a 100% improvement over the default flat settings. Biggest issue is the mid drivers aren't very linear over different power outputs.

From his EQ settings, large increase @ 100Hz large decrease @ 200Hz. That sounds great at 1/4 volume and below. Hit 1/2 volume, and the 200Hz region is really lacking and needs to be bumped up a couple notches. Regardless, decreasing 200Hz really fixes that muddy mid-bass that the flat settings give.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by FastF30

Lol... yea... it gets me in the mood... One thing I must say... The system did seem lacking in full filling the cabin at moderate levels... so I looked back in the trunk and to my suspicion sure enough there were no rear-shelf speakers... but in the end I'm not anal-retentive enough about it that I'll spend money on it...

Set the fader a few clicks toward the rear. It really helps. The HK does have rear shelf speakers and I still set the fader to emphasize the rear. It gives that must-have surround sound sensation. I don't use the Logic 7.

[metallicpea]

I think the base HiFi system is flat and has a poor front soundstage. The HK system is too harsh. I think it's the metal or plastic tweeters.

I upgraded to the bimmertech amp and bavsound speakers with silk tweeters and a 2 way center dash set-up and am very happy with it. I bet just the amp and tweeters account for most of the improvement.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I think the base HiFi system is flat and has a poor front soundstage. The HK system is too harsh. I think it's the metal or plastic tweeters.

I upgraded to the bimmertech amp and bavsound speakers with silk tweeters and a 2 way center dash set-up and am very happy with it. I bet just the amp and tweeters account for most of the improvement.

You should try disconnecting the center and see how you like the soundstage.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You should try disconnecting the center and see how you like the soundstage.

It only had a 1 way driver, no tweeter before, and I certainly like it better now. As that was a tiny bit tricky working in the center dash, I am not too likely to go back in there unless I have to.

[F30GANG]

yeah its not bad, similar experience to what you described... gets the job done (for now).

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I think it's the metal or plastic tweeters.
I upgraded to the bimmertech amp and bavsound speakers with silk tweeters

The diaphragm material has little to do with the sound. It's not what you make it from that counts, it's how you make it. Some of the worst tweeters made are silk dome, some of the best made are metal. That doesn't mean that the bavsound aren't better than the stock tweeters, but if they are it's not the diaphragm material that accounts for it. I measured the response of the stock tweeters and they're not bad at all, so I'd be inclined to think the amp and how it's EQ'd is the main reason for any perceived improvement.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The diaphragm material has little to do with the sound. It's not what you make it from that counts, it's how you make it. Some of the worst tweeters made are silk dome, some of the best made are metal. That doesn't mean that the bavsound aren't better than the stock tweeters, but if they are it's not the diaphragm material that accounts for it. I measured the response of the stock tweeters and they're not bad at all, so I'd be inclined to think the amp and how it's EQ'd is the main reason for any perceived improvement.

If you were closer I'd tell you to come over to test the theory. I have an F31 that's got Bavsound and getting the amp next week, and a stock F30. Both HiFi cars. Could do some mix and match and see stock speakers w upgraded amp, upgraded speakers w stock amp, etc. granted not both sedans or both wagons but closest to apples to apples real scientific data I can get without going nuts and swapping speakers.

[Billfitz]

Testing speaker response used to be a complicated and expensive affair. It isn't any more. All you need is a PC, a USB mic like this:
https://www.parts-express.com/minids...phone--230-332

and free software like this:
https://www.roomeqwizard.com/

Or you can go all out with this, which only ten years ago you'd have paid at least ten times the price to get its capabilities:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton...ystem--390-792

When testing gear is so inexpensive one should wonder what excuse sellers of replacement speakers and amps have for not having full comparisons between what they sell and stock. I can't think of a good one.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Testing speaker response used to be a complicated and expensive affair. It isn't any more. All you need is a PC, a USB mic like this:
https://www.parts-express.com/minids...phone--230-332

and free software like this:
https://www.roomeqwizard.com/

Or you can go all out with this, which only ten years ago you'd have paid at least ten times the price to get its capabilities:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton...ystem--390-792

When testing gear is so inexpensive one should wonder what excuse sellers of replacement speakers and amps have for not having full comparisons between what they sell and stock. I can't think of a good one.

Yeah it would be super helpful if they did. We dont even need all options compared to each other just compare to stock with actual hard data and we can aggregate ourselves.

I'm sure it's like buying a mattress where they all collude to make shit as confusing and difficult to compare as possible.

[Tribalpinoy911]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

So your source material is distorted already.

Got it.

Cant we all be friends?

[DYH]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

It only had a 1 way driver, no tweeter before, and I certainly like it better now. As that was a tiny bit tricky working in the center dash, I am not too likely to go back in there unless I have to.

Log into your amp and disable the center channel that way. I initially upgraded to the bimmertech amp with stock hifi and it was ok but not great.
Then I changed only the tweeters - NOW it is great. Disabling the center speaker also helped.

[shawntech]

HK with the lows and highs hot on logic7 sounds good to me, not the best, but not bad enough to upgrade it. #21savagesoundsfine

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ls3c6

HK with the lows and highs hot on logic7 sounds good to me, not the best, but not bad enough to upgrade it. #21savagesoundsfine

Logic 7 distorts the music by phasing/distorting it by design. Phase distortion and timing is the only way to expand the soundstage which is all L7 is good for.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The diaphragm material has little to do with the sound. It's not what you make it from that counts, it's how you make it. Some of the worst tweeters made are silk dome, some of the best made are metal. That doesn't mean that the bavsound aren't better than the stock tweeters, but if they are it's not the diaphragm material that accounts for it. I measured the response of the stock tweeters and they're not bad at all, so I'd be inclined to think the amp and how it's EQ'd is the main reason for any perceived improvement.

I wasn't trying to suggest it is only the diaphragm material that makes them sound better. My comment wasn't very clear. I do understand there is a lot more to the construction of a tweeter than that, but I do find most decent silk tweeters much more pleasing to my ears than most metal ones, even some considered to be of high quality. Nothing with any data, just my personal experience over the past many years.

Did you measure the hifi or HK tweeters?

[Gen13 F36]

I don't know....what sound system. I hear only my exhaust....lol😂

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

I don't know....what sound system. I hear only my exhaust....lol😂

My F30 is a 4 cylinder that doesn't really sound so sweet.

My M3 has Dinan exhaust, so the previous owner had a radio that was partially broken from new until it was nearly 10 years old - so it clearly wasn't that important. The engine and exhaust really do sound very good. Most of my driving is with the windows down and the radio off.
At a BMW track day I got several compliments from some guys with sweet sounding cars of their own.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

My F30 is a 4 cylinder that doesn't really sound so sweet.

My M3 has Dinan exhaust, so the previous owner had a radio that was partially broken from new until it was nearly 10 years old - so it clearly wasn't that important. The engine and exhaust really do sound very good. Most of my driving is with the windows down and the radio off.
At a BMW track day I got several compliments from some guys with sweet sounding cars of their own.

I just put an MPE on our F31 328. Huge improvement car actually has some character now which is exactly what I was hoping for. Keep an eye out for a clean used one the install is 15 mins and you can snag one ~$500

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I just put an MPE on our F31 328. Huge improvement car actually has some character now which is exactly what I was hoping for. Keep an eye out for a clean used one the install is 15 mins and you can snag one ~$500

Is that just the back box? Not cat back, right?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Is that just the back box? Not cat back, right?

Yep axle back and sounds very good. Surprisingly so in fact. I mean within reason, my M235 MPE sounds better but that's not a fair comparison.

Install you cut stock maybe 8" from box, undo two bolts and unplug the valve thing. Transfer hangers over (big rubber bands) and put the new one I using a $35 clamp. Really, really easy.