E36 M3 Audio Upgrade: Bavsound Speakers & Porsche Classic Head Unit

So it wasn't that simple...I wanted to go ahead and pop in a fancy new head unit for the E36. The head unit itself is awesome, but something is wonky with my amp and audio wiring. I think this car may have had an aftermarket amp and sub connected, so even after swapping to a new HK amp with BAVsounds front and rear, I'm still getting weird blown-out audio coming from the speakers. So, I'm gonna do what I always do and just replace the whole system with something proper. The car is going to E3 Customs and it'll be in for both interior and a nice OEM+ audio setup. Don't worry, all you E36 purists don't need to worry, you won't be able to see any of it when it's done!
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[@napir]

I dunno man, nothing says 90s BMW quite like a super plasticky shiny $129 JVC CD player with removable face...

[@shawnoen1029]

Wouldn't the new Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB suit the dash better?

[@alanleclair1]

The fact that you're getting clipping from both amplifiers may be an indication that the line level out from the head doesn't work with the amp. But I think you have already moved on to a full system now! That's the OG Way!

[@nicholasrobertphoto]

Exactly. I’m sure the new unit is coming in too hot for the old equip. There’s usually a setting somewhere to lower the overall level.

[@andydhillon1977]

I believe he said the same thing happened when he tested it with the OEM headunit.

[@johnthomasmoulton8934]

I have morels in the doors as well. I initially went with kicker 6x9 for the bass rear deck. Then changed to 6x9 3 way on the rear deck & an infinity bass link in the trunk. I regret that, as the kicker 6x9 really delivered more bass.

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

That headunit is dope, I've seen them before and thought about seeing what they cost and using one myself, not for $1600 though lol, at that price, I'd be removing my current Pioneer 80PRS and sourcing a McIntosh MX406 to stay somewhat with the period look of my '89 vehicle.....but a question for you on your choice of aftermarket speakers, why not go for Audison, Hertz, Focal, or sticking with Harman and going with Infinity Kappas, or potentially a German brand like JL..... especially since you're going with aftermarket amplification, I know those Bavsound coaxials don't have a very high RMS power rating. (I'd personally go with Audison as their products are phenomenal, and if and when I end up selling what I currently have to jump into a E90, I'll be going all Audison from components, to amps, to DSP, to subs. Currently running a SPL mix of Infinity Kappa interiors with Sundown U's lol) (Editing again as I paused prior to you saying you were going with Morel components lol) Nevermind.....I see you're thankfully scrapping those (now that you're taking them out and I can talk poop on them lol) Bavsound coaxials and going with a reputable brand like Morel. Good choice. Nothing worse than spending good money on subpar equipment just because it's plug and play, and still going with $1600 headunits lol. 😅

[@Gawain7826]

Is that sound in motion? What’s their social media or webpage. I may of found their webpage but it might be overwhelmed.

[@BarbWaltersMusic]

"Should be pretty simple" that statement as well as "easy or straightforward" is the ultimate jinx/curse on any project in my engineering dept. lmao

[@kreparAZ]

that head unit is super CLEAN matt! hot dang dude.

[@j.3854]

Surprised by the updated setup. I’d figured you had a Sony Xplod head unit with cd function, a pair of MTX 6x9’s, and a Type R sub lined up. 🤣

[@AaronMelendez23]

This is what my e36 came with Sony head unit with Rockford fosgate special 😂

[@Thkfast]

When projects like this backfire on me, I crawl into bed, power sleep and hope when I wake up the problem is gone.

[@imgone23]

My dad has that head unit in his 964 and it’s really great. Super easy to use and looks the part.

[@gloomyxyz]

Time slows down when Matt is working on a vehicle 3.5 seconds = 3.5 minutes 😂

[@christophertice7664]

You needed a 5 sided tool to get the factory radio out, it isnt a hex.

[@nicholasrobertphoto]

The Porsche boot logo in a BMW is a deal breaker for me.

[@apenberrysgardens400]

Totally late to this party … but wondering if you still had the Bavsound speakers and if you are interested in selling them? I’m doing a father/son e36 project and want to keep it close to oem. I’m local (Orlando) so can pickup - will bring a box of Zebra Cakes to sweeten the deal 😊

[@bcastromusic]

I bought a bavsound retrofit just to check it out. As an engineer having designed dozens of car systems it’s very mediocre. It’s all marketing no r&d. I don’t think they would know what an anechoic chamber is. However for what it is the price is actually reasonable. Selling for ~$500 they have to make it for $100. There’s not a egregious amount of profit on it but their claims annoying. The stock top hi-fi rear speakers are better than the ones from bav. I could write a dissertation on my thoughts but I digress.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Agreed

[@andeleputo89]

Bavsound is rebranded overpriced junk. Their speakers are literally based on the generic Infinity rainbow branded speakers. Look it up if you dont believe me

[@araboharabedian]

Yes factory hk speakers sound way better than the bavsound that cost ~600$ for their speaker package. Like old tired but not blown e36 speakers sound better than those bsw speakers for sure! I’ve also done a car that received new hk speakers and they sounded fantastic!!!

[@octane_matty]

wonder how long until the 964 head unit is swapped for a blaupunkt rcm 82

[@sashaursy5869]

There is a possibility to put bluetooth on original bmw radio , maybe you can try is much cool original

[@JeanSupreme]

I find it so funny that I’ve had my e36 for one year and have not finished everything I wanted to touch yet and he’s almost done before the year ended

[@cristiansoto8284]

Whos the speaker guy you got it done with

[@piftie]

But does the flashlight still work???

[@tashnagarmeniaararad2329]

I like your channel and your E36 and everything you have done with the car except this head unit which is great but not suited here. (my honest and humble opinion) I can hear the car begging for a BMW Business CD43. That would be the perfection in this case.

[@willjam465]

I would love to see a how-to series on the paint correction for this car. Correcting the paint on my E36 M3 is one of the final items I have left to do with the refurbishment.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Coming soon!

[@araboharabedian]

Hey man so months have gone by since you released this video and I was curious how the final install plan went together like, did you retain the front original 3 way setup with the morel speakers ? And so did you run them active or did you guys end up using crossover boxes ? Did you delete the rear fill ? I myself did full speaker swap in two cars actually, one by of the two cars is mine. I did my personal car using CDT Audio speakers which came out sounding fantastic especially just running off the stock hk amp !!! And the other car I worked on received bavsound hk stage 1 plug n play speakers which sound like garbage compared next to the cdt speakers. The bavsound is just marketed well but the speakers themselves aren’t anything special to say the least guys!!! With a little bit of knowledge and creatively for the same amount of money your spending on the bavsound you can build yourself better component sets…. Now that I stopped being lazy and would like to get the max out of these speaker I paid for, I’m ready to run an aftermarket amp to power the cdt speakers. I liked how my speakers sounded for the time being running off the factory amp but the time has come to update the amp 😁. So I need a small compact amp to replace the factory amp in the stock location. Any suggestions on one with 6 channels at least ? I’m still debating on an active or passive setup too…..🤔🧐

[@cesargomes9171]

I wouldn’t change the radio… oem always looks better on the dash

[@jamesrobinson1579]

I put Morel Elate 503s in the front of mine, actively crossed over and powered by an Audiocontrol LC 6.1200 and Bavsound separates running off the stock amp in the back (and a shallow Pioneer 10" in a sealed box where the HK sub used to be, powered by a Rockford Fosgate P400x4... Sounds far better than a convertible has any right to LOL. I will eventually replace the Bavsound rears with Morel Elate 502s and get an LC 4.800 to call it really finished. I just have the CD43 head unit and a Grom kit for Bluetooth and USB.

[@endall39]

I just caught this video and assume you've already gone with the system you specified, but here are some thoughts anyway. All active Morel 3-way front stage, great! I run that setup too. I think it's really unnecessary to run tweeters in the back and Mosconi is great but awfully expensive compared to Audio Control where you can get a combination multichannel amp, DSP, etc. in one chassis and it just works. I run 6.5 midbass speakers in the rear just to really punch up the midbass. I find that to be what often separates average from great. Just my two cents.

[@chriszachmo]

Matt, are you still looking for floor mats? I live in Germany and can see if I can find you some here. Just need to know what you are looking for.

[@Nick210]

Wouldn’t you be more likely to find RHD mats?

[@bcastromusic]

Floor mats are now in stock

[@Barbosa81]

@@Nick210 Germany is not right hand drive cars.

[@Bmwstephen]

I assume you got the HK matched Bavsound speakers (not the hifi) since you have an HK amp. Otherwise, you would have mismatched impedance.

[@richardweerasinghe3296]

I put a cd43 in mine with a mosconi gladen d2 80.6dsp in the stock location and upgraded speakers. Very happy with the sound. Looking back I didn’t need the CD so your stock tape head unit probably just as good for that type of install. Bluetooth is direct to the amp.

[@mil-specgarage55]

Matt, just bought a 95 M3 with CD43 and Bavsound. All I can say is that it sounds like a throwback car audio from my high school years, basically crap but brings back memories so Iam keeping it

[@omairtheman1]

Any updates here Matt? I would love to integrate this head unit in my car.

[@sip9172]

Subbed after watching this video in the first minute!

[@Mactalkstech]

Could anyone please link me where I can get the head unit without the Porsche logo?

[@ObsessedGarage]

Check the description for the link

[@kevinali1642]

You took my recommendation and went with Morels 😬💯🔥

[@mattpolhamus9194]

This video has inspired me to keep my crappy stock system as-is!

[@Timssauro]

Sorry for the ignorant question but joining a bit late on the E36 build. is there a build log somewhere (other than the youtube videos) Thank you!

[@ObsessedGarage]

Just the videos.

[@bcastromusic]

Appreciate the choice but I do prefer the CD43, you can still get one new. I have CD43 retrofitted with Bluetooth and USB drive on factory parts and also custom installed E46 M3 steering wheel with working buttons. Best setup for me.

[@ObsessedGarage]

That what everyone keeps telling me. My "that's junk" meter started buzzing when I saw it.

[@araboharabedian]

@@ObsessedGarage haha well said 🫣

[@MikeSmirnov]

I want something like this for my 2000 Lexus LS 400 that I’m restoring.

[@seanm.collins9888]

Check if you can find something like the Continental TRD7412UB in your country.

[@bcrandeis]

Wait... Bavsound is OG spec? Their ads online are so cheesy I always figured they weren't legit

[@ObsessedGarage]

Bavsound is pretty darn good for a drop in option. It's not nearly as legit as doing a full aftermarket system, but for plug and play, it is a nice upgrade over stock.

[@rockhills]

I had Bav's Ghost Underseat Subwoofers and they were a fantastic upgrade to the OEM system.

[@tylerbetthauser7647]

Thank you for posting this....and for making it apparent that I should never ever touch old German cars.

[@Moneyman462]

Are the recaros called the speed 5's or the speed V's? I just bought a set and I think they call it V because it was made for the Corvette.

[@VikasGiri1986]

My guess is the roman numeral for 5 is "V" my guy.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Bingo

[@Moneyman462]

@@VikasGiri1986 lmao making me look like a FOOL 😂😂😂 I know though.

[@torygyberg8837]

That new deck is perfect

[@andydhillon1977]

Love the project.

[@Rekpoint]

Did you try hitting the speaker button above the center console?

[@ObsessedGarage]

I did…no dice.

[@Rekpoint]

@@ObsessedGarage Weird, Definitely something not right going on. Should be a clear difference when hitting that button.

[@timelesskeeper]

Freaking sweeeeet. Are you getting Bose or Burmester in your GT3 Touring?

[@ObsessedGarage]

Unfortunately there is no Burmester option.

[@timelesskeeper]

@@ObsessedGarage oh that's right. Congrats on getting that Touring allocation, you are the lucky few to own the top models in lineup. Beautiful machines. Looking forward to seeing the new car on your future shows. Keep up the outstanding work.... really appreciate your professionalism, attention to detail, passion, and pursuit of excellence. Cheers bro

[@Sammyzuko]

Drive the thing

[@ObsessedGarage]

How do you know I haven't driven it every day?

[@eddie6719]

Should have just saved yourself a headache n let the pros just do it man

[@ObsessedGarage]

What's the fun in that? Ha, ha...

[@eddie6719]

Why u talking to yourself Bro lol