Replacement sound system / Nav Screen in 2023

[hamza]

Hi,

replacing the drowned amp in the boot has left he left hand front speaker not working and I'm getting rapidly bored with trying to get a poor sound quality outdated system working again.

Tried searching but can't seem to find an answer to what's a good replacement these days. I don't have DSP but do have the widescreen nav screen. Ideally I'd like to keep the time/ mpg etc controls that you get on the screen too.

Be nice to have a solution that doesn't require the amplifier in the boot but one that doesn't require hacking apart the OEM loom or running wiring to the boot if I can avoid it.

Any such things exist?

My local car audio place recommended a double DIN unit with an adapter... not sold on the looks of those but if that's the best option then happy to go with it.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by hamza

Hi,

replacing the drowned amp in the boot has left he left hand front speaker not working and I'm getting rapidly bored with trying to get a poor sound quality outdated system working again.

Tried searching but can't seem to find an answer to what's a good replacement these days. I don't have DSP but do have the widescreen nav screen. Ideally I'd like to keep the time/ mpg etc controls that you get on the screen too.

Be nice to have a solution that doesn't require the amplifier in the boot but one that doesn't require hacking apart the OEM loom or running wiring to the boot if I can avoid it.

Any such things exist?

My local car audio place recommended a double DIN unit with an adapter... not sold on the looks of those but if that's the best option then happy to go with it.

Double DIN unit is a horrible idea, given there are so many better options.

Best would be Avant Avin 4 - add the Resler iBus adapter and iBus app and you retain all the BC functions - and WAY more!

Second choice would be one of the better second-tier android units - Seicane, Eonon etc. - also with e iBus stuff.

These WILL require running a loom to the back of the car but it's a single big loom, not a slew of loose wires. You have no other option here, given that you speaker wiring is in the trunk. Unless you replace factory amp with another factory amp and carry on...

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Double DIN unit is a horrible idea, given there are so many better options.

Best would be Avant Avin 4 - add the Resler iBus adapter and iBus app and you retain all the BC functions - and WAY more!

Second choice would be one of the better second-tier android units - Seicane, Eonon etc. - also with e iBus stuff.

These WILL require running a loom to the back of the car but it's a single big loom, not a slew of loose wires. You have no other option here, given that you speaker wiring is in the trunk. Unless you replace factory amp with another factory amp and carry on...

And you can order the AVin with built in DSP.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

And you can order the AVin with built in DSP.

True - but that is a different "DSP" processor from the DSP amp in the car, so you have two "DSP" processors in that case.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by wpoll

True - but that is a different "DSP" processor from the DSP amp in the car, so you have two "DSP" processors in that case.

Only if you have DSP in the first place. If you don't, you can add the capability with the Avin.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Only if you have DSP in the first place. If you don't, you can add the capability with the Avin.

'zactly.

[hamza]

Does the Avin 4 need the original amp and BM54 unit to be working or are they completely bypassed?

The Avin doesn’t look cheap… but a new amp, new bm54 and I’m already looking at around £200 and stuck with old tech.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by hamza

Does the Avin 4 need the original amp and BM54 unit to be working or are they completely bypassed?

The Avin doesn’t look cheap… but a new amp, new bm54 and I’m already looking at around £200 and stuck with old tech.

Any Android HU will completely bypass the BM54 and amp - or at least in some configurations. It depends on the exact amp configuration. If the amp that has died is over on the left-side cubby in the trunk (boot! ) then you may have to do some more "creative" wiring to bypass it.

Avin 4 is the "gold standard" but other, cheaper Android HUs are good too.

[hamza]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Any Android HU will completely bypass the BM54 and amp - or at least in some configurations. It depends on the exact amp configuration. If the amp that has died is over on the left-side cubby in the trunk (boot! ) then you may have to do some more "creative" wiring to bypass it.

Avin 4 is the "gold standard" but other, cheaper Android HUs are good too.

Thanks. I’ve been reading up on this option a bit. Seems like for UK dwellers like myself the Dynavin may be a better option as it has slightly better support and doesn’t have to be ordered from another continext.

All the Android based units seem to have a bit of a limited life of around 2/3 years and a few minor foibles from what I can gather. They certainly look much more like they belong in the car but I’m not sure if they are the same quality really as a double DIN unit from Sony or Alpine… but then those do look quite out of place!

I’d be tempted to go double DIN except for the fact that I can’t find a decent solution to keep the trip computer (and even the PDC it seems??) working with such a unit and that’s a bit of a deal breaker. Not being able to set the time, reset MPG or even see it maybe isn’t an option and loss of PDC definitely isn’t.

[Nolimite39]

I'll throw my experience in. When I bought mine I assumed the entire system had been replaced because the DSP amp and controller were gutted, Memphis crossovers were installed, along with a early Windows Mobile HU and a 5 channel JL amp. I could never get the sound to work so I ripped the HU out and replaced it with an AVIN A4. Everything worked well and sounded amazing. Not quite as good as the Logic 7 in the e90, but close. Low an behold when I pulled a door card to do the handle carrier sometime later, I found out that the speakers were all STOCK. They are capable of producing very good sound with the proper amp/crossover/filter pushing them.