Replacement radio
 

Do I go with eonon or dynavin and which model. I don't have the subwoofer or NAV. I would like some of the experts input please.


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Dynavin N6 no question. Newest and the best and at 700 it's not too expensive

Jay, has the N6 been tested in real live application? I read the specs, they were impressive...


I might have missed the posts with actual try-out...

with all the kebabs, BBQs, beer and other hard liquors during the holidays!!!!:rofl:

Email Jeff @ jandtdistributing.com as he is the one with real world experience so far.

I'm waiting for live reports but honestly at its price point for the OE look its a phenomenal value. I literally have been waiting for an OEM looking unit to retain DSP without a workaround for so long.

I probably won't be getting my hands on one until the end of the year because of budget (wife needs new tires and wheels on her car) but at its price point I don't see a better value for what I want it for.

I only want Bluetooth integration, iPhone integration via 30 pin and Lightning cables (it has multiple USB inputs so you can have both) and live navigation screen so I can stop looking at my phone when going somewhere.

Integrated dsp and it says it is not fully required to retain the OBC, yet still allows steering wheel controls so I'd say its looking good all around! Keep an eye on threads on E46 website and such as I think they are getting N6 units as we speak.

I've been looking at the Avin Avant-2. I was chatting with Tommy last night and he said they were just releasing the Avant-2 for the X5. It is now posted. Looks pretty impressive and if you follow the E46 threads, they have great support this side of the pond.

https://avinusa.com/bmw-5-series-e39...on-system.html

Note: The AA-B5X5 is not currently compatible with BMW equipped with DSP. If your BMW has DSP it would need to be replaced by an aftermarket amp for the install to work.

Dynavin N6:

1. Steering wheel remote control integration
2. Optical Park System (OPS) integration
3. Support OEM DSP sound system
4. Onboard computer information integration

So it makes more sense to get the Dynavin N6

1. Based on what I've found Avin includes steering wheel integration.
2. Not sure how OPS is done - any details on it? Avin you can add the rear camera, but i assumed you'd still get the PDC warnings
3. True, no DSP - need external amp
4. I currently have a non-OBC, basic radio. Will it actually provide the OBC features?

Loaded up with options I want, I get the Avin to about $920. Dynavin has options too that need to be considered.

Cheers.

Dynavin looks much more OEM than Avin and starts at 699 shipped.

Do they do satellite or use the oem mic?

Ricky I did some research I'm going with the N6


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Gotta wait in line haha

Haha just ordered it and it will be here thrursday


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http://dynavingps.com/Dynavin-BMW/N6-E53


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Gawd this looks tempting!

Glad I held out replacing my OE nav screen, if the reviews are good I'd like to get this.

:thumbup: Eagerly awaiting your reviews ......

For real!
Didn't know they released it yet
I might just jump on it too but I'd like reviews first!

Keep this thread going including install photos and operational issues if any.
Looking forward to the review.

Trent from Dynavin USA was great, he was fast with answers about the unit and setting up the sale.


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pquast1, I am looking forward to your review and install! I will get an N6 in the coming months as it seems Jeff @ J&T Distributing is importing shipments every few weeks, for now though I'm subscribed to see your impressions and installed photos!

Will do.


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Is it a plug and play unit? It's on my to-do list but I dont want to cut and splice wires in the harness. Looking forward to the reviews

Ok got the radio in today, for the most it is plug and play. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/a4anana6.jpg
You will need a cutting wheel or dremel, below the center vents is a portion of plastic that needs to be cut out (the instructions point this out). As for the wiring it is straight forward and easy. What I am looking at now is where to place the GPS antennae, which is a pain with out a snake or taking the dash out. I'm trying to put the Antennae near the defrost vents at the front of the dash. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/e6u6utad.jpg this pic shows the portion that you need to be cut. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/ygeterev.jpg this is no longer used, the harness you use has a CAN interface. The only thing that I can use is the display at the bottom of the speedo and tach (mine has never worked except for fuel range or for throwing a code.

I will post more pics with graphics tomorrow after I finish installing it.


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So are you still retaining obc functions? And are you installing on a car with dsp?

From what I understand with respect to OBC, is you need to set the items you want displayed on the gauge cluster BEFORE removing the stock radio. Then when you hit the BC button on the signal stick, you can scroll through what you made visible at the time of removal. That's about all you get OBC wise. We'll see how this install goes and if that is the case.

Thanks for documenting your project. Cant wait to see the finished product!!

No DSP, and from what the manual says yes you retain the OBC


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Sorry I tried adding graphics but it wouldn't let me up them from the computer
Below shows the crossmember removed, I cleaned the cut job so it looked better than this.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/16/gunyretu.jpg
Next shows the Ant on my X, to install I had to modify the bracket. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/16/yjy9y3e9.jpg
Modifiedhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/16/nu3adape.jpg
Where I placed my gps ant, I routed it through the center vent and placed it here.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/16/e9ubumy9.jpg
Where I placed the mic for the phone, it works good and is out of the way and hidden by the steering wheel. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/16/epanujyt.jpg
And final installhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/16/qenu7a7u.jpg

Overall it was plug and play except for the mod on the bracket.


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pquast1, You can place the GPS antenna inside the dash. Signal goes through the plastic dash perfectly fine. I place my GPS antenna inside the dash just above the center vent. so no antenna is visible, nice and clean... :D

That's my next mod.looking good just curious how it would work with DSP

They send you extra wires for the DSP and the manual has a wiring diagram on where to connect it.


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I will try that after I get back from south Florida later this week. Thanks for the suggestion.


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It comes with the DSP adapter wiring for 699 shipped? If so that is deal of the century!!!

Man I can't wait to get it.thats the only thing missing in my interior!
Well .....along with a piano black trim and some aluminum pedals....and a set of mats...

From what I read the DSP that Dynavin is referring to is part of the 24bit DAC audio processror in the N6 and not part of the BMW DSP sound system.

So the N6 will still not be compatible with BMW with DSP.

I could be wrong still waiting to see someone with DSP in their BMW verify that this will work or not.

by the same token, i wonder what they meant by OPTICAL parking system - the BMW is using ultrasonic system, not optical...

:popcorn:

Another things is that they mention "Double Radio Tuner" how does that work? BMW only has that one radio antenna connection.

I know on some of the newer Volkswagen they have two different radio antenna built into the car that requires a double fakra antenna connection. BMW does not have this correct atleast not for the E53?

So maybe this double radio tuner works on their VW model but they market and advertise it to work on all their models the same way regardless if it really works on other models?:confused:

From the n6's owners manual:

OE DSP AMP: This option is for cars with an original DSP amplifier, if the car has a DSP system you can select it to adjust DSP output.


FACTORY AMPLIFIER HIFI: This option is just for special cars (BMW E46 & BMW E39, E53) without DSP amplifier system, selecting it can avoid sound distorted if you adjust the volume to high.

I mounted the GPS antenna for my Hualingan on the speaker grill in the top right corner of the dash. With all that black dash it blends in well, out of sight out of mind.

BMw BM54 radio has a dual tuner - that is euro model radio ( i think the other radio is C24? for the ones without monitor). the second tuner would tune to CLASSIC radio station (in UK, not sure about the rest of europe) for traffic reports. You will see the little TMC letters at the bottom of the screen. The US (and rest of the world) radio, BM53 does not have second tuner.

Also, BMW is using so-called diversity antennae, they supposedly can be tuned to several frequencies at once... not so sure about that particular functionality, though...

This from the company that I bought mine from.

The N6 will work with DSP on NON-Nav cars. If you have NAV & DSP, it is not plug and play and requires circumventing the stock DSP amplifier like previously needed.

Thanks,
Trent
Dynavin USA



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Well that settles that, I have non-Nav and DSP, sounds like the N6 is good for me.

Same here.

Is there Sirius/xm compatibility?

You'll find everything you need to know on Dynavin's website

Have you guys seen this one? Alternative to Dynavin?

http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...ml#post1001450

I really like the graphics and it does a comparison to the Dynavin indicating significantly faster performance......

Does mention it doesn't work with DSP though.

Yes it was posted in another thread a few days or even a week ago.
No DSP compatibility is a deal breaker for most of us..looks promising though with a higher resolution than Dynavin

And it's $100 more than the Dynavin without the oem looks

It's close don't get me wrong but I think the Dynavin is a superior unit

Fair enough. $100 doesn't even buy a tank of fuel in Australia so I wouldn't be losing sleep over that personally....!

I've had a Dynavin in the past, I agree it's the closest 'like for like' in terms of dash appearance.

Over the years I've had cheap and expensive double DINS and they all work much the same, and for the majority of the time you only use 2 or 3 functions.

Most important to me is the GUI (graphics user interface). Given you're going to spend a fair time with it lit up on your dashboard for all to see, I just want it to look slick and consistent. A lot of the time, you get the feeling that all the menus have been designed separately. Eg. the iPod screen looks great, but the bluetooth screen looks like it was designed in the 80's.

Can't see many screen shots on the Dynavin website, but assume it's better than the one I bought a few years ago. If so, then I'm sure it's much of a muchness.

can you post a pic of the back? How many rca jacks does it have? and ones for the sub?

I don't have one of these units myself, and I'm not affiliated with the company in any way so you'll have to do your own research:

Link to product is here:

https://avinusa.com/bmw-5-series-e39...on-system.html

I can see RCA outs for Front (L/R), Rear (L/R) and S/woofer

From what the documents state, I guess it has rca's. Is anyone running this head unit with an aftermarket amp? I'm curious if anyone makes a plug and play harness, to ellimate the factory amp?

Not plug and play on DSP/Nav cars? Boo!

The new Dynavin N6 is.

Not on nav + dsp though. I think it has to do with the nav computer interfering

RB, I have nav and DSP, and according to the Dynavin rep quoted by the OP, it wont work for me? Or did I misunderstand?

Ah, didnt see your last post RB.

I dont mind it being not a direct plug and play if its not as much work as with the older units.

pquast1 any update?
 

Pquast1
Any update after you have used the Radio/Nav?

I like it, had to turn off the speed warning. If you are using the NAV and you went over the speed limit the system will warn you. But overall I really like the system.


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If you're planning on utilising the RCA's and running an aftermarket amp, you'd be running new RCA cables the length of the car.

The factory harness will still plug into the rear connection of the unit, you'll just disconnect your factory amp, cut the the wires running to the factory speakers and redirect them to your new amp. New amp will receive signal off the RCA's. Harness into the back of the radio will take care of power, steering wheel controls etc (just no sound anymore)

It's not hard, but it is a fair bit of work, removing trim, running cables etc. I've done a few cars, and to do a really neat job it takes me a full weekend.

So you can really retain the steering wheel controls for volume if you use the RCA and remove the factory amp?

I don't think it should affect it.

RCA's carry the sound signal out of the head unit, into the amp, and back out to the speakers.

Steering wheel controls run in the loom between s/w and headunit - headunit signals volume to the amp via the RCAs.

Best to direct these questions at the manufacturers of these headunits. Both seem to have different degrees of compatability. They will be able to answer your question better than I ever could - I've only done a Dynavin into a non-DSP car using factory amp and speakers.

CD stopped working when LCD screen blacked out.
 

Is there reason why my cd player stopped working at the same time that my LCD screen blacked out? I was about to order the N6 but read that if you have DSP + NAV it would not work.
It seems like I will have to fix the original unit but was wondering if maybe it is just a case of a disconnected cable etc.

So will then N6 work using the factory amp? I have a non dsp with Navigation Idont want to update the amps and speakers all at once.

Yes it will

So...

where do we stand on this thing - has anyone tried it out yet??

I was hoping someone had tried the avant 2... but looks like we (my wife and I) will have to be the first. Was tempted to start retrofitting everything into the factory setup like you did Terminator (thanks BTW for all your info) but in the end it will be easier to get the tech we are looking for by just updating the head unit.

Btw I spoke to Jeff at J&T today (Dynavin distributor) they are working on a DSP fix for US models. The N6 works plug and play for dsp in the rest of world E53/E39 etc models but wasn't working out of the box with US models. He will update when the fix is ready, check the N6 thread on Bimmerforums for updates as well.

There is cost/ value relationship. If the car came with very basic stuff, why would you put factory nav? Makes no sense, with cost, $2k, and benefits.... if the car was already loaded, ripping everything out makes no sense either, as you can add AUX, BT dongle, and you got streaming pandora or what not... for $25-70 investment you bring 15 year old ride on par with today's cars... going with projection of cell phone video to factory screen calls for more investment in the US, as we did not have TV module here, might be a bit easier for ones who have module alreafy, either as part of nav or a stand alone option... then your investment is in tv in motion module and hardware to flip phone video to RCA standard. Once you weight your cost and benefits, you take the plunge... i like playing with wires, not everyone is into it...

I like playing with wires as well (I'm an installer) but also don't like to do wiring for the sake of doing wiring. As you say, the cost/benefit ratio has to be right, including the time involved.

I have factory nav w/o DSP... but I am not a fan of the factory screen's viewing angles. I am 6'8" tall and my driving position is apparently in the bermuda triangle of viewing angles for the nav unit. I did replace the screen with aftermarket Sharp unit... but I double and triple checked the part number that I did not get the e39 screen...

Anyway, I think for my situation the Avant 2 is going to be the best bang for the buck in my situation since I have factory nav and no DSP. Was just hoping someone else had run the unit first so I could get first hand impressions. I've seen lots of info about it from e46 owners though...

I don't see this mentioned in the specs of either of the two solutions so maybe one of you can answer... do either of these head units control the multi-CD player embedded in the center console?

Thanks

J

the E53 did not have a a CD player in the center console, it had a CD player (or cassette deck!) where the radio headunit is.

What you might be referring to is a storage bay for 6 CDs that is hidden under the armrest - there are only holding trays... In some cars that bin is just a deep pocket, some other ones have 6 cassette holders and the other ones have 6 disk holder...

check out the pics here - http://www.xoutpost.com/981354-post84.html

I've also stumbled upon this head unit.

http://www.dvdgpsnav.com/2-din-bmw-x...v-in-dash.html

Most likely a Chinese unit. Just wanted to know if any one has used this one.


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:thumbup:



N6 might be my path too. Only bummer is missing XM, unless I missed that was an option

It doesn't have a built in Siriusxm tuner (none do) but I'm sure a tuner could be added on easily

Hey guys so what the majority vs manority? Wich to buy? iPhone 5 integration with bt streaming calls and audio and maps from iPhone?

It does not look like it.

thanks all

I have asked a few places on the XM and only ones who I found did the SCCA tuner connection were the dice media bridge. I have it and it works well for music on XM,USB and BT but the speaker phone BT leaves a lot to be desired (iphone on speaker is much better).

The route I am looking at is N6 with separate XM tuner going into Aux port then hopefully hiding the XM head somewhere still functional. Good thread on N6 here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tall-pics.html

Trying to replace my unit w eonon but I cannot figure out how to get the bracket out from the old 2 DIN unit w/CD on top.

Does the front air vent need to be removed and if so how.
Does the hard plastic frame need to be cut out?
Thanks,

Yep. Plastic frame must be cut out if not factory nav equipped.

Vents can stay in place but frame must be removed.

I've seen some suggestions that the frame can be unscrewed and removed whole and looking at the part diagrams etc. supports this idea but I've never seen anyone actually do that - they usually just dremel it out.

Certainly the frame is made separately and fitted during assembly (or not in the case of Nav. fitted cars) so it should come out... :dunno:

Maybe not - check this out... :thumbup:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNoCxounA...Bcar%2Bdvd.jpg https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYww9Cib8...Bcar%2Bdvd.jpg
Latest Pumpkin Android Car Stereo Review: How to install Aftermarket Pumpkin Android 5.1 BMW E39 X5 E53 Navigation System DVD Player

That's good news. I wish there was another in between picture there to see how exactly he's bending/squishing that cage to get it out. But it certainly does look doable. :thumbup:

Learn something all the time.

I thought I read the removable frame was LCI? Not sure.

Could be - although I think those pictures are an E39, so closer to the pre-LCI? :dunno:

And DrRick hasn't indicated what version his car is - so I'm making this up! ;)

Busy day. Thanks for the replies. My unit is a NON-NAV. Which according to the manufac. must be Cut out. So off I go. I will post some pictures. The only DIY's I have see thus far are for the Nav unit. Again Pictured above.
2003 X5 E53, Non-Nav.

They all say it must be cut out.. But I'm not so sure... Check for the screws as shown in the link above.

Having said that, if you are NEVER putting to factory CD player and MID back in, who cares! ;)

We went thru this back in that monster radio thread. There are two different dashes they install on the early models. One with the frame and one without. Later on it was removable.

We never really resolved it fully though - I'm about at the point where I'm going to tear my '05 apart - just to see! ;)

Damn curiosity.... :rofl:

I can update everyone on the 2004 LCI in about 6 weeks. :thumbup: