09-09-2020, 03:31 PM | #1 |
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Bavsound Revenant Amp Review
Took me maybe 15 mins to install over the weekend.
Literally the most accurate description for Plug-n-Play I've ever experienced! and WOW what an IMMEDIATE upgrade! Notes: Bavsound offers two Revenant amps for using the 676 Hi-Fi factory installed stereo system. They "code" them unique to the type of vehicle they're to be installed in: The "A" version is for sedans/coupes. The "B" version is for SAV's. The number and placement of speakers as well as interior cabin space are factors in how the digital settings are pre-programmed. There are no markings on the amps themselves... only identifying marking is on the bar code on the box they're shipped in. AND, there are two settings for each amp.... one if you're using the stock factory speakers (default) and one if you're using the Bavsound speaker upgrade set. Switching back and forth between the settings is as simple as pressing a button for 2-seconds and waiting 10-seconds for a green light (default) or an orange light (upgrade) to display the status. Could NOT be happier with this install. Seriously! About me: "back in the day" I used to consider myself as an amateur audiophile... Alpine and Nakamichi and Rockford Fosgate, etc... with audio control eq's, and IASCA competitions on the weekends. FastForward to current day - I just want simple and clean and FULL sound... not too much to ask for. (for example) My GMC Envoy had all speakers and head unit replaced with separate amps and a modest 12" sub... My Buick Encore had all speakers replaced with a separate powered 8" sub. I don't need hard hitting 30hz baselines... just full stages - and easy on the ear. My opinion on the Revenant amp with stock speakers... A- SO much better than with stock amp... but the stock speakers aren't that bad once they have enough power behind them... I find them quite capable. The highs are "good enough".. the mids are excellent.. and the lows.. well they'll do. One could spend more money and redo the entire setup and probably be very satisfied... and some lower lower end would be nice... but not really required for the country, pop, jazz, and occasional R&B that I listen to. So if you're on the fence about spending the $ to upgrade your audio, and you don't want to tear everything apart in order for a sincere difference... AND you want to do it yourself, and NOT take up an entire weekend to do it... DON"T HESITATE to buy the amp first.... maybe speakers later / maybe not. maybe a separate sub needed / maybe not. YMMV Just my $.02 All the hard work has been done for you... all you have to do is enjoy the result! |
09-09-2020, 06:52 PM | #2 |
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Weird, their site says it won't fit my 2020 X3MC? What price did you pay btw? It gives a range between $997 & $1,499...
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09-09-2020, 08:00 PM | #3 |
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Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60
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For those with the 676 standard sound system, spending $1000 to improve the sound quality may or may not be a worthwhile investment depending if you feel the cost is worth the improvement. Since the stock amp is only 5x25W & 2x40W, I can see where the extra power would improve sound reproduction, but the speakers are still on the lower end. With it being plug and play, that does makes it an easy upgrade path, especially if you plan to purchase upgraded speakers later.
With the 677 premium sound system, not only does it increase the power to 7x50W & 2x120W, it also has upgraded speakers to match, plus adds 2 additional speakers in the rear. It also support multichannel playback formats via the DVD player. At $875, it was a great upgrade over the standard sound system. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the premium sound system as is. |
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09-09-2020, 08:39 PM | #5 |
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Good to know, thanks & agree with your previous post. I was curious about cost, not necessarily unhappy with the OEM equipment
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09-09-2020, 09:54 PM | #6 |
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good review, seems worthwhile upgrade. I put a used 1st generation Bimmertech DSP (Audiotech Fischer) in my X3 with 676 std speakers two years ago, quite a significant improvement compared to stock OEM amplifier, DSP was simple to tweak sound using laptop PC.
stock Hi-Fi speakers seem very capable with quality amp behind them. |
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09-10-2020, 08:37 AM | #7 |
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Agreed and agreed and agreed. Nice review, and yep if you have factory Premium you're doing pretty well to start with.
My 1-Series has premium as well, yet I added a Musicar NW "full bass" package that amped the underseat 8" woofers and added a sub in the trunk as well (also powered by the amp). While playing around with the settings and even having the trunk sub unplugged, the newer (more powerful) JL amp made a big difference to those underseat woofers and improved their range. I'm on the fence about doing a similar thing to my X3. I'd been wanting to but w/ wife furloughed and the fact we frequently fill up the trunk (and would have to remove a sub often) I'm thinking against it. Still hope perhaps to bump the power to the underseat woofers and / or replace them. |
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09-10-2020, 09:06 AM | #8 | |
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I bought second hand for about half. Hearing the difference first hand, and taking into account how plug-n-play the amp upgrade is... I wouldn't hesitate to spend the full retail. It really wakes the system up - nothing overpowered, very little under powered. It's about as close as I could imagine a stock system with minor tweaking could get trying to cater to a generic wide audience. That was most impressive to me. |
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09-10-2020, 12:49 PM | #9 | |
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It's only an 8" woofer, but VERY efficient. The nice part is the amp is only about an inch tall, and is the only part that permanently mounts to the floor... the woofer has a couple of quick-turn release screws and pops off in seconds for when you need to use the full cargo area... We never took it off the base, as the footprint was so small it wasn't actually a factor..... and the Buick Encore has a SMALL cargo bed, so it was impressive just for that fact alone. https://www.jbl.com/car-subwoofers/J...PRO+MICRO.html |
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tracer bullet2411.50 |
09-10-2020, 07:47 PM | #11 |
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That's correct just thought this amp was for any system didn't realize it wasn't necessary for my set up. In any case, quite happy with my environment, was just curious.
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09-11-2020, 07:15 AM | #12 |
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Boy, I don't think I could convince my wife we need to spend $1,000 on this amp, let alone myself
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10-09-2020, 10:21 PM | #13 | |
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Great price
THanks for the info. I am new to BMW and this forum.
Can you tell us where you found the Amp used? I've looked and don't see them used. Quote:
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10-11-2020, 07:47 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=452
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10-11-2020, 08:31 AM | #15 |
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Does anyone know of any other plug and play options besides these? (For cars equipped with the standard HiFi S676A.)
BAVSOUND Revenant BMW Amplifier Upgrade - B: https://www.bavsound.com/products/ba...ate-feb-2019-b This is the one described in the original review. This is a 5.2 amplifier; 5x64 + 2x160. Audiotec Fischer MATCH UP 7BMW: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/m...ifiers/up-7bmw Plug and play install but requires configuration with laptop to set sound profile. This is a 5.2 amplifier; 5 x 65 @4 ohms + 2 x 160 @2 ohms. I'd lay money on this being the same amp sold as the BAVSOUND Revenant. Bimmer-Tech (Audiotec Fischer) PP86DSP: This is a customized version of the Audiotec Fischer MATCH PP86DSP. The Bimmer-Tech version comes with a plug and play harness. You can configure the sound profile using the same software for the MATCH amplifier above. This is an 8.0 amplifier. 8 x 55 @ 4 ohms or 8 x 70 @2 ohms Bimmer-Tech (Audiotec Fischer) PP82DSP: They used to sell the PP82DSP as the amp upgrade. You'll only find this used now. |
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10-11-2020, 08:09 PM | #16 | |
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10-12-2020, 06:19 AM | #17 | |
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It looks like the BMW sound system architecture has changed. They now use a Receiver Audio Module (RAM) that combines amp and other functions instead of a separate amp. It appears BAVSOUND is still working on their solution, but the underlying hardware is already available. |
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10-12-2020, 12:55 PM | #18 | ||
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10-12-2020, 02:04 PM | #19 | |
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Make sure you look for the Revenant "B" amp, which is tuned for the SUV cabin... The A-version is tuned for a coupe or sedan and won't sound the same. |
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