[lair12]

Does anyone know if the Bowers & Wilkins speakers are better than the Focal speakers, and if replacing just the center speaker in my X6 and X3 with one of these would make a noticeable difference in sound? There could be a size issue with the B&W, but slight modification may solve that depending on how much surrounding space there is.

Although I believe the car has a separate woofer and tweeter int he center, Focal spec sheet says to use the dual ICC BMW100 for the center replacement.

Or am I better off leaving the Harmon Kardon system as it is?

Would they be simple direct swaps (other than some fit issues)?

[Ninefourteener]

The center speaker has such little impact on the overall sound. In fact, unless you have it on a "surround" setting, it's barely audible at all.

Replacing the door speakers will have a much more dramatic improvement.

With that, I think the amp and adjustability settings impact the quality of the B&W stereo more than just the speakers. If we're talking speakers "only", the Focals will be a much higher quality sound.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

The center speaker has such little impact on the overall sound. In fact, unless you have it on a "surround" setting, it's barely audible at all.

Replacing the door speakers will have a much more dramatic improvement.

With that, I think the amp and adjustability settings impact the quality of the B&W stereo more than just the speakers. If we're talking speakers "only", the Focals will be a much higher quality sound.

Totally agree. The build quality of Focals are excellent. And, Focal Inside for BMW speakers are pure plug-and-play.

[iconoclast]

The focal speakers posted above appear to have paper cones and if so I would skip.

If you wind up replacing speakers in the vehicle apply DynaMat or similar on every door panel to mitigate vibration and rattles.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

The focal speakers posted above appear to have paper cones and if so I would skip.

If you wind up replacing speakers in the vehicle apply DynaMat or similar on every door panel to mitigate vibration and rattles.

Um. I've owned Wilson speakers with paper cones and I am pretty sure they were amongst the best I've owned. Had to sell because I moved. Unless you are referring to durability. Focal and lots of other audiophile speakers use paper cones for woofers.

100% agree on Dynamat or a similar dampener on the doors or wherever you have your speakers.

[IllustriousMari]

Focal Inside speakers use polyglass cones (polyglass is basically fusing glass elements with paper).

[MOTOP]

I’m in the process of replacing HK with B&O in my build...is B&O really not worth its $3.4k tag? I know there’s always something better out there...my my god, i?just spent almost two grand on freakin sonos arc, sub and speakers and the sound is through the roof. B&O costs much more and the speakers are not the best (well, almost the best)?
What’s happening?! lol

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by IllustriousMari

Focal Inside speakers use polyglass cones (polyglass is basically fusing glass elements with paper).

That is correct. https://www.focal.com/en/focal-teach/polyglass-cone

It was developed by Focal.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by redX6owner

I’m in the process of replacing HK with B&O in my build...is B&O really not worth its $3.4k tag? I know there’s always something better out there...my my god, i?just spent almost two grand on freakin sonos arc, sub and speakers and the sound is through the roof. B&O costs much more and the speakers are not the best (well, almost the best)?
What’s happening?! lol

I have the B&O set up in my car. I think it sounds and looks really good for a $3.5K speaker. You could get Focal inside to replace HK surround and keep the HK Logic 7 amp and it would still cost you around $3K, but at that price you'd be able to throw in something like dynamat to imporve the sound a bit more.

[IllustriousMari]

Originally Posted by Jaffrey

I have the B&O set up in my car. I think it sounds and looks really good for a $3.5K speaker. You could get Focal inside to replace HK surround and keep the HK Logic 7 amp and it would still cost you around $3K, but at that price you'd be able to throw in something like dynamat to imporve the sound a bit more.

This is probably what I will end up doing too since I had no option to upgrade to B&O in the first place so intending to replace all HK with Focal Insides including the sub woofer.

[plagm]

i would upgrade to Focal with no hesitation, why not do it in steps, front doors first etc etc....front centre not sure about the value of change but using the focal co-axal makes sense, using two components here has no benefits.

changing the front doors less than an hours work etc let them bed in for a few weeks observe and continue if you wish. This way you notice the incremental benefits,

when you're happy with speaker upgrades consider amps, the Focal speakers all benefit by being driven better. As do all speakers.

The biggest single mod would to be to add a dedicated Sub, If you added this first you find a lot of people are suddenly happy, it adds masses of depth and warmth.

You can get a harness from technic ? buy one of the small box active JL Subs (battery connection is simple and close by.

[Therealmatzaman]

How do you add an amp to the hk tuner/amp?

[plagm]

you can buy plug and play harnesses from several sources. one is https://technicpnp.com/

you input you car details and it tells you your choices, highly regarded in this community. They also respond to questions

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by plagm

you can buy plug and play harnesses from several sources. one is https://technicpnp.com/

you input you car details and it tells you your choices, highly regarded in this community. They also respond to questions

Thanks for sharing this link!

[awesoM]

Originally Posted by lair12

Does anyone know if the Bowers & Wilkins speakers are better than the Focal speakers, and if replacing just the center speaker in my X6 and X3 with one of these would make a noticeable difference in sound? There could be a size issue with the B&W, but slight modification may solve that depending on how much surrounding space there is.

Although I believe the car has a separate woofer and tweeter int he center, Focal spec sheet says to use the dual ICC BMW100 for the center replacement.

Or am I better off leaving the Harmon Kardon system as it is?

Would they be simple direct swaps (other than some fit issues)?

Is there a reason why you would not replace all the speakers at the same time? Your sound would be quite uneven given the different specs of the speaker.

I replaced mine with Bavsound. It was definitely better than HK. I am sure Focal is good as well, should take the same mount of time to replace. The whole thing took me 3.5 hours, center, all doors and trunk. speakers and tweeters.