[amc42]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

None of these $5K sound systems are worth the cost.

There are two aspects to this:

1) Is the difference in sound quality worth the money? That's purely subjective, and for a "keeper" car that will run for 10 years, the answer - for me - is: sure!

2) Can you get the same sound quality for less or better sound quality for the same using base Hifi + aftermarket solution and labor? Maybe, I just don't know where. I would easily have spent half the sum by wasting my time researching trustworthy installers and a suitable system.

[xmanpro]

Originally Posted by amc42

There are two aspects to this:

1) Is the difference in sound quality worth the money? That's purely subjective, and for a "keeper" car that will run for 10 years, the answer - for me - is: sure!

2) Can you get the same sound quality for less or better sound quality for the same using base Hifi + aftermarket solution and labor? Maybe, I just don't know where. I would easily have spent half the sum by wasting my time researching trustworthy installers and a suitable system.

The tweeters on the ceiling make a big difference. Have b&w on both my x6mc and m8c and the SUV just sounds better with regards to staging and all that shit cuz the tweeter placement.

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Oh ok. Instead of my 3 years of listening experience with the system I'll go with your speculative guesses.

Audio discussions are always bizarre.

So I hear😜 or , sounds that way to me

[amc42]

As a side note, after some experimenting around, the setup that works great for me is:

- Either Concert or Stage surround setting
- All flat, except: 100Hz equalizer almost all the way up (like two ticks below max).

This is for a new car with only a few listening hours. Maybe the 100Hz eq can be lowered a bit later on.

What this does is raise the bass to a level that feels natural to me. There's certainly no rich sub bass, but to give a reference point that many will know let's just say when you play Thunderstruck, there is actual thunder, whereas in default settings, you can hear but not feel the thunder.

[elitex]

Don't want to start a side argument but what????? Sub-bass (lots of)in F82 HK? Maybe we all have different definition or I've blown my hearing in my younger days.

On a serious note, yes bass on B&W in X5M is on the lighter side. Surprisingly, don't have that issue in my M8. Different cabin, tuning etc probably explains this one. I just ended up installing a JL 12w6 in the X5M and issue is resolved.

[SlowX6M]

Originally Posted by xmanpro

The tweeters on the ceiling make a big difference. Have b&w on both my x6mc and m8c and the SUV just sounds better with regards to staging and all that shit cuz the tweeter placement.

It's not so much the ones in the ceiling, it the two front doors that have the diamond tweeters, they really make all the difference.

[xmanpro]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

It's not so much the ones in the ceiling, it the two front doors that have the diamond tweeters, they really make all the difference.

Pretty sure I have those in the m8c

[iconoclast]

B&O = Bass Omitted.
B&W = Bass Wanted.

[elitex]

Originally Posted by xmanpro

Pretty sure I have those in the m8c

You do. If you're using the surround feature then I am sure it's better in your X6 because of those elevation speakers/tweeters. Gives tuner more options.

[-cj-]

Slightly unrelated, I noticed that BAV Sound has a stage 2 kit (full speakers and subwoofers) for our cars now. I had this on my f80 and liked the extra punch and clean sound at higher volume. I bet you could even pair this with the Match10(?) amp..

Has anyone gone this route yet? I wish I had the B&W system..

[iconoclast]

Unless something has changed BAV/BSW do not have any improvements or upgrades for the B&O or B&W systems.

[SlowX6M]

Originally Posted by -cj-

Slightly unrelated, I noticed that BAV Sound has a stage 2 kit (full speakers and subwoofers) for our cars now. I had this on my f80 and liked the extra punch and clean sound at higher volume. I bet you could even pair this with the Match10(?) amp..

Has anyone gone this route yet? I wish I had the B&W system..

I absolutely hated Bav, I ripped that garbage out of my E70 after a few months, and swapped B&W system into it.

[hdahman]

They are great but I would have loved better under seats subs and AMP. Or maybe an integrated trunk subs and a dedicated AMP

[HMN]

My 2 cents is that the B&W on the new BMW SUV's is far more superior than the B&O. The surround effect on it's own is miles ahead of the B&O.

[redpill]

Originally Posted by HMN

My 2 cents is that the B&W on the new BMW SUV's is far more superior than the B&O. The surround effect on it's own is miles ahead of the B&O.

for sure..just getting the setting right is a hassle though..

[jri_21]

Maybe try these guys out…for less than half of the price of the B&W option:

https://www.bavsound.com/pages/build-your-kit?step=1

[1230vani]

The bass in B&W is pretty good actually. Just needs to run in a bit (week or so).

[crazyinp]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

I don't think there are any factory systems that have "sub bass", even the EQ on the B&W, B&O, HK, Logic 7, etc only goes to 100hz. They all have 8" thin profile under seat "midwoofers" for what its worth. Short of Mark Levinson systems in high end Lexus models, B&W is probably the best sounding system on the market right now.

That being said, B&O system had the most awful tuning when it came to just about everything - mids, bass, and highs. It had tons of distortions and sounded muddy, in many ways worse than the old Logic 7. B&W sound impressive in comparison, with clear mids, crispy highs, and punchy bass. I was impressed enough to replace the Logic 7 subs and mids in my E70 with B&W subs and mids, it made a huge improvement. Few others in the E70 forum did the same, and are very happy.

If you're looking for that sub bass, you'll have to add a proper subwoofer.

P.S. - I even tried upgrading the HK subwoofers in my M2 with B&W subwoofers, but that didn't work. They fit, but 2ohm vs 8ohm, M2 amp just couldn't drive them, they were barely audible.

Can you post your current tune profile? Trying to start from somewhere

[bellabimmer]

the best audio system I liked was in F02 series - Bang & Olufsen...it had more bass and different feeling inside and like more volume and better quality.

In my opinion B&W is better than past generation of Harman Kardon.

[1230vani]

Just to confirm that the bass with LCI is quite strong after run-in period (first week or two it was terrible and bass too low). Come from two F15s with B&O. B&W is superior