[DG-X5]

Having had a 2019 G05 40i with the HK and now being in a 2021 F95 MC with the B&W, I've had the pleasure of testing them out side by side in the week that I had both.

Audio was one of the aspects I was most curious about, and, while the B&W is indeed far more aesthetically pleasing and definitely has more depth vs the HK system, my initial reaction was more a wow at how well the HK kept up for standard listening volumes. No Atmos surround/3D effects with the HK, but it definitely ain't no slouch either.

That said, the B&W is still a noticeable difference in my opinion, and if you can afford it, I'd definitely go for it!

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

Sounds like for audiophiles (aka sound snobs) it's worth it. Not keen on the disco light stuff but not gonna knock those who value it. I'm in.

You can always choose to not have the speaker lights turn on. They also certainly don't blink to any music.

To me, the B&W sound system is outstanding. Even XM Radio sounds better than on the HK system.

[-cj-]

You can only listen to lossless or digital masters from Apple Music if youre plugged in using USB, FYI. For some reason wifi doesn't support the high quality bitrates.

[pookiemalibu]

Haven't heard it, didn't need to, purposefully skipped it in our X5MC. The light up speakers seemed to look great, but not like what Sky Lounge looks like (lucky everyone everywhere else). I really wanted to the 818M Star Wheels and the added HP of the Competition Package. Readily conceding that the Comp package is the same: aesthetic and unneeded, I think it's purely a matter of taste. Though I'd venture a guess that the AVERAGE X5 owner isn't going to notice the difference. Half the time I'm in the car I'm commuting to client and thus invariably ON THE DAMN PHONE. A quarter of the time my infant daughter is in the car so I have to basically cripple the system by turning down the base. That leaves about 25% of the time when the system can really shine. Just not worth $100/mo extra: to me. YMMV.

At the end of the day, most of the add-ons for the F95/6 are purely a matter of taste. Most of the stuff you have to tack on to a base model are already included/free (merino, m-compound brakes, HUD, etc.) in the ///M-Cars.

But I couldn't justify, even at the ridiculous starting price point my wife consistently reminds me of, $3500 for what basically amounts to light up speakers. Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.

[xmanpro]

As another aside - the b&w in my m8c doesn't sound as awesome compared to the b&w in my x6mc. I suspect it might be the overhead tweets that the x6mc has vs the m8c. Dunno 🤷

[Syscrusher]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

No, its not worth it. People that say it is are either sound snobs or trying to justify buying an option that wasn't worth it.

I have the unique benefit of having had the HK system in my '21 X6 40i and now have the B&W Diamond system in my X6MC and I can 100% attest that they sound the same.

The BW system has more sound options like concert, 3-d, blah blah blah. I promise you, unless you are listening to super high quality files from your phone or USB that it sounds the same.

If you want the aesthetic of having the light up speakers and speaker grills in your headliner then go for it. For every day sound like listening to XM radio, it sounds the absolute same.

Everyone here seems to disagree with you, including me. Worth every extra penny in this car.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by Syscrusher

Everyone here seems to disagree with you, including me. Worth every extra penny in this car.

Placebo my friend.

Unless they are listening to uncompressed music from their phones all the time. I don't do that, I mainly listen to XM and it sounds the same as the HK.

MAYYYYBE it has a little more depth, but cmon. You have to be a real sound snob to find the difference.

Like what sounds better? What are people hearing that is that much better than HK? I have very good hearing, but obviously not a trained audiophile. Hell, I can hear those high pitched noises coming from many electronics that others cannot hear.

[dds007]

Not an audiophile and have it. Just because I'm in the boat that sees it as "negligible" in the overall purchase price. And I'm easily sold on anything that lights up.


If it were Porsche, I would carefully weigh these decisions a little more carefully since these options quickly add up $$$.

[Audio Fan]

Originally Posted by dds007

Not an audiophile and have it. Just because I'm in the boat that sees it as "negligible" in the overall purchase price. And I'm easily sold on anything that lights up.


If it were Porsche, I would carefully weigh these decisions a little more carefully since these options quickly add up $$$.

Given the compression in satellite radio, you won't hear a difference in the radios, but most will hear the improvement with higher quality sources. Even Bluetooth steaming sounds noticeably better than satellite. I'm an audio nerd and just naturally listen for differences and hear them, others don't. I'm glad we get the choice. And, as much as I hate to admit it, the lighting in the speakers looks amazing. Such a cool feature. I'm in with the B&W system on my order. Think of it as 2k for premium audio and 1.6k for the best lighting upgrade around.

[xmanpro]

"Man I wish I saved that $3600" - said by me never.

[Aimster82]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

Placebo my friend.

Unless they are listening to uncompressed music from their phones all the time. I don't do that, I mainly listen to XM and it sounds the same as the HK.

MAYYYYBE it has a little more depth, but cmon. You have to be a real sound snob to find the difference.

Like what sounds better? What are people hearing that is that much better than HK? I have very good hearing, but obviously not a trained audiophile. Hell, I can hear those high pitched noises coming from many electronics that others cannot hear.

You can definitely notice the difference if you listen to music at loud volumes. It just sounds better and louder. HK starts to distort at a certain level. B&W will go past that and remain clear.

Still the bass in the B&W is lacking. I am still trying to tweak the system to get more bass out of the little subs under the seat.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by Aimster82

You can definitely notice the difference if you listen to music at loud volumes. It just sounds better and louder. HK starts to distort at a certain level. B&W will go past that and remain clear.

Still the bass in the B&W is lacking. I am still trying to tweak the system to get more bass out of the little subs under the seat.

Ill give it a try, I never really go past 50%

[Protocol_10]

I have the B&W in my 2021 X5 M50i. It's worth every single penny.

Most songs on streaming services like Amazon Music HD, Tidal, and Apple Music (finally) have "Lossless" audio capability. This means if you have compatible headphones/speakers you can listen to music at or near the same quality as it was originally recorded without the typical audio compression and reduction in quality.

Bowers & Wilkins is compatible to say the least. You will have no regrets.

[Crazyotter]

Originally Posted by ed4

Call me obtuse: I'm not seeing how a $3,500 option equates to an additional $100 a month, assuming it's a 36-month lease in this instance?

I get the money factor - yes, but shouldn't the added increase for the B&W be residualized? An additional $60, not $100?

It’s definitely 100 bucks a month.
I got it in mine and it went up by like 102 bucks

[Crazyotter]

Sounds amazing. Definitely have to dial in the EQ but it’s so clear.

[ajob]

Originally Posted by -cj-

You can only listen to lossless or digital masters from Apple Music if youre plugged in using USB, FYI. For some reason wifi doesn't support the high quality bitrates.

I fully agree with USB being the only high quality entry point to listen to good recorded music.

My solution is as follows:

1. Convert your CDs to lossless .flac music files, for instance with DBPoweramp for the conversion and Tag&Rename to organize the artwork and album contents;

2. Store the files in a Samsung SSD (get the 2 TB one if you store movies too);

3. Plug the SSD drive in the USB-C socket in the box between the seats.

On a good music system .flac files sound perceivably better compared to .mp3 files and make the B&W system really worthwhile.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by ajob

I fully agree with USB being the only high quality entry point to listen to good recorded music.

My solution is as follows:

1. Convert your CDs to lossless .flac music files, for instance with DBPoweramp for the conversion and Tag&Rename to organize the artwork and album contents;

2. Store the files in a Samsung SSD (get the 2 TB one if you store movies too);

3. Plug the SSD drive in the USB-C socket in the box between the seats.

On a good music system .flac files sound perceivably better compared to .mp3 files and make the B&W system really worthwhile.

See thats just way too much effort to enjoy these speakers. lol

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ajob

I fully agree with USB being the only high quality entry point...On a good music system .flac files sound perceivably better compared to .mp3 files and make the B&W system really worthwhile.

yup ... Tidal streams CD quality just fine 100% of the time wired ... assuming ...

(1.) Most people, from their phones (apple or android), no matter what they THINK they're playing (via USB/lightening), aren't playing "high-res"
If you immediately know why I"m saying that (catalog+tech) then you might be one of the exceptions.

(2.) FLACs will definitely have a perceivably better sound to the average listener, even on a mediocre system / headphones IN A QUIET ENVIRONMENT ON A RECORDING WITH GOOD MASTERING. Cars probably aren't that usually. And is the difference large? For most listeners, not unless they listen A/B and super care about small differences.

(3.) Once you get over the mastering problem, the tech problem, the limitations of a noisy car, and the system itself how much sound-wise is the B&W really giving you over the HK I haven't heard them back-to-back but I believe those saying "none".


All of that said, will I spec the B&W? Definitely. Why? Not for the sound difference, just cuz if I'm loading up then imma load it the fuck up.

So for me it's worth it, but not because of the sound. or hi-res. whatever that realistically means. Which is almost nothing.

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

On average, $1000 is around $27 for a 36 month lease with a good MF.

So $3500 is like $95

You are forgetting that 50% of that 3500 is residualized. On a lease, 3500 is more like 55-60 bucks a month.

[-Vanguard-]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

You are forgetting that 50% of that 3500 is residualized. On a lease, 3500 is more like 55-60 bucks a month.

Unlikely, as most options don't usually keep much residual.

[Alpine300zhp]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

Unlikely, as most options don't usually keep much residual.

In my experience, the residual is applied to the MSRP. No?

[TCBavarian]

Originally Posted by Alpine300zhp

In my experience, the residual is applied to the MSRP. No?

Yes. Which includes the Bowers. Therefore if the lease residual were 50%. Then all options including port installed accessories are only 50% of their msrp. If you negotiated say 5% off msrp then the amount would be slightly less than the $1750.

I don't know where the $100 is coming from