[Paladin1]

B&W is definitely the best audio system in vehicles I have personally owned, including the B&O in my previous Audi (but close). And as noted, with the qualifier "for a car." The added audio isolation in the G05 makes a high end system actually practical, and after a trial run I optioned it in both my MY20 X5s. In comparison to a TAD Reference One, not so much, but for a moving automobile, pretty nice.

[aben1975]

Originally Posted by superkrups20056

I agree with this. I bought the B&W system after dealing with multiple years of HK in prior BMWs. A car this expensive really should not have a sound system as embarrassing as the HK. SavageGeese on YouTube does in-depth audiographs on all cars he reviews and he thinks the B&W should be standard on BMWs because the HK's range and clarity (even the upgraded package) leave a lot to be desired, especially compared to cars half the price. I don't know how people can survive long trips without a good sound system. I listened to music on the B&W and I passed my exit after three hours on the highway because it only felt like an hour with all the fun I was having.

The good news is that BAVSound is there for people unfortunate enough to have the HK system. I haven't had the experience with it but anything is better than the HK. I can say for a fact that out of the six cars we have in the garage the HK system sounds the worst.

I think the worst part is HK isn't even the standard system, HiFi is. Maybe at this price point HK should be the stock system at least makes sense. Seems like BMW gets this as the 21's now package it in the premium.. I didnt go for BW, but am excited for the HK. Maybe in my next one ill go there.

[EUPremier]

I had HK in my recently sold 430d (2016 F36) Gran Coupe.
My wife has standard audio in her 730d (2018).

The HK is far and away superior to the basic system.

It’s night & day different.

By means of reference, I find Sonos speakers to be rubbish too. I have 2x Play 3 w/Sonos Sub in a Kitchen and it’s ‘fine’. Wouldn’t have it in a living room though.

Now, it was far from high-end audio I was reared so I don’t want to sound pretentious... it’s just that I was introduced to audio separates from a young age and Yamaha Amps & B&W speakers I bought in 1999 still sound far better than Sonos do. They lack Sonos’ USP of ease of use though. But we’re talking sound here.

Anyway, before I’m chastised for being off-topic, I mention Sonos as many readers will have heard them. HK in the 430d leaves Sonos in the ha’penny place.

If you think Sonos is the best thing since sliced bread, perhaps the bog standard audio will work for you.

[aben1975]

Originally Posted by EUPremier

I had HK in my recently sold 430d (2016 F36) Gran Coupe.
My wife has standard audio in her 730d (2018).

The HK is far and away superior to the basic system.

It’s night & day different.

By means of reference, I find Sonos speakers to be rubbish too. I have 2x Play 3 w/Sonos Sub in a Kitchen and it’s ‘fine’. Wouldn’t have it in a living room though.

Now, it was far from high-end audio I was reared so I don’t want to sound pretentious... it’s just that I was introduced to audio separates from a young age and Yamaha Amps & B&W speakers I bought in 1999 still sound far better than Sonos do. They lack Sonos’ USP of ease of use though. But we’re talking sound here.

Anyway, before I’m chastised for being off-topic, I mention Sonos as many readers will have heard them. HK in the 430d leaves Sonos in the ha’penny place.

If you think Sonos is the best thing since sliced bread, perhaps the bog standard audio will work for you.

Glad you see notice a significant difference in HK over standard. I did an extended test drive with HiFi. It was ok, certainly excited for my X5 with HK to show up this Wednesday. Im sure BW is fantastic, it should be for the upcharge it carries.

[EUPremier]

New X5, cool! I’m getting mine (10mth old dealer demo) on Saturday, 26. What did you go for, engine/spec-wise?

[aben1975]

Originally Posted by EUPremier

New X5, cool! I’m getting mine (10mth old dealer demo) on Saturday, 26. What did you go for, engine/spec-wise?

Mineral White, Cognac, Premium Pkg (includes HK Audio) 20" wheels, Heated wheels seat, parking pkg, running board and hitch. Should arrive Wednesday.

[EUPremier]

Gorgeous. Enjoy the big day, I certainly intend to!

[Jrunr]

Still thinking about upgrading the speakers in the G05... Stuck between the Focal and BavSound options. though I have read that people really like the drop-in Eton speakers as well... I guess it's good to have choices.

[aben1975]

Originally Posted by Jrunr

Still thinking about upgrading the speakers in the G05... Stck between the Focal and BavSound options. though I have read that people really like the drop-in Eton speakers as well... I guess it's good to have choices.

I'll be curious if you go that route. It wasn't entirely clear to me what the total cost of a Focal system would be assuming swapping out a HK system of 16. Bavsound seemed pretty clear kit for the G05. They both seem to have very positive reviews. It likely comes down to personal preference and some sort of brand fascination as its very difficult to determine which is ultimately best but sounds like you can't go wrong with either.

[aben1975]

I've been in the car about a week with the HK. The delivery settings are very flat, thankfully there are some really good sound settings that have been posted elsewhere in this site that tremendously improve the performance. I am not an audiophile, but night and day difference. While i'm sure the BW is blow your socks off, i am very happy with this system hearing things that i haven't in a long time.

[pho]

Originally Posted by aben1975

I've been in the car about a week with the HK. The delivery settings are very flat, thankfully there are some really good sound settings that have been posted elsewhere in this site that tremendously improve the performance. I am not an audiophile, but night and day difference. While i'm sure the BW is blow your socks off, i am very happy with this system hearing things that i haven't in a long time.

Hmm. Do you happen to have the link to the settings you configured?

[Sirksael]

I seem to be having an extraordinary difficult time in making the HK system sound good.
My preference is a variety of music, mostly rock/metal, but also classical, rap, techno,...

My traditional approach is ordering the stock system and basically replacing everything, but on my last car (a Mercedes GLC), it took me so long to replace all components that it wasn't fun any more. I had to basically strip the car down to bare metal. So I though, let's order the X5 with a good factory system and settle for that.
As the B&W is basically the price of a VW polo in Europe, and the HK got decent reviews here, I ordered that. Having owned the X5 for almost 2 months now, I was not totally disappointed but also now really blown away.

On the stock system, it seems there is some serious sound processing going on, boosting low(ish)and mid bass at low volumes, making it sound muddy/boomy. It also lacks the really low bass frequencies. At higher volumes, bass seems to be less boosted but it still lacks the low frequencies. Also, again at low volumes, the high frequencies can use a small boost, but at higher volumes they are too much present.
As this isn't linear at all, it cannot be solved by EQ settings, unless you change the EQ every time you change volume.
I thought to solve this by ordering a Technic harness which allows to tap the front speaker signal in a completely reversible way, and also allows to drive the HK subwoofers from a separate amp if you so desire. I added a small Kicker subwoofer with monoblock amp and a separate amp for the HK woofers.
The setting is very subtle, you wouldn't know a subwoofer is there by listening.
This solves the problem of low end bass and mid bass. the bass is now clean and punchy and at low to medium volumes, the system is pretty good.

Next up is the lack of midrange presence which now became really apparent. Boosting the midrange with EQ helps some, but not enough to make the system sound really high-end. This becomes much worse at high volumes, where I think the highs are boosted and the music becomes harsh. I tried to solve this with the LC2i Accubass feature, which adds bass into the mix from a certain volume, but it doesn't help much. I don't think the problem is a lack of bass, more a boost in high frequencies. This is from about 50% volume.

I'm wondering if someone with more knowledge can advise me on the next steps? I'm considering replacing the tweeters with silk dome tweeters, see if that helps.

Anyway, long story short, I don't think just an EQ setting can make this system sound good at all volumes.



If intererested, components used:
- Kicker TCompRT10 sub (4ohm)
- Ground zero GZHA mini one monoblock amp 220Watts at 4ohm
- Crunch GTO 2125 for the HK woofers. I can't seem to find anywhere what ohm value the stock woofers are so I'm not 100% sure this amp is the best, but it seems to work fine.
- LC2i LOC (needed for handling the strong output signal of the HK amp)

[aben1975]

Originally Posted by pho

Hmm. Do you happen to have the link to the settings you configured?

Here the most recent settings I've used

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1582200

[vkxkswk_xxxk]

Originally Posted by Auricom

I used these settings for my F15 and now G05:
https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=25594052

I don't see an option for logic7. Is this only available for H&K?

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by Dan_xxxk

I don't see an option for logic7. Is this only available for H&K?

That's correct.

[vkxkswk_xxxk]

Anyone have EQ settings for B&W?