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      11-15-2013, 04:09 PM   #1
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Bang & Olufsen in M3/4

Why doesn't BMW offer Bang & Olufsen upgrade for M3/4? HK is ok, but it can never compare.
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      11-15-2013, 04:12 PM   #2
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The HK system was worse than terrible in a '12 Challenger SRT8 I had.
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      11-15-2013, 05:48 PM   #3
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I think it's a combination of exclusivity - keep it for the 5/6/7/X5 series. And they may have accounting data that suggests a low uptake rate for the option which on the M5 is $3700.
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      11-15-2013, 05:54 PM   #4
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Still, they should offer it as a second option. I would've paid for it.
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      11-15-2013, 06:48 PM   #5
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To me B&O has never been about sound quality but about beautiful design. Their sound quality is more often than not compromised in favour of design. I'm not crying if we can't get B&O since I suspect it's very overpriced in relation to actual sound performance and I really don't like the moving parts as the rising center speaker. It seems like a sure breakdown sooner or later.
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      11-15-2013, 06:59 PM   #6
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^ This
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      11-15-2013, 07:52 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
To me B&O has never been about sound quality but about beautiful design. Their sound quality is more often than not compromised in favour of design. I'm not crying if we can't get B&O since I suspect it's very overpriced in relation to actual sound performance and I really don't like the moving parts as the rising center speaker. It seems like a sure breakdown sooner or later.
I totally agree with you about moving parts as just being a potential for failure down the road. However, IMHO I really like the B & O system in my previous S4 and it has been the best sound system I have heard in a car. It is very possible that I haven't listened to a lot of great car audio systems, but I have had Lexus, Mercedes, Volvo, Porsche etc., and I still think the system was the best in the Audi.
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      11-15-2013, 08:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMB View Post
I totally agree with you about moving parts as just being a potential for failure down the road. However, IMHO I really like the B & O system in my previous S4 and it has been the best sound system I have heard in a car. It is very possible that I haven't listened to a lot of great car audio systems, but I have had Lexus, Mercedes, Volvo, Porsche etc., and I still think the system was the best in the Audi.
In that case I think you definately would have enjoyed the B&O in the BMWs. I had a new 2011 S4 for 24h from the dealer lot when I was testing cars prior to buying the M3 and for my taste that system was no match for the Logic 7 in the E60 or the F10. The B&O in the new M5 , M6 and regular 6s I've driven is way better than the S4's but nothing really special and really overpriced for my taste. It's better than the Bose Porsche uses but not better than the Burmester, again for my taste.

I find the Lear audio system in the M3 to be fairly crisp and clean with tight bass but the soundstage is small and overall it's a bit clinical and not very involving.

Last edited by solstice; 11-15-2013 at 08:45 PM..
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      11-16-2013, 12:55 AM   #9
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Individual High End Audiosystem in the E92 is it the same as the Lear audio system you talk about?
Lear audio makes it and is a upgrade from the HK system but is not as expensive as B&O which i am not so sure i want to pay so much for a audio system if it is about the same price as the other B&O systems in the 5 and 6 series.

So the Individual High End Audiosystem is a middle road if its offered in F80/F82 ,anyone has any experience of it vs the HK and B&O?

This review is postive
http://www.dirac.se/media/1793/autoh...ranslation.pdf

Technology from Dirac company ,their tech also in the B&O systems.

http://www.dirac.se/en/reference-pro...-products.aspx
http://www.dirac.se/en/reference-pro...-products.aspx

Last edited by Holset; 11-16-2013 at 01:35 AM..
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      11-16-2013, 01:59 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Holset View Post
Individual High End Audiosystem in the E92 is it the same as the Lear audio system you talk about?
Lear audio makes it and is a upgrade from the HK system but is not as expensive as B&O which i am not so sure i want to pay so much for a audio system if it is about the same price as the other B&O systems in the 5 and 6 series.

So the Individual High End Audiosystem is a middle road if its offered in F80/F82 ,anyone has any experience of it vs the HK and B&O?

This review is postive
http://www.dirac.se/media/1793/autoh...ranslation.pdf

Technology from Dirac company ,their tech also in the B&O systems.

http://www.dirac.se/en/reference-pro...-products.aspx
http://www.dirac.se/en/reference-pro...-products.aspx
Yes, it's the same system. It was called Enhanced Premium Sound in the US option list for the E9X M3 and was $1900. I have it in my M3.
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      11-16-2013, 06:44 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solstice View Post
Yes, it's the same system. It was called Enhanced Premium Sound in the US option list for the E9X M3 and was $1900. I have it in my M3.
Ok i thought so.
So in your opinion the Lear system is better sounding than HK and B&O?
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      11-16-2013, 08:31 AM   #12
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I must have not adjusted the sound system enough in my old E92 M3 to fully appreciate the system (enhanced premium sound). I also agree with Solstice that the Bose system in Porsche is not very good, but I am hoping that the HK upgrade that I placed with my M4 order will be better than the old E92 premium sound system.
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      11-16-2013, 08:57 AM   #13
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As much as I would like to have a "good" sound system in the car, I am not up for paying $3700 for the upgraded audio. I have the Individual sound in my e92 and I'm very happy with it, its good enough for me, hopefully this is a standard on the new M3/4.

Also I think its possible that they will have other options in the following year.

Last edited by BRAISKI; 11-16-2013 at 09:52 AM..
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      11-16-2013, 03:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gblansten View Post
I think it's a combination of exclusivity - keep it for the 5/6/7/X5 series. And they may have accounting data that suggests a low uptake rate for the option which on the M5 is $3700.
Audi sells a B&O system in the S4 and S5 for $1100. I bought it. It's fantastic. There's no extruded aluminum masterpieces, but there are really nice polished rings laid in the metal, a large center channel that runs along most of the windshield, and the entire rear deck behind the passengers is 3 huge speaker boxes.
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      11-16-2013, 03:52 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gee-m-w View Post
Audi sells a B&O system in the S4 and S5 for $1100. I bought it. It's fantastic. There's no extruded aluminum masterpieces, but there are really nice polished rings laid in the metal, a large center channel that runs along most of the windshield, and the entire rear deck behind the passengers is 3 huge speaker boxes.
Hey, at $1100 I think most of us would be hard pressed to skip that option.
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      11-16-2013, 04:34 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gblansten View Post
Hey, at $1100 I think most of us would be hard pressed to skip that option.
I don't care if they make it $1900 and bundle it with Sirius or $2200 and bundle the iPhone stuff.
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      11-16-2013, 04:46 PM   #17
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Not a fan of the S4 B&O, but to each their own.

The upgraded stereo for the E92 M3 (was it HK) sounded terrible; no amount of fiddling with the EQ could give me anything close to what I would call powerful but quick bass response. I honestly preferred the Logic 7 in my 335i even though I have been told it was "less accurate".

Car audio is really in the ear of the beholder I suppose. The only Bose system I have ever heard that wasn't terrible were the old systems in the early 2000's Infinitis.

It's just hit and miss. Cars you would completely expect to have top-class stereos (like the M3, 911, Cayman, Cadillacs CTS-V, etc) are all disappointing. Meanwhile, the premium system in the Mustang GTs that you'd expect to be trash absolutely blew me away. Hell, my work buddy has a '98 Lexus LS400 with a Nakamichi that is probably the best stock stereo I have ever heard.

Guess my point being that BMW really should stop fleecing people with their overpriced premium systems that don't really sound THAT much better than what you get in a Taurus Limited rental car.
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      11-16-2013, 04:49 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BRAISKI View Post
As much as I would like to have a "good" sound system in the car, I am not up for paying $3700 for the upgraded audio.
It's especially offensive at that price when you take apart the components and realize they're CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.
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      04-29-2014, 05:37 PM   #19
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B&O sounds great on my R8
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      06-09-2014, 10:40 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by filip75 View Post
Why doesn't BMW offer Bang & Olufsen upgrade for M3/4? HK is ok, but it can never compare.
I agree 100%. My last car, a 2012 Audi S4, much cheaper than the M4 I have on order, offered the B&O sound system and it is BY FAR the best car audio system I have EVER heard. Period. HK doesn't even come close. I would have paid for it for sure.
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      06-09-2014, 03:07 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by basscadet View Post
The upgraded stereo for the E92 M3 (was it HK) sounded terrible; no amount of fiddling with the EQ could give me anything close to what I would call powerful but quick bass response. I honestly preferred the Logic 7 in my 335i even though I have been told it was "less accurate".
this was exactly my experience as well. glad to see that the new M3 has a more reasonably priced upgraded stereo that I predict will still outperform the outgoing upgraded sound. in either case, the option will be worth the money since I would never rip apart the interior of a car on this level to get better sound.

for me, the upgraded stereo doesn't need to be the best I've heard. it just has to be good enough that I can enjoy listening to music on long drives.
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      06-17-2014, 01:47 PM   #22
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Maybe HK will surprise us? They still make very nice speakers, and i have a 2013 a4 with the B&O and it is very nice, but i think that the HK will be about the same.
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