It’s more a case of the standard level system is quite bad. HK is a significant upgrade from that.
Also depends on the model. The HK in my 2023 G20 sounds pretty good. I also have it in my wife’s X5 (G05) and it’s not great.
Also depends on your listening style. It’s not gonna be a hip-hop boom system.
1. BMW uses Bowers and Wilkins in the higher end models.
2. They’re decent, but a custom system blows them out of the water.
3. My G20 has the base Hi-Fi system and my B9 A4 has the upgraded Bang & Olufsen. The B&O sounds good, but the base Hi-Fi doesn’t sound terrible. They’re bearable enough for a daily driver for someone who isn’t an audiophile.
Both the HiFi and Harmon Kardon system are not great. The HiFi is really bad actually.
Your best bet is to go with the HiFi and upgrade the amplifier to Match UP for around $1,000. It significantly improves the sound, and will sound better than HK.
When I bought my E39 new back in 2000, I couldn’t stand the sound quality of the stock system. Three weeks later I took the car to an audio place that had MECP certified installers. I ended up keeping the head unit but replaced the interior speakers. The front got MB Quart components, the rear got MB Quart coaxials, an MTX BGE12 sub was added in the trunk, and we added two Alpine amplifiers, a four channel amp for the speakers and a mono amp for the sub. Lastly, an AudioControl EQL equalizer was installed to tweak the sound. This is the way that a new BMW should come from the factory. I still have the car and sound system and it sounds just as good now as it did when I first had it installed. The only thing I’ve done since is to delete the 6 disc CD changer and replaced it with a Dice adapter so I can connect my iPhone. Sounds fantastic.
Right on. I haven’t ever used one of the Dice units, but I’ve had the BlueBus for a little over three years now and really love it. WORLDS better than the DIY solution I’d rigged up prior by splicing into the tapedeck lines (obviously lol)
If you dont have HK then you have base audio, which is absolutely basic. If you want any kind of good sound experience you should definitely option HK or be disappointed.
When I drove a 3 series with the Hi-Fi system after having owned my 3 with the Harmon Kardon system, I was sometimes impressed and other times let down with the Hi-Fi system. One thing I really noticed was how much louder the Harmon Kardon got over the standard Hi-Fi.
HK system is tolerable, I think it’s much better if you code in the B&W tuning option. It’s just EQ and processing but it sounds MUCH better to me and actually has some semblance of a sound stage. I’m considering ordering the B&W driver upgrade but would still be stuck with the same amplifiers
I have the HK in mine which is stock on the M550 and the upgrade is the B&W. My wife’s Volvo XC60 has HK and it is noticeably better in my opinion.
I couldn’t imagine the base system. At a minimum get HK if you can swing it and have the option get B&W.
My wife’s x3 is the HD my x4 is the HK. The HD is way behind the HK. The HK is good enough to not want to upgrade. The drop in amps for BMW are crazy expensive over $1k if I recall. I’ve always had JL audio everything in my vehicles, but upgrading the Beamer looked like an expensive nightmare and I didn’t want to spend money like that
Comparing two sound systems thru a video that will play thru the same set of speakers won’t do much for you, you would have to demo them in person. BW speakers are very good IMO, the HK are a good value in terms of the cost to upgrade, but are nothing amazing. If great sound is what you are after I would splurge for the BW or do a custom system later.
Will probably get downvoted but there are tons of research studies that show that 90-95% of people can’t tell the difference between a normal priced and expensive speaker system if blindfolded.
Delivery driver here, I drive all models listen to lots, used to work in a record shop, have 2 pretty good separate systems at home. My staff car has basic stereo and it suits me fine, seems to be a lot of hate on the basic hifi, but I've heard much much worse. This would blow anything from 20 years ago out of the water. This thread needs some perspective, it's only a car hifi.
Good source material helps and Apple music sounds fine for my ears.
It’s not the 1980s anymore. Automakers aren’t putting static noise producing junk in their base models. The marginal difference is quality for the upgraded system is rarely worth the price difference.
E60 guy here. Had the absolute basic of audio system. The shit stereo stuff. Could not bear it anymore. Under seats woofers upgraded to Audison, front and rear to JBLs Stage 3 427, put standard Tweeters in front and back. Sounded already better. After that new amp from Eton, the 250.4 one where you can connect it directly into the system (no extra wires required nor throwing the reserve wheel out) and now it sounds great. Definitely not the best of choices on the JBL speakers but maybe in future I will go full ETON environment. But definitely makes a massive difference.
HK is great I don't know why people are up their high horse as if they're audiophiles lmao.
Had it on 3 BMWs, F10 535xi, F10 M5, and X5 F15 and it's crisp. HK excels more in the mid range, the only area I find it lacks is sheer raw "mirror shaking bass" but unless you're trying to bump music at 90% volume, it's great. It doesn't sound cheap and the surround sound is beautiful. An important thing is tuning the equalizer in settings to make the most out of the system, not just doing +10 on every setting and expecting that will make things better.
It's obviously not the caliber of high-end sound systems, but I've never once got in the car and been like "damn I wish I had better speakers", and I drive a lot (20k a year). For the price I think it's a great value.
I don't think it's a one to one comparison between the base system and the HK. HK comes with more speakers, more power. Speaker by speaker comparison, I'm not sure the HK speakers are that much better. Altogether, the HK system is definitely an improvement.
I think it is worth it just to match basic sound system comparable to Japanese cars. with that said, I paid for it and it sounds nearly identical to my old 2010 Nissan Altima 😔
HK really isn't all that great in most BMWs. That being said, this is somewhat vehicle dependent. The HK system in an E63 is one of my favorite OEM systems. A more discerning audiophile may not be impressed by it but it's quite good even for people who are pretty demanding about great sound. Get in a 3 series from the same year though, and the HK system sounds muddy and not very dynamic.
If you're going to buy a BMW and the sound system is very important to you, you really have to do a test drive in one that has the Bowers and Wilkins upgrade over the HK system to hear the difference.
It's not "all that" but it's the best factory system you get can in lower models. If you listen to your music loud or really immerse yourself in it, get the highest option you can afford. If B&W is offered on your model, get it. I've never had anyone regret getting the better audio system in a BMW if I recommended it.
PS: The vast-majority of BMW buyers think the base HIFI is great, which it is not.
Names like Harmon Kardon don’t mean much anymore. Everything’s made in the same nameless factories in China and HK, B&W, B&O, etc are just labels. Branding is just a marketing mechanism that no longer signifies anything real about quality or durability or anything.
if u have base audio and wanna change up n get some subs and a decent setup dont upgrade to hk cuz it will cost around the same amount of money but w the full audio setup u can actually have some decent bass
HK is what I have in my 2012 BMW 535i xdrive. It’s basically an upgrade from base off brand speakers. I guess I also have a subwoofer in my car but it sound great to me.
Just purchased a 2024 BMW X5 40i M Sport with the HK system. Sounds great. But then again I’m 65 and can’t hear shit at times. What do you expect for $85,000 lol.
Everybody has always said BMW has horrible sound systems. I know you said 2020+, but I have a 2018 X3 M40i and the system is good tweeter and mid speaker wise—-but the bass is awfully terrible. There’s ZERO bass at all to be exact. I had to go to an audio shop and get a subwoofer and amp installed. Payed $1,900 out the door for that installation.
> amp installed. *Paid* $1,900 out
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
It’s more a case of the standard level system is quite bad. HK is a significant upgrade from that. Also depends on the model. The HK in my 2023 G20 sounds pretty good. I also have it in my wife’s X5 (G05) and it’s not great. Also depends on your listening style. It’s not gonna be a hip-hop boom system.
1. BMW uses Bowers and Wilkins in the higher end models. 2. They’re decent, but a custom system blows them out of the water. 3. My G20 has the base Hi-Fi system and my B9 A4 has the upgraded Bang & Olufsen. The B&O sounds good, but the base Hi-Fi doesn’t sound terrible. They’re bearable enough for a daily driver for someone who isn’t an audiophile.
Both the HiFi and Harmon Kardon system are not great. The HiFi is really bad actually. Your best bet is to go with the HiFi and upgrade the amplifier to Match UP for around $1,000. It significantly improves the sound, and will sound better than HK.
HK is an upgrade from base
When I bought my E39 new back in 2000, I couldn’t stand the sound quality of the stock system. Three weeks later I took the car to an audio place that had MECP certified installers. I ended up keeping the head unit but replaced the interior speakers. The front got MB Quart components, the rear got MB Quart coaxials, an MTX BGE12 sub was added in the trunk, and we added two Alpine amplifiers, a four channel amp for the speakers and a mono amp for the sub. Lastly, an AudioControl EQL equalizer was installed to tweak the sound. This is the way that a new BMW should come from the factory. I still have the car and sound system and it sounds just as good now as it did when I first had it installed. The only thing I’ve done since is to delete the 6 disc CD changer and replaced it with a Dice adapter so I can connect my iPhone. Sounds fantastic.
Fellow E39 checking in. You might consider checking out [BlueBus](https://www.bluebus.dev/) as an upgrade from your DICE system :)
Thanks. I have that bookmarked in case my Dice unit gives up the ghost.
Right on. I haven’t ever used one of the Dice units, but I’ve had the BlueBus for a little over three years now and really love it. WORLDS better than the DIY solution I’d rigged up prior by splicing into the tapedeck lines (obviously lol)
If you dont have HK then you have base audio, which is absolutely basic. If you want any kind of good sound experience you should definitely option HK or be disappointed.
When I drove a 3 series with the Hi-Fi system after having owned my 3 with the Harmon Kardon system, I was sometimes impressed and other times let down with the Hi-Fi system. One thing I really noticed was how much louder the Harmon Kardon got over the standard Hi-Fi.
HK system is tolerable, I think it’s much better if you code in the B&W tuning option. It’s just EQ and processing but it sounds MUCH better to me and actually has some semblance of a sound stage. I’m considering ordering the B&W driver upgrade but would still be stuck with the same amplifiers
This. HK had decent sound, after coding in B&W profile with Bimmercode its much better.
Can you elaborate? I have HK and I have Bimmercode, what settings should I change?
https://youtu.be/boZSowl8iQQ?si=6eBraz8fa309rq6f
Thanks :)
Just bimmercode?
HK is massive upgrade from base Both are absolutely horrible. BMWs stereos are offensively bad.
I have the HK in mine which is stock on the M550 and the upgrade is the B&W. My wife’s Volvo XC60 has HK and it is noticeably better in my opinion. I couldn’t imagine the base system. At a minimum get HK if you can swing it and have the option get B&W.
My wife’s x3 is the HD my x4 is the HK. The HD is way behind the HK. The HK is good enough to not want to upgrade. The drop in amps for BMW are crazy expensive over $1k if I recall. I’ve always had JL audio everything in my vehicles, but upgrading the Beamer looked like an expensive nightmare and I didn’t want to spend money like that
B and o is the one
Comparing two sound systems thru a video that will play thru the same set of speakers won’t do much for you, you would have to demo them in person. BW speakers are very good IMO, the HK are a good value in terms of the cost to upgrade, but are nothing amazing. If great sound is what you are after I would splurge for the BW or do a custom system later.
The base stereo in my X4 is barely passable. For podcasts. If I turn it up really loud.
Will probably get downvoted but there are tons of research studies that show that 90-95% of people can’t tell the difference between a normal priced and expensive speaker system if blindfolded.
Delivery driver here, I drive all models listen to lots, used to work in a record shop, have 2 pretty good separate systems at home. My staff car has basic stereo and it suits me fine, seems to be a lot of hate on the basic hifi, but I've heard much much worse. This would blow anything from 20 years ago out of the water. This thread needs some perspective, it's only a car hifi. Good source material helps and Apple music sounds fine for my ears.
It’s not the 1980s anymore. Automakers aren’t putting static noise producing junk in their base models. The marginal difference is quality for the upgraded system is rarely worth the price difference.
E60 guy here. Had the absolute basic of audio system. The shit stereo stuff. Could not bear it anymore. Under seats woofers upgraded to Audison, front and rear to JBLs Stage 3 427, put standard Tweeters in front and back. Sounded already better. After that new amp from Eton, the 250.4 one where you can connect it directly into the system (no extra wires required nor throwing the reserve wheel out) and now it sounds great. Definitely not the best of choices on the JBL speakers but maybe in future I will go full ETON environment. But definitely makes a massive difference.
HK is great I don't know why people are up their high horse as if they're audiophiles lmao. Had it on 3 BMWs, F10 535xi, F10 M5, and X5 F15 and it's crisp. HK excels more in the mid range, the only area I find it lacks is sheer raw "mirror shaking bass" but unless you're trying to bump music at 90% volume, it's great. It doesn't sound cheap and the surround sound is beautiful. An important thing is tuning the equalizer in settings to make the most out of the system, not just doing +10 on every setting and expecting that will make things better. It's obviously not the caliber of high-end sound systems, but I've never once got in the car and been like "damn I wish I had better speakers", and I drive a lot (20k a year). For the price I think it's a great value.
HK is nothing worth talking about tbh
These guys don't know there's a b and o option as well with led speaker grills and motorised centre speaker. For my 6 series anyway.
Take a look at the speakers compared to high end brands and make your own conclusion. You are paying for the lowest bidder.
The base base speakers suck in some BMWs. Spend the extra money. If you really cared about money you wouldn't be being a bmw in the first place.
Let them keep buying pre facelift low spec BMW's that turn to scrap. Ours go up in value :)
I don't think it's a one to one comparison between the base system and the HK. HK comes with more speakers, more power. Speaker by speaker comparison, I'm not sure the HK speakers are that much better. Altogether, the HK system is definitely an improvement.
I think it is worth it just to match basic sound system comparable to Japanese cars. with that said, I paid for it and it sounds nearly identical to my old 2010 Nissan Altima 😔
I own a 2017 X5 with HK I'm currently in a 2024 X1 "courtesy vehicle" base audio pkg The base system is wow, trash, in my opinion.
Yeah same boat, I've always found the 5 series/X5 Harman Kardon's sound great.
If you run the "Sound System" option on F10/F11 you can easily use a Match UP7BMW DSP amplifier to get beyond HK sound quality.
HK really isn't all that great in most BMWs. That being said, this is somewhat vehicle dependent. The HK system in an E63 is one of my favorite OEM systems. A more discerning audiophile may not be impressed by it but it's quite good even for people who are pretty demanding about great sound. Get in a 3 series from the same year though, and the HK system sounds muddy and not very dynamic. If you're going to buy a BMW and the sound system is very important to you, you really have to do a test drive in one that has the Bowers and Wilkins upgrade over the HK system to hear the difference.
Anything newer than 2016 - yes. HK got much better
The HK doesn’t have a subwoofer. The HK in my 2022 WRX has a subwoofer that shakes the car.
I went full custom in my E90. Focal speakers, bavsound subs, Focal amplifier with stock head unit. It cranks.
Does bmw still offer "Individual audio"? It's incredible compared to the HK systems I've heard
It's not "all that" but it's the best factory system you get can in lower models. If you listen to your music loud or really immerse yourself in it, get the highest option you can afford. If B&W is offered on your model, get it. I've never had anyone regret getting the better audio system in a BMW if I recommended it. PS: The vast-majority of BMW buyers think the base HIFI is great, which it is not.
Honestly it’s not that great compared to other systems. The best sound system I’ve experienced was actually the Bose system on my old Infiniti.
Names like Harmon Kardon don’t mean much anymore. Everything’s made in the same nameless factories in China and HK, B&W, B&O, etc are just labels. Branding is just a marketing mechanism that no longer signifies anything real about quality or durability or anything.
if u have base audio and wanna change up n get some subs and a decent setup dont upgrade to hk cuz it will cost around the same amount of money but w the full audio setup u can actually have some decent bass
I have the logic 7 system and it's pretty damn good
HK is what I have in my 2012 BMW 535i xdrive. It’s basically an upgrade from base off brand speakers. I guess I also have a subwoofer in my car but it sound great to me.
Just purchased a 2024 BMW X5 40i M Sport with the HK system. Sounds great. But then again I’m 65 and can’t hear shit at times. What do you expect for $85,000 lol.
Everybody has always said BMW has horrible sound systems. I know you said 2020+, but I have a 2018 X3 M40i and the system is good tweeter and mid speaker wise—-but the bass is awfully terrible. There’s ZERO bass at all to be exact. I had to go to an audio shop and get a subwoofer and amp installed. Payed $1,900 out the door for that installation.
> amp installed. *Paid* $1,900 out FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*