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      09-07-2011, 10:37 PM   #89
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Originally Posted by Iwanna1M View Post
You know what they say about opinions. We need a comparison. Anyone heard both stock and HK back to back.
Yes, I owned both of them back to back, literally. Before deciding on the HK I literally drove 3hrs to listen to one back to back with my stock '12 hifi system. I am an audiophile and would love to help.
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      09-07-2011, 11:39 PM   #90
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My wife drives 125i with standard Audio, and I had a 135i with HK. Now, 1M with HK. Compare to my previous BMWs, the standard system is much more adequate, but by no means great. For non-audiophile, the standard system is definitely acceptable.

The HK in Aus was > $2k option, and you can get something similar for normally half the price including installation with aftermarket. Would I go aftermarket? --> No, because you loss the integration with the iDrive, and who knows what sort of impact it will have in the resale.

For a small amount, I would op for the better system though - as I enjoy any improvement of SQ.

To be honest, haven't been in a car that I am impressed with the stock audio - even the ones with the prestige names like Dyn Audio, Mark Levison or B&O. The best I had been in was my custom system I had which cost about $4k, which, to the honest truth, really is just on par with home systems half the price.
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      09-08-2011, 01:37 AM   #91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Designs View Post
Yes, I owned both of them back to back, literally. Before deciding on the HK I literally drove 3hrs to listen to one back to back with my stock '12 hifi system. I am an audiophile and would love to help.
Ok, I'll bite.

It seems the difference between the HK and the HiFi system (that comes standard in the 1M in the US, I am not talking the basic system that may be available outside the US) is only the better EQ and logic 7 DSP. That an the fact that it's a digital signal from the head unit to the amp in the trunk rather than analog.

From what I gather the speakers are otherwise the same.
From what I gather the logic 7 is not true logic 7 on the 1M because it does not have a center channel speaker (or something to that extend).
And finally I gather that the 'HiFi' system is actually made/designed by HK just the same, just not branded as such.

Given that, would you still think that the HK system is worth the $750 difference?

Would the same exact amount be better spent on after-market stuff? (bearing in mind that I don't want extra speakers eating up trunk space, I want something that's just as well integrated to the car as the original system).

Also to explain: I'm a musician and a bit of an audiophile. Not crazy picky, but I can tell the difference. That said, I also know that this system is going to be in a CAR: a noisy environment to start with, not sure how well you can appreciate the clarity of the tweeters (for example) when the wind is blowing at freeway speeds on the outside of the car.

That said, I also realize that the 'stereo system' I end up listening to the most in my life is the one in my car, because I commute in it and that's when I have the most time in my day to actually sit down and have time to just listen to music. For the last 20 years almost I have had only convertibles, where investing in a very good stereo is like (literally) throwing money out the window (well, through the roof to be accurate ). Now that I'm going back to a 'tin top' (hopefully, that is), I'm actually willing to spend a bit more to get a good setup.
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      09-08-2011, 03:12 AM   #92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
Sorry.. Daughter has an iphone ... as do I.. we ended up playing as much of her music... Adele.. Never say Never.. etc as much as mine..
but the key was it's pop music with good range and decent bass.

fair enough excuse so I will give you back some of your due's


and have now read the rest of your analysis / opinion
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      09-08-2011, 03:15 AM   #93
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnm View Post
Ok, I'll bite.

It seems the difference between the HK and the HiFi system (that comes standard in the 1M in the US, I am not talking the basic system that may be available outside the US) is only the better EQ and logic 7 DSP. That an the fact that it's a digital signal from the head unit to the amp in the trunk rather than analog.

From what I gather the speakers are otherwise the same.
From what I gather the logic 7 is not true logic 7 on the 1M because it does not have a center channel speaker (or something to that extend).
And finally I gather that the 'HiFi' system is actually made/designed by HK just the same, just not branded as such.

Given that, would you still think that the HK system is worth the $750 difference?

Would the same exact amount be better spent on after-market stuff? (bearing in mind that I don't want extra speakers eating up trunk space, I want something that's just as well integrated to the car as the original system).

Also to explain: I'm a musician and a bit of an audiophile. Not crazy picky, but I can tell the difference. That said, I also know that this system is going to be in a CAR: a noisy environment to start with, not sure how well you can appreciate the clarity of the tweeters (for example) when the wind is blowing at freeway speeds on the outside of the car.

That said, I also realize that the 'stereo system' I end up listening to the most in my life is the one in my car, because I commute in it and that's when I have the most time in my day to actually sit down and have time to just listen to music. For the last 20 years almost I have had only convertibles, where investing in a very good stereo is like (literally) throwing money out the window (well, through the roof to be accurate ). Now that I'm going back to a 'tin top' (hopefully, that is), I'm actually willing to spend a bit more to get a good setup.
Would you spend $750 for a class D amp?
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      09-08-2011, 03:25 AM   #94
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a lot of good opinions here

one minute I am nah, then the next yeah and so on but now we have ordered it and the car is soon to go into build I think we will run with the HK and be happy with it as the 1M will be a keeper for some years to come.
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      09-08-2011, 03:42 AM   #95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aussie_in_London View Post
a lot of good opinions here

one minute I am nah, then the next yeah and so on but now we have ordered it and the car is soon to go into build I think we will run with the HK and be happy with it as the 1M will be a keeper for some years to come.
I finally set mines up yesterday and followed a previous post on here for set up and wow what a difference. Once i can stop listening to the engine/exhaust noise and finally start to playing music i know i will be happy with the HK

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...lizer+settings

Last edited by Denso; 09-08-2011 at 03:50 AM..
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      09-08-2011, 04:07 AM   #96
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denso View Post
I finally set mines up yesterday and followed a previous post on here for set up and wow what a difference. Once i can stop listening to the engine/exhaust noise and finally start to playing music i know i will be happy with the HK

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...lizer+settings
well that's good to know mate, thanks for the link, have saved that for when the car arrives..........
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      09-08-2011, 04:39 AM   #97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denso View Post
I finally set mines up yesterday and followed a previous post on here for set up and wow what a difference. Once i can stop listening to the engine/exhaust noise and finally start to playing music i know i will be happy with the HK

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...lizer+settings
Denso, did you use these settings?

Treb - +5
Bass - +3
Fader - -2

100 - +4
200 - +4
500 - +6
1K - +6
2k - +4
5k - +5
10K - +6

If not, which settings did you use?

Cheers
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      09-08-2011, 04:44 AM   #98
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listened to the hk system for some hours when my girlfriend took delivery of her fully loaded e92 last week...

i must say i am not impressed in terms of clarity and depiction (sorry, hifi-magazine language but you get the idea) i am also slightly disappointed by the subwoofers

when listening to music which is produced to sound good even through some cell phone speaker (e.g. chart music) you will find it quite good though - but i have my "test-tracks" that unveil every systems weak points...

i am a high end / hifi enthusiast for home systems and used to have dynaudio systems in my previous cars so i guess i have high standards

i ordered hk for my 1M nevertheless

since it is the best option available for the 1M one should definitely get it - it would have been cool if bmw offered the individual high end system for the 1series though
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      09-08-2011, 04:48 AM   #99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evolution80 View Post
listened to the hk system for some hours when my girlfriend took delivery of her fully loaded e92 last week...

i must say i am not impressed in terms of clarity and depiction (sorry, hifi-magazine language but you get the idea) i am also slightly disappointed by the subwoofers

when listening to music which is produced to sound good even through some cell phone speaker (e.g. chart music) you will find it quite good though - but i have my "test-tracks" that unveil every systems weak points...

i am a high end / hifi enthusiast for home systems and used to have dynaudio systems in my previous cars so i guess i have high standards

i ordered hk for my 1M nevertheless

since it is the best option available for the 1M one should definitely get it - it would have been cool if bmw offered the individual high end system for the 1series though

thanks you last point just backed up why I ended up putting it on the list....
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      09-08-2011, 04:53 AM   #100
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and seriously these settings:

Treb - +5
Bass - +3
Fader - -2

100 - +4
200 - +4
500 - +6
1K - +6
2k - +4
5k - +5
10K - +6

the customer should not even be able to change them imo - if anything the manufacturer should set the system up according to each cars interior acoustics
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      09-08-2011, 08:48 AM   #101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisBuer View Post
Denso, did you use these settings?

Treb - +5
Bass - +3
Fader - -2

100 - +4
200 - +4
500 - +6
1K - +6
2k - +4
5k - +5
10K - +6

If not, which settings did you use?

Cheers
This what i went with, i am no hifi specialist but it suits my taste
Treb - +2
Bass - +1
Fader - +0

100 - +1
200 - -2
500 - +3
1K - +1
62k - -2
5k - +3
10K - +4
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      09-08-2011, 08:53 AM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evolution80 View Post
and seriously these settings:

Treb - +5
Bass - +3
Fader - -2

100 - +4
200 - +4
500 - +6
1K - +6
2k - +4
5k - +5
10K - +6

the customer should not even be able to change them imo - if anything the manufacturer should set the system up according to each cars interior acoustics
I totally agree with you. It was a lot of messing around to get it where i wanted it and i will never get that hour back in my life. I know you are into HIFI by your own admission in your previous post and i respect that, but i am not and i would have found a strict factory setting or some presets for Acoustic, hall, dance, etc very useful and i am surprised that they are not there as they offer you the chance to change the settings
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      09-08-2011, 09:06 AM   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denso View Post
This what i went with, i am no hifi specialist but it suits my taste
Treb - +2
Bass - +1
Fader - +0

100 - +1
200 - -2
500 - +3
1K - +1
62k - -2
5k - +3
10K - +4
A little bit more tweak would be to put the fader more forward to create a better sound stage.
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      09-08-2011, 09:11 AM   #104
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Wow, you guys have the treble pushed right up... too much DJing when you were younger destroyed your HF hearing or something?
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      09-08-2011, 09:16 AM   #105
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to overcome the muddy bass? Ever listen to BEATS headphones? Great bass.. but it's so much that the mids and treble are lost.. My daughter loves them, but they are really rather poor quality sound compared to a good set of Sennheiser, AKG, or Grado cans..
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      09-08-2011, 09:24 AM   #106
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Test drove a 1 with the HK audio for an hour...Was not impressed especially compared to the Bose in my last car (07 altima se) which everyone complimented including my bmw friends...best bose car stereo i've ever heard. After that I decided I didn't need it. Picked up a 135 without it and the system has been adequate. Wouldn't call myself an audiophile by any means.
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      09-08-2011, 10:24 AM   #107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
to overcome the muddy bass? Ever listen to BEATS headphones? Great bass.. but it's so much that the mids and treble are lost.. My daughter loves them, but they are really rather poor quality sound compared to a good set of Sennheiser, AKG, or Grado cans..
God, I SO agree with this comment. Beats IMO are crap (good bass, but overpowers mids/highs). I have some Astro A40 wireless headphones that put any of the Beats headphones to shame! It more accurately reproduces bass, and has a GREAT driver. (READ: by even telling you guys that I have a pair of Astro's...well, your audiophile nerd alerts should be going off and pointed in my direction...I'll admit it. But Crysis 2 sounds soooooo good with the A40's and I can keep my neighbors happy!) One of the best headphones for reproducing a proper/accurate sound environment are the B&W's. I love those headphones.

...but...I digress...

Bass should be noticeable and just sort of..."there"; not thumping around like a high-schooler's pinto with a quad set of 12's bouncing around the trunk. So many people talk about bass, but bass is overplayed all the time. It should be clarity and fidelity that are the cornerstones in any sound environment. If you've ever setup an Audyssey DSX system before via a microphone (for home theater), you'll find out that more times than not...you'll need to turn DOWN your sub to accurately reproduce "true" sound environments.

For those audio enthusiasts that turn everything up to +6 on your BMW HK systems...you're probably thirsting for something with better dynamics and possibly more power, and this is your queue to look at something better than the HK system. Keep everything between -2<=>+2 and just turn up the volume. Just my .02...but everyone is different and has different styles.
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      09-08-2011, 10:50 AM   #108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denso View Post
This what i went with, i am no hifi specialist but it suits my taste
Treb - +2
Bass - +1
Fader - +0

100 - +1
200 - -2
500 - +3
1K - +1
62k - -2
5k - +3
10K - +4
Thanks Denso!

One other question, how do you get into the frequency settings? I have both the 1 Series manual and 1M manual in PDF but neither of them seem to mention the HK system and how to tweak it's settings.

Can you give any details of how you have tweaked these settings?

Cheers,

Chris.
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      09-08-2011, 03:19 PM   #109
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Originally Posted by ChrisBuer View Post
Thanks Denso!

One other question, how do you get into the frequency settings? I have both the 1 Series manual and 1M manual in PDF but neither of them seem to mention the HK system and how to tweak it's settings.

Can you give any details of how you have tweaked these settings?

Cheers,

Chris.
Play the ipod, radio or cd and then go = Options> Settings> Tone> Equalizer with the idrive
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      09-08-2011, 04:51 PM   #110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denso View Post
Play the ipod, radio or cd and then go = Options> Settings> Tone> Equalizer with the idrive
Does anyone know if any EQ functionality/adjustability for HK is lost if you don't have idrive.
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