Premium or Standard Audio?

[M3_Dust]

Originally Posted by JohnL135I

Comfort Access:thumbup: "DOOOOOOOOOOO IT":roundel:

Premium Sound :thumbup: "Dooooooooooo It" {If your planning on doing aftermarket stuff to the radio.....don't doooooo it"

Heated Seats ..."Only if its cold where you live".........

I live in Phoenix (Mesa), it's not that cold :biggrin: but I do use my heated seats in the M3 in the winter all of the time :w00t:

[BMW Dreamer]

Originally Posted by john970

I heard the standard system yesterday, it was very standard sounding. More accurate than a system in say, a civic, but not what i was looking for.

NOT a Civic Si sir. 350 watt 7 speakers with 8" sub.

[whiplash]

OK, not to :reposthorse: but if I'm reading this correctly http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5970
both systems use the exact same speakers in the same locations, correct? The only difference appears to be in the amplification. The premium system uses a higher power DSP amp, whereas the standard system uses a slightly lower power analog amp.

I got the standard system and to be honest, I'm totally satisfied with it. I think it sounds really good. I've got some great aftermarket systems in my M3 and my old 2002 and while they both get much louder (and admittedly, more low-end punch), I'm not convinced my worn-out old ears can tell THAT big a difference in the overall quality!?

[bmrgrl]

I actually have the same question...

does the standard system have an amp and subs... and thus the premium gets better quality speakers?

[M3_Dust]

Originally Posted by whiplash

OK, not to :reposthorse: but if I'm reading this correctly http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5970
both systems use the exact same speakers in the same locations, correct? The only difference appears to be in the amplification. The premium system uses a higher power DSP amp, whereas the standard system uses a slightly lower power analog amp.

I got the standard system and to be honest, I'm totally satisfied with it. I think it sounds really good. I've got some great aftermarket systems in my M3 and my old 2002 and while they both get much louder (and admittedly, more low-end punch), I'm not convinced my worn-out old ears can tell THAT big a difference in the overall quality!?

honestly, I could barely notice a difference listening to the premium then standard systems back-to-back with the same song playing. I'm saving the $875 towards my aftermarket mods.

[Oregon]

The stock radio/stereo sounds pretty good to me, it's just a car, can you really expect 'quality' sound? If you want awesome sound you must stay home, parked in front of a vacuum tube-based two-channel rig. That's just me.:iono:

[M3_Dust]

p.s. I have the "upgraded/premium" harmon/kardon stereo in my M3 and it's really pathetic, the standard 1'er stereo sounded much better to me.

[ScottyGams]

this should help answer the question 1nce and for all

1 has SIMULATED LOGIC 7, as there is no center channel to make vocals.

also missing a pair of midranges when compared to the 3er

[atr_hugo]

ScottyGams - nice article - I may throw that up into the audio sticky. Thanks!!

[colonel1961]

The 'standard' radio is absolutely fine, if not very good. I say that as a bit of an audiophile and as a daily player and former studio musician.

And I've never understood the outlay for a hopped-up stereo in a car, i.e., a much-less-than optimal listening environment - save your money for some 'Surname' tubes and a reel-to-reel...

[bmrgrl]

great, thanks. I am sticking to standard :smile:

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

ScottyGams - nice article - I may throw that up into the audio sticky. Thanks!!

335i SWB -

[atr_hugo]

I stole that from one of our other addicts. Now you're going make me dig so I can give props where props are due. ; -)

[atr_hugo]

Found it, props for the 335i SWB go to 'ersatzS2'. I liked it so much that I stole it. ; -)

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

Found it, props for the 335i SWB go to 'ersatzS2'. I liked it so much that I stole it. ; -)

Cheers to ersatzS2, as well!

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by whiplash

OK, not to :reposthorse: but if I'm reading this correctly http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5970
both systems use the exact same speakers in the same locations, correct? The only difference appears to be in the amplification. The premium system uses a higher power DSP amp, whereas the standard system uses a slightly lower power analog amp.

I got the standard system and to be honest, I'm totally satisfied with it. I think it sounds really good. I've got some great aftermarket systems in my M3 and my old 2002 and while they both get much louder (and admittedly, more low-end punch), I'm not convinced my worn-out old ears can tell THAT big a difference in the overall quality!?

I went and took a look at the link, and there's more to it than just the amp. The speakers aren't the same. The premium sound system is listed as having 6 channels and 10 speakers compared to the standard system having 4 channels and 6 speakers, unless I'm reading something wrong.

If the premium option only adds DSP, I'm going to be a little pissed at myself for ordering it.

[whiplash]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

I went and took a look at the link, and there's more to it than just the amp. The speakers aren't the same. The premium sound system is listed as having 6 channels and 10 speakers compared to the standard system having 4 channels and 6 speakers, unless I'm reading something wrong.

If the premium option only adds DSP, I'm going to be a little pissed at myself for ordering it.

According to that link, there are three different systems offered on the 1-series. There is a "Stereo System" (which I believe is only offered in Europe), then there is the "Hi-Fi System" (which I think is the base system in the U.S.) and finally there is the "Top Hi-Fi System" (which is the premium system).

I ordered the base system and I have 10 speakers, including the subs under the front seats.

[john970]

I've been trying to find more info on the top-hifi system that I believe harman kardon makes, but no luck.

One major difference is the head unit communicates with the amp digitally via a fiber MOST connection instead of an analog connection in the base (US) system. I'm not sure how this implicates the AUX in input. If it is converted to digital and then back to analog, that would suck.

I also haven't found any info on the DAC, it seems this isn't published. benz's use a similar system, I'm trying their literature next.

[BMW Dreamer]

The premium hi-fi upgrades to metal cone speakers. And a DSP Harmon Kardon amp. Also a graphic equalizer and surround settings. I was e-mailed from an owner that it is worth the money. I am getting it. I am NOT taking apart my car. I have $50k worth of True Audio/Video in my house with a real Home theater-118" Carada screen and the works. Don't need all the silly BIG amps and speakers. Premium Hi-Fi and iPod/usb.

4-1.5" metal tweeters
4-4" metal cone mid/upper bass
2-8" metal cone sub woofers

Tweeters are probably titanium and others are probably aluminum.

[backtoreality15]

My SA said for the 128i, the premium is NOT Logic 7..What gives? :iono:

[raisemyrent]

the canadian brochure says dsp logic 7 with 13 speakers... printed nov 07 though.

[Numb3rs]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

The premium hi-fi upgrades to metal cone speakers. And a DSP Harmon Kardon amp. Also a graphic equalizer and surround settings. I was e-mailed from an owner that it is worth the money. I am getting it. I am NOT taking apart my car. I have $50k worth of True Audio/Video in my house with a real Home theater-118" Carada screen and the works. Don't need all the silly BIG amps and speakers. Premium Hi-Fi and iPod/usb.

4-1.5" metal tweeters
4-4" metal cone mid/upper bass
2-8" metal cone sub woofers

Tweeters are probably titanium and others are probably aluminum.

+5

I cannot believe how this thread went round and round, with nobody centering on facts. Specially when there is a nice document posted a few weeks back on the entire layout of the 135i's speaker system.

Read post #7 in this thread. I am sure it will help many people. The ONLY question is, is the Premium upgrade worth $875, or is it better just to spend the $875 bucks yourself. :iono:

I for one, do not like processed sound(DSP), it's just too uncanny. So the Hi-Fi system (standard) is what I will get, and simply replace the underpowered, 50w x 6 channels(or whatever the US spec is, standard) with something that adds a little more fidelity & power (60% more) to 80w x 6 channels.

If the stock speakers don't seem to like the added (clean) power, then I will drop in aftermarket speakers.

A new amp will cost, max $500, (more like $300). And chances are that alone will put the sound quality over the Premium system. Surprisingly, since the amp is in the trunk, replacing it is pretty simple and strait-forward. You just have to do your homework before hand and locate a 6 channels amp. :biggrin: