Hifi 10 Speaker System Worth it?

[AussieRacer]

Originally Posted by BMW86

In short:

Anyone giving opinion from Australia is giving opinion on the "Standard Sound System" here in Australia.

Anyone outside of Australia giving their opinion on their "standard sound system" is giving an opinion on our "Hi-Fi 10 Speaker System" which is a $1113 upgrade for us.

Thanks everyone.

Not quite correct. European's don't get the Hi-Fi option as standard, so their comments are valid. I'm sure there is a bunch of other regions as well that get the same standard system.

Also remember that by optioning the Pro Nav you are also upgrading the amp (not separate though). The HU amp power in non-Nav to Nav is different.

[Alext]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Yeah I heard the LCT rise was blocked?

Yes it was, but Labor want to reintroduce the bill again in the coming few weeks. You still have to pay at 25% in any case.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

Not quite correct. European's don't get the Hi-Fi option as standard, so their comments are valid. I'm sure there is a bunch of other regions as well that get the same standard system.

Also remember that by optioning the Pro Nav you are also upgrading the amp (not separate though). The HU amp power in non-Nav to Nav is different.

Hi AussieRacer can you please explain what you meant by the amp being upgraded with the Pro Nav? I've read that the standard system has 6 speakers (4 speakers + 2 subs) and the Hi-Fi upgrade is 10 speakers (8 speakers + 2 subs). The most notable difference that I could find is that:

Standard System:
Bandwidth: 50hz to 14000z
Max Acoustic Pressure: 98db

Hi-fi 10 speaker system ($1113 option)
Bandwidth: 40hz to 20000hz
Max Acoustic Pressure: 104db

You have mentioned that the Pro Nav provides an upgraded amp? What sort of upgrade is it and how does it affect the overall sound system? Is it noticeable and would it be more beneficial to skip getting the upgraded Hi-fi in your opinion?

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by arrons1969

I would strongly recommend at least going to the 10 speaker system. While you are getting better speakers the other part is you get a dedicated Amp rather than an amp in the HU.

I had an '06 323i with the standard 6 speaker system, it was OK, but the day I got in a 1er with the 10 speaker system I was quite stunned at the significant improvement.

However, I do like my music in the car, so went for the Premium Audio options, which upgrades the external Amp from 150Watts to 300Watts, and gave me the Harmon Kardon speakers ... needless to say, I had a HUGE smile on my face today with my Windows down, Sunroof back, and Stereo pumping !!!

Hi AussieRacer has mentioned that by getting the Pro Nav it also means that my amp is already getting upgraded. That's what I understood from it. What are your thoughts? Do you think it's worthwhile in your opinion to upgrade?

[BMW86]

anyone know anythinig about the amp?

[evan]

I think the standard audio in Australia is the same as in Canada, and in my opinion it is more than adequate.

I had the dealer chasing around the lot trying to find the standard system so I could listen to it because I had the same concern. Once I heard it, I knew I wouldn't have to spend my money there (I spent it on getting the USB option instead!). It is far better than any standard system I've had in a car, except for the 2006 325i I traded in for my 135i, which was very close in sound quality and character.

The 1 is a noisier car inside than, say, a 3-series, so subtle differences in the sound system will be lost at speed anyway, drowned out by engine, suspension and tire noise. This is not a bad thing, as I really missed hearing the engine when I had my 325i. Save your money, stick with the base system.

[adc]

Does anybody know at which level of these upgrades you start getting the graphic EQ and Sub volume settings?

I have the L7 in the 335i (was standard when I bought mine) and after reading a few threads on this, I made some careful tweaks to the EQ and Sub volume settings and got a MUCH improved and balanced sound (compared to the way it came from factory).

I was wondering if the base stereo has these settings, or perhaps the HiFi upgrade does.


In related news, Bavarian SoundWerks has released their speaker upgrade for the 3 series (around $600 US) and will soon release one for the 1 series. Of course, it doesn't change the amp, but I'm guessing the HiFi stereo plus the BSW Stage 1 speaker upgrade would sound just as good as the OEM HiFi professional upgrade - at a much lower cost...

[BMW86]

Thanks for your input everyone.

I've ordered the Hi-Fi Professional Upgrade (one step down from the Logic 7) and I think it should be more than sufficient.

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Thanks for your input everyone.

I've ordered the Hi-Fi Professional Upgrade (one step down from the Logic 7) and I think it should be more than sufficient.

link from where you ordered this stuff? or did you just go to your local dealer?

[lannypoffo]

I've found most German stereo sucks.. my VW's had awful oem stereos also. I had a $3000+ system in my WRX before this car and I miss it. Even my wifes 2006 Wrangler has a way better oem stereo than my 1.

[AussieRacer]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Thanks for your input everyone.

I've ordered the Hi-Fi Professional Upgrade (one step down from the Logic 7) and I think it should be more than sufficient.

Did you order the Hi-Fi or Hi-Fi Pro option? Hi-Fi Pro is the logic 7 system.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

Did you order the Hi-Fi or Hi-Fi Pro option? Hi-Fi Pro is the logic 7 system.

Sorry my mistake. I mean to say I ordered the Hi-Fi upgrade... not the Professional/Logic 7.

I hope this system still rocks!

[AussieRacer]

Well I've just moved from Hi-Fi Pro to Hi-Fi.....is the AUD1k worth it....nope. Power wise I don't think you notice the extra power in the Pro. Speaker quality sounds similar too. Main differences I've noticed are no sound mode and no equalizer. Whilst the sound mode gives more of a forward sound stage, you can live without it. The equalizer would have been nice to have though. Allows you to better tailor the system as currently it is flat/quiet in the mid to upper trebble range. Less lively. Bass is very similar. Slightly less than Pro, better really ever so slightly. That in turn makes it a bit less boomy too.

So yes the Pro system is better IMO, but not $1k better. Maybe $200-300 better. I'm happy with my downgrade choice.

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by adc

Does anybody know at which level of these upgrades you start getting the graphic EQ and Sub volume settings?

I have the L7 in the 335i (was standard when I bought mine) and after reading a few threads on this, I made some careful tweaks to the EQ and Sub volume settings and got a MUCH improved and balanced sound (compared to the way it came from factory).

I was wondering if the base stereo has these settings, or perhaps the HiFi upgrade does.

.

I have the upgraded radio in my 135i, and yes there is are all sorts of eq settings you can do

not sure if base can

[BimmerKid87]

Originally Posted by lannypoffo

I've found most German stereo sucks.. my VW's had awful oem stereos also. I had a $3000+ system in my WRX before this car and I miss it. Even my wifes 2006 Wrangler has a way better oem stereo than my 1.

really? i had an '05 Saab 9-3 sedan (kinda american?) in high school and the stereo sucked. my cooper s has a MUCH better stereo. it's still not anything special though so i'm hoping the 135's is more impressive. i havent really checked it out.

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by BimmerKid87

really? i had an '05 Saab 9-3 sedan (kinda american?) in high school and the stereo sucked. my cooper s has a MUCH better stereo. it's still not anything special though so i'm hoping the 135's is more impressive. i havent really checked it out.

From everything I hear, the Logic 7 setup sounds a lot better. I wish my car had it.

[devilac]

The upgrade is

S676A HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM HiFi speaker system
S677A HIFI SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL DSP speaker system

In some countries I guess in the US the stardard system is the S676A.

I think some people are saying that the Pro DSP HK Logic 7 is better then the normal non Logic 7 10 speaker setup but not by much.

I got to agree. The normal 676A setup I have to say it is definately better then the standard 6 speaker setup and a worth while investment. The Logic 7 on the other hand is questionable. It is better then the non Logic 7 but it just doesn't feel like a system that is worth twice the price.

If you want to safe the hassle of putting in a better system in future go for the Logic 7. If you think in future you might mess with the system go with the normal upgrade so that you can enjoy the car without messing with it in the first few Years, months or weeks. kekeke

[BlackjackMulligan]

Originally Posted by lannypoffo

I've found most German stereo sucks.. my VW's had awful oem stereos also. I had a $3000+ system in my WRX before this car and I miss it. Even my wifes 2006 Wrangler has a way better oem stereo than my 1.

I have to say my experience has been the exact opposite. My wife had a '96 Jetta and the OEM radio was beyond adequate, it was pretty good. Also, my X3 had the base system and it was quite good as well. Not to the point of high end systems, but better than the Bose in my Porsche that I spent $1800 on.

[imported_mega]

I agree with blackjackmulligan the stock radio is pretty good

[lannypoffo]

Originally Posted by BlackjackMulligan

I have to say my experience has been the exact opposite. My wife had a '96 Jetta and the OEM radio was beyond adequate, it was pretty good. Also, my X3 had the base system and it was quite good as well. Not to the point of high end systems, but better than the Bose in my Porsche that I spent $1800 on.

my 2004 jetta turbo oem "monsoon" stereo was one of the worst i've ever heard, and my 2006 gti turbo was a tiny bit better, but barely.

my 2006 Xterra oem stereo was the best oem i've ever heard. very strong subwoofer. well balanced sound.

my 2002 sentra spec-V was 2nd best to my xterra.

but the wifes 2006 jeep wrangler is also up there with the xterra since it has the subwoofer package. though the front stage on the jeep is a bit weak.

[Lester]

There was a post a few months ago from someone in Aus adding the tweeters to the mirrors. It seemed to be a simple upgrade, plug and play.

In Canada - we get the Professional Head standard with 10 Speakers, although I can only count 8 - I've been told that the rear parcel speakers each count as two - so if that is the case then we do have 10 - 2 in the door, 2 subs, 2 mirror tweeters, and 4 on the rear parcel shelf.

To me and my 50+ year old ears, it sounds great.

[ptack]

Just started using it and I was surprised to hear details I hadn't noticed even on my Klipsch's. Definitely a worthwhile option. You can't help but, crank it up to immerse yourself in the sound. The only problem is my family keeps making me to turn it down.