[Danyal.N55]

Hey, I'm the new owner of a 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28i and it's an amazing car! But I've noticed my 9 Speaker BMW HiFi Sound System sounds awful. I've owned 3 other BMW's in the past and they were better, I'm wondering also if I have the base Sound System or is it just the HiFi and HK System?

[richardodn]

US market would not have the base system. Your choices would be the HiFi or TopHiFi (HK) systems. If you have speakers in the D pillars, you have the TopHiFi. Otherwise it's the HiFi.

BTW, you might want to edit your profile. It's showing your street address. City, State is more than sufficient.

[Bimar]

HIFI and top HIFI are both HK systems

[richardodn]

Originally Posted by X4guy

HIFI and top HIFI are both HK systems

Are you sure about that? I know for certain that is not the case in the below sampling of X3 years. It also seems unlikely that BMW would market them as such to avoid confusion.

To my knowledge, BMW generally offers 3 audio system levels in their vehicles.

Base - Not offered in the US market. At least not since the 80s.
HiFi - Standard equipment for most models
Top HiFi - Optional equipment for most models. Typically marketed as "Premium", "Harmon-Kardon", "Logic 7", "DSP", etc.

From the various US pricing/ordering guides:
2012
676 Hi-fi sound system
677 Premium hi-fi system

2014
676 Hi-fi sound system
677 Premium hi-fi system

2015
676 Hi-fi sound system
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system

2017
676 Hi-fi sound system
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system

[Danyal.N55]

Originally Posted by richardodn

Are you sure about that? I know for certain that is not the case in the below sampling of X3 years. It also seems unlikely that BMW would market them as such to avoid confusion.

To my knowledge, BMW generally offers 3 audio system levels in their vehicles.

Base - Not offered in the US market. At least not since the 80s.
HiFi - Standard equipment for most models
Top HiFi - Optional equipment for most models. Typically marketed as "Premium", "Harmon-Kardon", "Logic 7", "DSP", etc.

From the various US pricing/ordering guides:
2012
676 Hi-fi sound system
677 Premium hi-fi system

2014
676 Hi-fi sound system
677 Premium hi-fi system

2015
676 Hi-fi sound system
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system

2017
676 Hi-fi sound system
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system

Yeah, I looked my Speakers up I don't have the HK System (2015 LCI) I have the 676 System.

[Wgosma]

I have the 676 system in my 2012 model year X3; the stock amplifier is very weak. Couple of years ago I purchased a used BimmerTech amp (they private label a DSP amp made by Audiotech Fischer). Night and day sound quality improvement; stock speakers perform well. Amp was plug/play compatible, simple install. Worth a look if you're keeping your car for a while.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by richardodn

Are you sure about that? I know for certain that is not the case in the below sampling of X3 years. It also seems unlikely that BMW would market them as such to avoid confusion.

To my knowledge, BMW generally offers 3 audio system levels in their vehicles.

Base - Not offered in the US market. At least not since the 80s.
HiFi - Standard equipment for most models
Top HiFi - Optional equipment for most models. Typically marketed as "Premium", "Harmon-Kardon", "Logic 7", "DSP", etc.

From the various US pricing/ordering guides:
2012
676 Hi-fi sound system
677 Premium hi-fi system

2014
676 Hi-fi sound system
677 Premium hi-fi system

2015
676 Hi-fi sound system
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system

2017
676 Hi-fi sound system
688 Harman Kardon surround sound system

What I meant they are both made by HK, the base is not. Lots of threads about this on the forum.

[MSport_Jon]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I have the 676 system in my 2012 model year X3; the stock amplifier is very weak. Couple of years ago I purchased a used BimmerTech amp (they private label a DSP amp made by Audiotech Fischer). Night and day sound quality improvement; stock speakers perform well. Amp was plug/play compatible, simple install. Worth a look if you're keeping your car for a while.

Ironically, there are tons of options for you if you do not have the HK system.

[richardodn]

Originally Posted by X4guy

What I meant they are both made by HK, the base is not. Lots of threads about this on the forum.

Again, I don't think this is correct although I don't claim to know everything about the various audio systems.

As near as I can tell, the manufacturers of the various non-base systems were:

676 - A company called Premium Sound Solutions (PSS) made the speakers. They're a company with a long history as an OEM supplier. The amp was made by Lear Corporation, another long time OEM supplier.

677 - Again, PSS made the speakers and the amp was made by Lear Corporation. They are different parts than the ones found in 676.

688 - This is the Harman/Kardon system. They use the same speakers manufactured by PSS as 677. The amplifier is different than 677. It's now made by Harman/Becker; another subsidiary of Harman International.

What you may have been referring is 677 & 688 using speakers made by PSS which is the same maker for 676. PSS is not a subsidiary of Harman.