[pmacd55]

Love the premium ...especially when playing DVDs 5.1 surround is incredible for a car !

[woodchuck1]

I got the base stereo. It's got some huge wattage, but the sound is nothing special. I'd order the premium one if I had it to do over.

[jsl1419]

Originally Posted by woodchuck1

I got the base stereo. It's got some huge wattage, but the sound is nothing special. I'd order the premium one if I had it to do over.

Here is more than 2000 BMW stock speakers were removed by custom BMW
audio specialist.

I'm trying to make a thread for F25 DIY custom audio upgrade pretty soon.

[noka]

The only real test is to put them side by side and compare. I cannot imagine the premium audio could be made that much better, at least not for the listening I do (... I'm not a super audifile but like nice clear sound).

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by rohan_b79

There is a lot of confusion as to who makes the actual head unit, and the amplifier and the speakers for the 2011 onwards BMW X3 with premium audio.

Some say its Harmon, but Harman webiste only lists the X1, the 3 series and X1 as the cars in which their products are featured.

Then some say its Alpine audio, as I have seen one photo of the head unit bearing its name , but that could be for the standard audio system and not premium. Not sure!

Whoever the parts supplier is not know, but what is known for sure is that a Swedish company called Dirac is providing an amazing self-tuning software, that makes any speaker system sound like 1000's of dollars worth. They call it Dirac Live. This small company so impressed BMW that they threw away more expensive audio brands and incorporated it in most of their models. Even Bentley and Rolls royce use Dirac, as can be seen from Dirac's website. Bently features a NAIm sound system again with Dirac software.

So all you fellow BMW X3 drivers should feel very happy about what we have from BMW is the very best and much better than what wannabe BMW copycats like AUDI offer in Bang & olufsen. Even B&F worked with Dirac to get their software for the new BMW 6 series coupe.Basically today if you don't have Dirac your system is just ok and not great.

I was always impressed with my X3 premium system and launched a massive search on google, because every lyric could be discerned so well and I had never felt that before in any other audio system. Its a great system, worth every penny spent, and you only realize that once you feel the difference. I have posted my findings to help fellow BMW afficionados.

The head unit maybe Alpine, but my AMP/DSP is clearly labeled Harman Becker with the premium sound.

[kmarei]

Considering it costs $950
It's well worth it
It sounds about the same as the 1900 premium audio I had in my 2012 M3
Great treble
Tight bass
Clear midrange
Well worth every penny spent on it

[skibuddy]

I have the base (business) audio and wished I'd paid for premium. Compared to my previous E83 model with the business audio, it feels less clear at the top end with too much bass. The radio certainly seems worse. I'm guessing the premium would be better.

[groovyone789]

I do not have the premium sound. However, I only play music through Sirius or the bluetooth audio so I don't really feel like I've been missing out.

There is a noticeable decrease in sound quality using Sirius and because it is the source, I don't think the upgrade would help much there.

For my uses standard has been more than enough.

[Bmwlvr60]

Premium sound offers cleaner sound in bass, mid and treble. It also offers an equalizer to fine tune all ranges. There are more speakers and an extra sub-woofer. Good $875 investment!

[Spoony]

I just got my 2013 X3 with standard sound and no navigation. Don't seem to be able to store music...is that only available with the nav option?

[noka]

Originally Posted by Spoony

I just got my 2013 X3 with standard sound and no navigation. Don't seem to be able to store music...is that only available with the nav option?

You're probably missing the internal hard disk. I have it but instead use the glovebox USB port (e.g. USB stick or iPod Touch) for music.

[lair12]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

I am not an audiofile, and in my mid 50s , after many years of concerts with no hearing protection, does my hearing detect subtle sounds.

OTH, I can hear the difference between very good and just ok.

If you had listened to both the premium and standard sound systems WHILE driving, is there a huge difference between the 2?

ABSOLUTELY GET THIS UPGRADE. Mine did not have it and I spent over $2500 just to get something close. The cost of the better (and more) speakers, the three-times larger amp, the DSP and the fiber optic head are more than BWM charges for the upgrade.

Worth every penny.

[pmacd55]

Originally Posted by lair12

ABSOLUTELY GET THIS UPGRADE. Mine did not have it and I spent over $2500 just to get something close. The cost of the better (and more) speakers, the three-times larger amp, the DSP and the fiber optic head are more than BWM charges for the upgrade.

Worth every penny.

I will second that. Iv'e had both. I'm no audiophile but I know what I like and theres no comparaison, especially at volume.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Vinyl....lossless

Sure. Vinyl even adds more than it takes out.

[plymjack]

Just got the basic sound here, its OK, use the USB port so have plenty of choice to listen too, the DAB is also good too.
But now looking at after-market options here in the UK there seems some viable ones so will be looking to get theta done sometime soon. - Will feedback once its done.