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      11-23-2011, 03:27 AM   #1
JOHNBMWM5
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UPGRADED Sound system

I upgraded my sound system in the X3 ( ordered as an option ) and the sound it produces is really good, I had the same system in my 550i M Sport but it did not sound as good as this!!, I wonder if they have changed speakers or something, it really is that good?.
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      11-23-2011, 04:28 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
I upgraded my sound system in the X3 ( ordered as an option ) and the sound it produces is really good, I had the same system in my 550i M Sport but it did not sound as good as this!!, I wonder if they have changed speakers or something, it really is that good?.
Thanks for the good news. I ordered the high-end sound system as well. Can't wait to experience it myself. Unfortunately it will take at least 2 more months.

Pls let us know about your 35d experiences to ease the waiting time :-)

Cheers
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      11-23-2011, 04:47 AM   #3
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I like the system but I must say that (for me) the system in my Volvo V50 (the Dynaudio) was better.

I had the system without the additional subwoofer installed but nevertheless the bass was stronger. One of my "benchmark" songs is "hey boy hey girl from the Chemical Brothers which has a very very deep bass that the BMW isn't able to reproduce.

I'm not an audio expert but in the Volvo's equalizer you could change the 60 Hz range and in the X3 the lowest frequency you can change is 100 Hz.

Also, you could change the surround settings which I liked.

But I guess all of this is very personal. Any other people have experiences with Volvo's top range audio vs BMW top range audio?
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      11-23-2011, 05:02 AM   #4
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I like the sound a lot better in this car than my 330i, too. Was wondering if the system was better or if the geometry of the X3 is just more conducive to the audio. It's nice, though!
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      11-23-2011, 05:15 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thefreeze View Post
I like the system but I must say that (for me) the system in my Volvo V50 (the Dynaudio) was better.

I had the system without the additional subwoofer installed but nevertheless the bass was stronger. One of my "benchmark" songs is "hey boy hey girl from the Chemical Brothers which has a very very deep bass that the BMW isn't able to reproduce.

I'm not an audio expert but in the Volvo's equalizer you could change the 60 Hz range and in the X3 the lowest frequency you can change is 100 Hz.

Also, you could change the surround settings which I liked.

But I guess all of this is very personal. Any other people have experiences with Volvo's top range audio vs BMW top range audio?
In my opinion the Volvo's have the best overall sounding sound systems in any car at present. Largely down to the fact they run Dynaudio which are a beautiful speaker in their own right.

You'll find that what sets most sound systems apart is alot to do with amplification as well as the speaker. The base BMW systems don't run amps, whilst the higher end run higher end speakers as well as amps which make a huge difference in the overall sound.

I ordered by 2.0d with the base system as I'll be doing my own system in the car as I'm an audiophile tragic. Most people will be content with their stereo as long as it goes to a decent level and their ipod works!!! I have to have high end because I'm such a fussy bastard.
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      11-23-2011, 06:07 AM   #6
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I'm not sure what kind of system is used in other BMWs but the upgraded audio in the X3 has:

16 speakers
-7 mids
-7 highs
-2 subs, 1 under each front seat
600 watt amp
9 channels
5.1 surround sound

I believe some countries in Europe also have "Dirac Live Technology" equipped in X3s with the upgraded audio, apparently it's suppose to sound better than the normal surround sound that we have in the US. Personally I like to have the surround sound disabled, I feel like it actually sounds a lot better.
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      11-23-2011, 06:25 AM   #7
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x3 hifi upgrade is the best I have heard from any BMW so far. However, I have never heard the 7er. Still not as good as my custom Alpine I had 10 years ago on my CRV. .
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      11-23-2011, 08:18 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
I upgraded my sound system in the X3 ( ordered as an option ) and the sound it produces is really good, I had the same system in my 550i M Sport but it did not sound as good as this!!, I wonder if they have changed speakers or something, it really is that good?.
John, I assume by upgraded you mean professional not business? There are two upgrades available in the UK. I also think the pro upgrade is different to the upgraded stereo in the US. I read one is DIRAC and one is LOGIC7. Is that correct?

I think the sound quality is pretty good with business speakers. Not amazing but good enough for me.

Someone posted before who had picked up a UK X3 with pro and thought the sound was appalling but I can't find him!
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      11-23-2011, 09:23 AM   #9
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Sorry folks, there are no subwoofers on the X3. There are "woofers" that with the logic 7 system that are capable of reproducing sound below 30Hz. In fact the lower frequency spectrum measures higher dB's than the middle and upper frequencies. It is an inverse curve, not a flat curve. "Sub" means; below, beneath, under. So a true subwoofer would play under 30Hz.

If you want better bass, try adding a speaker level converter inline with the woofer wires, add an amp for only the woofers with a bias setting. Make sure the amp is at least 150+ watts. If the speaker box is a sealed box add acoustic stuffing or even replace the woofers with some from Earthquake sound.
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      11-23-2011, 09:51 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
John, I assume by upgraded you mean professional not business? There are two upgrades available in the UK. I also think the pro upgrade is different to the upgraded stereo in the US. I read one is DIRAC and one is LOGIC7. Is that correct?

I think the sound quality is pretty good with business speakers. Not amazing but good enough for me.

Someone posted before who had picked up a UK X3 with pro and thought the sound was appalling but I can't find him!
Pro-system, it may (as someone mentioned ) due to the cars interior shape, but this cars sound is miles better than the Previous sound systems I have had in the past.
Correction it was this one Loudspeaker system - BMW Business 333.33

Slip-up
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      11-23-2011, 09:57 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DEVM View Post
Thanks for the good news. I ordered the high-end sound system as well. Can't wait to experience it myself. Unfortunately it will take at least 2 more months.

Pls let us know about your 35d experiences to ease the waiting time :-)

Cheers
Hi DEVM, you will be dually impressed with the 35D M Sport; It really can go and it is very quiet for a Diesel even on Cold Starts, I was amazed at how quiet it is.
Performance is very strong, I have covered 550 Miles now and did a 125 mile journey mixed with some blasts ( not over 4K RPM's) and it returned 40.7 MPG for the whole journey.
I creamed some cars on acceleration, they were well taken back.
The "Stop/Start" is very handy in town and comes on even before the Oil is fully warmed up.
Heated steering wheel was fun to use too.
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      11-23-2011, 12:39 PM   #12
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Have to say I am very impressed with the high end sound system option.. I had the same option in the M3 before, and its miles better, I guess the bigger space helps.. superb
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      11-23-2011, 01:48 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
Pro-system
On 5th Nov you said you had the Business Upgrade (the £400 option)

Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
Loudspeaker system - BMW Business 333.33
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=155

which one is it?
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      11-23-2011, 02:42 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dnw View Post
On 5th Nov you said you had the Business Upgrade (the £400 option)



http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=155

which one is it?
YUP your right just checked the car and it's
Loudspeaker system - BMW Business 333.33
Really good sound, I thought I got the expensive one Slip-up.
It does sound better than my 550i M Sport though.
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      11-23-2011, 03:01 PM   #15
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I've ordered the same so glad to hear that you are pleased with it!
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      11-23-2011, 05:23 PM   #16
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I have been very happy with the upgraded sound.
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      11-24-2011, 02:19 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dnw View Post
I've ordered the same so glad to hear that you are pleased with it!
It's better in this car than the more expensive system I had in the 550i M Sport. acoustics must be good.
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      11-24-2011, 03:22 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
YUP your right just checked the car and it's
Loudspeaker system - BMW Business 333.33
Really good sound, I thought I got the expensive one Slip-up.
It does sound better than my 550i M Sport though.
How many speakers? We have here options in addition to "standard":

12 speaker system with 200W amp, costs 700€

16 speaker system with 660W amp, costs 1500€

I took the 12 speaker set...

If you are that happy with the 12 speaker system, I am very satisfied for my choice.

By the way, do you have little (diskant) speakers infront of door handles? As you can see, here is speaker:

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...rieur-0313.JPG
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      11-24-2011, 09:15 AM   #19
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12 Speaker System

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
How many speakers? We have here options in addition to "standard":

12 speaker system with 200W amp, costs 700€

16 speaker system with 660W amp, costs 1500€

I took the 12 speaker set...

If you are that happy with the 12 speaker system, I am very satisfied for my choice.

By the way, do you have little (diskant) speakers infront of door handles? As you can see, here is speaker:

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...rieur-0313.JPG
In the US, the 12 speaker system is standard and I'm very pleased for the sound, mostly from my iPod. See attached the diagram of the location for all the speakers. For the 16 speaker system (better quality), they added 4 speakers for surround sound in the D-Pillar.

http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?mo...81&hg=65&fg=20
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      11-24-2011, 10:11 AM   #20
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12 speaker system with 200W amp, costs 700€ - this is called business speakers in the UK

16 speaker system with 660W amp, costs 1500€ - this is called professional speakers in the UK

12 (business) does have the speakers next to the door handle. It would be good to hear from someone with a UK/Euro spec who has 16 (professional) because I've seen one review saying it was poor, which I was surprised by as the lesser business setup is very good
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      11-24-2011, 12:07 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
How many speakers? We have here options in addition to "standard":

12 speaker system with 200W amp, costs 700€

16 speaker system with 660W amp, costs 1500€

I took the 12 speaker set...

If you are that happy with the 12 speaker system, I am very satisfied for my choice.

By the way, do you have little (diskant) speakers infront of door handles? As you can see, here is speaker:

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/up...rieur-0313.JPG
Yep I do. As you can see in this picture, two near the door handles
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      11-24-2011, 12:33 PM   #22
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Great, thanks for all the info Nice color on the outside.

I was a bit confused with the configurator, as it didn't show little door handle speakers when choosing 12 speaker system but those speakers were visible with 16 speaker system. Maybe the configurator had bug then. Phew

I am currently driving a Skoda Octavia and it has those door handle speakers, I am now glad I am not downgrading when buying a X3
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