[droftrah]

I have the HK sound in my G01 and I think its a little brighter and clearer than my previous F25 unbranded "premium audio system"

However, despite the really good sound quality from the individual speakers, the sound field balance on the new system seems odd:

I can always clearly hear the driver side mirror triangle speaker, i.e. the sound from that tweeter is overpowering the rest of them and things which sounded "centered" in front of me on my old system (and "centered" in most other cars with crappy audio systems) now all sounds like its coming from the left.

All of the bal/fade settings are at default and centered. When I asked multiple front seat passengers what they thought, they said that, to them, the sound seems right skewed and the passenger side mirror triangle speaker overpowers the rest, mimicking my problem but on the opposite side which makes sense

Why is this like this! who designed it like this and how do I fix it!

Anyone else notice this or am I crazy?

[sor]

Probably just an artifact of the clear, bright sound coupled with a quiet dead cabin. You seem to be describing that in both listening positions the speaker you’re closest to seems the loudest. I’m not sure how you get around that, and it’s made worse in a quiet plush cabin where sound from far speakers gets eaten up. Maybe biasing it to the rear a tad will keep the front speaker closest to you from overpowering the rears, at least.

I’ve had multiple aftermarket systems where they have presets that will bias toward and center the drivers seat if you choose, it delays timing and mutes the closer speakers so things match up and feel centered. You can pretty much do that manually but it is always at the expense of the other listening positions, regardless of whether it’s the stereo being smart or manual balance/fade.

[Keweenawbee]

New titles with plenty of dynamic range are handled very well, while older ripped CD titles require a lot of fiddling with the EQ & fader. That speaker in the center of the dash is one of the odd ones, is the other the sub? Where is the sub located?

I have yet to read any promo material other than “16 speaker”. I would really like to know what I paid for.

[sor]

There are two subs under each of the front seats.

I really like the sound and dynamic range of this stereo. I tend to replace speakers in other systems but will probably keep this intact.

I do find the bass a bit schizophrenic though, it’s nice and full in some scenarios and a bit more anemic in others. It seems to be tuned to more modern mixes, pop, dance, what have you and less toward rock.

I’ve custom designed a sub box that I sent off to get CNC milled. I’m picking it up tomorrow. It is made to fit under the rear cargo deck and hold two 10” low profile subs. I want to get more punch in rock albums, kick drum etc. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

[droftrah]

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

New titles with plenty of dynamic range are handled very well, while older ripped CD titles require a lot of fiddling with the EQ & fader. That speaker in the center of the dash is one of the odd ones, is the other the sub? Where is the sub located?

I have yet to read any promo material other than “16 speaker”. I would really like to know what I paid for.

I feel that if the center speaker's (whatever it is) volume was boosted slightly or the two front door tweeters volume was reduced slightly when they were tuning the system my annoyance would be solved.

I could tell the center speaker was working on my F25, the only way I can tell the center is working on the G01 is to put my hand on it to see if it's vibrating.

[droftrah]

Originally Posted by sor

I do find the bass a bit schizophrenic though, it’s nice and full in some scenarios and a bit more anemic in others. It seems to be tuned to more modern mixes, pop, dance, what have you and less toward rock.

.

Interesting, I think the bass does quite well and I listen to all the genres you mentioned. But now that I think about it, my issue where the front tweeters seem to overpower the rest is also a bit schizophrenic. Some songs sound perfectly balanced while others (a lot) it sounds like the vocals are only coming out of that one damn tweeter on my left.

[sor]

Have you tried enabling or disabling Logic 7?

For me it’s probably just a matter of taste. Something current like the kids latest Justin Timberlake sounds rich and bumps like a dance club, but putting on some old Dire Straits or Metallica, you don’t feel those kick drums thump in your chest like you’d expect from its performance on those other songs.

[droftrah]

Originally Posted by sor

Have you tried enabling or disabling Logic 7?

For me it’s probably just a matter of taste. Something current like the kids latest Justin Timberlake sounds rich and bumps like a dance club, but putting on some old Dire Straits or Metallica, you don’t feel those kick drums thump in your chest like you’d expect from its performance on those other songs.

Yes, money for nothing sounds really bad with logic 7 off! I’ve toggled it on and off a few times on different songs and think it always sounds better on. Sounds like half the speakers are broken and the rest are set to random EQ settings with L7 off

[Keweenawbee]

Originally Posted by sor

There are two subs under each of the front seats.

Is the other odd speaker then a rear center somewhere?

Originally Posted by sor

I do find the bass a bit schizophrenic though, it’s nice and full in some scenarios and a bit more anemic in others. It seems to be tuned to more modern mixes, pop, dance, what have you and less toward rock.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by sor

I’ve custom designed a sub box that I sent off to get CNC milled.

Looking forward to seeing that, and the joinery. Thanks for the info on the system

[sor]

Looks like this shows the two “subs”:

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/USA/65_2954

There are a pair of two-way speaker systems in the D-pillar:

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/USA/65_2949

A two speaker array in the center dash:

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search...iX/USA/65_2955

Two in each front door:

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search.../59374/65_2960

Two in each rear door:

https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search.../59374/65_2959

Sixteen total

[strike4A]

All speakers take some hours to break in.

[TonySCV]

The HK tweeters are the weakest link. They are too bright/harsh vs. silk dome tweeters for example.

Bavsound's speakers are a significant worthwhile upgrade whenever a kit becomes available for a new X3.

[BMWDude2018]

Originally Posted by TonySCV

The HK tweeters are the weakest link. They are too bright/harsh vs. silk dome tweeters for example.

Bavsound's speakers are a significant worthwhile upgrade whenever a kit becomes available for a new X3.

I put in the 2018 X3 and it comes up with the Stage One.

https://www.bavsound.com/Stage-One

[Slalom]

As I understand it, subs are not directional so it does not really matter where you put them. BMW seems to like to put them right under your bottom. I wonder how much debris they collect there.

[TonySCV]

Originally Posted by BMWDude2018

I put in the 2018 X3 and it comes up with the Stage One.

https://www.bavsound.com/Stage-One

Wow... that's quick for them to be supporting a totally new platform vs. past timelines. Good news. Thanks for that.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by BMWDude2018

I put in the 2018 X3 and it comes up with the Stage One.

https://www.bavsound.com/Stage-One

Thank you for this post...but my wallet hates you!

[droftrah]

Yikes 897 USD for the Bavsound... I am doubtful this will make enough difference to justify that. Plus replacing the speakers won’t solve the balance/calibration/placement related problems I was whining about

[Keweenawbee]

Originally Posted by droftrah

Yikes 897 USD for the Bavsound... I am doubtful this will make enough difference to justify that. Plus replacing the speakers won’t solve the balance/calibration/placement related problems I was whining about

I haven't done a deep dive into the EQ yet, can you store and name presets? I did not see an assortment of factory configured presets either.

[Bimar]

Interesting, on the F25/6 I felt the premium sound was more balanced than HK. Anyone tried the premium sound to compare. Btw in the F25/6 the premium sound was also made by HK, just not branded wonder if the same in the G01.

[droftrah]

Originally Posted by X4guy

Interesting, on the F25/6 I felt the premium sound was more balanced than HK. Anyone tried the premium sound to compare. Btw in the F25/6 the premium sound was also made by HK, just not branded wonder if the same in the G01.

Thats what I said, from a clarity and sound quality as far as bass, mids, treble go I like the new one but from a left ear, right ear, front, back stand point I like the balance of the old one, this one still sounds out of whack sometimes depending on the source

[kozzi]

The 2 issues I have is that:

1. My music from Spotify is considerably lower in volume than other music sources. I can't seem to figure out why. I even have the volume on my phone turned all the way up.

2. The EQ between sources can get annoying as different sources need to be re-adjusted.

I think the premium sound is simular to the comparable F25 option...maybe a bit more clear. It sounds good but I understand that the system also requires a break-in period. Anyone have some insight on this?

[TonySCV]

Originally Posted by droftrah

Yikes 897 USD for the Bavsound... I am doubtful this will make enough difference to justify that. Plus replacing the speakers won’t solve the balance/calibration/placement related problems I was whining about

It's subjective of course, but I've used bavsound upgrades in a few of my cars now, and I've appreciated the upgrade every time. Well worth under 1k for what you get back.