[cls49bmw]

Originally Posted by VikDXB

I had to settle with standard sound system as HK was never an option. My source is mostly AppleMusic or YouTube via CarPlay. I download songs for offline from AppleMusic in hi-res lossless format when I am connected to home or office wifi. Similar from YouTube Music as well. I just choose a preset from EQ settings on the phone depending on the playlist. If I still want to tweak the bass or treble, I have set the EQ (from Sound settings) as favourite. It is anyways compressed audio so not curious for hifi details. FM audio quality is below average.

Curious, do the EQ settings on your iPhone change the sound in the car when using CarPlay?

[mrdudley]

Originally Posted by davfer86

I kept my full Bavsound speakers/subs and AMP.
Since the AMP was no longer compatible with the RAM module I sold it for $650 on ebay minus fees, and decided to go for HiFi Audio and use the $850 towards the Bimmer-Tech Alpha One Amp.

I already installed the speakers, the AMP should arrived today, takes around 15 minutes to get it installed, and on the weekend I will install the two subs.

If I could have a do-over, this is what I would do. The HK is fine, but after having aftermarket audio in so many cars, it's just fine. With Hi-fi you have better options for improving.

But as another person noted, if you are just listing to Sirius or Radio, it doesn't matter. The Sirius quality is not very good.

[doug_999]

It appears (based on looking at the bavsound.com website) that the HK system has considerably more speakers. They also offer an underseat woofer option.

https://www.bavsound.com/pages/build-your-kit-onepage

[ProsperX3]

Originally Posted by BimmerXdrive

Hi-Fi sound quality has changed. My 19 Hi-FI sounds phenomenal not leaving needing more. Although I have had 21-2022 LCI x3 and 3 series loaners with standard Hi-Fi which sounds horrendous. Doesn't even compare to my 19. I personally believe it's the result of post covid cost cutting that I noticed in a few other areas as well.

Disturbing if true. Makes one wonder what else they're cutting corners on.

[Want the thrill]

The standard hifi in these vehicles is horrible. I would absolutely spend the $$ to get HK unless you would rather do an amp upgrade for $1,000 after the fact. When I ordered my X4, HK was not an option due to part shortages. The sound system was so bad without it I couldn’t stand to listen to music. It was so flat and had no umph! I immediately ordered the Bimmertech plug and play amp for $850 at that time. Massive improvement and now sounds equal or better than the HK I had in my 2011 X3. HK in my 2011 was amazing. Sounds like the HK in current vehicles isn’t as good but it has to be far better than the standard hifi.

[GaSelle]

Originally Posted by doug_999

It appears (based on looking at the bavsound.com website) that the HK system has considerably more speakers. They also offer an underseat woofer option.

https://www.bavsound.com/pages/build-your-kit-onepage

HK has four more speakers; 16 in total vs 12 in HIFI. A midrange and a tweeter in each D-pillar. The HIFI has underseat subs too.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by GaSelle

HK has four more speakers; 16 in total vs 12 in HIFI. A midrange and a tweeter in each D-pillar. The HIFI has underseat subs too.

"they" being Bavsound...

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by avi66

https://totallyev.net/bmw-ix3-audio-...harman-kardon/

I’ve been into audio for a while, and the one thing I’ve learned is there is no one size fits all. But here you go… also rolling the pano blind back improves the sense of space

Also source quality makes a difference.

I got my HK settings from the same website, it works for me but as you said, every ear is different but its a great starting point and shouldn't require much adjusting after that.

[r0gue]

and I can tell you from experience, the HK isn't all that great either.

[ProsperX3]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm brand-new to the BMW way of doing things. It's really hard for me to understand why the standard sound system in such an expensive vehicle is so terribly lame. Others may consider it just one of the oddities you have to put up with to drive a BMW. I don't think that way. At these price levels we should all expect better.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ProsperX3

At these price levels we should all expect better.

I agree, unfortunately things like this plus poor quality control and build seem to be more typical of BMW, particularly for models built outside Germany.

[jikhead]

Everyone's ear is different.
Like someone mentioned above about turning off Logic surround sound...for my listening taste I think it sounds better with the surround sound on. I have it set all the way up.
I think the HK sounds better than my B&O in my previous Audi's even though it had more speakers & more wattage. I have to turn the volume up more, but it sounds better overall and I feel more bass with the subs underneath the seat.

[Kinsella]

I ordered my MY21 x3 m40i with the HK. Sound quality is a very important factor to me. I've owned three Subarus with HK systems that were purchased in the last seven years. All of the Subaru HK systems sounded significantly better than the X3 HK system. I've since swapped in Bavsound and can say it's an impressive upgrade. I initially did just the mids and the tweeters, but it's clear that the full swap is the way to go now that the woofers are in. I'm interested in what can be done on the amp side at this point, however Bavsound doesn't sell one of for this setup... yet. However, I haven't done much research on other options.

[SpeedyATL]

My wide's 2023 X4 has the HK and it is not an equal to the HK in my F36 440GC.

Sounds to me like the speakers and the amp were downgraded. Pretty disappointed as I was thinking that with the slightly larger cabin it would sound even better...not the case I'm afraid.

[509er]

Originally Posted by ProsperX3

Thanks for all the replies. I'm brand-new to the BMW way of doing things. It's really hard for me to understand why the standard sound system in such an expensive vehicle is so terribly lame. Others may consider it just one of the oddities you have to put up with to drive a BMW. I don't think that way. At these price levels we should all expect better.

My wife’s 2019 Audi with the base stereo is awful. In order to upgrade we would have had to go for the Prestige package to be able to option the B&O system, which was not on the table simply to get a better sound system. We replaced a bunch of speakers and it sounds better now, but this issue isn’t just a BMW issue.

BTW when I test drove a 335 before ordering my 2009, it had a base system and it was likewise atrocious. The HK in our 14 yr old 335 is still outstanding to our ears. YMMV

[RichC]

I have the HK sound and it is worth the $875 upgrade. I'm a bit of an audiophile so consider it not great, but good enough for most people. The standard HiFi is not good enough for most people. It will cost you more than $875 to upgrade the amp and all the speakers. Going with the HK is a more affordable option, plus it will be covered under warranty.

[cls49bmw]

Originally Posted by RichC

I have the HK sound and it is worth the $875 upgrade. I'm a bit of an audiophile so consider it not great, but good enough for most people. The standard HiFi is not good enough for most people. It will cost you more than $875 to upgrade the amp and all the speakers. Going with the HK is a more affordable option, plus it will be covered under warranty.

I'm an audiophile as well, and agree 100%

[DC X3M40i]

Originally Posted by ProsperX3

I have an sDrive 30i on order (with M Sport and Premium Package) that is very close to going status 150, i.e, no changes allowed. My wife and I sat in a 2023 X3 in the showroom yesterday to listen to its std "HiFi" sound system. We were underwhelmed to say the least. It's shockingly bad. So now we're considering the HK option for (gulp) $875.00. To those of you who are familiar with the HK, my question is this. Does the HK system sound a whole lot better than the standard HiFi? And do you consider it worth the extra $875?

I had a f97 x3m with Harmon kardon. While in service I had a loaner x3 with the standard system. The minute I turned on the radio the difference hit me right away. And trust me I'm
No audiophile by any means. It lacked oomph and sounded very off to me. Bite the bullet and add it in my opinion. But it's your money. Can't tell you what to do with it….(add the HK audio…lol)

[TXGrey]

Originally Posted by RichC

I have the HK sound and it is worth the $875 upgrade. I'm a bit of an audiophile so consider it not great, but good enough for most people. The standard HiFi is not good enough for most people. It will cost you more than $875 to upgrade the amp and all the speakers. Going with the HK is a more affordable option, plus it will be covered under warranty.

This pretty much sums it up IMO.

It's worth the cost since you'll have to spend over $1K to upgrade amp and speakers on the Hi-Fi system (altho that upgrade may in fact sound a little better than the HK)… but overall, the HK has decent sound once you play with the EQ and settings, and it gets broken in. Agree with NP above… Tho the HK isn't as "loud" per say, as the Macan Bose system, but I do think it's a cleaner, better sound… you just have to crank it up a bit to get there. I am totally happy with the HK and would spend for the option again.

[328skidpad]

as one member posted in this threat on page 1 the 2019 has a very good sound for Hifi. I am a audiophile and feel I have a good ear and will say the 2019 is very good but midrange can be better and bass tighter which I feel the bimmertech amp can fix.

as noted in many "sound threads" the Hifi speakers in 2019 are the same as the HK speakers

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by 328skidpad

as one member posted in this threat on page 1 the 2019 has a very good sound for Hifi. I am a audiophile and feel I have a good ear and will say the 2019 is very good but midrange can be better and bass tighter which I feel the bimmertech amp can fix.

as noted in many "sound threads" the Hifi speakers in 2019 are the same as the HK speakers

I have to agree with 328Skidpad , saying Post # 19 on page one that the older hi-fi systems sounded better then now . My2018 hi-fi system sounds fine to me . Like I said I had a 2019 X5 loaner with a Harmon Kardon unit in it and it definitely sounded better. But that was also in a My2019 car .So same same .

[ASAP]

I have experience with both the BMW HK and the Audi B&O from the Q5.

My thoughts-

The HK is approx 200 Watts weaker at 460W vs 650W i believe so that is something to keep in mind.

- The Highs in the HK are better... if you like music with vocals and clarity, it will be the better system for you.
-The Mids and Bass are far better in the Audi B&O - if you listen to EDM, Rap or anything bass heavy... this stereo will be miles better.

For my listening and most people's listening the B&O is better... simply because most people aren't looking for clarity as much as they are looking for a more powerful mid and bass response. Most people are not audiophiles and day to day listening of music will be better on the B&O.

As far as the stock Hifi BMW audio.... I don't even bring that one into discussion given how bad it is.