[Rottweiler]

This blog post came in today via email

Granted BimmerTech has a vested interest here (they want you to buy their products), but the post does clarify many of the questions that arose in multiple “audio threads” I’ve been invested in over the past few months. Head unit, MOST, RAM etc…

It’s a straightforward read and likely worth the time

Disclosure : I have BT speakers in my X4, and also BavSound (subs) and Focals (front doors and dash). If I knew at the beginning what I know now, I would’ve gone all Focal speakers (very affordable out of Germany) and either BT or BS subs as I believe the Focal underseats are not compatible ohm-wise

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-on-the-budget

[dinan5m3]

So close as i'm looking for that, i.e. when $ is not the barrier, but i don't want the hassle of major upgrade.

The Best BMW Sound Quality "Not" On the Budget & without Major Upgrades!

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

This blog post came in today via email

Granted BimmerTech has a vested interest here (they want you to buy their products), but the post does clarify many of the questions that arose in multiple “audio threads” I’ve been invested in over the past few months. Head unit, MOST, RAM etc…

It’s a straightforward read and likely worth the time

Disclosure : I have BT speakers in my X4, and also BavSound (subs) and Focals (front doors and dash). If I knew at the beginning what I know now, I would’ve gone all Focal speakers (very affordable out of Germany) and either BT or BS subs as I believe the Focal underseats are not compatible ohm-wise

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-on-the-budget

I’m not sure how accurate that blog from April 23 is.

Does the current HK 688 still use MOST ? I seem to recall this being a no based on a what seemed like experienced responses on here. Anyone ?

“Digital

The other option? Audio signals in your BMW could be digitally transferred from the head unit to the amplifier through the MOST (Media Oriented System Transfer) bus. This is what you would get if your car was configured with a top tier audio system, like:

Hifi Professional DSP (677)
Harman Kardon (688)
Individual (752)
Bowers & Wilkins (6F1)
Bang & Olufsen (6F2)

These setups will take good care of your music listening experience, as digital signal transfer is generally preferred over analog. In their case, it doesn’t really matter which iDrive head unit you have. The quality of the digital signal is the same no matter if you have an older CCC or the NBT Evo ID5/ID6.”

[avi66]

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=93

“MOST is used in older G series that have Evo id6 system
- rear seat entertainment
- sound amp HK or BW
(Already being fased out from the car systems)

All G series and U series with ID7 entertainment or ID8 like in new x1 u11, use MGU headunit = no most. Radio is moved to RAM and Booster is used in HK or BW versions.”

[Rottweiler]

Originally Posted by avi66

All G series and U series with ID7 entertainment or ID8 like in new x1 u11, use MGU headunit = no most. Radio is moved to RAM and Booster is used in HK or BW versions

So basically outdated inaccurate information?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

So basically outdated inaccurate information?

It's a mix of current "3. Use the Potential of Your BMW Head Unit" which explains the ethernet-connected RAM etc, followed by the next section "4. Consider BMW Audio Signal"- "digital" that talks about MOST.

There's some good info, particularly about source quality and preserving digital without over-processing/conversion. But it then goes on to recommend an upgrade that scavages an already processed, converted, and amplified analog signal to convert back to digital and process even more, so the opposite to this.

As you said, they sell this struff.

[avi66]

I haven't tried this, but does the iDrive 7 RAM system playback .WAV files stored on a USB device ?

[ArcSecond]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

Disclosure : I have BT speakers in my X4, and also BavSound (subs) and Focals (front doors and dash). If I knew at the beginning what I know now, I would’ve gone all Focal speakers (very affordable out of Germany) and either BT or BS subs as I believe the Focal underseats are not compatible ohm-wise

Focal does have 2 ohm underseat subs, but they only handle 90w rms and are a very expensive option. I'm most likely going to try out the Morel line that just came out with the bimmertech amp.

[Rottweiler]

Focal does have 2 ohm underseat subs, but they only handle 90w rms. I'm most likely going to try out the Morel line that just came out with the bimmertech amp[/QUOTE]

What amp?

Morel or BimmerTech?

Pretty sure it’s not HK compatible unless it uses the same method as the MatchUp 10

[glennbk]

Interesting question... Is the X3 HU the same as the X5??

[ArcSecond]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

What amp?

Morel or BimmerTech?

Pretty sure it’s not HK compatible unless it uses the same method as the MatchUp 10

Morel speakers and underseats with bimmertech amp. My x3 has the hifi option

[avi66]

Originally Posted by glennbk

Interesting question... Is the X3 HU the same as the X5??

If it's a model year based on RAM architecture it will use an MGU head unit, which will be similar/same as X3 AFAIK, if that's what you mean.

The MGU input capability may vary by market, MY, and fitted options from what I've seen.

I seem to recall BMW making a change for production from 1/1/22, and CarPlay was removed and added via an update sometime later. Was this a new variant of MGU different enough to warrant this?

[HuskerNSC]

Has anyone actually tried the new Morel line yet? Maybe not subs given 8 ohm for HK.

https://www.morelhifi.com/product-ca...o/integration/

[ArcSecond]

Originally Posted by HuskerNSC

Has anyone actually tried the new Morel line yet? Maybe not subs given 8 ohm for HK.

https://www.morelhifi.com/product-ca...o/integration/

Those are what I'm planning on getting, I have hifi. I thought all of the underseat subs were 2 ohm regardless of level...

[spangle1980]

A thousand buck for two speakers? (Clearly one would have to go for reference - but even the norms at 500greens :-|).

I think I'll pass ...