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      03-12-2022, 06:46 AM   #1
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BimmerLIFE Article on B&W vs. HK

Very interesting review of these two systems in the latest BimmerLIFE. I found it to be spot on, especially the comments on how B&W excels at all volumes, especially low, vs. HK needing to be cranked up to perform. Just sharing.
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      03-12-2022, 09:46 AM   #2
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As mentioned in the article, the real important thing is to use a cable if you're listening to music from your phone. I was using BT on my high end Android on the B&W and thought it sounded good, then for shits and giggles I listened via cable with an iPhone and the difference was night and day. Only listen to music now via cable and iPhone. Still have my Android linked for telephony via BT- couldn't find a solution that would let me use a cable on Android with my streaming service (Apple Music).
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      03-12-2022, 02:29 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonronEG View Post
As mentioned in the article, the real important thing is to use a cable if you're listening to music from your phone. I was using BT on my high end Android on the B&W and thought it sounded good, then for shits and giggles I listened via cable with an iPhone and the difference was night and day. Only listen to music now via cable and iPhone. Still have my Android linked for telephony via BT- couldn't find a solution that would let me use a cable on Android with my streaming service (Apple Music).
Yep, lots of spot on comments in the review. This guys knows what he is talking about.

I have lossless files on a USB stick for when I want to really up the ante. B&W really blows you away even more with uncompressed direct digital wired or USB content. I'd say I stream more than anything though. Apple CarPlay is just too convenient. Click like on a song on the Peloton and it's synced to a Spotify or Apple Music playlist. It's just too easy.
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      03-12-2022, 04:31 PM   #4
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Airplay can stream uncompressed music so I’m theory it should be no different to cable.
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      03-12-2022, 04:39 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33 View Post
Yep, lots of spot on comments in the review. This guys knows what he is talking about.
With the exception of his comment on not buying tires at Costco for your M4. You can get Michelin super sports at Costco FFS... I can get my guys to order Cup 2's...
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      03-12-2022, 05:04 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by choppedliver View Post
Airplay can stream uncompressed music so I'm theory it should be no different to cable.
But AirPlay 2 is not part of Apple CarPlay technology. So yes, on your new home audio system that has Airplay 2, you can stream uncompressed music. Not in a car, it's Bluetooth/ wifi handoff.
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      03-13-2022, 06:49 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33 View Post
But AirPlay 2 is not part of Apple CarPlay technology. So yes, on your new home audio system that has Airplay 2, you can stream uncompressed music. Not in a car, it's Bluetooth/ wifi handoff.
I did not know that!

If I want to use a cable is the socket in the phone charging tray I use?
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      03-13-2022, 07:00 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by choppedliver View Post
I did not know that!

If I want to use a cable is the socket in the phone charging tray I use?
Yes. If you've never tried it prepare to be amazed. Make sure you're listening to something lossless though.
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      03-14-2022, 02:41 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonronEG View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by choppedliver View Post
I did not know that!

If I want to use a cable is the socket in the phone charging tray I use?
Yes. If you've never tried it prepare to be amazed. Make sure you're listening to something lossless though.
The only downside is that you have to shut off Apple CarPlay to be able to use your iPhone as a USB device.
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      03-14-2022, 02:52 AM   #10
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To use an iPhone as a music store you would need the 'camera adapter' device to force it to output a digital file, rather than going through its own dac first. They are not the cheapest thing, difficult to find, and fairly fragile IMO..
At least that's the case with the lightning type, I have no experience yet of the new USB C type of input/output.on an iPhone
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      03-14-2022, 10:03 AM   #11
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I'd like to try the USB music files.

Anyone have a website where you can download music files to put on USB ?
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      03-14-2022, 10:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HerkHealer View Post
I'd like to try the USB music files.

Anyone have a website where you can download music files to put on USB ?
This is a decent one :- https://www.highresaudio.com/en

A better one for where artists get paid correctly, ( my favourite,) but not exactly 'mainstream' :- https://bandcamp.com
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      03-14-2022, 12:29 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HerkHealer View Post
I'd like to try the USB music files.

Anyone have a website where you can download music files to put on USB ?
Although Streaming services, both Apple Music and Tidal offer high resolution streaming, it just doesn't produce high resolution over Carplay. If you have or sign up for these services and plug your phone into the USB, it should produce high resolution audio. But as I referenced, you will have to shut off Apple Carplay. You also don't need a special cable, just a lightening cable to the USB port.
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      03-14-2022, 12:47 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33 View Post
Although Streaming services, both Apple Music and Tidal offer high resolution streaming, it just doesn't produce high resolution over Carplay. If you have or sign up for these services and plug your phone into the USB, it should produce high resolution audio. But as I referenced, you will have to shut off Apple Carplay. You also don't need a special cable, just a lightening cable to the USB port.
I have Android/ Galaxy S10+ and use Amazon HD Music. It's very good to my ears, but what I was looking to do is put a few FLAC/WAV lossless 24 bit songs on a USB stick and play them directly off that.........if that's possible. Just to compare the difference. I'm sure it will be noticeable.
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      03-14-2022, 01:00 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HerkHealer View Post
I have Android/ Galaxy S10+ and use Amazon HD Music. It's very good to my ears, but what I was looking to do is put a few FLAC/WAV lossless 24 bit songs on a USB stick and play them directly off that.........if that's possible. Just to compare the difference. I'm sure it will be noticeable.
Got it. I'll make you a copy of my USB stick for when we meet up soon. I have 3,000 songs on it, not all lossless, but all are 320 bit rate or better. You can clearly hear the difference.
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      03-14-2022, 01:07 PM   #16
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Quick couple of points - I mentioned the 'camera cable' as it allows music files from an iphone to be sent directly out to the car, should you have music on there you want to hear having been decoded by the car instad of the phone.
As Joe says, not required for streaming.
No matter what streaming services claim, there output is going to be 'throttled' when compared with a 'local' stored file. That may change at some stage.
Downloading music - please, do yourself a favour and stick with FLAC.
WAV is fine, right up until you try changing it's location (a discussion beyond this thread)
Just my 2cents.
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      03-14-2022, 01:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonD View Post
Quick couple of points - I mentioned the 'camera cable' as it allows music files from an iphone to be sent directly out to the car, should you have music on there you want to hear having been decoded by the car instad of the phone.
As Joe says, not required for streaming.
No matter what streaming services claim, there output is going to be 'throttled' when compared with a 'local' stored file. That may change at some stage.
Downloading music - please, do yourself a favour and stick with FLAC.
WAV is fine, right up until you try changing it's location (a discussion beyond this thread)
Just my 2cents.
Spot on! Nothing will sound better than a local file. That said, streaming adds a level of convenience and flexibility. You have the music world at your fingerprints. I have 13,000 songs added to my Apple Music library, about half I purchased or ripped before streaming started, and I am bored will all my playlists. I have all the services and pay for premium- Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and I guess Amazon Music sort of counts. Apple Music sounds the best and it's not even close. But, I like Spotify the best from a UI perspective and how it creates playlists for me.

I am in Apple Carplay 99% of the time and how it interfaces with iDrive is just clunky. I wish you could plug the phone in and play higher bit rate streams but stay in Apple Carplay. Having to shut off Apple Carplay to make your phone a USB device is a non-starter. I like Apple Carplay, but I deal with it's integration shortfalls. I have never used the BMW Navigation in my car.
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      03-14-2022, 02:47 PM   #18
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Im not going to be able to do the miles to let me ever get to the end of my music files (fortunately or unfortunately!) and I listen to what a lot probably would never give a second listen being honest.
I deal with music and HiFi on a daily basis, a simply huge (I think 4TB) music store, and listen probably 6-8 hrs a day.
So for my commutes several playlists will be fine, and for the occasional long drive / holiday, I have a couple of sticks - one for my music only, and another that my wife will also be happy to have playing as well.
I need threads like this as Im still trying to get my head around how the car will play what I want it to, when, if it ever, turns up!
On a side note, I really wish we could up grade the DAC and amp along with the speakers, but that aint ever going to happen I guess.
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      03-14-2022, 03:03 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonD View Post
Quick couple of points - I mentioned the 'camera cable' as it allows music files from an iphone to be sent directly out to the car, should you have music on there you want to hear having been decoded by the car instad of the phone.
Just my 2cents.
On my Samsung S10+, music and other files transfer from the charging cable to the car easily. I can even play ringtones and other crap. its pretty funny.
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      03-14-2022, 03:08 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HerkHealer View Post
On my Samsung S10+, music and other files transfer from the charging cable to the car easily. I can even play ringtones and other crap. its pretty funny.
The Apple universe is an alternate reality in this case ;-)
They play by some very weird rules on the music side of things.
I personally do not use them at all for music. Others simply adore it - and I understand why. It simply does not work for me.
Now the iPhone as a device - well, I love that..
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      03-14-2022, 03:18 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonD View Post
The Apple universe is an alternate reality in this case ;-)
They play by some very weird rules on the music side of things.
I personally do not use them at all for music. Others simply adore it - and I understand why. It simply does not work for me.
Now the iPhone as a device - well, I love that..
I've had both and ended up going with Android for ease of use and customization. I also really like the 1 gig micro sd card capability. Once i load that up with some good quality music its as easy as just plugging it into the USB port.
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      03-14-2022, 05:24 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonD View Post
Im not going to be able to do the miles to let me ever get to the end of my music files (fortunately or unfortunately!) and I listen to what a lot probably would never give a second listen being honest.
I deal with music and HiFi on a daily basis, a simply huge (I think 4TB) music store, and listen probably 6-8 hrs a day.
So for my commutes several playlists will be fine, and for the occasional long drive / holiday, I have a couple of sticks - one for my music only, and another that my wife will also be happy to have playing as well.
I need threads like this as Im still trying to get my head around how the car will play what I want it to, when, if it ever, turns up!
On a side note, I really wish we could up grade the DAC and amp along with the speakers, but that aint ever going to happen I guess.
I've got one USB stick for music and another for video, which is all live music performances encoded to fill the screen. I'm thinking of copying the music stick to the cars hard drive.
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