[WarReady]

About to place an order for a 21' m550i and can't decide between the H&k sound system or the Bowers and Wilkins. Is it worth the extra money or even noticeably better? In my last car I had the B&O and thought it was great idk y they switched brands.

[hlothery]

You will get many opinions. Mine is that the Bowers and Wilkins stereo blows the Harmon Kardon away.....no contest, not even close. I love it, well worth the extra bucks. However, audiophiles who are willing to modify their own systems and add components will insist (and probably rightfully so) that their end product is better. So, if you just want to buy one, get the B&W. If you want to build your own...........well.

[WarReady]

Originally Posted by hlothery

You will get many opinions. Mine is that the Bowers and Wilkins stereo blows the Harmon Kardon away.....no contest, not even close. I love it, well worth the extra bucks. However, audiophiles who are willing to modify their own systems and add components will insist (and probably rightfully so) that their end product is better. So, if you just want to buy one, get the B&W. If you want to build your own...........well.

Yeah I'm trying to stay with whatever it comes with not into changing it, what kind of music do u listen to, hows the bass?

[richard in NC]

The HK system in the 5 series is good, probably plenty for 95% of the owners. Plenty of adjustability to taste and among the better systems I've heard in BMWs. The B&W system is probably worth it to audiophiles and the 5 is quiet enough to hear a difference. Note a good source is the key for the best enjoyment of either. I use a cable connected iPod and listen to classic rock mostly.

[CFoote]

I have both - in two separate G30s. If you are mainly streaming Bluetooth audio from your phone, you aren't going to notice a significant difference. The B&W system will really shine with great source material (CDs, high quality streaming off your phone via headphone jack or USB, etc)

As the poster above said, HK will get you there 95% of the time. I have B&W speakers in my house btw, so I'm a big fan of the brand (20+ years of owning B&Ws)

Chris

[WarReady]

Originally Posted by CFoote

I have both - in two separate G30s. If you are mainly streaming Bluetooth audio from your phone, you aren't going to notice a significant difference. The B&W system will really shine with great source material (CDs, high quality streaming off your phone via headphone jack or USB, etc)

As the poster above said, HK will get you there 95% of the time. I have B&W speakers in my house btw, so I'm a big fan of the brand (20+ years of owning B&Ws)

Chris

Thanks for the info, I think I'm going to have to get it and try it!!!

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by WarReady

Thanks for the info, I think I'm going to have to get it and try it!!!

B&W for the win!

[DBO]

If you can spare the coin, get the B&W. Very good. About the only criticism I can level at it after two years of ownership would be that it doesn't allow for individual settings to be remembered for various input sources (i.e. one equalizer setting for the radio, another for the hard drive etc.). Sound quality though is excellent.

[Frozen Fractals]

I concur on the B&W. Best option on my G30 hands down. I did listen to the HK system beforehand and it was decent in terms of casual listening or with "modern" music (e.g. pop, hip hop, etc.). The B&W really shines with vocals and more "critical" listening (e.g. classical, folk, vocals, etc.). If you have the funds, I say go for it. IMHO, it's worth it over nicer leather, massaging seats, self-driving.

[hlothery]

Originally Posted by WarReady

Yeah I'm trying to stay with whatever it comes with not into changing it, what kind of music do u listen to, hows the bass?

I listen to all kinds of music and sources. Mostly Country, 60's, classical and smooth jazz. Had HK in my prior ride, and in my wife's prior ride. Also usually have it in the loaners I get. Absolutely no comparison to a properly adjusted B&W, in my opinion. Excellent bass and highs, almost everyone who enters my car for the first time comments on the excellence of the stereo. BTW, I have McIntosh and Klipsch at home.

[WarReady]

Originally Posted by hlothery

I listen to all kinds of music and sources. Mostly Country, 60's, classical and smooth jazz. Had HK in my prior ride, and in my wife's prior ride. Also usually have it in the loaners I get. Absolutely no comparison to a properly adjusted B&W, in my opinion. Excellent bass and highs, almost everyone who enters my car for the first time comments on the excellence of the stereo. BTW, I have McIntosh and Klipsch at home.

Originally Posted by hlothery

I listen to all kinds of music and sources. Mostly Country, 60's, classical and smooth jazz. Had HK in my prior ride, and in my wife's prior ride. Also usually have it in the loaners I get. Absolutely no comparison to a properly adjusted B&W, in my opinion. Excellent bass and highs, almost everyone who enters my car for the first time comments on the excellence of the stereo. BTW, I have McIntosh and Klipsch at home.

Originally Posted by Frozen Fractals

I concur on the B&W. Best option on my G30 hands down. I did listen to the HK system beforehand and it was decent in terms of casual listening or with "modern" music (e.g. pop, hip hop, etc.). The B&W really shines with vocals and more "critical" listening (e.g. classical, folk, vocals, etc.). If you have the funds, I say go for it. IMHO, it's worth it over nicer leather, massaging seats, self-driving.

Originally Posted by DBO

If you can spare the coin, get the B&W. Very good. About the only criticism I can level at it after two years of ownership would be that it doesn't allow for individual settings to be remembered for various input sources (i.e. one equalizer setting for the radio, another for the hard drive etc.). Sound quality though is excellent.

Thanks for the input fellas I appreciate it! I'm deff going B&W after hearing all that!

[MauiSteve]

I am soooo happy I got the B & W. I download and play FLAC music off a low profile 128gb USB and it sounds incredible. B & W stereo will be my highest priority option on any future vehicle.

[paquet]

I have the B&W diamond surround and the surround feature is really nice.

I didn't know you could play FLAC?!
Is that over USB?

[MauiSteve]

Originally Posted by packet

I have the B&W diamond surround and the surround feature is really nice.

I didn't know you could play FLAC?!
Is that over USB?

Yes, FLAC over USB. Also ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). M4A sounds good too.

If you have proper tags for your audio files you will get nice album tiles on your iDrive display. I can also download various video formats and play from USB as I have enabled video in motion with Bimmercode. Good music videos and stuff available on YouTube.

If you go to YouTube and search on BMW Bowers & Wilkins you may see some informative videos on how to get the most out of this system. You can hear the difference between FLAC and MP3. Lossless audio is what is recommended for B&W.

Get a low profile Samsung USB so it won't block taking your phone in and out of the charging tray.

[WarReady]

Originally Posted by MauiSteve

Yes, FLAC over USB. Also ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). M4A sounds good too.

If you have proper tags for your audio files you will get nice album tiles on your iDrive display. I can also download various video formats and play from USB as I have enabled video in motion with Bimmercode. Good music videos and stuff available on YouTube.

If you go to YouTube and search on BMW Bowers & Wilkins you may see some informative videos on how to get the most out of this system. You can hear the difference between FLAC and MP3. Lossless audio is what is recommended for B&W.

Get a low profile Samsung USB so it won't block taking your phone in and out of the charging tray.

I'm sure that sounds great but seems like a lot of work, I buy most of my music from iTunes and just plug it in usb. Normally sounds good am I missing a lot?

[Desmond79]

If you want to allocate your money there, get the B&W.

The H/K in the G30 is an improvement over the F10 especially if you can find the right equalizer combo.

I changed out my F10 to BavSound and it was better - so much better. But the F10 is gone and eventually I may get some BavSound down the road for the G30. I just don't want to put in the 6 hrs to install it myself at this time ... later. The H/K as adjusted is very good.

[paquet]

Originally Posted by MauiSteve

Yes, FLAC over USB. Also ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). M4A sounds good too.

Excellent - thank you! I look forward to trying this (no Bimmercode here...yet)

[MauiSteve]

Originally Posted by WarReady

I'm sure that sounds great but seems like a lot of work, I buy most of my music from iTunes and just plug it in usb. Normally sounds good am I missing a lot?

The FLAC file size tends to be 3 to 4 times the size of an MP3 encoded at 320 Kbps. I won't tell you it sounds 3 to 4 times better but FLAC is definitely better if encoded properly. I believe the bitrate on iTunes downloads is 256 Kbps.

Check out some of the reviews and comments on the HK sound system by Savagegeese on YouTube (Recent review vids X6, 8 series, X5)- I think he's on target with what he says.

[DAYINAZ]

I am an avid music enthusiast. All 3 Harmon sound systems were ample and very good in my prior 550's. I just got a 2020 with the Wilkens and at 4,000 I am not impressed. I have toggled with the sound settings over and over and cant distinguish the 4,000 gain overt the Harmon. Reinvest the money elsewhere.

[WarReady]

Originally Posted by DAYINAZ

I am an avid music enthusiast. All 3 Harmon sound systems were ample and very good in my prior 550's. I just got a 2020 with the Wilkens and at 4,000 I am not impressed. I have toggled with the sound settings over and over and cant distinguish the 4,000 gain overt the Harmon. Reinvest the money elsewhere.

I appreciate your opinion! I had harmen in my last 3 cars and honestly like the sound but the 1400 watts and kool leds in the speakers draw me in lol

[hlothery]

OK, got my wife a new car. AMG GLE 53. Her Bermester stereo beats my Bowers and Wilkens, I'm sad to say. Not by much, but it is better.

[claykin]

IMO the B&W system sounds very good overall. the highs are silky smooth, the mids clear and fairly accurate and the bass tight, but not plentiful for bass lovers.

In comparison, I find the HK good overall, but the hard dome tweeters can be harsh and inaccurate, the mids and bass tend to be slightly muddy. HK sound can be improved significantly with the EQ and by disabling logic 7 surround (barf).

If B&W was a max $2000 upgrade I'd say it's a no brainier. At $3400 I'd say it's for those who are willing to pay for moderately better sound. And, if you're the type who listens to satellite radio and thinks the audio quality is good, you'll never appreciate the B&W upgrade. Even Spotify sounds horrible to a good ear. I love the spotify interface, but instead use Amazon music due to its superior HD sound quality. If you disagree, my suggestion is to save your $ and stick with HK.

A car will never be an optimal listening environment. a moving car with ambient noise interfering with the audio system, is even worse.

My 2 cents.