[acizek]

Hi guys, one overlooked feature on my 2018 M550d was audio. It came with the basic set up, what options are there for upgrade? Should I go for HK? or possible to do BW? Or aftermarket? Thanks!

[GaSelle]

I fitted HK speakers in my G31 with base-audio. Four tweeters and four midrange; that improved that sound quite some.

[acizek]

Sorry for link in Czech, found this, hifi shop here recommending Audison speakers and sub (price around USD 1100) or Audison speakers, sub and amplifier (around 2k). Both of them beat HK on any day according to the article.
For top experience they recommend Morel speakers and Audison sub and amplifier, priced at around USD 3k... (there is a link to install they did on M6).

https://www.ahifi.cz/clanky/detail/j...SAAEgJlovD_BwE

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by acizek

Hi guys, one overlooked feature on my 2018 M550d was audio. It came with the basic set up, what options are there for upgrade? Should I go for HK? or possible to do BW? Or aftermarket? Thanks!

The guys over in the M5 forum like Bavsound amps/speakers as an upgrade.
It's a bit pricy, but the results are very good from what I've read.
They are also spec built for each BMW model, so its plug n play.

Huge improvement over HK systems, but not quite the Bowers Wilkins.

https://www.bavsound.com/collections...ifier-upgrades

[tuzii]

Originally Posted by GaSelle

I fitted HK speakers in my G31 with base-audio. Four tweeters and four midrange; that improved that sound quite some.

I did the same with my G30 plus the under seat subs and coded the car to B&O, and I have no amp
it can go as high as 4/5 the volume bar till it distorts

[GaSelle]

Originally Posted by tuzii

I did the same with my G30 plus the under seat subs and coded the car to B&O, and I have no amp
it can go as high as 4/5 the volume bar till it distorts

I didn´t change the under seat subs or the coding, but that´s a great idea. The sound was much improved anyway

[Mike 540]

Gents,

I am about to upgrade my speakers in my 2018 G31 as well. I would recommend Focal speakers - Focal Inside for subs, Focal K2 for front doors+tweeters, Focal Inside for rears. Adding Match UP7 BMW amp/DAC/DSP turns your car into a concert hall with a possibility to play hi-res music right through the amp.
see link: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/matc...aerker/up-7bmw
For Czech users see www. bestaudio.cz

[Mike 540]

I would definitely add an amplifier with DSP function to eliminate the difference distance between speakers and your ears. This significantly improves the clarity and transparency of sound compared to non-DSP setup no matte what the speakers are.

[WretchedRefuse]

I swapped my HK speakers for Bavsound and will be happy to part with my HK's if anybody wants to upgrade a Basic audio system. Subs, front doors, rear deck, and center. PM me if interested.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

I swapped my HK speakers for Bavsound and will be happy to part with my HK's if anybody wants to upgrade a Basic audio system. Subs, front doors, rear deck, and center. PM me if interested.

What do you think of the sounds after upgrading from HK speakers to Bav Sound? Did you do the Bav Sound amp as well? From what I have read, the biggest bang for the buck in using the Bav Sound solutions is on base hifi systems. HK folks were underwhelmed with the results.

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

What do you think of the sounds after upgrading from HK speakers to Bav Sound? Did you do the Bav Sound amp as well? From what I have read, the biggest bang for the buck in using the Bav Sound solutions is on base hifi systems. HK folks were underwhelmed with the results.

Great question! I'm not aware that there's a Bavsound amp available for my G30. It definitely sounds better with the HK amp. Does it sound $1500 better? That's a personal call but I'd say definitely yes if you believe that the B&W option is $3500 better. I still think that a trunk sub is better place to start in terms of bang for the buck because the HK system is very good.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

Great question! I'm not aware that there's a Bavsound amp available for my G30. It definitely sounds better with the HK amp. Does it sound $1500 better? That's a personal call but I'd say definitely yes if you believe that the B&W option is $3500 better. I still think that a trunk sub is better place to start in terms of bang for the buck because the HK system is very good.

Thanks. Yeah, I try not to get into "worth" when it comes to options. Very subjective and I'm not sure any option is worth what they charge. But, if you want the best sound and it's important to you (me), got to pay up. All that matter is that you feel there was an improvement and it's discernible. It's only money.

[ezaircon4jc]

Keeping in mind that a vehicle is possibly the WORST sound stage there is!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Keeping in mind that a vehicle is possibly the WORST sound stage there is!

That's why it's even more important to have a properly engineered and acoustically tuned system for the car.

[JMP14]

Re Bavsound....I did the stage 1 upgrade (no subs) to the base system in my F30 and the improvement was well worth the money IMO. Significantly better. As others have said, suspect they are able to get that marked improvement, in part, because the speakers are tuned for the specific car model. I will also say I felt the sound improved notably after a break in period.

I have the HK system in my 2023 g30 and I am a bit underwhelmed. While I am not looking for seat rattling base or volume, my initial impression is that the base is leaving a lot to be desired. I am going to wait to allow for a break in period with the HK, and see if spending some time with the EQ settings can make any difference (does anyone know of any posts here with recos?) but I will say I am leaning towards just going Bavsound (speakers and under seat subs) , bc I had such a positive experience previously. Accepting the fact that the delta between HK to Bav may not be as wide, I think given I want to prioritize having the best sound I can (without doing a full custom system) I am ok with spending the money. Ultimately it's all about prioritizing your list of mods to match what is most important for you. I would prefer spending on the sound system first, before a tune or exhaust, so for me Bavsound may make sense because of my personal value proposition.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by JMP14

Re Bavsound....I did the stage 1 upgrade (no subs) to the base system in my F30 and the improvement was well worth the money IMO. Significantly better. As others have said, suspect they are able to get that marked improvement, in part, because the speakers are tuned for the specific car model. I will also say I felt the sound improved notably after a break in period.

I have the HK system in my 2023 g30 and I am a bit underwhelmed. While I am not looking for seat rattling base or volume, my initial impression is that the base is leaving a lot to be desired. I am going to wait to allow for a break in period with the HK, and see if spending some time with the EQ settings can make any difference (does anyone know of any posts here with recos?) but I will say I am leaning towards just going Bavsound (speakers and under seat subs) , bc I had such a positive experience previously. Accepting the fact that the delta between HK to Bav may not be as wide, I think given I want to prioritize having the best sound I can (without doing a full custom system) I am ok with spending the money. Ultimately it's all about prioritizing your list of mods to match what is most important for you. I would prefer spending on the sound system first, before a tune or exhaust, so for me Bavsound may make sense because of my personal value proposition.

Just do some homework on BavSound for the G30 specifically. I completely agree that their products have done wonders for other models like the E39 which I have and some experience with BavSound through friends. I was very surprised to read reviews of G30 owners who went the BavSound upgrade route and their disappointment upgrading HK to it.

I am not a bass head either and from what I understand, the BavSound ghost subs don't sound any better than the HK under seat subs. The High and Mid Range speakers were marginally better than HK.

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Thanks. Yeah, I try not to get into "worth" when it comes to options. Very subjective and I'm not sure any option is worth what they charge. But, if you want the best sound and it's important to you (me), got to pay up. All that matter is that you feel there was an improvement and it's discernible. It's only money.

Making the option question more difficult is the fact that for new BMWs, with all of our supply chain issues it's very unlikely that you would be able to audition the B&W system, let alone doing so in the car you want to order and comparing it with the base or HK system in that same model. For used BMWs, it's extremely difficult to find a used BMW with B&W, and even if you do, good luck comparing it to the same model and year with the HK or base audio.

[JMP14]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Just do some homework on BavSound for the G30 specifically. I completely agree that their products have done wonders for other models like the E39 which I have and some experience with BavSound through friends. I was very surprised to read reviews of G30 owners who went the BavSound upgrade route and their disappointment upgrading HK to it.

I am not a bass head either and from what I understand, the BavSound ghost subs don't sound any better than the HK under seat subs. The High and Mid Range speakers were marginally better than HK.

Good to know thanks! Appreciate the input.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

Making the option question more difficult is the fact that for new BMWs, with all of our supply chain issues it's very unlikely that you would be able to audition the B&W system, let alone doing so in the car you want to order and comparing it with the base or HK system in that same model. For used BMWs, it's extremely difficult to find a used BMW with B&W, and even if you do, good luck comparing it to the same model and year with the HK or base audio.

Couldn't agree more. This is why forums like this are so important and taking in other people thoughts on options. That said, not everyone has the same opinion or needs as others. But it is pretty much the consensus that HK in the G30 is disappointing for a car of it's class. I'd argue that you should not have to spend $3,600 to get premium audio that HK should come close to. But at the end of the day you have three options.

1
Base hifi - throw that out

2
HK - may not have a choice if it's the best thing available, but really disappointing reviews from owners

3
B&W - a big check to write, but you can choose it with confidence even if you never heard it.

I wish HK was closer to B&W. I had HK on my F10 and it was decent, but you had to turn it up for it to sound great. B&W sounds great at all volume levels. I find myself listening to music at a lower volume now because of this.

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

... I wish HK was closer to B&W. I had HK on my F10 and it was decent, but you had to turn it up for it to sound great. B&W sounds great at all volume levels. I find myself listening to music at a lower volume now because of this.

With the Bavsound speakers and stock HK amp, I find that I can get "great" sound at about 70-80% volume, which works for me. I'm a long-time audiophile but as others have said, given the inherent limitations of car audio I'd be hard pressed to spend $3600 for the best sound possible in a car. But we agree that's a personal and somewhat subjective call.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

With the Bavsound speakers and stock HK amp, I find that I can get "great" sound at about 70-80% volume, which works for me. I'm a long-time audiophile but as others have said, given the inherent limitations of car audio I'd be hard pressed to spend $3600 for the best sound possible in a car. But we agree that's a personal and somewhat subjective call.

You should listen to one of your favorite songs at 25% on a B&W system. The separation of the highs, mids and lows is just as good as at 70-80%. Trust me, this is one of the most amazing things about the system. Even the bass thumps appropriately at 25%.

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

You should listen to one of your favorite songs at 25% on a B&W system. The separation of the highs, mids and lows is just as good as at 70-80%. Trust me, this is one of the most amazing things about the system. Even the bass thumps appropriately at 25%.

I'd love to hear your B&W audio (and your Dinan exhaust) but unfortunately I moved away from Boston many years ago.