[realone]

Hi Guys,

i am doing some research how to replace my Harman Kardon sound system for a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and have some questions about it. I only want to use OEM parts, so no Aliexpress speakers and covers.

- Is this job doable?
- Are all B&W speakers/tweeters/subs plug and play with the HK harness?
- Is the B&W Amp plug and play on my HK harness?
- Do i need to code the B&W Amp?
- How do i connect the speaker covers with LED?
- Do i need a frequency diplexer? What is the location, and how do i connect it?
- Do i need the microphone? What is the location of the mic, and how to connect it?

A lot of questions, so i hope you guys can give me the right information!

thanks a lot

[The-Traveler]

Originally Posted by realone

Hi Guys,

i am doing some research how to replace my Harman Kardon sound system for a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and have some questions about it. I only want to use OEM parts, so no Aliexpress speakers and covers.

- Is this job doable?
- Are all B&W speakers/tweeters/subs plug and play with the HK harness?
- Is the B&W Amp plug and play on my HK harness?
- Do i need to code the B&W Amp?
- How do i connect the speaker covers with LED?
- Do i need a frequency diplexer? What is the location, and how do i connect it?
- Do i need the microphone? What is the location of the mic, and how to connect it?

A lot of questions, so i hope you guys can give me the right information!

thanks a lot

I'm curious as well. My guess is that yes, because BMW has been using the same wiring harness in all car variants for a few years now, to save money.

You will definitely need coding though.

[realone]

Well, i am not sure if we can use the same HK harness. I found the connectors of the the both amp's, and it looks like the B&W amp require an extra connector, and it looks diffenrent

[Joe-BMW33]

Just about anything is do-able and retrofit-able, but it is going to be a matter of cost and effort. That said, I have not seen anyone do this on all the forums and groups I hang out in, which makes me think that you do need a different wiring harness. If you did not, then it would simply be swapping in the B&W amp, speakers and coding. In terms of the LED, lots of people are swapping in those Ali Express knockoffs and they light up from just plugging them in, so take that for what it is worth - they are either made for HK swaps or the connector is the same, but that doesn't mean the entire HK harness would work with the B&W amp. Also, I don't know if HK has a center channel? I have B&W, so not sure, but I thought the center channel was only on B&W. If so, installing the center channel as part of the retro-fit is going to be a bitch.

[Mach550]

Only thing I've seen is someone swapping the speakers out with non-oem B&W design grills/lighting from places like aliexpress. Like Joe said, don't think anyone has done a full HK to BW swap with all the necessary electronics modules. My HK system has the center on the dash, this is probably my biggest regret is not getting the B&W. At the time I just hated the shiny aluminum grills for my mocha interior. Now I'm thinking that it would have been easier to find HK grills to replace the shiny material.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by realone

Hi Guys,

i am doing some research how to replace my Harman Kardon sound system for a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and have some questions about it. I only want to use OEM parts, so no Aliexpress speakers and covers.

- Is this job doable?
- Are all B&W speakers/tweeters/subs plug and play with the HK harness?
- Is the B&W Amp plug and play on my HK harness?
- Do i need to code the B&W Amp?
- How do i connect the speaker covers with LED?
- Do i need a frequency diplexer? What is the location, and how do i connect it?
- Do i need the microphone? What is the location of the mic, and how to connect it?

A lot of questions, so i hope you guys can give me the right information!

thanks a lot

Have you coded the B&W audio into your I Drive ? Gives you a whole new set of sound parameters such as Studio, Concert, Etc.....its pretty cool. I was impressed at the sound difference.

[wren57]

Why not just get the bavsound upgrade?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by wren57

Why not just get the bavsound upgrade?

FWIU, the BavSound upgrade is not even close to B&W and it's more on par with HK. The BavSound upgrade is really the best candidate for the base hifi system. It will not add any more bass to HK or B&W.

[LogicalApex]

You can review the wiring diagram posted on the forum of the two systems to see if you can spot the difference that may be feeding the other connector.

The number of speakers is identical between H&K and B&W and my understanding is the difference in wiring is largely driven by the additional microphones and diplexer on the B&W. But there may be more to it.

There are few who do the change over though as from what I've read you're better off going with something else entirely than going B&W if you already have H&K. B&W is a notch above H&K in clarity and depth, but the bass output is pretty much identical. So how much you'll enjoy bumping to B&W from H&K would depend on your listening tastes. But I'm going to say it is not really a worthy upgrade if you already have H&K...

Old thread where people hashed this out:
https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1512934

G30 Technical Guides thread:
https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1364915

Wiring Diagram is in #8 G30 Infotainment. I haven't studied it extensively.

The soundstage in my previous car, Mercedes, was a LOT better than the soundstage in the G30 IMHO. The C300 H&K system sounded superb. I'm sure the Burmeister they have in them now as an upgrade are top notch as well. But that's another topic altogether.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

You can review the wiring diagram posted on the forum of the two systems to see if you can spot the difference that may be feeding the other connector.

The number of speakers is identical between H&K and B&W and my understanding is the difference in wiring is largely driven by the additional microphones and diplexer on the B&W. But there may be more to it.

There are few who do the change over though as from what I've read you're better off going with something else entirely than going B&W if you already have H&K. B&W is a notch above H&K in clarity and depth, but the bass output is pretty much identical. So how much you'll enjoy bumping to B&W from H&K would depend on your listening tastes. But I'm going to say it is not really a worthy upgrade if you already have H&K...

Old thread where people hashed this out:
https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1512934

G30 Technical Guides thread:
https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1364915

Wiring Diagram is in #8 G30 Infotainment. I haven't studied it extensively.

The soundstage in my previous car, Mercedes, was a LOT better than the soundstage in the G30 IMHO. The C300 H&K system sounded superb. I'm sure the Burmeister they have in them now as an upgrade are top notch as well. But that's another topic altogether.

B&W and HK bass is NOT identical, with all due respect, you are categorically wrong here. I think anyone will tell you that main difference between the two is the overwhelming strength of the bass. B&W is NOT a notch above. It's like 10 notches. Now if you said, is it worth $3600 bucks, that's a different story and subjective.

Just don't want to mislead anyone. There is a reason why a lot of people are underwhelmed with HK and try to upgrade it. You can't say the same for B&W owners albeit an expensive price for high fidelity.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

B&W and HK bass is NOT identical, with all due respect, you are categorically wrong here. I think anyone will tell you that main difference between the two is the overwhelming strength of the bass. B&W is NOT a notch above. It's like 10 notches. Now if you said, is it worth $3600 bucks, that's a different story and subjective.

Just don't want to mislead anyone. There is a reason why a lot of people are underwhelmed with HK and try to upgrade it. You can't say the same for B&W owners albeit an expensive price for high fidelity.

We're on the same page of not intending to mislead.

Sound is subjective so there is that aspect of it all, but my noting that it isn't huge leap up in the bass category is in line with the comments I've seen frequently when the two systems are directly compared.

Even so in the thread I linked to where members were debating the validity of the option, but you can find it similarly hashed out across the forum.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...42&postcount=3

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=20

etc.

I'm not saying the B&W isn't a solid option, but I don't think it makes sense to upgrade to it after the fact given the likely significant costs to fully implement it considering the in car microphones and etc. The H&K system is likely good enough. I still think the G30 sound stage just isn't as good as my Mercedes with both having H&K systems. But sound is subjective and we listen to different music I'm sure

But that's my opinion OP is entitled to the details on doing the upgrade as they may see it as worth it and better than alternative options.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

We're on the same page of not intending to mislead.

Sound is subjective so there is that aspect of it all, but my noting that it isn't huge leap up in the bass category is in line with the comments I've seen frequently when the two systems are directly compared.

Even so in the thread I linked to where members were debating the validity of the option, but you can find it similarly hashed out across the forum.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...38;postcount=3

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8;postcount=20

etc.

I'm not saying the B&W isn't a solid option, but I don't think it makes sense to upgrade to it after the fact given the likely significant costs to fully implement it considering the in car microphones and etc. The H&K system is likely good enough. I still think the G30 sound stage just isn't as good as my Mercedes with both having H&K systems. But sound is subjective and we listen to different music I'm sure

But that's my opinion OP is entitled to the details on doing the upgrade as they may see it as worth it and better than alternative options.

It's all good, but it is worth noting that most of the people saying that HK is in the ballpark of B&W, don't have B&W and since they don't have it, it's easy to rationalize for them because it's subjective. I would put more weight on B&W owners that would say they wish they didn't have it because HK sounds the same, which I never read.

A better analogy, people saying the M550 is basically an M5 or notch below an M5. Wishful thinking.

[RonronEG]

I like the B&W but if I didn't have it I sure at heck wouldn't retrofit it after the fact. You can build a great sounding system for far less.

[The-Traveler]

I have HK and find the clarity excellent and bass underwhelming. My e92 m3 with premium individual audio has super tight bass with under seat subs.

Wondering if HK subs are there and if so, can they be upgraded?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by The-Traveler

I have HK and find the clarity excellent and bass underwhelming. My e92 m3 with premium individual audio has super tight bass with under seat subs.

Wondering if HK subs are there and if so, can they be upgraded?

I don't think so with success or improvement. I'm kind of an audiophile and always stop to read threads like this and related.

I think the only option without building a trunk bass box (and that's a whole different type of bass experience) is the BavSound Ghost Subs which are the only offering that fit under the seat. The feedback on this upgrade from bass improvement to HK systems hasn't been great. Most will tell you it wasn't worth it. I honestly don't know what exactly is the secret to the B&W system (probably the powerful amp and their own sub design), but the bass kicks ass. Really tight and clean. Not like a license plate rattling trunk box but bass that is integrated well.

The biggest compliment I can pay the B&W system is that it sounds phenomenal at all volumes. I find myself not listening to music as loud to improve the sound. HK is like that, you have to crank it to have it sound decent and at low volumes, it sounds like a "radio".

[SonD]

B&W upgrade finally arrived, not going to be an easy fit, I'm thinking the rear seats may go, leaving me with a 2 seater, but it'll be fun.
May take a slight amount of fettling as well - lets see..
C89917C6-27BC-4382-9F56-4C5082E55E89_1_201_a by SPH2701, on Flickr

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by SonD

B&W upgrade finally arrived, not going to be an easy fit, I'm thinking the rear seats may go, leaving me with a 2 seater, but it'll be fun.
May take a slight amount of fettling as well - lets see..
C89917C6-27BC-4382-9F56-4C5082E55E89_1_201_a by SPH2701, on Flickr

Keep us posted. This may be a first. Take picture along the way if you can.

[The-Traveler]

Originally Posted by SonD

B&W upgrade finally arrived, not going to be an easy fit, I'm thinking the rear seats may go, leaving me with a 2 seater, but it'll be fun.
May take a slight amount of fettling as well - lets see..
C89917C6-27BC-4382-9F56-4C5082E55E89_1_201_a by SPH2701, on Flickr

How much was it? Looks new?!!!

[ejlover06]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Keep us posted. This may be a first. Take picture along the way if you can.

Originally Posted by The-Traveler

How much was it? Looks new?!!!

That's not the BW system for the car you know that right

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ejlover06

That's not the BW system for the car you know that right

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I just looked closer. That would be nice in my living room😅

[Mach550]

Originally Posted by SonD

B&W upgrade finally arrived, not going to be an easy fit, I'm thinking the rear seats may go, leaving me with a 2 seater, but it'll be fun.
May take a slight amount of fettling as well - lets see..
C89917C6-27BC-4382-9F56-4C5082E55E89_1_201_a by SPH2701, on Flickr

these things go for about a 1/3rd of an M550i. I kept my theater within a budget of about 24k.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Mach550

these things go for about a 1/3rd of an M550i. I kept my theater within a budget of about 24k.

I had to look it up. They're more like 1/2 the price of a M550.

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