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      10-03-2019, 09:28 AM   #1
mobsync
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Stock radio vs $875 HK option vs $4,200 BW option

This is pretty much the last thing I need to decide on before putting together my order.

Is there a good resource online showing the differences between the three? Is the only difference sound quality or do the two upgrades give you other features as well?
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      10-03-2019, 09:35 AM   #2
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It's hard to do comprehensive audio quality comparison of multiple audio options in the same model of a car — you'd have to have access to 3 cars of the same model for a couple of hours each with different audio systems to test at various driving situations. It might be easier to take a statistics approach here, a formal or informal poll.

I'll start: have HK, very happy with it. For me, HK came in a package, but I would have gotten it anyway if it didn't. The many thousands more for B&W system were better spent on driving performance items (OEM and after market).
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      10-03-2019, 09:36 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mobsync View Post
This is pretty much the last thing I need to decide on before putting together my order.

Is there a good resource online showing the differences between the three? Is the only difference sound quality or do the two upgrades give you other features as well?
I have HK. It's awesome. No complaints. The source is what matters. Radio? Streaming? Spend the money on dynamic handling. If you use high quality audio, then the BO may be worth while.
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      10-03-2019, 10:50 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mobsync View Post
This is pretty much the last thing I need to decide on before putting together my order.

Is there a good resource online showing the differences between the three? Is the only difference sound quality or do the two upgrades give you other features as well?
The B&W upgrade also requires the Executive Package which adds an addition $4550 or $5600 to the cost of the option.

Where as H&K is a flat $875 upgrade.
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      10-03-2019, 11:11 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nvsocr7 View Post
I have HK. It's awesome. No complaints. The source is what matters. Radio? Streaming? Spend the money on dynamic handling. If you use high quality audio, then the BO may be worth while.

Yeah, I guess I should've said that I would at the very least order the HK upgrade. I am an audiophile but just don't listen to music as much anymore. I'll most likely be happy with just the HK.
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      10-03-2019, 11:23 AM   #6
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HK is very good and enough for me.
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      10-03-2019, 11:30 AM   #7
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We've found the HK to be good.
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      10-03-2019, 12:53 PM   #8
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And now the wait begins for when orders can be placed for the 45e here in the states.
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      10-03-2019, 01:58 PM   #9
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Don't forget that the B&W option also has an aesthetic component to it too. With the brushed aluminum grills and ambient lighting in the grills.
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      10-03-2019, 10:07 PM   #10
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Basic Radio - This is good for those who either only listen to talk radio or don't really care about audio quality. It's "fine" but the base radio probably shouldn't be offered on the X5.

HK Radio - This is what the base radio on a car like the X5 (or 5 series) should be. This will probably suffice for most people who like music from MP3's or Satellite Radio.

B&W Radio - great audio quality. Not LOUD but very good audio and loud enough for the vast majority. If you're interested in hearing subtle details of music then this is for you. It's not going to be as good as some home systems (including some of the B&W home speakers) but realistically, a car isn't the best environment for that kind of audio anyway. Is it worth the price? Probably not. Would I get it again? Absolutely!

My wife who's not an audiophile noticed the difference between the base radio and the HK radio. She's happy with the HK and wants it again. For my car, it's the B&W.
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      10-04-2019, 06:51 AM   #11
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For $4200 is definitely not worth it. I tried it out at the dealership in a demo truck and the HK was very close behind it. Your better off saving that money and putting a high quality sub/amp combo from JL Audio for quarter of that price.
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      10-04-2019, 08:54 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gtz1wickedest View Post
For $4200 is definitely not worth it. I tried it out at the dealership in a demo truck and the HK was very close behind it. Your better off saving that money and putting a high quality sub/amp combo from JL Audio for quarter of that price.
Ah, so JL has some stuff that will work in the x5. Good to know!
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      10-04-2019, 08:59 AM   #13
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gtz1wickedest View Post
For $4200 is definitely not worth it. I tried it out at the dealership in a demo truck and the HK was very close behind it. Your better off saving that money and putting a high quality sub/amp combo from JL Audio for quarter of that price.
Ah, so JL has some stuff that will work in the x5. Good to know!
For sure have it in my f15 tapped into the HK amp with no issues.
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      10-04-2019, 12:18 PM   #14
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Since I've only had HK audio systems in previous BMWs, the B&W upgrade for me is $3,325 - I wouldn't consider anything less than HK. And for that price, it's less than a previous B&O system, and audibly better, to me. Whether it's worth it to anyone else is a personal choice, or whether it's $3,325 better than HK (which is actually very good), but I would recommend the acoustic glass with it, because a high end audio system in a car is otherwise wasted, IMO.
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      10-04-2019, 01:10 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paladin1 View Post
Since I've only had HK audio systems in previous BMWs, the B&W upgrade for me is $3,325 - I wouldn't consider anything less than HK. And for that price, it's less than a previous B&O system, and audibly better, to me. Whether it's worth it to anyone else is a personal choice, or whether it's $3,325 better than HK (which is actually very good), but I would recommend the acoustic glass with it, because a high end audio system in a car is otherwise wasted, IMO.
Yes, I am going with acoustic glass either way.
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      10-05-2019, 12:15 AM   #16
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The HK is a fine system. I had the standard hifi in my 328i, and it was absolutely terrible. I opted for the HK in my 340i, and it was 1000x better.

I know neither is a comparison to the G05..... but for my G05, I opted for the B&W. I love my music, and to me, it was a worthwhile upgrade. For most folks, the HK is more than good enough.

I would advise to get "at least" the HK.... because my experience with the standard hifi was truly terrible.
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      10-07-2019, 05:17 AM   #17
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I have a HK on my F86 which very different than the one on the new G05. The new HK is more than enough if you ask me. I've tried it my friend's G05 and it just sounds awesome especially with the new surround feature. It's a big upgrade of the previous gen's HK.
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      10-07-2019, 01:17 PM   #18
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You lucky Americans have hifi as standard. We poor Europeans have the base sound system (6 speakers) as standard. Hifi is €500, HK is another 1000€
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      10-08-2019, 09:43 PM   #19
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the B&W also looks super cool with the lights and SS, also gets speakers in the headliner.

although i saw on ebay you can get SS covers for speakers too
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      10-08-2019, 11:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tmt View Post
You lucky Americans have hifi as standard. We poor Europeans have the base sound system (6 speakers) as standard. Hifi is €500, HK is another 1000€
I just ordered an X6 M50d in Vienna AT and HiFi was standard. Upgrading to HK cost me the same as it would upgrading a non M Performance car to HiFi.

In my old F16, regular HiFi just doesn't cope...can't even talk on the phone with windows open, low speed, volume at max. Hope HK does the job.

BW price for me was just unjustified, I'm not an audiofile, and it was six fold compared to HK.
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      10-09-2019, 08:13 AM   #21
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Go with HK and DHP, thats what I did and do not regret it one bit
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