[TF30Z]

Has anyone got/tested out the standard stereo system? (EU 6 spk not the US hifi 9 spk)

Can anyone provide some comments or feedback from a non-audiophile point of view?

Regards.

[ramonE90-NL]

The standard system is great when listning. But at full volume its

[rob72]

Originally Posted by ramonE90-NL

The standard system is great when listning. But at full volume its

I have the standard EU sound system, and don't have any issues with it. Then again I am not an audiophile by any means. And as to cranking up the volume to max, I still need my hearing tomorrow, thank you very much!

[ChiefBroady]

It's ok. Better than the standard system in the e90.

[jfestrelabr]

Originally Posted by ChiefBroady

It's ok. Better than the standard system in the e90.

+1

[NISFAN]

Yeah I kept getting told that I 'needed' the HK option, but listened to the standard stereo on the test drive and I think it is perfectly fine for my needs. Definitely better than most 'standard' systems.

BTW I also listened to the HK system, and although better, still not audiophile quality IMO.

[aarslan]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Yeah I kept getting told that I 'needed' the HK option, but listened to the standard stereo on the test drive and I think it is perfectly fine for my needs. Definitely better than most 'standard' systems.

+1

[MaestroAl]

Nobody "needs" a HK system. It's just infinitely better

Honestly though, if all you do is listen to crap on Radio 1 then the standard stereo will be fine as long as you don't turn it up. But if you listen to proper tunes at any kind of volume or you listen to spoken word then the HK will be in a different league

[RobUK]

I've got the standard (UK-spec) system and I would call it passable. Fine for radio, audio books and background music, but if it's detail you're after then it may disappoint.

[MaestroAl]

I stuck an audio book on (what I listen to most in terms of pure hours) in a demo with the standard sound system and like most lofi systems, at default settings, male voices become really bassy (especially bad on Radio 4 in a morning!) and so you have to tune out the bass. Then when you put music on it sounds lame so you have to dial it back in again ... but keep it quiet

Like everything else though - it's horse's for courses and one man's "sounds shit" is another man's "wow that's nice". Which is cool because it's an optional extra

[ducatiboy72]

The standard system is not very good in my opinion unless you are only going to listen to news channels. But the Hifi upgrade is more than good enough.

[ocso1606]

I thought the standard sound system was good and didnt need the HK. Just my opinion

[clarence]

Originally Posted by ocso1606

I thought the standard sound system was good and didnt need the HK. Just my opinion

Your standard is their hi-fi option.

[2k13f10]

Base Audio is horrible. Ive been kicking myself about not getting the HK system.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by 2k12f30

Base Audio is horrible. Ive been kicking myself about not getting the HK system.

I had a US spec 328i with standard audio system. I have HK in my 335i.
The base US spec system isn't really that bad. It's actually pretty good for normal volume levels. The bass is a bit accentuated, but the high end is pretty good and not as fatiguing as it is in my HK system.

The HK has a more powerful amp and that allows it to be turned up louder without as much distortion compared to the standard system.
HK has an EQ but I'm finding it kind of useless.

CD's sound excellent in the HK system, and don't really require much if any EQ.
FM sounds good as much as FM can. FM HD does sound better, but my HK receiver needs an antenna booster as reception is lacking with my HK.
Satellite offers a LOT of options, but the audio quality SUCKS. It's not as good as FM. It's cleaner than FM as it's a digital signal, but the extensive compression used for sat radio makes for a harsh sound quality, nothing sounds full and rounded. Couple that with the HK metal dome tweeters and you can't turn the high end up too much as it gets even harsher and fatiguing over time. In the final analysis the US spec base audio isn't bad at all, and HK "upgrade" is NOT worth the $950. Yes, it's better and plays louder, but not $950 worth.
I can't speak on the Euro base audio as I haven't heard it.

I am going to swap the HK metal dome tweets with a good pair of 1" silk dome tweets that I used in my 03 325i. High end should mellow out.
And I need to have BMW service look into the poor FM reception. The FM booster may not be working very well, and if not, then it may need a new and/or better booster. That too is disappointing for a $950 "upgrade", the base system in the loaner had better radio reception.

[bmwdrvr13]

I was a bit concerned at first. But after listening to base speakers on a 4 hr trip, I found them acceptable. Imo

[Alpine F31]

I've never heard the HK system. My standard system rivals my Alpine system in my old car. I like it just fine. My biggest complaint is that the system adds an artificial gap to gapless albums (stored CDs). In other words, songs that have no air space between them on the CD WILL have air space when played in the car.

[TF30Z]

Originally Posted by bmwdrvr13

I was a bit concerned at first. But after listening to base speakers on a 4 hr trip, I found them acceptable. Imo

So you find the 6 spk system fine? How is the bass?