[Thrangster]

I opted for the HK system in mine; I had the B&W in my 2016 7, and while it was nice, I find I'm listening to more talk radio these days. Plus, road noise really does negate the finer details of the B&W system

I also had a loaner 7 with the HK system, and was surprised how good it was...

So maybe I'll miss it, but at this point I'm thinking it wasn't work it given the above.

[jokinawa]

So far I am loving the B&W way more than the HK I had in my previous 3 series.

Way more thump and I can turn it up until my ears hear and I still don't hear any distortion.

Here is a pic of the 3rd row side speakers I took while installing a dashcam.

[Metal man]

Distortion wise it is a great system. Bowers and wilkins uses better materials for factory car audio than most any other competitors. Kevlar and aluminum vs usually paper cones and aluminum tweets (burmeister). Bass is where it comes up short in my 7 series. 2 woofers instead of sub woofers under seat are not enough

[Thrangster]

The best car audio system I’ve heard is the high end Meridian system (in the Jaguar XJ) Yowza...

[Wild Blue]

I just checked the BMWUSA configurator, and the B&W is not listed as an option any more on the 40i. WTF? Still on the 50i.

The ordering guides for MY2020 do have it for all models, so hopefully still an option when I place my order.

[MarkH62]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

I just checked the BMWUSA configurator, and the B&W is not listed as an option any more on the 40i. WTF? Still on the 50i.

The ordering guides for MY2020 do have it for all models, so hopefully still an option when I place my order.

When we ordered our '19 40i, a specific package (I think it was the Premium Package) would remove the B&W from the configuration. But the dealer can (and did) add it back in for us.

[760Lifan]

Originally Posted by MarkH62

When we ordered our '19 40i, a specific package (I think it was the Premium Package) would remove the B&W from the configuration. But the dealer can (and did) add it back in for us.

Back then, it was an error on the online configurator since the Premium Package includes the HK-System and the configurator saw a conflict in adding B&W since it thought you would wanted both systems..

[Bogey4me]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

I just checked the BMWUSA configurator, and the B&W is not listed as an option any more on the 40i. WTF? Still on the 50i.

The ordering guides for MY2020 do have it for all models, so hopefully still an option when I place my order.

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

I just checked the BMWUSA configurator, and the B&W is not listed as an option any more on the 40i. WTF? Still on the 50i.

The ordering guides for MY2020 do have it for all models, so hopefully still an option when I place my order.

The configurator seems to always miss some things on BMWs I've ordered. The option is still on the 2020 ordering guide for the 40i. I wouldn't worry about it, but your sales guy could confirm as well. You won't regret it

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

This is the most amazing sound system I've ever heard.

from my experience nothing has beaten the 29 speaker 3D Merdian system in the RRSC/AB. i have not had full experience with the x7 BW system yet but if your praise is any indication sounds like something may finally dethrone it.

[BMWFan2]

Originally Posted by Thrangster

The best car audio system I’ve heard is the high end Meridian system (in the Jaguar XJ) Yowza...

For me it was the high end Meridian in a Range Rover. Best ever!

[Thrangster]

Yes Meridian high-end in any top-of-the-line Jag or Range Rover is awesome... best I've heard

[robininni]

Originally Posted by MarkH62

You're not alone, I did the same thing at first, and would probably still be doing it if it wasn't getting so hot here. The B&W in the X7 is one of the best in-car audio systems I've heard. I always ask to audition the upgraded sound systems when I'm looking for a new vehicle, and the difference between the HK and B&W just blew me away.

So was this auditioning in an x40i or x50i? I ask because the m50i has a better HK system then the premium/executive 'upgraded' HK in the lesser x7 variants.

Has anyone compared an m50i HK system to the B&W upgrade?

[Campinguy]

You will get better sound from your B&W system if you plug your phone into the USB port
Instead of using Bluetooth. Also if you download hi-res music onto a thumb drive you can play it thru the USB port and even load onto
the X7 internal hard drive. It will play FLAC files sampled as high as 192khz/24 bit. That is 4x higher than you get from a CD! Your ears will thank you for the sound experience.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by robininni

So was this auditioning in an x40i or x50i? I ask because the m50i has a better HK system then the premium/executive 'upgraded' HK in the lesser x7 variants.

Has anyone compared an m50i HK system to the B&W upgrade?

I don't believe this has been officially verified as of yet. I'm asking this very question as the "Option Code 688" is used for both the upgraded HK system in the 40i and the standard HK system in the 50i and M50i. However, the descriptions of each of those systems is different between the 40i and 50i and M50i.

I'm trying to find the answer to this question myself over on this thread. https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1683583

[iconoclast]

40i Standard:
HiFi Sound System with 10 speakers and 205-watt digital amplifier.

40i H/K Upgrade:
Harman Kardon® surround sound system with 360-watts. This 12-speaker sound system includes 5 tweeters (2 tweeters with "Harman Kardon" designation in the mirror triangles), 5 midrange speakers and 2 central bass speakers located under the front seats. This multi-channel system makes the car's cabin a colorful sound experience.

50i/M50i:
Harman Kardon® Surround Sound Audio System with vehicle-specic equalizing and powerful 464-watt amplier; the 16-speaker system includes 7 tweeters, 4 midrange speakers located in the door panels and 2 midrange speakers located in the D-pillar, 2 bass speakers located under the front seats and 1 midrange center channel speaker

B/W:
Bowers & Wilkins® Diamond Surround Sound System has it all: 20 speakers - including exclusive Diamond Dome tweeters, 1,500 watts of audio power, 10 fully active amplification channels, QuantumLogic Surround/Dynamic Sound Equalizing via measuring microphone and three analog crossover networks for consistent sound quality.

Summary:
Get the Bowers & Wilkins. You will not regret it.

[G80POWER]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

40i Standard:
HiFi Sound System with 10 speakers and 205-watt digital amplifier.

40i H/K Upgrade:
Harman Kardon® surround sound system with 360-watts. This 12-speaker sound system includes 5 tweeters (2 tweeters with "Harman Kardon" designation in the mirror triangles), 5 midrange speakers and 2 central bass speakers located under the front seats. This multi-channel system makes the car's cabin a colorful sound experience.

50i/M50i:
Harman Kardon® Surround Sound Audio System with vehicle-specic equalizing and powerful 464-watt amplier; the 16-speaker system includes 7 tweeters, 4 midrange speakers located in the door panels and 2 midrange speakers located in the D-pillar, 2 bass speakers located under the front seats and 1 midrange center channel speaker

B/W:
Bowers & Wilkins® Diamond Surround Sound System has it all: 20 speakers - including exclusive Diamond Dome tweeters, 1,500 watts of audio power, 10 fully active amplification channels, QuantumLogic Surround/Dynamic Sound Equalizing via measuring microphone and three analog crossover networks for consistent sound quality.

Summary:
Get the Bowers & Wilkins. You will not regret it.

+1. The B&W in the X7 is very good. I was skeptical ordering it again because I had it in my previous F90 M5 and was disappointed with it in that car because it was very lacking in bass. It is much better in the X7 and I have been very pleased so far.

[weingarm]

I would imagine the "sound stage" aka the spacing between the speakers vs where passengers sit makes the B&W in the X7 sound more impressive than it would be in a sedan.

I have an F90 M5 with B&W and it is definitely a strong sounding system - especially at slightly higher volumes than you would listen to if you were having a conversation in the car. I don't have an X7 but I would imagine there's more of a step up going from HK to BW in the X7 than in the M5 due to a larger sound stage in the X7.

That's the reason I think my Logic 7 system in my old Land Rover LR4 was the best system I ever had. SUV sound staging is superior to sedans.

That said, I'd still go BW again if I bought my M5 again today.

[iconoclast]

i agree; the H/K L7 system in my F31 wasn't that great no matter how it was configured but when the H/K L7 is adjusted properly in the LR4 it sounds much better than in the F31 or the Range Rover Sport. the 1200w in the L322 sounds better than all three but i have yet to find a system that is better than the Meridian 1900w 3D Surround in the L405. 29 speakers of pure insanity but the downside is the rubbish gui and tech attached to it. so for overall package for the price hard to beat the BW offered in the X7.

[G80POWER]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

i agree; the H/K L7 system in my F31 wasn't that great no matter how it was configured but when the H/K L7 is adjusted properly in the LR4 it sounds much better than in the F31 or the Range Rover Sport. the 1200w in the L322 sounds better than all three but i have yet to find a system that is better than the Meridian 1900w 3D Surround in the L405. 29 speakers of pure insanity but the downside is the rubbish gui and tech attached to it. so for overall package for the price hard to beat the BW offered in the X7.

I agree and your comments are spot on. My wife had an old LR4 with the Logic 7 system and it was very good - especially with a DVD in with Dolby Digital surround sound but the B&W in the X7 is even better. I would also agree that the Meridian system in the Range Rover sounds the best of all three and it should with 1900watts The B&W in the X7 is worth every penny and especially for the cool factor of the speakers lighting up. That would be the only reason I would order it again on an M5. I don’t think the sound difference between the HK system and B&W system on the M5 is an noticeable as it is in the X7 but the speakers lighting up at night is very cool!

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

40i Standard:
HiFi Sound System with 10 speakers and 205-watt digital amplifier.

40i H/K Upgrade:
Harman Kardon® surround sound system with 360-watts. This 12-speaker sound system includes 5 tweeters (2 tweeters with "Harman Kardon" designation in the mirror triangles), 5 midrange speakers and 2 central bass speakers located under the front seats. This multi-channel system makes the car's cabin a colorful sound experience.

50i/M50i:
Harman Kardon® Surround Sound Audio System with vehicle-specic equalizing and powerful 464-watt amplier; the 16-speaker system includes 7 tweeters, 4 midrange speakers located in the door panels and 2 midrange speakers located in the D-pillar, 2 bass speakers located under the front seats and 1 midrange center channel speaker

B/W:
Bowers & Wilkins® Diamond Surround Sound System has it all: 20 speakers - including exclusive Diamond Dome tweeters, 1,500 watts of audio power, 10 fully active amplification channels, QuantumLogic Surround/Dynamic Sound Equalizing via measuring microphone and three analog crossover networks for consistent sound quality.

Summary:
Get the Bowers & Wilkins. You will not regret it.

I already addressed these descriptions earlier. However, there's still no answer to the fact that BMW specs the upgraded HK in the x40i as option #688 which is the same Option # for the X50i.

That would indicate that both those systems would be the exact same systems and specs. However, the verbiage in the descriptions does not match between the two vehicles even thou they claim to be the same option numbers.

Thanks for the confusion BMW!

[Lars997]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cms.ipressr...man+Kardon.pdf

This link contains an explanation of the Harman Kardon System. I thought this might help to make things easier

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by mitch57

Thanks for the confusion BMW!

Contact BMW directly and request additional information.