[oeli]

I owned a 3 series a few years ago and had the Hifi option. It sounded great. It had subwoofers in the chairs and had the best sound I ever had in a car.

Now I ordered an x4. The dealer didn't have a Harman Kardon or Hifi model to test, so I wasn't able to compare. I generally don't like surround options in cars because music just isn't made to be ilstened to in surround mode. So based on my prior experience I ordered the Hi-fi option. Now the dealer tells me the Hi-fi doesn't come with subwoofers in the X4, and he showed an X5 with Hi-fi option which did feature a center speaker (which seemed odd).

So now I'm a little confused as to what I'm getting and/or whether I should get the HK option. (getting HK and turning off surround seems silly). Anyone have the 'regular' Hi-fi option and can comment on sound quality?

[Bimar]

I will check my car for the subwoofers it must have for the sound is awesome and bass is banging, best sound ever in any car. I will never skimp of the HIFI option ever again, I am no audiophile dunno how much better the HK can be.

[Bimar]

Could not find the subwoofer yet it bangs like it does, if so they did a superb job then if it's not there, everyone knows when I arrive for my car drops the bass nicely.

[Jypsie]

However you turn it, regular is pretty limited and HK is far better then the Hifi upgrade, regardless where the woofers are. If you hear it, you know it is better. It is not about the hardware, it is how it sounds......

Best extra money I even spend.....

[coolesnce]

I have the HK package and there are 2 subs, One under each front seat. Sounds good! You'll be happy. I can tell the big difference from my 2012 X3 with Hifi Sound system.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by coolesnce

I have the HK package and there are 2 subs, One under each front seat. Sounds good! Zou'll be happy. I can tell the big difference from my 2012 X3 with Hifi Sound system.

does your seat vibrate then? I notice the soundproofing on the X4 is waaaay better than the X3, maybe that why the HIFi sounds so good in Mine, super crisp, hear stuff couldn't hear before and off course that bass. I would love to hear the HK but no dealer i have been to has it on the demos to compare.

[coolesnce]

Originally Posted by inamik75

does your seat vibrate then? I notice the soundproofing on the X4 is waaaay better than the X3, maybe that why the HIFi sounds so good in Mine, super crisp, hear stuff couldn't hear before and off course that bass. I would love to hear the HK but no dealer i have been to has it on the demos to compare.

No seat vibration at all

[Roundown]

You can turn off surround in the HK menu.

[Bimar]

I can confirm the HIFI option has 2 subwoofers under each seat, (no wonder why it's banging) didn't see them earlier for I had looked at night. Have pics can't attach due to size and don't have ipad app to do that, maybe tomorrow when on a PC.

[Bimar]

See pics, had checked at night hence I could not see it. I wonder what brand the HIFI option is, it rocks!

[barcelona]

I have premium hifi in x3, not so good. HK in x5 sounds great. Note same HK in x3/4/5.
Should sound better in larger vehicle. I definitely would get hk.

2 woofers in x4
http://www.harmankardon.com/estore/h...p?id=bmw-x1-us

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by barcelona

I have premium hifi in x3, not so good. HK in x5 sounds great. Note same HK in x3/4/5.
Should sound better in larger vehicle. I definitely would get hk.

2 woofers in x4
http://www.harmankardon.com/estore/h...p?id=bmw-x1-us

curious what is the brand for HIFI in the X3 and X4. Its very good in the X4 a few other posts in the X4 forum have attested to the HIFI option being awesome in the X4.
However from BMW the X4 with the HIFI is 9 speakers, 205 watts, HK is 16 speakers 600 watts both with separate Amplifiers. HK must be way better on specs alone for 3 times the cost. Still happy with my HIFI more than I expected.

[FSociety]

I need to upgrade my Premium Hi-Fi then because the bass definitely hits weak.
My 2006 Cadillac had 15 speakers from Bose w/ 400watts

[barcelona]

Originally Posted by inamik75

curious what is the brand for HIFI in the X3 and X4. Its very good in the X4 a few other posts in the X4 forum have attested to the HIFI option being awesome in the X4.
However from BMW the X4 with the HIFI is 9 speakers, 205 watts, HK is 16 speakers 600 watts both with separate Amplifiers. HK must be way better on specs alone for 3 times the cost. Still happy with my HIFI more than I expected.

Some forum threads believe Logic 7.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...m_professional

Sounds are purely personal preference. With HK I, hear better soundstage, and clarity. I wish I had HK in X3. Perhaps next visit to dealer bring your tunes for a blast & compare.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by barcelona

Some forum threads believe Logic 7.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...m_professional

Sounds are purely personal preference. With HK I, hear better soundstage, and clarity. I wish I had HK in X3. Perhaps next visit to dealer bring your tunes for a blast & compare.

I suspect the X3 soundproofing could Also contribute to less than stellar sound, in the X4 it's so unbelievably quiet. Counted 11 speakers on the HIFI there are 4 tweeters, 4 door speakers, 2 Subwoofers, 1 central speaker. BMW says 9 so go figure

[Bimar]

so today i got to experience the HK in an Msport X4, I can tell without a doubt it did not sound better than my HIFI at least for R&B music on the same song. The bass was equal on max settings and wasn't more crisp on the highs and could not hear the 16 speakers difference seated in the front seats on the HK vs the 11 on my HIFI except in surround mode and ability to adjust the EQ. I understand the HIFI is actually made by HK but would like to independently verify that. Funny enough there was a Bang and Olufsen X5 and the sound was not as good as the HK, was surprised the bass was weak in Max mode, maybe acoustics of the bigger car?

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by inamik75

so today i got to experience the HK in an Msport X4, I can tell without a doubt it did not sound better than my HIFI at least for R&B music on the same song. The bass was equal on max settings and wasn't more crisp on the highs and could not hear the 16 speakers difference seated in the front seats on the HK vs the 11 on my HIFI except in surround mode and ability to adjust the EQ. I understand the HIFI is actually made by HK but would like to independently verify that. Funny enough there was a Bang and Olufsen X5 and the sound was not as good as the HK, was surprised the bass was weak in Max mode, maybe acoustics of the bigger car?

B&O is top notch in the Audi's .. I could not believe they wouldn't outperform the HK/HiFi on X3/X4/X5 .. I am perhaps going to look at BAVSound or independent BMW audio shop to upgrade my subs not worth the hassle upgrading everything.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

B&O is top notch in the Audi's .. I could not believe they wouldn't outperform the HK/HiFi on X3/X4/X5 .. I am perhaps going to look at BAVSound or independent BMW audio shop to upgrade my subs not worth the hassle upgrading everything.

I suspect the B&O is not tuned to R&B sound and deep bass which I love maybe geared for stage type of music, even the dealer was surprised for that option on the X5 is not cheap!

Interesting perspective here on B&O -->> http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685197

[oeli]

Thanks enamik for investigating! Now I'm less worried about my choice for the HiFi. Still have to wait 8 weeks before my X4 arrives

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by oeli

Thanks enamik for investigating! Now I'm less worried about my choice for the HiFi. Still have to wait 8 weeks before my X4 arrives

You will not be disappointed, curious what spec is your car? Msport, Xline, Color, options, engine?

[oeli]

X4 20i (will be chiptuned to 28i specs) xline, sapphire black, executive upgrade (nav etc), driving assistant plus, extended lighting package. (The packages vary from country to country), hifi, tinted windows, park distance control.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by oeli

X4 20i (will be chiptuned to 28i specs) xline, sapphire black, executive upgrade (nav etc), driving assistant plus, extended lighting package. (The packages vary from country to country), hifi, tinted windows, park distance control.

looks good hope you got comfort access and Surround cameras too in your executive upgrade. Which chip will you use?