[kikcaffine]

Hey Everyone,
Im looking at a pair of BMWs right now and the difference between the two aside from N55 vs N20 is one has Logic 7 and the other has the base hi-fi stereo. The people that have sat in both and experienced both, is the difference between them that big, or is it one of those options you don't miss after the first week?

[vgore]

The base hi-fi stereo is absolute garbage. HK logic 7 sounds a bit better than stock but is still not great if you are an audiophile.

[kikcaffine]

Whats so bad about the stock stereo?

[BEM-S4]

Much easier to add better speakers to the car vs trying to add two cylinders to the engine!

Neither sound system is so good or so bad that I'd let it influence my decision. For $1000 you can get the HiFi car to sound very good, $2000 you can make it great.

[vgore]

Originally Posted by kikcaffine

Whats so bad about the stock stereo?

The base system only sounds reasonable when the volume is low. If you crank it up, you;ll hear lot of sound distortion. Also it lacks amp power. Even at full base it sounds hollow. Here is a thread about the same discussion.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=936516

[BEM-S4]

There are other options but the path I chose on dad's hifi F31 was the following. I'd go in this order and quit when you're happy.

- Bavsound speakers
- Bavsound underseat ghosts
- Match PP86DSP w/ Helix remote
- Focal woofer w/ custom enclosure in trunk, JL HD600 amp w/ remote

I think $ is better spent on this than HK upgrade.

[kikcaffine]

Thank you for all the posts, Im trying to make sure that if I end up passing on the 328 with the HK stereo, Im not missing too much going to the 335 but with the hifi stereo

[paul e]

I’d take the 6 over the 4 and then deal with the stereo with the aftermarket.

[justinnum1]

after having the HK in 3 different F30's for the past 6 years, i now have the base in my 330, and its not great its not nearly as bad as i thought it would be. wish it got a little louder but it its fine. honestly would question spending the 900 again, jmo.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by paul e

I'd take the 6 over the 4 and then deal with the stereo with the aftermarket.

Plus if you go the upgrade path - I think in the end the ONLY thing you won't have if you start with hifi instead of HK is two rear tweeters. You'll have front tweeters and mids and rear coax. HK as a starting point you'd have rear tweeters and mids too. Otherwise you can use all the same speakers and amps - your under seats may be 2ohm vs 4ohm but who cares.

That's a long winded way of saying regardless of where you start you land in the same place if you upgrade.

[bimmer456]

Stock stereo is okay but HK is better.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by kikcaffine

Whats so bad about the stock stereo?

It's under-powered and lacks useful EQ. Still, I find mine adequate, although I did add tweeters to the rear doors and improved the crossovers between the mids and tweeters all around. It's not concert hall sound, but when I want that I listen to my living room system. No matter what you do to it a car isn't a prime listening environment.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by kikcaffine

Hey Everyone,
Im looking at a pair of BMWs right now and the difference between the two aside from N55 vs N20 is one has Logic 7 and the other has the base hi-fi stereo. The people that have sat in both and experienced both, is the difference between them that big, or is it one of those options you don't miss after the first week?

I actually wish I had gone with the base stereo instead of the HK.

Why?

The base stereo is MUCH easier to upgrade than the HK Stereo System - and even with the HK System, I seriously want to upgrade the system.

[Humdizzle]

Unless you are already planning to upgrade I would get the HK. In general most BMW base systems are garbage. You gotta get the audio upgrade option for something that puts out decent thump.

[F30dud]

I used to have Hifi on my 335, i got a 340 with the Harman Kardon and is night and day difference, it sounds amazing compared to the hi fi

[LMK5]

I have the HK in my 2017 but had the base in my 2014. The HK is better for sure, but with more speakers and more power you'd think the difference would be greater than it is. The achilles heel of both systems is the lack of quality bass and low volume. But still, HK does sound better and you have more adjustments. However, if you're buying your car and driving performance is important to you, it seems to make sense to get the 335i and upgrade the base system. Many here have done it and you can read lots of reviews.

[TXDaddy]

Depends on how old you are. Im getting up there, but think the hifi is not too shabby - definitely loud enough to damage my kids ears when I crank up the Royal Blood...

[kikcaffine]

Originally Posted by LMK5

I have the HK in my 2017 but had the base in my 2014. The HK is better for sure, but with more speakers and more power you'd think the difference would be greater than it is. The achilles heel of both systems is the lack of quality bass and low volume. But still, HK does sound better and you have more adjustments. However, if you're buying your car and driving performance is important to you, it seems to make sense to get the 335i and upgrade the base system. Many here have done it and you can read lots of reviews.

I drove the 335i. It was a huge let down to me. It had no charm, no character and no soul. It was 100% an appliance to me. I nexted it and decided to go with the manual transmission 328i.

[beto_L.A.]

I've had the basic sound system on 4 of my last 5 BMW's. currently on my 2018 f36 I have the HK and the sound system is much better. the EQ lets you set up the audio to your liking. But as mentioned above the HK sound system could be better.

[Danddd]

When I had a loaner with the HK system, I noticed a nice sound stage vs the hifi unit. As for dynamics, it is an improvement, but lacking. As an audiophile I am forgiving of auto sound systems, but appreciated the improved sound stage. I'd go the six over the audio.

[435MSport6Speed]

Hifi is easier to upgrade.

Motor is more important. 6...

[Tomo366]

I added Bimmer Tech Alpha One speakers to my Hi Fi system last week really like the sound now