[chuckins9]

The X5 I test drove had the HK system and I was not impressed with it. I only played around with it for a short time though, what are other member's thoughts of the system?

[AndroidRobot]

over the stock system yes, B&W is the best but HK is definitely an improvement over stock

[MystroX5]

Set the HK up properly and it is impressive.

[Andruhan]

I tested the stock and HK systems back to back just listening to my iPhone via Bluetooth connection and there is quite a difference between the two. HK is much better and worth the extra $$ I think

[wrickem]

Before I bought my G05 I would have said "yes you need HK at least", but for the first time I ended up buying a BMW off of the showroom floor instead of ordering it. The only thing missing on this one was HK. I almost walked from an incredible deal but would have just would have ordered one exactly how I wanted it and waited.

My previous 6 BMWs have had HK checked off as my first option when building them (one had B&O). I love music and not having good sound in a vehicle would make me pass on it. I've had enough loaners with base sound to have an opinion that all BMW base systems suck.

My salesman turned on the showroom exhaust fans and started it up so I could hear the base system.

What I found surprised me. The sound from the base system is VERY crisp and clear. I am not someone who turns the base up all of the way though, I want to hear ALL instruments and voices in a song, not just thumping bass.

I will say the HK systems are louder, and you have all the EQ settings. If you don't adjust them, you won't get the full benefit from HK
If you like really loud music with your windows rolled down then the base system is not for you. But for a guy who loves pretty much any kind of music, and wants it to sound good, I can't be any happier with the base system in the G05 than I am. Believe me on this... if it were only "OK" for me, and not really good, I would have walked away from this one and ordered one with HK... without a second of hesitation.

If I were ordering it though, I'd check off HK. For the price, the crisp loudness is worth it. But I'm still glad I didn't walk away from a great deal and instant satisfaction


For me it worked out better than I could have imagined, but you should definitely listen for yourself and see what works for you.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Before I bought my G05 I would have said "yes you need HK at least", but for the first time I ended up buying a BMW off of the showroom floor instead of ordering it. The only thing missing on this one was HK. I almost walked from an incredible deal but would have just would have ordered one exactly how I wanted it and waited.

My previous 6 BMWs have had HK checked off as my first option when building them (one had B&O). I love music and not having good sound in a vehicle would make me pass on it. I've had enough loaners with base sound to have an opinion that all BMW base systems suck.

My salesman turned on the showroom exhaust fans and started it up so I could hear the base system.

What I found surprised me. The sound from the base system is VERY crisp and clear. I am not someone who turns the base up all of the way though, I want to hear ALL instruments and voices in a song, not just thumping bass.

I will say the HK systems are louder, and you have all the EQ settings. If you don't adjust them, you won't get the full benefit from HK
If you like really loud music with your windows rolled down then the base system is not for you. But for a guy who loves pretty much any kind of music, and wants it to sound good, I can't be any happier with the base system in the G05 than I am.


For me it worked out better than I could have imagined, but you should definitely listen for yourself and see what works for you.

Good review. I am a audiophile and I also got to hear what the BMW “base audio system” sounds like on a demo car. There is nothing base about it. It’s very respectable and it should be coming from BMW. The HK logic surround system is a noticeable premium and will satisfy 99%. The B&W is awesome but IMO not $3k more awesome over the HK Logic system. Where B&W excels is in their mids and tweeters. I use B&W in our large reference rooms in my studios. Outstanding clarity.

[RMAS99]

Where could I get good settings for the equalizer?

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by RMAS99

Where could I get good settings for the equalizer?

Start with a high quality reference sound you know very well. Set the basic Treble and Bass settings to 0 or factory middle. Set the Logic surround to 1 click above (to the right) of middle. Then go to the EQ and start to do the adjustments to where you like what you hear. This will set the overall “voice” of the system. Once set, you can now raise or lower treble or bass settings on top of the eq “voice” settings. This will allow to easily tweak the treble or bass without touching the fine tune eq settings. You may also want to adjust surround sound up or down depending on your taste. Adjusting the fine eq to a pleasing voice is what the average person is looking for when they say they like the sound of the audio system. A true “flat” or accurate system like what a NS10 monitor sounds like in the studio is a tool for mixing and most wouldn’t find its accuracy pleasing. Hope this helps.

[RMAS99]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Start with a high quality reference sound you know very well. Set the basic Treble and Bass settings to 0 or factory middle. Set the Logic surround to 1 click above (to the right) of middle. Then go to the EQ and start to do the adjustments to where you like what you hear. This will set the overall “voice” of the system. Once set, you can now raise or lower treble or bass settings on top of the eq “voice” settings. This will allow to easily tweak the treble or bass without touching the fine tune eq settings. You may also want to adjust surround sound up or down depending on your taste. Adjusting the fine eq to a pleasing voice is what the average person is looking for when they say they like the sound of the audio system. A true “flat” or accurate system like what a NS10 monitor sounds like in the studio is a tool for mixing and most wouldn’t find its accuracy pleasing. Hope this helps.

Wow. Thanks a lot for answer. I will try however and dont know if I have enough good hear

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by RMAS99

Wow. Thanks a lot for answer. I will try however and dont know if I have enough good hear

Just go for it. It’s a fun task to fiddle with and it will take most people a few attempts. FYI...Your speakers tone will also break in after a few hours of audio play so don’t get too hyper critical with a new audio system until it settles in to its final voice.

[joeruby1]

Anyone with details on setting up the eq ?

[gofast182]

Good info here. My builds have not included the HK system and I have been wondering if that's a mistake. While I like loud music with the windows down, my wife doesn't and this would be her car. I also appreciate good sound quality and it sounds like the base system isn't something we'd regret given the fact that she'd be the primary driver or a passenger with me driving.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Set the HK up properly and it is impressive.

Agree.

[MatchboxM1]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Agree.

+2. Really enjoying the new HK system. If one pays $1000 for a new phone these days, something similar for a upgraded stereo is a bargain. I am far from an audiophile, but I have nearly 6,000 LPs that I have digitized that I rotate through the 50k song limit of Google Play. The system seems to handle everything I've thrown at it so far. Definitely impressed.

[TimT465201]

The X5s I tested pushed me to the HK stereo system on my X5. The difference is noticeable and worth the $$.

[mnx5er]

When you think about the crazy prices for some BMW options, I've always thought the HK was a must-check box. Great value for the price (considering BMW costs). 99% of people will be fine with it and frankly it is better than the source that many people will use.

[gofast182]

We test drove another yesterday paying more attention to the audio and found that the stock system does sound good so that’s not an issue; however, you can notice the lower power. To get to my normal listening volume it was halfway up. As someone else eluded to, if you want to listen with the windows down you’ll be up near full volume.

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by joeruby1

Anyone with details on setting up the eq ?

Is the new G05 using the 7-channel EQ?

Default HK is eh, adjusting the EQ makes the upgrade worthwhile.

These are values I've played around with on my F15. Not sure if they're still relevant.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23018611

[jasrboyd]

I tried one of these settings and it made a significant improvement to the factory setting. Thank you for posting.

[Hotdog79]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Set the HK up properly and it is impressive.

How ?

[BmwGk]

Originally Posted by gofast182

We test drove another yesterday paying more attention to the audio and found that the stock system does sound good so that's not an issue; however, you can notice the lower power. To get to my normal listening volume it was halfway up. As someone else eluded to, if you want to listen with the windows down you'll be up near full volume.

I have the stock hifi system and agree. It sounds surprisingly good for a base system, but underpowered perhaps. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the bavsound amp which IIRC is around $900. They claim a dramatic improvement even with the stock speakers. I'm curious how their amp paired w stock speakers sounds vs the HK system. Since the upgrade is roughly the same price, it's worth comparing IMO.
P.S. a lot of people comment on how these systems sound, but I'm wondering how many of these comments came after the break in period. My hifi system was awful until after playing it for a couple hundred miles.

[PhatBoyG]

The amp isn't available for the G05 yet, but once it is, I'll likely get it. The 30-band EQ is worth it to me, just to even out the frequency response of the stock speakers.