[NGT2]

I am specifically looking for real world feedback on the HK stereo before and after the LCI.

I know it’s a redundant topic, but hard to find all the various input from multiple threads.

I’m looking for a 2020 CPO 550. I will most likely not be able to compare to B&W myself. I’m thinking of dropping B&W from my “must have” list, in favor of more choices on color and interior.

The HK in my ‘18 540 is satisfactory to me. So not looking for HK vs B&W reviews. I’m specifically asking if anyone has good experience with pre-LCI and LCI versions of HK and how noticeable it is.

I’m primarily using CarPlay to stream Spotify and using satellite radio, so not exactly the best sources to start with.

Thank you and please forgive the redundant topic.

[Mosaud1998]

Don't leave the B58 family bro.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Don't leave the B58 family bro.

It’s not so much that I want to leave the B58 family as I want to get a V8 M550 while I can with low miles. There’s plenty of time to get an LCI with low miles but I like the 2020 version a lot. But I think 2020 got the same HK version as 2021+. If someone can correct that with some facts, I’ll be ecstatic to be wrong!

One of the reasons I zeroed in on 2020 (but not the only one) is that, in theory, it should be easier to find B&W. But maybe not as widespread an option as I’d thought.

[COBodom]

Hey NGT2,

I had MY18 with HK and now have MY21 with HK. I listen to Spotify exclusively and I hear zero difference between pre-LCI and LCI HK.

Disclaimer, I am not an audiophile, neither do I consider G30 a serene place where I would even be able to tell the difference (should there be any). HK has always been more than enough for me.

Here's something related - https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1776593

Good luck !

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Hey NGT2,

I had MY18 with HK and now have MY21 with HK. I listen to Spotify exclusively and I hear zero difference between pre-LCI and LCI HK.

Disclaimer, I am not an audiophile, neither do I consider G30 a serene place where I would even be able to tell the difference (should there be any). HK has always been more than enough for me.

Here's something related - https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1776593

Good luck !

Thanks. That’s the kind of input I’m looking for. I’m no audiophile. I know my HK in my 540 blows away the pitiful HiFi in my wife’s X7. But I couldn’t explain why and I doubt I can hear subtle differences in similar systems. I can hear a difference in volume and bass. Beyond that, I’m probably just guessing.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Hey NGT2,

I had MY18 with HK and now have MY21 with HK. I listen to Spotify exclusively and I hear zero difference between pre-LCI and LCI HK.

Disclaimer, I am not an audiophile, neither do I consider G30 a serene place where I would even be able to tell the difference (should there be any). HK has always been more than enough for me.

Here's something related - https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1776593

Good luck !

Originally Posted by NGT2

Thanks. That’s the kind of input I’m looking for. I’m no audiophile. I know my HK in my 540 blows away the pitiful HiFi in my wife’s X7. But I couldn’t explain why and I doubt I can hear subtle differences in similar systems. I can hear a difference in volume and bass. Beyond that, I’m probably just guessing.

With a source like Spotify, not sure if any differences will be apparent. The big question is if you use a high quality audio file, are there any discernible differences? Someone with technical knowledge on the HK setups in LCI vs pre-LCI might be able to shed some light on this question.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

It’s not so much that I want to leave the B58 family as I want to get a V8 M550 while I can with low miles. There’s plenty of time to get an LCI with low miles but I like the 2020 version a lot. But I think 2020 got the same HK version as 2021+. If someone can correct that with some facts, I’ll be ecstatic to be wrong!

One of the reasons I zeroed in on 2020 (but not the only one) is that, in theory, it should be easier to find B&W. But maybe not as widespread an option as I’d thought.

Had the B58 in the new X5 for a week now and although it is a strong motor that can move the car at will easily, it is nothing like the N63 V8 in the M550, which is on an entirely different level of effortless performance.

On a side note, HK in the X5 sounds much better than I expected.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by NGT2

It’s not so much that I want to leave the B58 family as I want to get a V8 M550 while I can with low miles. There’s plenty of time to get an LCI with low miles but I like the 2020 version a lot. But I think 2020 got the same HK version as 2021+. If someone can correct that with some facts, I’ll be ecstatic to be wrong!

One of the reasons I zeroed in on 2020 (but not the only one) is that, in theory, it should be easier to find B&W. But maybe not as widespread an option as I’d thought.

You are correct. MY2020 has the same HK system as the LCI.

For me, the HK is lighter on the bass than I was expecting. But I didn’t own a previous G30 so I can’t accurately compare and I don’t trust my memory from my test drives.

I haven’t yet done it. But another on the forum has noted the Alpha 1 speakers and woofers did improve on the HK to get it to be better. I plan on making that upgrade this year as it is cheaper than I would have spent on B&W and not excessively priced. But it really is for a bit more bass punch.

Based on your listening plans I would skip B&W unless it was next to free. I know used options go for pennies on the dollar. But I don’t see the B&W making a serious difference for streamed audio or satellite radio.

I also don’t like the idea of spending excessively on car audio. It is a garbage audio environment in general.

[Mosaud1998]

Here's a M550 for sale:

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6#post29700736

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Here's a M550 for sale:

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?p=29700736#post29700736

I’m looking for a low mileage 2020.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

You are correct. MY2020 has the same HK system as the LCI.

For me, the HK is lighter on the bass than I was expecting. But I didn’t own a previous G30 so I can’t accurately compare and I don’t trust my memory from my test drives.

I haven’t yet done it. But another on the forum has noted the Alpha 1 speakers and woofers did improve on the HK to get it to be better. I plan on making that upgrade this year as it is cheaper than I would have spent on B&W and not excessively priced. But it really is for a bit more bass punch.

Based on your listening plans I would skip B&W unless it was next to free. I know used options go for pennies on the dollar. But I don’t see the B&W making a serious difference for streamed audio or satellite radio.

I also don’t like the idea of spending excessively on car audio. It is a garbage audio environment in general.

I think you’re probably right. It will just be a luck thing if I get that option. It really doesn’t seem to make much difference on the used value. Given the same mileage, their all within 2-3 grand of each other, at most. Usually within a thousand.

[E3_550]

Had a 2017 pre LCI 540 with H&K and it was worlds better than the H&K in my 2022 550.

Believe the 2022 is down on power by almost 200 watts.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by E3_550

Had a 2017 pre LCI 540 with H&K and it was worlds better than the H&K in my 2022 550.

Believe the 2022 is down on power by almost 200 watts.

Right. Apparently it went from 600w to 464w (or somewhere close).

Thanks for the feedback. Seems to be a mix of experiences as to whether or not an individual notices a significant difference.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Right. Apparently it went from 600w to 464w (or somewhere close).

Thanks for the feedback. Seems to be a mix of experiences as to whether or not an individual notices a significant difference.

Yep. Is has been split across a complex “RAM+Booster” setup with little details on how they actually work and what the true power output is. The changes impact all audio levels as well so B&W is gimped as well.

B&W is rare enough that it hasn’t been well discussed how much it has been impacted, but there have been complaints.

But all my lamenting aside. With listening on streaming and satellite radio I still feel you likely won’t notice a difference big enough to be bothered. I often listen to FLACC files loaded via a USB drive.

Just don’t get the HiFi stereo I feel like that one has to sound like…

Even on streaming and SirusXM…

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Yep. Is has been split across a complex “RAM+Booster” setup with little details on how they actually work and what the true power output is. The changes impact all audio levels as well so B&W is gimped as well.

B&W is rare enough that it hasn’t been well discussed how much it has been impacted, but there have been complaints.

But all my lamenting aside. With listening on streaming and satellite radio I still feel you likely won’t notice a difference big enough to be bothered. I often listen to FLACC files loaded via a USB drive.

Just don’t get the HiFi stereo I feel like that one has to sound like…

Even on streaming and SirusXM…

I think you’re probably right about the streaming quality not being affected much. And that’s basically all I do. When I do use satellite radio, I just expect the sound to suffer regardless of stereo.

Oh, and that HiFi system, it SUCKS. Have it in the X7. I read the HK was affected by the chip shortage in 2021, so I’m sure that’s why the X7 with M Sport package and luxury seating and the alcantara freaking headliner has the HiFi sound. It’s for my wife and she didn’t care and I’d been searching for months and was tired of it, so I bought it. Checked all her boxes so my boxes weren’t relevant. But I do plan to do the alpha one upgrades at some point. Hell, it could end up being my DD down the road.