Standard Audio System: Speakers Suck!

[mikeinaustin]

Originally Posted by E89Tardis

I love this car but the standard sound system is very poor.

I have the 6 speaker standard but I believe I also have a separate amp since I have the Navigation system which includes the CIC (Car Infotainment Computer). This means I have a premium head unit with a mediocre separate amp and less than mediocre speaker set.

Note the difference in standard speakers to premium speakers in weight alone. http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E8...speaker_front/
Midrange is .353lbs to .485lbs. About 37% heavier... and the woofers .882lbs to 2.055lbs. About 133% heavier.

I opened a thread a while back to discuss the upgrade from standard to premium potential but there was not a lot of interest so I guessed that my option configuration must be fairly uncommon.

I would really like upgrade but I think the only practical way might be to find a junkyard total with the premium sound or trade in the car. For now I just turn off the radio and focus on the shear pleasure of driving this gorgeous beast. ......and pray that no one starts a boxster radio vs a z4 radio thread !!!

i have the same system as you, there is no amp in the trunk (i took my trunk apart). the premium head unit can be configured to output speaker level signals or line level. in our case, its providing the the power to the speakers.

[E89Tardis]

Thanks Mike, that's good to know but disappointing. I had seen 2 amps available in the parts list: Amplifier Hi-Fi system 65 12 9 133 913 and Top-hifi system amplifier 65 12 9 206 307. I made an assumption hoping that a near 'plug and play' might be possible to unsuck the sound system but such is not the case. Next time I'll definitely go for the premium sound package. Thanks again for the insight...

[GunSpeed]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

really? i'll have to get in the trunk and check it out...

You can't see the woofers in the trunk because they are mounted on the metal panel between the trunk and the cabin, left and right behind the seats. I think that the only way to see if they are installed is to remove the carpet behind the seats.

[bobbydog]

You can see two big round subs right behind the seats.

[msimon18]

Must be my age - I find the standard audio system in the 30i quite reasonable - al least not worth spending an additional $2K for the premium one. And, wow, with the USB connections, the hard drive storage and the MP3 DVD as standard who needs a 6 disc CD changer that takes up sopace in the glove box ???

Just my humble opinion..

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by msimon18

Must be my age - I find the standard audio system in the 30i quite reasonable - al least not worth spending an additional $2K for the premium one. And, wow, with the USB connections, the hard drive storage and the MP3 DVD as standard who needs a 6 disc CD changer that takes up sopace in the glove box ???

Just my humble opinion..

Well, I would never buy a car without the premium sound system. I like my music that much. With the complaints of the standard sound system in the E89, I am glad I opted for the premium. The six cd changer does not take up any room at all in the glove box as it is housed in an opening above the glove box and pulls down when you need to load it and slides back up.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by Roadstergal

Well, I would never buy a car without the premium sound system. I like my music that much. With the complaints of the standard sound system in the E89, I am glad I opted for the premium.

what do you want? a cookie?

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

what do you want? a cookie?

[dszpiro]

Originally Posted by msimon18

Must be my age - I find the standard audio system in the 30i quite reasonable - al least not worth spending an additional $2K for the premium one. And, wow, with the USB connections, the hard drive storage and the MP3 DVD as standard who needs a 6 disc CD changer that takes up sopace in the glove box ???

Yes, the head unit has nice features. My disappointment is with how the standard system sounds. I understand how a car manufacturer would like to offer a premium sound system and make additional money on that upgrade. However, I think that the sound quality of the standard system in the Z4 is really not acceptable and certainly unexpected in a $50K+ vehicle.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by dszpiro

Yes, the head unit has nice features. My disappointment is with how the standard system sounds. I understand how a car manufacturer would like to offer a premium sound system and make additional money on that upgrade. However, I think that the sound quality of the standard system in the Z4 is really not acceptable and certainly unexpected in a $50K+ vehicle.

my biggest pet peeve is having something that looks after market on my car, but with those $2k i'm sure i can do something pretty nice looking to get it ready for next spring and summer... top down, music thumping, picking up honeys

[BlueZ4AZ]

I am enjoying the satisfaction on not falling into the trap BMW set of trying to force us into having to pay a bloated $2k for a better sound system.

If I upgrade it, it will definitely cost less than $2k, and the good thing is that the money definitely ain't going to BMW!!!!

[Memphis1]

preach brother!! preach!!

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

what do you want? a cookie?

Funny, Memphis!

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

preach brother!! preach!!

I am going to preach right now about the spanking Syracuse gave Florida last night. GO SU!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only Orange Florida couldn't squeeze.

[Memphis1]

hehe...

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

hehe...

Separated at birth

[richard in NC]

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/index.php does BMW speaker upgrades. And at quite reasonable prices. I'm considering them for the 550i.

I'll inquire if they are working on an E89 package. They normally offer kits for standard and premium versions. Everyone who's gotten the 550i kit says it dramatically improves even the premium system. Although the kit is more for sound quality than volume.

[Bimmer Bloomer]

Originally Posted by bobbydog

Think of it this way, use whatever the premium sound cost and get yourselves a custom system. I'm sure for what BMW charge you can do better aftermarket.

Not so, I was wrongly advised by my BMW sales rep to not spend extra for the premium, and go aftermarket. BMW wanted 1200$ CAD for the premium system, and I'm now being told that I will need to spend around 2000$ USD to improve the sound. BTW, 2000$ is almost 2700$ CAD. I want to lynch my sales rep. And to boot, BMW Canada tells me that if I modify the stereo in any way, they will void my electronics warranty...anyone have a noose and a tall tree I can use????

[bmw>benz]

I hate the e89 audio so much. I have a 2014 z4 35is with 14k miles. It rattles nonstop and drives me crazy every time. All I can think of is that its unacceptable for a $60k+ car to come like this. I enjoy listening to music in my 2000 m5 more despite having some blown components.

[davis449]

IDK, I think the premium sound package (14 speaker) with a sub sounds pretty damn good.

[Wiles]

I paid $1200 USD for the premium sound system, (but have no NAV system) and the system is very poor. No midrange from the over the shoulder area, next to Nothing from the Subs, nothing from the rear center speaker.

I wonder how many who think the premium is ok, also have NAV? Dealer cannot explain why my system sounds so weak.

When I think about it, It makes me want to get a different car.

Love the car, Hate the stereo.

[davis449]

Originally Posted by Wiles

I paid $1200 USD for the premium sound system, (but have no NAV system) and the system is very poor. No midrange from the over the shoulder area, next to Nothing from the Subs, nothing from the rear center speaker.

I wonder how many who think the premium is ok, also have NAV? Dealer cannot explain why my system sounds so weak.

When I think about it, It makes me want to get a different car.

Love the car, Hate the stereo.

First off, I have NAV. I was in utter disbelief at the lack of any kind of performance from the subs. I, at the very least, expected to get what I got out of the same size 8 in. underseats in my 1er with HK. You would figure that they are there to give you the "over the shoulder" midrange, right? I've seen pics of the damn speakers and they look like they're the same as the ones for HK's.

Surround mode sounds like crap, but then EVERY surround mode in every car's premium sound system, if so equipped, I've ever been in sounds like crap. That ranges from B&O to HK to Bose (which is shit either way) to Mark Levinson. I have yet to hear any B&W's or Meridian's, but I wouldn't expect better from them. So I chalk that up as something to be expected.

IMO, this car requires sub replacement or addition no matter which system is spec'd. Once that's done, however, and the equalizer\tone control is set to taste, the premium sound is quite good. I'm happy with mine. I have surround shut off. My mids are present front and rear (the sub takes care of the "over the shoulder"), highs are good and clean, and my JL takes care of all the bass. The XD series amp's remote volume control (it is not a gain adjuster) really helps dial in the bass. I love it because, with the top up, I don't get bassed out of the car. I don't like to hear booming and no music.

I stated this in other audio threads and I'll state it again. I don't think it's the speakers...I think it all goes back to the DIRAC amp and the fact that it's just not setup (programmed) to do with, specifically, those speakers what we all would expect. Bose does a similar thing with its amps and low frequency output. As you increase the volume, the amp dials back the low frequency output so you don't hear the massive amount of distortion you would otherwise hear from their sub-standard components.