Which stereo do I have?

[Mbin903]

I recently purchased a 2011 35is and noticed that the stereo doesn’t sound very good at all. I was wondering if I have the basic/cheaper setup, can it be upgraded? Or is there just something wrong with mine?
Any help would be appreciated

[paris1]

Run your VIN through this decoder to see what options your car came with:
https://bimmer.work/

[Mbin903]

Paris
I looked it up and said code 677, hifi system
But it sure doesn’t sound very good. I wonder if the speakers are bad or the amp isn’t working right

[paris1]

You need to learn how to use Google. 677 Hi-Fi System Professional is the bottom of the line stereo. I have the same one and it also sounds pretty pathetic.
file:///C:/Users/Ron%20Paris/Downloads/677%20Hi%20-Fi%20System%20Professional-2.pdf

[Mbin903]

Um I know how to use google

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by paris1

You need to learn how to use Google. 677 Hi-Fi System Professional is the bottom of the line stereo. I have the same one and it also sounds pretty pathetic.
file:///C:/Users/Ron%20Paris/Downloads/677%20Hi%20-Fi%20System%20Professional-2.pdf

You are wrong... 677 Hifi System Professional is the highest sound option with surround and 7 post equalizer. it has 14 speakers and total output of 650 watts.

You are maybe confusing it with hifi system (non professional) that has 11 speakers and total output of 245watts.

I have 677 option aswell on that vin decoder and i have higher end surround sound in my car.
Just like in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXkAOxq6kKE

I must say this system varies greatly... Sometimes it sounds amazing. other times not so much. Its not amazing at electronic music IMO but put something on with live instruments (rock, indie etc) and it sounds amazing...
Also dont crank bass and treble up too much.. +3 for me seems ok. Also play around with equalizer... i raised lower 2 frequencies and and higher frequencies a bit leaving mids at 0 or so.
Also some songs sound great with surround option enabled but some again do not... I have programmed one of the programmable buttons on the dash to toggle surround on and off so i can change it with a single push of the button. Better than going into menus and doing it there. Though you can program sound options menu to one of the buttons aswell to access it quicker. Also program different inputs there to change between them quicker.

It seems people are kind of divided on this sound system.. Some think its amazing and also some think its kindof crap. Sound tastes are different. Depends on what you listen, what kind of sound you like and how you set it up. One thing for sure its not a system you just turn on and listen. Its settings need to be tinkered with. I find myself doing it all the time, Using surround for one song and not for the other. For some songs i add bass for some i turn bass down etc.

[paris1]

You are right KennyP; I am wrong. Apologies to all. I double-checked mine and it is indeed a 677 and, indeed, it sounds like crap (even compared to the Bose system in my 2018 Mazda 3!!)

[B21]

Originally Posted by Mbin903

Paris
I looked it up and said code 677, hifi system
But it sure doesn’t sound very good. I wonder if the speakers are bad or the amp isn’t working right

I found the 677 system on my 35is disappointing compared to my Audio Fischer Match 7 fitted in lieu of the 676 on my 20i…

The stock mid range units are pretty poor as are the sub woofers..

As an interim move I’ve replaced the mid range speakers ..Centre, rear, doors, rear shoulders with Eton B100s..to good effect ..other 100mm speakers are available..

This is pending replacing the whole system with an AF Match 10 plus Eton sub woofers and Eton woofers..

[GerryC]

What KennyP said.

I have it as well, though I don't have iDrive so the interface is more tedious. It is quite capable of putting out decent sound. Source also makes a difference. One downside is no digital aux in unless you go with an aftermarket interface through the CD changer input.

There are plug and play speaker upgrades available. Some users think they're great. Search the forum. There are several threads.

I don't obsess about it. It's good enough for me, but then:

1. I'm cheap.
2. It's a roadster. I bought it to drive top-down. That doesn't make for a pristine listening environment.
3. When I'm driving top-down I don't wear my hearing aids (wind noise). So I'm compromised at the higher frequencies. But it's what I'm used to.

Gerry

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by paris1

You are right KennyP; I am wrong. Apologies to all. I double-checked mine and it is indeed a 677 and, indeed, it sounds like crap (even compared to the Bose system in my 2018 Mazda 3!!)

hmm... i dont have many systems to compare it wit h but..

I find my z4 sound way better than midrange Meridian system in Land Rover Discovery Sport... though that system is alot less powerful 300watts or so... dont really remember...

Best comparison i can do is 2017 Mercedes E400 wagon with Burmester Surround sound... 13 speakers 590 watts. Burmester is good but i still kind of prefer my Z4-s Hifi professional. Especially when i turn it up louder... Maybe its because e class wagon is alot larger car and that 590 watt system kind of dissipates in a larger cabin and feels weaker. In Z4 everything is close around you.
For sure i wouldnt say that Z4 sound is crap compared to that Burmester.
Similar i guess... They both arent really meant for thumping bass... its more about clarity and fidelity.
i was expecting that Burmester to be amazing and blow me away.. but it didnt.

[BelgE89Z4]

I had to upgrade mine in 2016 z4 m e89.
It was complete horrible sound for my ears.

I replaced the doors with component set (mid + twiters)
I added an amp to these speakers in the back
2 6.5" woffers replacement
and 2 new mid at the back seat area.

Now I can drive normally.

[golfguy]

I also have the 677 in my 2011 35is and it seems to me it sounds better with the top open than when it's closed. It was the same in my 2008 Z4M. I wonder if it's just my ears with the open top or if it's tuned differently top up/down?

[Krampus79]

Is the S677A HiFi System Professional DSP for e89/e70/e71
amplifier power different from the e90 amplifier? Or is there a difference other than appearance?

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by Krampus79

Is the S677A HiFi System Professional DSP for e89/e70/e71
amplifier power different from the e90 amplifier? Or is there a difference other than appearance?

According to the parts catalogue they are different, so probably set up differently in firmware

[B21]

Originally Posted by Krampus79

Is the S677A HiFi System Professional DSP for e89/e70/e71
amplifier power different from the e90 amplifier? Or is there a difference other than appearance?

As DavesZed stated the firmware will be different for several reasons..different number and layout of speakers, different cabin equalisation, different road speed related equalisation …possibly different quality of speakers…etc etc..

[MRCW]

Anyone finds subs that fit under thy seats? That's what I really want

[B21]

Originally Posted by MRCW

Anyone finds subs that fit under thy seats? That's what I really want

I think you’ll struggle…not much space in there if you lower them to the full extent..