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      01-24-2022, 07:29 AM   #1
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Bowers & Wilkins Question

Can’t find this answer anywhere and there aren’t any M5s around to look myself. Does the Harmon Kardon sound system have the lights in the speakers like the B&W does? I won’t lie, I love the look of the lights but with the delays in shipping due to the B&W, I’m consider taking it off the list.

TIA!

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      01-24-2022, 07:35 AM   #2
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I'm almost certain the base HK system does not have lights.
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      01-24-2022, 07:57 AM   #3
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The lights are only integrated with the B&W.
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      01-24-2022, 09:05 AM   #4
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I turned my light off.
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      01-24-2022, 12:28 PM   #5
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No lights. As far as sound quality, I've had both, the h/k is no slouch for a base system, and you won't be disappointed. The lights are definitely nice, but not sure how long you want to wait. The h/k system will get you about 90% of the B&Ws sound.

I guess to me it would depend on how long you plan to keep the car and how badly you need it now. I don't see chip shortage getting any better.

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      01-24-2022, 12:44 PM   #6
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The B&W is a must have, in my opinion.

While it looks amazing, the sound is no joke either.
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      01-24-2022, 12:47 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CFoote View Post
No lights. As far as sound quality, I've had both, the h/k is no slouch for a base system, and you won't be disappointed. The lights are definitely nice, but not sure how long you want to wait. The h/k system will get you about 90% of the B&Ws sound.

I guess to me it would depend on how long you plan to keep the car and how badly you need it now. I don't see chip shortage getting any better.

Chris
If you are coming from a high end stereo system, you will be disappointed with the H/K set up. I jumped from my F10 M5 with B&O to a 2019 F90 M5 with the H/K. I was SO disappointed with the first experience in the car - i could immediately tell and I hated it. Eventually got used to the sound but just beware on expectations if you are coming from a good system.

B&W was a must have option for my 2021 LCI.
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      01-24-2022, 01:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CFoote View Post
No lights. As far as sound quality, I've had both, the h/k is no slouch for a base system, and you won't be disappointed. The lights are definitely nice, but not sure how long you want to wait. The h/k system will get you about 90% of the B&Ws sound.

I guess to me it would depend on how long you plan to keep the car and how badly you need it now. I don't see chip shortage getting any better.

Chris
It's a must-have for me. For my tastes, it's just how little distortion the system suffers at higher volumes versus the HK. As for how long someone should wait, tough call. All signs point to the chip shortage staying level this year. It's a better system for sure (when dialed in), and it has that nice lighting effect in the interior, but not sure how long I would wait for it.
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      01-24-2022, 02:48 PM   #9
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The B&O system sounds nice but could be better in the low to mid frequency range. If you music preferences have a lot of low end frequency you may find the B&O system anemic.

That being said, if you can find a car with it and it is in your price range I would get it.
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      01-24-2022, 05:35 PM   #10
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Thank you for the input. I have a Ram with the H/K stereo and it's amazing and I have an SRT with the Beats Audio which is livable. I've had the Mark Levinson stereo before and it was great too. I'd like to say I will wait for the B&W system because of the lights, stainless look and of course the sound quality. But I'm pretty sure I'd get used to the H/K and I just can't purposefully add 2-3 months for a little better sound. Honestly the biggest bummer is I really liked the lit up speakers. But, come to think of it, I'd rather listen to the sound of the engine anyway. ;-)
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      01-24-2022, 07:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moserkm View Post
Thank you for the input. I have a Ram with the H/K stereo and it's amazing and I have an SRT with the Beats Audio which is livable. I've had the Mark Levinson stereo before and it was great too. I'd like to say I will wait for the B&W system because of the lights, stainless look and of course the sound quality. But I'm pretty sure I'd get used to the H/K and I just can't purposefully add 2-3 months for a little better sound. Honestly the biggest bummer is I really liked the lit up speakers. But, come to think of it, I'd rather listen to the sound of the engine anyway. ;-)
Don't let people on here fool you. The B&W is leagues better than the HK.

You get 4 more speakers, almost 1,000 more watts of power, plus all the DSP settings (granted, you can code these in with HK).

I've heard both quite extensively and am fortunate enough to the the Bowers in my XB7. Although HK definitely stepped up their game this time around, there is simply no comparison in regards to loudness, clarity, and the sound stage imaging of the B&W.
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      01-25-2022, 08:14 AM   #12
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Don't mean to hijack this thread but anyone have a pic of their equalizer settings for optimal sound?
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      01-25-2022, 08:25 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m4h2o View Post
Don't mean to hijack this thread but anyone have a pic of their equalizer settings for optimal sound?
I don't mind sharing mine, but it all depends on what type of music you are listening to.
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      01-25-2022, 08:29 AM   #14
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I have had both a 2021 M5 with the Bowers & Wilkins and now a 2022 M5 CS which only comes with the HK. The B&W is definitely better than the HK all around, especially at higher volume. But I would say the HK is about 80% as good as the B&W to moderate volume for me (which for others may be high volume) and more like 65-70% at very high volume. However, and this is important, the B&W in the M5 is nowhere near as good as the B&W in our X7. The sound in the X7 and especially the lows and mids blow the B&W in the M5 out of the water, not even close. Hope this may help those of you on the fence.
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      01-25-2022, 08:56 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Can-am View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m4h2o View Post
Don't mean to hijack this thread but anyone have a pic of their equalizer settings for optimal sound?
I don't mind sharing mine, but it all depends on what type of music you are listening to.
All kinds lol.. hip hop mainly.
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      01-25-2022, 09:35 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m4h2o View Post
All kinds lol.. hip hop mainly.
Here you go.

Last edited by Alberta; 10-28-2022 at 09:20 AM..
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      01-25-2022, 09:56 AM   #17
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I tried the settings from post 55 and post 98 in the thread below, and finally went with the ones from post 98 fwiw. I listen to a lot of rock, but also listen to plenty of jazz, rap, and edm. It's so subjective, so ymmv, but there's some good info and feedback in this thread:

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1676036

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      01-25-2022, 10:28 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Can-am View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m4h2o View Post
All kinds lol.. hip hop mainly.
Here you go.
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      01-25-2022, 10:29 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuntyb View Post
I tried the settings from post 55 and post 98 in the thread below, and finally went with the ones from post 98 fwiw. I listen to a lot of rock, but also listen to plenty of jazz, rap, and edm. It's so subjective, so ymmv, but there's some good info and feedback in this thread:

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1676036

Thank you fellow member🤌🏼
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      01-26-2022, 08:35 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wesleyan92 View Post
If you are coming from a high end stereo system, you will be disappointed with the H/K set up. I jumped from my F10 M5 with B&O to a 2019 F90 M5 with the H/K. I was SO disappointed with the first experience in the car - i could immediately tell and I hated it. Eventually got used to the sound but just beware on expectations if you are coming from a good system.

B&W was a must have option for my 2021 LCI.
Can't say I agree. I have a Krell and B&W setup at home, and the h/k gets you 90% of the B&Ws sound. The G30 has too small midrange drivers in the door to get the dynamics and sound you'd expect in the chassis. The subs also need to be bigger.

Just my $.02
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      01-26-2022, 08:37 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Pinã View Post
Don't let people on here fool you. The B&W is leagues better than the HK.

You get 4 more speakers, almost 1,000 more watts of power, plus all the DSP settings (granted, you can code these in with HK).

I've heard both quite extensively and am fortunate enough to the the Bowers in my XB7. Although HK definitely stepped up their game this time around, there is simply no comparison in regards to loudness, clarity, and the sound stage imaging of the B&W.
No additional speakers on B&W vs HK in the G30/F90 chassis.

Chris
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      01-31-2022, 03:00 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wesleyan92 View Post
If you are coming from a high end stereo system, you will be disappointed with the H/K set up. I jumped from my F10 M5 with B&O to a 2019 F90 M5 with the H/K. I was SO disappointed with the first experience in the car - i could immediately tell and I hated it. Eventually got used to the sound but just beware on expectations if you are coming from a good system.

B&W was a must have option for my 2021 LCI.
The H&K in my M5CS is also a disappointment coming from the B&W in my X5M.
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