[utsteve98]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Spotify Premium can go 320kbps, which is essentially MP3 quality. It is clearly better than Sirus and Youtube, but 1/3 less that lossless Tidal, or FLAC USB.

So is Tidal only streaming? Will it let you export to a USB as a lossless format? Can you sink it with iTunes and use iTunes lossless for when you don't wanna stream?

[SpeedyDad]

Considering the fact that fake engine and exhaust noises are pumped into the cabin through the speakers, I think a $3400 upgrade to the audio system is laughable. Would you ever listen to music at home on a pair of $3400 speakers with another sound playing through the speakers at the same time? Go with the stock system, it sounds fine for a car. Spend half that $3400 on a kick ass pair of headphones, an amp, a dac, and a tidal premium subscription if you want to experience hi-if audio.

[devondragon]

Originally Posted by SpeedyDad

Considering the fact that fake engine and exhaust noises are pumped into the cabin through the speakers, I think a $3400 upgrade to the audio system is laughable. Would you ever listen to music at home on a pair of $3400 speakers with another sound playing through the speakers at the same time? Go with the stock system, it sounds fine for a car. Spend half that $3400 on a kick ass pair of headphones, an amp, a dac, and a tidal premium subscription if you want to experience hi-if audio.

You can always disable the ASD if you don't like it. I HAVE a kick ass pair of headphones, amp, and DAC at home. But in the car the difference (to my ears) between the HK and the BW is well worth the money. Is it as good as a premium home setup? No. Is it a lot better than the HK? Yes. And I love listening to music in my car

[utsteve98]

Originally Posted by SpeedyDad

Considering the fact that fake engine and exhaust noises are pumped into the cabin through the speakers, I think a $3400 upgrade to the audio system is laughable. Would you ever listen to music at home on a pair of $3400 speakers with another sound playing through the speakers at the same time? Go with the stock system, it sounds fine for a car. Spend half that $3400 on a kick ass pair of headphones, an amp, a dac, and a tidal premium subscription if you want to experience hi-if audio.

I'm doing the tidal hifi trial and honestly can't hear a difference between lossless and my AAC format at 256kbps. More interesting is that the AAC sounds louder than tidal when both set at the same volume level. I was using a usb connection for both.

[Aronis]

Just got back in my car....after 6 months...it is worth it!

Mike

[Hoonigan]

I don't own an F90 (yet) but spent some time in my buddy's yesterday. The HK system was a bit of a let down on a flagship German super-sedan in 2019.

It's not bad, and I'd say for 85% of people it is more than good enough, but it's missing that special icing on the cake effect that I feel the B&O system would deliver (based on hearing their setup in other German cars)

[jeffscott1]

Originally Posted by rsalt333

Sounds good but not great. Find the blog with the equalizer settings. One of the members did an amazing job of getting the most out of the system.

Many of us gear heads actually care more about the sound of the engine vs. the sound system.

I pumped up the base a bit JL audio w7 with dedicated 1000 watts

[Neptune7]

I have not heard the BW system but have the HK option in my car. It is underwhelming.

[Pimpsy]

Sound aside...it looks awesome!

[shoei]

It is improved sound from HK and it looks really really sexy inside the car but depending on where you live (smooth roads, open roads) in Los Angeles traffic and weather, there's too much chaos and windows are down cuz weather... Also depends on your commute - I'm 1 mile from garage to office, so car is barely warmed up and I'm still waking up by the time I shut off my engine lol... Is it worth $3400? That will be the tough part and only you can determine if worth the numbers...

Upgraded sound system is the only thing missing on this car - even has CCB's for fucks sake - whoever built it click every option except sound system upgrade and rear infotainment devices, so I'm guessing he/she didn't care for any of the audio stuff...

[rsalt333]

If you are hoping to have your f90 sound like something extraordinary, you will be disappointed. Sound is different with every input and would benefit from custom adjustments. Guys on this blog with recommendations for equalizer adjustment are our "sound" saviors.

[windtendo]

This has yielded the best results if you want a little punch.

Note, this is listening to Spotify or SiriusXM.

[saporitj]

Don't know if this affects your decision but the HK system doesn't support flac format. It does support acc loseless on usb. This is a crazy idea but the BEST quality sound would come from a physical CD in the player.

I have the HK system and think it's good but not great. If you adjust the EQ you can get nice base but need to turn down high frequencies because the tweeters are bad. Changing out the tweeters would really improve the HK system. It's a car with ASd sounds coming through speakers.

I have wondered what kind of aftermarket system I could get for $4300. Mine is a purchase so that makes a difference but I did like the clean BW sound in a dealer car sitting still.

[Turd Ferguson]

I would say worth it...Last couple Audi's had the upgraded Bang and Olefson systems and this B&W is much better.

[Huncowboy]

Originally Posted by Phatcat

Yep, I got B&O for my F10 purely for the looks. Sonic wise it is still not very good.

Interesting. I had whatever, HK? in our the prior model M5 and all of our Bimmers. It was fine at low to mid volume. I was never going to spend 3k+ until we got our X5 that had BO already. We did not order that car, it was a manager car and was a steal. After that The better sound bacame a must have option so our 2019 750 has BW. I like it but the BO in the X5 is way better in my opinion. Might have to do with the aquistics of the cabin too. I am not sure. But it is just so clear at max volume. Ordered the F90 M5 with BW and I am wondering how it will be. Hence reading this thread.

[M5M3911lover]

just get the basic sound system and upgrade later. I put in Audison speakers and JL box in the trunk. Sounds amazing.

[Mark240sx]

I have had HK in all my past BMWs. This B&W is legit. I just have the settings on Concert mode and increased the base a little. The sound from the tweeters are next level on this setting. It an audiophile, but love listening to good beats when I’m driving.

[saporitj]

Originally Posted by salraf

thanks for the replies so far. I ask because I am looking at a deal but B&W is not included. I dont drive very far, under ~7500 mi/yr. I think my current F80 M3 has H/K system and seems ok. I may however cont to look for one with B&W. As dardeca mentioned, I am going to lease, so the addition would be negligible. Just a matter of getting a good deal first.

D you have a great audio system in your house with B&W speakers. If not, get the HK system for the car and upgrade your home system to B&W speakers. Just a thought, but a lease changes all that because you don't have to come up with the $$ ahead of time.

[shellbmb]

I've had the car about 6 months now and I would say the B&W system is mediocre at best. I mean, it serves the purpose, but by no means would I call this high end. I had the HK in my F10 and this is marginally better.

This is one area where I will give Mercedes the nod to. I had the B&O in my w212 E63 and it sounded great! Definite upgrade. Hell, the HK system in my wife's GL sounds better than my F90. And the Burmester in the w213 sounded pretty nice from my limited seat time on the test drive.

But it is source dependent as well. SAT radio sounds terrible in most cars. Spotify premium through bluetooth sounds OK as does lossless audio on a USB stick. Low end is missing so i'm considering adding a sub. Overall, I would still buy it for the looks alone and any marginal upgrade it provides. Especially on a lease like someone else mentioned.

[Biohazard37]

I‘d say the B&W is definitely worth it. It‘s not as good as a system as the B&W in the Volvo XC90 (which is probably one of the best stock systems out there) - but certainly an upgrade to HK.

[Night5]

To me, the B&W system has been worth every penny. When I was shopping for my car, I purposely limited my choices to only those that had this option, and I’m glad I did. Vocals are super clear and the system makes nearly any song sound great. Not to mention, the system’s night lighting looks amazing.

[TrevorM3]

yea i like the lights. lol