[limeypride]

Originally Posted by GTATX

Same here

NICE!!

Why are the colors upside down?

[Fantastic 5]

I listen to hard rock and classic heavy metal so I never really care about big bass

[bloozemanAZ]

Granted I'm coming from the outside in on this discussion being a G15 (2020 M850i Coupe) owner vs a F90 but I can absolutely state without hesitation that the B&W audio is worth the cost over H&K. Granted that the F90 cabin size is different than the G15 but that will not change the fact that the underlying B&W components (sourced from their 800 series which I've owned in my home audio system on more than one occasion) absolutely outshine the stock H&K. To that point I personally did a 1:1 comparison of the G15 H&K vs B&W using reference standard high resolution audio masters (FLAC format) and even with the stock settings for each system the B&W absolutely crushed the H&K.

That said if you're a casual less concerning listener whom just wants a good sounding audio system the H&K will get the job done. However, if you're more discerning and truly appreciate accurate tight bass, clean midrange with the appropriate punch and absolutely crystal clear high-ends the B&W is the way to go. Then again regardless of your audio preferences the B&W esthetics alone may be worth the upcharge depending on the situation.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by Fantastic 5

I listen to hard rock and classic heavy metal so I never really care about big bass

That covers about 60% of my 1TB SSD that sources my B&W in my M850i with the rest being a conglomerate of Alternative, Jazz, R&B, Soul, etc. Set up the B&W correctly and you'll get big tight base (given the 800 series components). To that point every time I play Accept's "Balls To The Wall" I get to relish in the amazing bass it produces. However, if people are looking for an LFE experience the B&W (nor the H&K) will be able to deliver that.

[M-inent]

Just picked my car up yesterday and took some time to listen. The reviews are mixed for me. I agree with some of the earlier comments about mid-range and treble being very crisp.. good clarity.

Bass is punchy and tight in some instances, however, lacks some on the low end. I am playing with the settings which has helped. The earlier comments concerning "what type of music" you listen to is spot on.

I listen to a wide range, so some of it is excellent and some of it takes some adjustments.

All being said, its workable with equalization. Also, considering the look and the light show, if you like that (i turned them off).. makes me happy i chose the option.

Good luck!!

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by GTATX

Love mine and here are my settings.

That's definitely an interesting take on things. You might want to roll off the overall discrete bass and treble settings and pull that into the EQ as it is more sensitive in controlling the 3 crossovers driving the sound dispersion in a B&W configuration. Also Movie Theater is an overly produced DSP setting (built for 5.1 sources) impacting the true source mix which will likely never match. Not sure if any of that matters for you so take the advice with a grain of salt.

[GTATX]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

That's definitely an interesting take on things. You might want to roll off the overall discrete bass and treble settings and pull that into the EQ as it is more sensitive in controlling the 3 crossovers driving the sound dispersion in a B&W configuration. Also Movie Theater is an overly produced DSP setting (built for 5.1 sources) impacting the true source mix which will likely never match. Not sure if any of that matters for you so take the advice with a grain of salt.

I'll give it a shot bud. I'm not an audiophile and just like more bass so this worked for me. I'll try what u said n see what's up?

Thx

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by M-inent

Just picked my car up yesterday and took some time to listen. The reviews are mixed for me. I agree with some of the earlier comments about mid-range and treble being very crisp.. good clarity.

Bass is punchy and tight in some instances, however, lacks some on the low end. I am playing with the settings which has helped. The earlier comments concerning "what type of music" you listen to is spot on.

I listen to a wide range, so some of it is excellent and some of it takes some adjustments.

All being said, its workable with equalization. Also, considering the look and the light show, if you like that (i turned them off).. makes me happy i chose the option.

Good luck!!

My music genres are all over the board but at least 50 to 60% of the time I listen to hard rock as that was my professional past life. My only desire is that I can set discreet EQs referenced by the iDrive memory settings but so far that is a "no go" as the memory buttons will just call up the EQ itself. Thus, over time I've honed in on an EQ setting that works best with all of the genres I listen to.

Side note that it is more than just the "type of music" you listen to in regards to the B&W showing its prowess over the H&K but more so the source. If you pump Sirius XM into either the H&K vs B&W you will find little differences as it is highly compressed removing the overall dynamic range of the source. On the flip side if you pump high resolution audio via a SSD source the difference between the ability of the H&K vs B&W to accurately produce the soundscape becomes night and day.

[bloozemanAZ]

FYI... here's an excellent how to guide to configure a B&W audio experience regardless of the specific car its installed in. https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26766185

[ec_101]

I wasn't happy with the KH sound on my 2019 F90. I upgraded to Bavsound and love it. The bass response and mid range is so much better.

[Earlando86]

BW in M5 and HK in X7. The BW is leagues better!

[///WeissBisBlau]

Originally Posted by Earlando86

BW in M5 and HK in X7. The BW is leagues better!

Ha! Same here, on both counts!

[///WeissBisBlau]

Originally Posted by Earlando86

BW in M5 and HK in X7. The BW is leagues better!

Ha! Same here, on both counts! I mean, I *guess* it is possible that the different acoustic chambers accounts for the difference in sound quality, but probably not completely?!

[Jamesmick]

I have the B&W in mine and at first I was a tad disappointed. Made some edits as suggested in other threads here and gave it a proper break in period and it sounds much better now. Still missing deep bass, but without a proper sub that's to be expected.

While I can't compare the two, I will say the break in period and adjustments made a pretty big difference and I'm much happier with it now.

[bsmf8x]

I've heard both extensively. HK in a 530i and BW in an m550i. I have an f82 with HK but the HK I'm referring to is the 530. (Friends & family own the g30's but I'm in them often).

BW feels like a concert, HK is eh. HK does feel like a premium sound system and has nice mids/bass but the BW feels way more clear, it's like drake/meek/lil baby is sitting in your passenger seat rapping the lyrics if you blast rap lol. HK doesn't have that same effect (less clarity) but it still is above average.

[Ryno 27]

Originally Posted by Belugs

Even if you got it for the looks only, it's worth it. Interior looks much better with B&W especially at night. And it does sound really good IMO. I prefer it to the HK in my M550

Echo these comments. The aesthetics at night are fantastic!

[CosmicCharlie]

I never would have ordered the B&W, but it was spec'd on the car I wound up buying. My thought, as someone pretty tuned in to quality audio, is that it's a fools errand to try to achieve true premium sound inside a vehicle (and a balls-out sport sedan, at that).

Now that I've had a chance to use the system a bit and try some different eq settings I'm still kinda ambivalent about it. Definitely sounds good, but I think it's main differentiator is looks more so than sound.

IMO, I think if you're not budget crunched, go for it if you like the looks. If you're trying to keep the price down, it's an option I'd look to cut. If you're an audiophile trying to get hi-fi in your M5, don't get your hopes up!

[Lawguy]

I’ve tinkered with the settings since this thread commenced and have to say, it makes a nice difference.

Certain satellite channels, and certain digital music from my iPhone sounds better than others, as with all things. The incredible thing to me is that the louder it gets, the better it sounds.

[///WeissBisBlau]

Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie

I never would have ordered the B&W, but it was spec'd on the car I wound up buying. My thought, as someone pretty tuned in to quality audio, is that it's a fools errand to try to achieve true premium sound inside a vehicle (and a balls-out sport sedan, at that).

Now that I've had a chance to use the system a bit and try some different eq settings I'm still kinda ambivalent about it. Definitely sounds good, but I think it's main differentiator is looks more so than sound.

IMO, I think if you're not budget crunched, go for it if you like the looks. If you're trying to keep the price down, it's an option I'd look to cut. If you're an audiophile trying to get hi-fi in your M5, don't get your hopes up!

Well, and fairly, stated.

[Higgs Boson]

the BW in my M5 might be the best audio system I have had in a car. Maybe 120 cars so far.... I am not an audio expert but it's extremely clear. It doesn't rock out super loud with lots of bass, its a much more classy system.

[LSM]

Do the speakers light up in the M5 as well or only 8 and X5?

I didn't have B&W in my F90 when I owned it

[GTATX]

Originally Posted by LSM

Do the speakers light up in the M5 as well or only 8 and X5?

I didn't have B&W in my F90 when I owned it

Door speaker do light up.