M3 CS / M4 CS stereo

[Gils2018M4]

I thought I saw somewhere the Harmon Kardon on the CS models is some lower grade version, not sure if that's accurate and if so how specifically ? I didn't find the HK that good at all in the '18 M4 I had, so is it even worse in the CS?

[Tecnniqe]

The CS ditches dual-zone climate control and a high-end 16-speaker stereo in the name of weight-saving, swapping them for regular air-con and a perfectly adequate 12-speaker audio system.

I think the stereo is sufficient in my M4ZCP, I don't blast loud tunes as I like to listen to the car itself

[Jason60051]

From what I've read the optional HK stereo for the CS is a 12 speaker system to further reduce weight. I could be wrong.

[spool twice]

The usdm M3cs has an HK system, the M4cs has a 9 speaker 205watt Hi-Fi system .

In all honesty, the M4cs's Hi-Fi system sounds pretty good, plays loud enough, aside from a boomy 36-40hz frequency from the under seat woofers, stays pretty flat in output.

[Gils2018M4]

Under seat woofers?? Does the m4 HK have that too?? I Just found that the HK in my m4zcp has very weak bass, the highs were fine but lacked low end

[Maitre_Absolut]

Originally Posted by Gils2018M4

I thought I saw somewhere the Harmon Kardon on the CS models is some lower grade version, not sure if that's accurate and if so how specifically ? I didn't find the HK that good at all in the '18 M4 I had, so is it even worse in the CS?

are you looking at M3 or M4 CS. As poster above noted, M3 has HK, M4 base.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Maitre_Absolut

are you looking at M3 or M4 CS. As poster above noted, M3 has HK, M4 base.

There are 3 levels of sound system offered in the F8X (worldwide options):

• Base
• HiFi
• HK

The M4cs does not get the "base" system, it's gets the "HiFi". The M4GTS gets the "base" system though.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Gils2018M4

Under seat woofers?? Does the m4 HK have that too?? I Just found that the HK in my m4zcp has very weak bass, the highs were fine but lacked low end

All 3 sound system options have under-seat "bass" speakers, not quite "sub-woofers" though.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Jason60051

From what I've read the optional HK stereo for the CS is a 12 speaker system to further reduce weight. I could be wrong.

The HK system in the M3cs is the same 16-speaker one as the HK that can be had in all other M3/4.

The M4cs gets the M4’s mid-range "Hifi" system.

[trendy26]

I've had an M4 base with the HK system and now have an M4CS and quite honestly I don't notice much difference. It's not as good per say, but one of my concerns when I first got the CS was the stereo and was happily surprised how great it sounds

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by trendy26

I've had an M4 base with the HK system and now have an M4CS and quite honestly I don't notice much difference. It's not as good per say, but one of my concerns when I first got the CS was the stereo and was happily surprised how great it sounds

Exact same here

[spool twice]

I didn't even know that. Thought it was only these:

Front tweeter x2
Front mid bass ×2
Subwoofer x2
Rear deck x2
Center speaker x1

Where are the rest?

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by trendy26

I've had an M4 base with the HK system and now have an M4CS and quite honestly I don't notice much difference. It's not as good per say, but one of my concerns when I first got the CS was the stereo and was happily surprised how great it sounds

I was preparing for the worse. I came from a B&O system on my S5 and I was pleasantly surprised by the CS's Hi-Fi system when I drove it home. I didn't even try it out during the test drive, didn't want anything to cloud me signing paperwork.

[Gils2018M4]

Great info, so Hi fi has fewer speakers, is the overall wattage lower too? Is the m4 and m4cs the same system because with that chart it almost seems like the m4 cabin won't allow the same speaker locations as m3

My intent is daily driving so a good sound system is important to me

[nickl630]

Originally Posted by Gils2018M4

Great info, so Hi fi has fewer speakers, is the overall wattage lower too? Is the m4 and m4cs the same system because with that chart it almost seems like the m4 cabin won't allow the same speaker locations as m3

My intent is daily driving so a good sound system is important to me

I'd look for an M3CS then. Better door panels with insulation (less road noise and higher quality) and the HK sound.

For some dumb reason BMW put speakers in the doors of the M4CS but covered them up with the door panel.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Gils2018M4

Great info, so Hi fi has fewer speakers, is the overall wattage lower too? Is the m4 and m4cs the same system because with that chart it almost seems like the m4 cabin won't allow the same speaker locations as m3

My intent is daily driving so a good sound system is important to me

SA676 HiFi Professional 205W
SA688 Harman Kardon 600W

I have the former in my F80 and it's barely alright. I don't care nor know THAT much about audio, but I think there is a rather noticeable difference between HiFi and HK in terms of overall loudness - with music playing through Bluetooth and Spotify at max quality - I have to crank it up quite a bit to get some proper untz untz going on. And speaking of untz untz, it does lack the bass of the HK system (which you can further adjust to your liking in iDrive).

Everyone's perception is different so best to try it out for yourself.

And the SA676 HiFi is the same in M4 and M4 CS, but American-market non-CS M4s do get HK as standard.

[trendy26]

Originally Posted by swagon

SA676 HiFi Professional 205W
SA678 Harman Kardon 600W

I have the former in my F80 and it's barely alright. I don't care nor know THAT much about audio, but I think there is a rather noticeable difference between HiFi and HK in terms of overall loudness - with music playing through Bluetooth and Spotify at max quality - I have to crank it up quite a bit to get some proper untz untz going on. And speaking of untz untz, it does lack the bass of the HK system (which you can further adjust to your liking in iDrive).

The SA676 HiFi is the same in M4 and M4 CS, but the American-market non-CS M4s do get HK as standard.

That's not the case with the F82.... Either your hearing is bad or the F80 is just a different audio experience completely....

If the HK in an F82 is a 10/10, then the HiFi in the F82 CS is a 8.5/10 easily. Not a monumental difference like what you're describing in the F80 Base system

[swagon]

Originally Posted by trendy26

That's not the case with the F82.... Either your hearing is bad or the F80 is just a different audio experience completely....

If the HK in an F82 is a 10/10, then the HiFi in the F82 CS is a 8.5/10 easily. Not a monumental difference like what you're describing in the F80 Base system

That's why I said, "Everyone's perception is different so best to try it out for yourself."

[spool twice]

You definitely have to adjust the EQ and bass/treble settings to get a relatively flat response across a broad spread.

I keep getting conflicting info on speaker count on the Hi-Fi system, I see 9 speaker setups as well like on BavAutos website as a speaker upgrade.

[Humdizzle]

if you have the 16 speaker HK system i'd recommend using the bimmercode app to change it to the B&O system. sounds much clearer imo. similar to my friends 2014 S4.

[trendy26]

Originally Posted by spool twice

You definitely have to adjust the EQ and bass/treble settings to get a relatively flat response across a broad spread.

I keep getting conflicting info on speaker count on the Hi-Fi system, I see 9 speaker setups as well like on BavAutos website as a speaker upgrade.

Yup, that's the most stressful part of getting it all set up. Finding the right EQ settings for the sounds that you prefer.... If I'm not mistaken, I think you posted a while ago on some ideal EQ settings, and I incorporated it into my settings and was able to achieve an awesome sound!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Gils2018M4

Great info, so Hi fi has fewer speakers, is the overall wattage lower too? Is the m4 and m4cs the same system because with that chart it almost seems like the m4 cabin won't allow the same speaker locations as m3

My intent is daily driving so a good sound system is important to me

I had the 16-speaker HK in my previous M4. The HK is definitely more powerful, however to my surprise, the HiFi system in my M4cs has not left me wanting one bit.