is the standard stereo good enough?

someguy · 01-13-2014, 04:02 PM

I am not interested in an $875 radio option (let alone the $4000 one), so I ordered my vehicle with no extra cost sound system option.

Has anyone heard the "standard" sound system and do you have any comments to share? (I enjoy talk radio and listening to music, but the quality of the sound is not something that I normally spend extra money on)

deadbuck · 01-13-2014, 04:32 PM

Not sure. Mine came with the Harmon Kardon one and it sounds pretty awesome.

BMWMN1971 · 01-13-2014, 04:52 PM

Standard looks fine to me. I only drive the car in the city so not sure how much the premium sound would make a long travel more enjoyable.

Roundown · 01-13-2014, 05:40 PM

I believe the "standard" stereo in the US is actually the global HiFi option, which is one level up from the actual "base" stereo.

LSM · 01-13-2014, 06:09 PM

Its more than fine, I have opted for the HK option and yes it has surround sound and an equalizer but the actual sound quality is barely different. Standard stereo sounds great. The B&O is significantly better but theres a huge cost...

newbimmerx5 · 01-13-2014, 08:37 PM

Well, there is going to be difference. It's up to you to decide whether you want 875 and 4600 difference? I listened both at the dealer with my favorite tracks and found the difference in less than 10 seconds. I asked the same question in forums but the best way to figure out is by listening to it. Luckily, I found both in F15 so my comparison is apples to apples.

If you have budget, my strong, matter of fact, very strong recommendation is to go for it. It was not part of my original order but now I thank myself for adding it later on.

someguy · 01-13-2014, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbimmerx5

It was not part of my original order but now I thank myself for adding it later on.

What did you add and how did it sound different than the others?

newbimmerx5 · 01-13-2014, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by someguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbimmerx5

It was not part of my original order but now I thank myself for adding it later on.

What did you add and how did it sound different than the others?

HK. There is a noticeable difference for the kind of music I listen to. For Radio or news or occasional use, you can stay with HiFi one.

jbwitt · 01-14-2014, 05:08 PM

I have the standard system and it sounds just fine. No complaints.

Shaw · 01-14-2014, 07:48 PM

plain simple: YES IT IS!

pillpusher84 · 01-14-2014, 07:59 PM

Absolutely not ... even if you are not an audiophile ... the standard system leaves a lot to be desired. The HK is a nice step up for an relatively low price to play $875. Although my only complaint is the highs leave a bit to be desired, and the sound stage is set a bit too low.

The B&O is a very nice upgrade if you can afford it ... but definitely NOT worth the $4500 price to play! However I spoiled myself by getting B&O in my 550xi, so I couldn't not get this in my F15 ... so needless to say ... there went another $4500! ... atleast it was only $3700 in the 550xi.

Zipforia · 01-14-2014, 09:22 PM

Standard is really not enough. If your car has a lot of road/wind noise, there's no point in trying to get a good sound system because you can't even enjoy it. But with X5, you get great cabin isolation and a good/great sound system will enhance your driving experience.

The way I look at it is, if I want to drive a luxury car, I want luxury options. I don't do luxury on a budget. If this was the case, I'd get a fully loaded Santa Fe. Just my 2 cents.

Z.

texvette · 01-14-2014, 11:36 PM

This was a big thing on my 2013. Had the HK in my 335 and really liked it.
The X5 that was suppose to come in ran into a snag. One was
identical on the lot except for the HK. I went ahead and took it but
now wish had gone ahead and gotten the HK. The standard sounds
good but I just like the surround effect. 875 is nothing on 75k.
Better to get the opt than wish had later.

01-13-2014, 04:02 PM	#1
someguy Private First Class 33 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 3.5d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kansas City area iTrader: (0)	is the standard stereo good enough? I am not interested in an $875 radio option (let alone the $4000 one), so I ordered my vehicle with no extra cost sound system option. Has anyone heard the "standard" sound system and do you have any comments to share? (I enjoy talk radio and listening to music, but the quality of the sound is not something that I normally spend extra money on) __________________ thanks, someguy
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01-13-2014, 04:32 PM	#2
deadbuck Private 9 Rep 61 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Jacksonville iTrader: (0)	Not sure. Mine came with the Harmon Kardon one and it sounds pretty awesome.
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01-13-2014, 04:52 PM	#3
BMWMN1971 Lieutenant 165 Rep 537 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i MSport Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	Standard looks fine to me. I only drive the car in the city so not sure how much the premium sound would make a long travel more enjoyable.
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01-13-2014, 05:40 PM	#4
Roundown Colonel 576 Rep 2,353 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	I believe the "standard" stereo in the US is actually the global HiFi option, which is one level up from the actual "base" stereo.
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01-13-2014, 06:09 PM	#5
LSM Lieutenant Colonel 1118 Rep 1,809 Posts Drives: 2024 Porsche 911 GTS Cab Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Its more than fine, I have opted for the HK option and yes it has surround sound and an equalizer but the actual sound quality is barely different. Standard stereo sounds great. The B&O is significantly better but theres a huge cost... __________________ 2024 Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
is the standard stereo good enough?

01-13-2014, 08:37 PM	#6
newbimmerx5 Second Lieutenant 67 Rep 259 Posts Drives: BMW X5 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Well, there is going to be difference. It's up to you to decide whether you want 875 and 4600 difference? I listened both at the dealer with my favorite tracks and found the difference in less than 10 seconds. I asked the same question in forums but the best way to figure out is by listening to it. Luckily, I found both in F15 so my comparison is apples to apples. If you have budget, my strong, matter of fact, very strong recommendation is to go for it. It was not part of my original order but now I thank myself for adding it later on.
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01-14-2014, 05:08 PM	#9
jbwitt Enlisted Member 13 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I have the standard system and it sounds just fine. No complaints.
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01-14-2014, 07:48 PM	#10
Shaw Lieutenant Colonel 309 Rep 1,806 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 35d \| 2019 X3 30i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW X5 35d xDr ... [0.00]	plain simple: YES IT IS!
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01-14-2014, 07:59 PM	#11
pillpusher84 Banned 55 Rep 670 Posts Drives: 2014 550xi M-Sport Silver Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (1)	Absolutely not ... even if you are not an audiophile ... the standard system leaves a lot to be desired. The HK is a nice step up for an relatively low price to play $875. Although my only complaint is the highs leave a bit to be desired, and the sound stage is set a bit too low. The B&O is a very nice upgrade if you can afford it ... but definitely NOT worth the $4500 price to play! However I spoiled myself by getting B&O in my 550xi, so I couldn't not get this in my F15 ... so needless to say ... there went another $4500! ... atleast it was only $3700 in the 550xi.
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01-14-2014, 09:22 PM	#12
Zipforia Captain 98 Rep 693 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (0)	Standard is really not enough. If your car has a lot of road/wind noise, there's no point in trying to get a good sound system because you can't even enjoy it. But with X5, you get great cabin isolation and a good/great sound system will enhance your driving experience. The way I look at it is, if I want to drive a luxury car, I want luxury options. I don't do luxury on a budget. If this was the case, I'd get a fully loaded Santa Fe. Just my 2 cents. Z.
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01-14-2014, 11:36 PM	#13
texvette Private 2 Rep 56 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: tx iTrader: (0)	This was a big thing on my 2013. Had the HK in my 335 and really liked it. The X5 that was suppose to come in ran into a snag. One was identical on the lot except for the HK. I went ahead and took it but now wish had gone ahead and gotten the HK. The standard sounds good but I just like the surround effect. 875 is nothing on 75k. Better to get the opt than wish had later.
	Appreciate 0 Quote