Sat in a 24 X3 the other day and tested out the sound system. I was pleasantly surprised with its sound, especially in surround mode. I would say it’s probably between High B and Low A territory.
The Topher said this sound system wasn't very good in his review of the X3M but it sounds pretty good here. Maybe Topher has too much ear wax. Nice video and I'm subscribing!
@@DailyMotorSound This system was out of it's comfort zone with the last song. Not all systems can accommodate all songs. Although the BW comes to mind....
Thanks! Picking one of these up from the Performance Center in SC later this month. Do you think any of that hollowness can be worked out through a comprehensive EQ tuning?
*Probably*. He said they evaluate based on the stock settings. A couple things I noticed, that 7 Logic Surround setting *definitely* compromised the integrity and intensity of the sound source. It sounds like it's just stretching each channel (L/R) across their respective surround speakers and probably dumping the bass frequencies into the subs and mid-range drivers. It creates a surround effect, but the fullness and intensity of the sound is hollowed out. The mids could probably be adjusted and if there's a sub setting, I'd probably kick that up without touching the actual low frequencies on the EQ too much. The bass frequencies are actually pretty well balanced, but I think it misses a little bit of "punch" from bass chords/Drums. Where it may take some work is adjusting the upper third of the frequencies of the EQ. The system was a little out of it's comfort zone near the last part of the last song, but it's a pretty messy EDM song. I think probably backing off from some of the upper frequency mid and adding a bit more to the highs would help isolate the work of the speakers more and maybe help prevent the crossover distortion in that range. The wattage is more than adequate for those speakers, it seems, as the distortion wasn't terribly apparent at higher volumes. You'd probably hurt your ears just prior to, or just at, where the distortion would become noticeable enough to be bothered by it. I don't think most people will pump it that high unless you just really love bass. If you do and you don't really care for the actual transparency of the music you're trying to listen to, then just stick with the stock system since it's more than capable of delivering heavy bass. You'll also hear more distortion that can't be adjusted out by EQ if you don't have a decent music source. Tidal, Amazon UHD (or HD), Deezer, etc...will be noticeably better than anything on YT Music or Spotify. As far as quality of UHD on Amazon Music vs Tidal MQA, MQA is more transparent and clear, but it's not *THAT MUCH* more transparent and clear. Given the fact that it's in a car, I can accept the "loss" between UHD and MQA as I consider it minimal, to almost insignificant. If I was running a PS Audio Strata integrated pre-amp DAC and Class A amp, I'd probably opt for the MQA. But, we're in a car. It's far from optimal of a sound stage and I think this stereo should work just fine in a car with a good music source and *NOT RUN THROUGH BLUETOOTH!* Please, Jesus didn't give us freedom of will to invent hifi audio sources to be run through bluetooth. Cables good, bluetooth bad!
Yeah the 9-band EQ can help it. In some of my more recent BMW reviews I've played with the EQ to make it sound better to my ears. But everyone has different preferences.
Maybe a dumb question but the best Soundsystem I heard yet is dynaudio in a golf 7. In my opinion its a really nice Soundsystem but I can't imagine it beeing better than a sound system in such a bmw although everyone here says it's not that good. So would you say this system is better than dynaudio in golf 7 bc then its absolutely enough for me
I never heard a factory system that sounded adequate. I was hoping this system did change my mind. It didn't. It definitely sounds like ass. My 750i will be delivered later today and I'm going straight to the auto audio shop.....smh
I have the X4m 2022. So disappointed with the sound system. Good way to describe it is as you said.. Hollow I had the X4m 2020 and the sound was better
I'm deciding between this car and tesla model y, i was already leaning towards the BMW, but after watching this video it just reached 100%
Sat in a 24 X3 the other day and tested out the sound system. I was pleasantly surprised with its sound, especially in surround mode. I would say it’s probably between High B and Low A territory.
How dare you "debadge" the M from the X3M 😂
The Topher said this sound system wasn't very good in his review of the X3M but it sounds pretty good here. Maybe Topher has too much ear wax. Nice video and I'm subscribing!
In certain songs, this system really sounds wonky, so I'm not surprised he didn't care for it. I'll tell him to clean his ear canals.
@@DailyMotorSound This system was out of it's comfort zone with the last song. Not all systems can accommodate all songs. Although the BW comes to mind....
Can you give sound system update with music like 80s classic rock something other then the sounds that you display?
They should have done the Bowers and Wilkins like my M5 Comp....it rocks.
But how does it compare to the base audio system in the same model car year?
Also looking for this answer. The x3 m40i im eyeing doesnt have the HK sound system wondering if this a deal breaker
I regret not getting the Harmon-Kardon on my 2023nM40i. BMW is not interested in a retrofit. Other than that the X3 M40i is a blast
can you please test the bmw 5 series harman kardon
I would like you to try the dodge Durango
Thanks! Picking one of these up from the Performance Center in SC later this month. Do you think any of that hollowness can be worked out through a comprehensive EQ tuning?
*Probably*. He said they evaluate based on the stock settings. A couple things I noticed, that 7 Logic Surround setting *definitely* compromised the integrity and intensity of the sound source. It sounds like it's just stretching each channel (L/R) across their respective surround speakers and probably dumping the bass frequencies into the subs and mid-range drivers. It creates a surround effect, but the fullness and intensity of the sound is hollowed out. The mids could probably be adjusted and if there's a sub setting, I'd probably kick that up without touching the actual low frequencies on the EQ too much. The bass frequencies are actually pretty well balanced, but I think it misses a little bit of "punch" from bass chords/Drums. Where it may take some work is adjusting the upper third of the frequencies of the EQ. The system was a little out of it's comfort zone near the last part of the last song, but it's a pretty messy EDM song. I think probably backing off from some of the upper frequency mid and adding a bit more to the highs would help isolate the work of the speakers more and maybe help prevent the crossover distortion in that range.
The wattage is more than adequate for those speakers, it seems, as the distortion wasn't terribly apparent at higher volumes. You'd probably hurt your ears just prior to, or just at, where the distortion would become noticeable enough to be bothered by it. I don't think most people will pump it that high unless you just really love bass. If you do and you don't really care for the actual transparency of the music you're trying to listen to, then just stick with the stock system since it's more than capable of delivering heavy bass.
You'll also hear more distortion that can't be adjusted out by EQ if you don't have a decent music source. Tidal, Amazon UHD (or HD), Deezer, etc...will be noticeably better than anything on YT Music or Spotify. As far as quality of UHD on Amazon Music vs Tidal MQA, MQA is more transparent and clear, but it's not *THAT MUCH* more transparent and clear. Given the fact that it's in a car, I can accept the "loss" between UHD and MQA as I consider it minimal, to almost insignificant. If I was running a PS Audio Strata integrated pre-amp DAC and Class A amp, I'd probably opt for the MQA. But, we're in a car. It's far from optimal of a sound stage and I think this stereo should work just fine in a car with a good music source and *NOT RUN THROUGH BLUETOOTH!* Please, Jesus didn't give us freedom of will to invent hifi audio sources to be run through bluetooth. Cables good, bluetooth bad!
Yeah the 9-band EQ can help it. In some of my more recent BMW reviews I've played with the EQ to make it sound better to my ears. But everyone has different preferences.
Where are the settings?
Bowers or Harman?
I really would love a BMW but their sound systems are just weak.
The i4 Harman Kardon is superb
Volvo’s 60/90 series Harman/Kardon system is a great system. QuantumLogic sounds much better than Logic7 too
Absolutely, that's our favorite system!
@@DailyMotorSound better than the Harman Kardon in the i4?
@@glorifiedbusdriver7036 Ever so slightly, but nearly tied.
Maybe a dumb question but the best Soundsystem I heard yet is dynaudio in a golf 7. In my opinion its a really nice Soundsystem but I can't imagine it beeing better than a sound system in such a bmw although everyone here says it's not that good. So would you say this system is better than dynaudio in golf 7 bc then its absolutely enough for me
I never heard a factory system that sounded adequate. I was hoping this system did change my mind. It didn't. It definitely sounds like ass. My 750i will be delivered later today and I'm going straight to the auto audio shop.....smh
I have the X4m 2022. So disappointed with the sound system. Good way to describe it is as you said.. Hollow
I had the X4m 2020 and the sound was better
Have you found a good EQ settings? I find the HK system in my 2023 X4 underwhelming
+1 follow and like . Tks dm sound
Woot, thank you!
@@DailyMotorSound hey . I need videos bmw x5 HK pls , Lexus rx 350 2023 Marklevinson pls ?
@@thanh123ful Here's X5, RX is still coming! th-cam.com/video/u0Y34kyUWJA/w-d-xo.html
@@DailyMotorSound Is the HK speaker system on the BMW x5 much different from the x3?
Mine sucks.
harman kardon is piece of shit... i tried this sound system in bmw x4 m40i 2020.
Yes, but the newest ones have been much better in the BMWs
@@DailyMotorSound I’m missing the old system from bmw, the logic pro7 who installed at bmw seria 7 and seria 5 but the old model.