whats the standard sound like these days ?

MB London · 02-11-2013, 01:30 PM

Can anyone tell me what the standard sound system is like on an f10/11. I am coming from a e90 where I made the fatal mistake of not upgrading the sound and had to make do with the aftermarket alpine kit.

Looking at a nearly new/demo 5’er and not many of them have upgraded sound. Is it something I should insist on?

Gordon4499 · 02-11-2013, 02:54 PM

I think you will get some varied opinions on this one MB however, I think the standard setup is decent enough. It needs a bit of tuning to get the best out of it but I’m glad I didn’t splash out on the expensive audio options. I also seem to recall reading somewhere that you get the best results using the ipod connected with the proper ipod/USB connection.

73henny · 02-11-2013, 06:48 PM

Me too - quite happy with standard audio. In my opinion there were better options to waste my money on

Each to their own, but the ipod connection with the Pro Nav gives album art and good audio quality IMO.

xenon · 02-12-2013, 03:34 AM

Yep, I run the iPod integration on the ProNav and I think it's fine however I've never really understood the reason for spending loads on in-car "hifi" when it's so compromised by definition anyway and has to compete with road noise, wind noise and so on.

However, if you describe not specifying an upgrade in your e90 as a "fatal" mistake then I suspect you'll be disappointed with the standard F10 too.

steve-p · 02-12-2013, 07:26 AM

If you've ever had upgraded audio in MB/BMW/Audi/Jaguar, then the standard setup is really not very good IMO. Whether it's good enough or not is a personal perspective. If I were you I would go to a dealer and have a listen to the standard setup. My guess is you will be underwhelmed, given that you mention the E90 situation.

remmib · 02-13-2013, 11:16 AM

Yes, if you regret not upgrading on the e90, definitely upgrade on the F30.

en1gma · 02-26-2013, 09:29 AM

It's better than the standard one they used to fit in the 4-cyl e46 and e90; but not as good as the ones they used to fit in the 6-cyl e39 and e60. I know as I owned all of the above!

For example, in my early 2012 f10 520d M-Sport there are no tweeters near the door mirrors; whereas my old e60 525d M-Sport did, as well as having subwoofers under the front seats... It wasn't as good as a B&O/Bose type set up, but much richer and fuller sounding then what I have now.

I think you'll find the basic system lacking...

HighlandPete · 02-26-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB London

Can anyone tell me what the standard sound system is like on an f10/11. I am coming from a e90 where I made the fatal mistake of not upgrading the sound and had to make do with the aftermarket alpine kit.

Looking at a nearly new/demo 5’er and not many of them have upgraded sound. Is it something I should insist on?

As other posters have said, if you found the E90 basic sound lacking, it is likely to be the same for the F10/11.

My E39 had the speaker upgrade, so when in the E90/1 demo cars found the basic sound not quite good enough. So went to the next level up, the optional speaker upgrade. When testing the F10/11 found a similar situation, so when looking at nearly new 5-series wanted the speaker upgrade as a minimum requirement. My 535i does have the business speaker upgrade, and the sound system performs to a similar level as the E91 upgrade, perhaps a little better.

I'm not into needing hi-fi performance in the car, but do find the basic BMW system just doesn't give a good enough quality.

HighlandPete

JRINNS · 02-26-2013, 04:46 PM

Just about to order my 535d, i need to upgrade as we have b&o in audi, bowers and wilkins in the jag, the range rover evoque had an upgraded 925w meridian. So i think the basic setup may fall flat......

MB London · 03-01-2013, 09:01 AM

I managed to find a car with business sound, so hopefuly this works.

Should have some pics up soon

drnat · 04-10-2013, 02:23 AM

Am thinking about an F11 or F31 at present & have borrowed both cars & both had standard sound systems. The F31 was lacking & would definitely upgrade the sound. The F11's basic sound was a lot better than the F31 & could live with it but would up grade if monies available - may depend on other option preferences too I guess!

02-11-2013, 01:30 PM	#1
MB London Come as you are Drives: F10 520d M-sport Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,138 iTrader: (0)	whats the standard sound like these days ? Can anyone tell me what the standard sound system is like on an f10/11. I am coming from a e90 where I made the fatal mistake of not upgrading the sound and had to make do with the aftermarket alpine kit. Looking at a nearly new/demo 5’er and not many of them have upgraded sound. Is it something I should insist on?
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02-12-2013, 03:34 AM	#4
xenon Brigadier General Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,243 iTrader: (0)	Yep, I run the iPod integration on the ProNav and I think it's fine however I've never really understood the reason for spending loads on in-car "hifi" when it's so compromised by definition anyway and has to compete with road noise, wind noise and so on. However, if you describe not specifying an upgrade in your e90 as a "fatal" mistake then I suspect you'll be disappointed with the standard F10 too. __________________ Ian Current: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, Professional Media, Visibility Pack, Reversing Camera, DAB Previous: 2011 F10 520d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2

02-13-2013, 11:16 AM	#6
remmib General Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 24,685 iTrader: (0)	Yes, if you regret not upgrading on the e90, definitely upgrade on the F30. __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| KW V3 Coilover \| 3D Design Front Lip \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser\|

02-26-2013, 04:46 PM	#9
JRINNS Private First Class Drives: Audi A5 Cab and Jag XJ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 121 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i M-Sport [0.00]	Just about to order my 535d, i need to upgrade as we have b&o in audi, bowers and wilkins in the jag, the range rover evoque had an upgraded 925w meridian. So i think the basic setup may fall flat...... __________________ BMW E90 325i MSport 146000 and counting - Gone and will be missed. Range Rover Evoque White Dynamic - Gone Audi A5 Cab + 1 more undecided.

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02-11-2013, 02:54 PM	#2
Gordon4499 New Member Drives: 520d F10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 17 iTrader: (0)	I think you will get some varied opinions on this one MB however, I think the standard setup is decent enough. It needs a bit of tuning to get the best out of it but I’m glad I didn’t splash out on the expensive audio options. I also seem to recall reading somewhere that you get the best results using the ipod connected with the proper ipod/USB connection.

02-11-2013, 06:48 PM	#3
73henny New Member Drives: 520d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 26 iTrader: (0)	Me too - quite happy with standard audio. In my opinion there were better options to waste my money on Each to their own, but the ipod connection with the Pro Nav gives album art and good audio quality IMO.

02-12-2013, 07:26 AM	#5
steve-p Second Lieutenant Drives: 2012 535ih Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newbury, UK Posts: 222 iTrader: (0)	If you've ever had upgraded audio in MB/BMW/Audi/Jaguar, then the standard setup is really not very good IMO. Whether it's good enough or not is a personal perspective. If I were you I would go to a dealer and have a listen to the standard setup. My guess is you will be underwhelmed, given that you mention the E90 situation.

02-26-2013, 09:29 AM	#7
en1gma Private Drives: F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 60 iTrader: (0)	It's better than the standard one they used to fit in the 4-cyl e46 and e90; but not as good as the ones they used to fit in the 6-cyl e39 and e60. I know as I owned all of the above! For example, in my early 2012 f10 520d M-Sport there are no tweeters near the door mirrors; whereas my old e60 525d M-Sport did, as well as having subwoofers under the front seats... It wasn't as good as a B&O/Bose type set up, but much richer and fuller sounding then what I have now. I think you'll find the basic system lacking...

03-01-2013, 09:01 AM	#10
MB London Come as you are Drives: F10 520d M-sport Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,138 iTrader: (0)	I managed to find a car with business sound, so hopefuly this works. Should have some pics up soon

04-10-2013, 02:23 AM	#11
drnat New Member Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: UK Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	Am thinking about an F11 or F31 at present & have borrowed both cars & both had standard sound systems. The F31 was lacking & would definitely upgrade the sound. The F11's basic sound was a lot better than the F31 & could live with it but would up grade if monies available - may depend on other option preferences too I guess!