02-13-2018, 07:25 PM | #1 |
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Bowers & Wilkins & Weight question
Being not happy with the B&O on my 2015 X5M, do you think the B&W is much better?
Also, would B&W add more speakers or amplifiers? I want to try for the lightest options available, but keeping with the Driver and Premium Package. Yes for Ceramic Brakes Would Full or partial leather change the weight? It would be interesting if BMW advertised a weight gain for the driver or premium package. |
02-13-2018, 09:01 PM | #2 | |
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02-14-2018, 08:21 AM | #3 | ||
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02-14-2018, 11:10 AM | #5 | |
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It comes down to you. I recommend you listen to both and decide for yourself, although you may have to use a surrogate vehicle as mentioned, such as the 7 series. Personally - I am going for it. |
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02-14-2018, 12:09 PM | #6 |
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I have also sat and tested the B&W in the F90. It's definitely better than the B&O. The B&W is probably my favorite upgrade in the F90 over the F10 M5. The synthetic diamonds and superior sound processing make the sound crystal clear. And it's even cheaper than what they originally charged for the B&O. I would say the B&W is about $1,000 better than the older B&O though. But the B&W will be about 50% better than the standard sound system in the F90. In the F10 M5 I felt the B&O was actually only about 30% better than the standard Harmon Kardon.
As I've always told people though, if your going to be driving the car a lot with passengers in it, then don't even bother with the optional upgraded sound system. This option is really just for you, the driver, the owner of the car. You will most enjoy it when riding alone because you can enjoy listening to whatever you want. I have always found that I can't crank up my music when people are riding in the car because people always want to talk. As for the weight difference, yeah I would imagine the actual weight of the amplifier itself for the B&W is heavier than the standard sound system. By how much? BMW doesn't put out that kind of information.
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02-14-2018, 03:50 PM | #7 |
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Despite my suggestion to listen before you buy, I'm going for it just on B&W's reputation (and the positive feedback on this forum). I haven't had a chance to listen to the B&W system in any BMW. Since I lease, the cost is negligible. Hell, I paid for the B&O upgrade in my F10, which as discussed cost more than the B&W (in the F90) which wasn't that much of an improvement over standard(although it certainly is better).
I'm probably alone in my car 80% of the time commuting. And I like to crank, so it's worth it to me. As far as weight is concerned, the full leather (vs extended) plus the addition of B&W probably amounts to the same as whether you're going to or coming from dinner. |
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02-15-2018, 01:45 AM | #8 |
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Too much ambient noise and distractions when actually driving for it to be worth going beyond the HK in my opinion. Ambient noise mostly squashes the benefits of the higher end system. I had the Burmester in my Porsche which sounded awesome in my garage with the engine turned off. When actually driving, the tire/engine/wind/road noise mostly drowned the fine details that distinguished this sound system. It wasn't worth it.
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02-15-2018, 12:57 PM | #9 |
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No offense but I guarantee the weight difference won't make a difference in your lap times. Unless you are a top 1% professional driver won't make any difference at all. I'd worry more about the sound quality and be happy with that. Weight inconsequential
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02-15-2018, 04:07 PM | #10 |
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I have the Bavsound speaker upgrade on the F10 M5 which sounds way better than HK...how does it compare to the B&O and B&W
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Gone:2013 F10 M5-DCT-Montecarlo Pearl Blue-BBMR 800 Stage 1 system 700whp+(93oct) 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo-Manual-Giallo Midas Pearl Yellow-Modified 2018 Range Rover Velar S-White |
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02-16-2018, 01:59 AM | #11 | |
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I ordered B&W for my F90, but have a lot of doubts. It looks great, but won't it be spoiled totally with the ambient sound and active audio (exhaust sound) ...? |
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02-16-2018, 07:11 AM | #12 |
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All GREAT comments, thanks to all of you.
After bouncing between two cars in the dealership showroom, the B&W had a different sound that I found the HK more appealing. I am more of a 1/4 mile racer than the track. Last summer on race day I removed the only easy item to remove in my X5M, and that was the whole back seat. Took out around 200 lbs. |
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02-20-2018, 11:46 PM | #13 | |
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It will still sound better, though. The HK system is ok, but far from great, so if the B&W is great, you will still notice a difference. Whether it's worth the money or not is a different question... If you listen a lot to classical or other acoustic music, then possibly. |
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02-21-2018, 10:32 AM | #14 |
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I have never understood spending thousands on a sound system in a car. For many of the reasons listed above, anything beyond a "good sounding" stereo in a car is a waste. Don't get me wrong, I am an audiophile at heart, and have a 30k system in my media room at home...but for the car, spending thousands more on Bowers and Wilkins "Diamond" speakers is a total waste. I think the Diamond label is a bit misleading as well, as the speakers in the car are in no way the quality of say a pair of 805D3s.
Just my opinion, of course. To each, their own. |
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02-21-2018, 02:38 PM | #15 | |
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Beyond the substantial cost over time, there's the relatively small benefit due to ambient noise, and also the fact that I'm also driving. While driving, I don't really focus on the music that much; it's more like background music, and my attention is mostly elsewhere. It's not like sitting in your listening room and focusing on the music. Ultimately, I found that it wasn't worth it to me even though I'm an audiophile. I may revisit this when we have fully autonomous driving... |
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02-22-2018, 02:54 AM | #16 |
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Could it be that if you go for a high-end music option, you get more noise-cancelling materials in your vehicle?
I suppose that the top level OEM music in the car is not just a set of better components, it should be a totally different way of installation and noise cancelling. I mean if you double the power output of your system (comparing B&W to Harman for example) there should be a special approach in installation to avoid vibrations and side sounds caused by an increased sound pressure. I would love to know if BMW does it or not. |
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02-22-2018, 09:32 AM | #17 | |
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02-22-2018, 08:46 PM | #18 |
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B&W has better speakers, more power, more channels and better processor. Worth it? To each his own.
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/car-au.../5-Series.html https://www.harmankardon.com/bmw-5-series-sedan.html |
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02-23-2018, 03:20 PM | #19 | |
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The B&W is a bit better than the HK. The difference is noticeable, but not as big as I expected. To put this in context, the B&W isn't as good as the upgraded Burmester system in the Mercedes E-Class, and the sound quality difference between the Burmester and the B&W is more significant than the difference between the B&W and the HK. To be fair, the Burmester upgrade in the Mercedes is more expensive than the B&W. I decided not to get this option. |
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03-22-2018, 09:53 PM | #20 |
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haven't head the B&O but the B&W is far better than the HK in my M4 with bavsound upgrade. bass lacks a little punch and turing bass up in tone control makes it a bit muddy. overall tho i'm much happier with the B&W than with the HK+bavsound.
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03-25-2018, 12:28 AM | #22 | |
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Couldn't disagree more for this car. I found the B&W substantially better. The HK sounds really thin, B&W fuller and flatter. I think the m5 is quiet enough that the difference is audible and obvious. The HK is really lacking in bass. Whether that worth 3400 is another question. |
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