Do you choose the fancy sound option?
- Thread starter Stu999
- Start date
Caporegime
It depends on how much I'm going to use the car.
If I'm going to be commuting long distances regularly to work or whatever, it's a nice upgrade, as long as it's not extortionate.
If I'm going to be commuting long distances regularly to work or whatever, it's a nice upgrade, as long as it's not extortionate.
Soldato
As above, for a commuter, yep.
I had Harmon Kardon in my Mercedes'. Such quality sound
I had Harmon Kardon in my Mercedes'. Such quality sound
It does make a difference, I’ve had Bose and Meridien and you notice the quality drop off when you jump back into a car with a standard setup.
As Ayahausca says, it depends how you’ll be using the car.
If you’re doing long trips during the week or business miles then yes but if you’re just nipping down the road to work or the supermarket, no.
As you’ve said, they do come with packs which is good as the packs normally have all the stuff you want anyway(if you’re using the car a lot)
As Ayahausca says, it depends how you’ll be using the car.
If you’re doing long trips during the week or business miles then yes but if you’re just nipping down the road to work or the supermarket, no.
As you’ve said, they do come with packs which is good as the packs normally have all the stuff you want anyway(if you’re using the car a lot)
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
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If I was using the car a lot, it's definitely one of the options I would consider. A car is a great place to listen to music. If it was silly money then no, as you could always upgrade it if necessary with aftermarket speakers.
Soldato
Ive always specced the better audio, even though they arent brilliant, base systems generally are crud. In my G20 the base system is really bad, the HK upgrade is better but its not great. Prior to having new cars, i would always upgrade the ICE in my cars. Best stock upgraded system was the B&O in my 2012 A4. The HK in my Volvo was good aswell.
My current car has base BMW audio and it’s acceptable. I do find it lacking in bass though. For example the bass guitar intro to ‘she bangs a drum’ by the stone roses is barely audible. I’ve considered an audio upgrade but never seriously looked into it. All I really play on it is BT streamed Spotify or DAB radio.
Soldato
I would always pay for upgraded sound system in cars and always have.
They’re not all good, though.
The Harman Kardon system in the F3X BMWs is decent once you sort out the EQ and remove the excessive ~200 Hz frequency.
The B&O system in my S5 was abysmal, and I spent a further £1000 trying to sort it out. Still wasn’t happy with it.
The HiFi system in my 135i is REALLY good. There’s no passive, or active, crossover on the front mid/tweeter though, so you do get a bit of distortion at higher volumes with some songs. However, I did upgrade the amplifier on this, which has super powerful software, allowing for a lot of EQ and time alignment. Best sounding system I’ve had in a car so far.
My Boxster has the Bose system, which tonally is quite decent. However the tweeters are a little shouty at higher volume. Only car I regularly turn down the sound though to listen to the flat 6.
They’re not all good, though.
The Harman Kardon system in the F3X BMWs is decent once you sort out the EQ and remove the excessive ~200 Hz frequency.
The B&O system in my S5 was abysmal, and I spent a further £1000 trying to sort it out. Still wasn’t happy with it.
The HiFi system in my 135i is REALLY good. There’s no passive, or active, crossover on the front mid/tweeter though, so you do get a bit of distortion at higher volumes with some songs. However, I did upgrade the amplifier on this, which has super powerful software, allowing for a lot of EQ and time alignment. Best sounding system I’ve had in a car so far.
My Boxster has the Bose system, which tonally is quite decent. However the tweeters are a little shouty at higher volume. Only car I regularly turn down the sound though to listen to the flat 6.
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Soldato
You disgust me
Soldato
B&O are in the same realm as Bose/Harmon Kardon.. they are more lifestyle, where as Bowers and Wilkins / Naim etc are very much about Audio quality and 'Hi-Fi'..
I have B&O in the Mustang, it sounds 'OK' but nothing special.. where as I've been so impressed with some B&W and Naim offerings in various cars..
In most cases I've had the upgraded audio because it comes lumped in the options packs or overall spec.. If it was an individual option, I'd like to hear it first, because as someone above mentions, it can be hit or miss if they overall sound is actually any good.
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I only buy used cars rather than new. Upgraded sound options are definitely something I look for. But they are not the deal breaker option and I would take the right car without one. Having said that, the HK system in my Mini is really good.
Associate
Same. My Ipace HSE has an incredible Meridian system in it, much better than the Harmon Kardon in my old M3 which wasn't bad tbf.No, I let someone else spec it up and buy it. Then a few years later I buy it from them for almost no extra
Caporegime
I’d love to say I have the hearing fidelity to care, but I really don’t.
