M5POST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   M5POST - BMW M5 Forum > F10 M5 Forum > BMW M5 (F10) General Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-01-2012, 03:43 PM   #1
SleepTight
Second Lieutenant
SleepTight's Avatar
United_States
33
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW M5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Long Island, New York

iTrader: (0)

Listened to the Bang & Olufsen System Today--wasn't impressed

I was considering the Bang & Olufsen audio option but thought the price was a bit steep. My dealer obviously didn't have an M5 in the showroom, but he did have a new 6 Series with the optional Bang & Olufsen audio system installed, which he was kind enough to allow me to audition. I hooked it up to my iPod and played some high bit rate recordings to give the system the best possible source material. In fairness to the system, I did not connect via hardwire, but rather, at the dealer's suggestion, used the bluetooth connection, which is obviously a more compressed connection but one that most of us are likely to use most of the time.

I wasn't very impressed. The system sounded good, but to my ears, a bit buzzy, particularly on simple vocal stuff. It's plenty loud if that's what you're in to, but I'm more interested in clarity. There are two pre-programmed digital processing settings--one for a more focused sound and one that is meant to convey the illusion of a more spacious listening environment. I liked that sound the least as it really just gave the music a more muddled sound.

It's not a bad system, but I can't see spending $3,700 for it. All I can say, is that if you are considering the system, make sure you take the time to listen to it first.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 03:47 PM   #2
AMPowerJ
One mod leads to another ...
AMPowerJ's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
2,900
Posts

Drives: 2014 F10 M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blythewood, SC

iTrader: (10)

Good info. Thanks
__________________

Current: 2014 F10 M5
Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 04:12 PM   #3
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1309
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

I have heard a number of 6 Series owners with B&O complain that the system does not work well with modern music, but is fantastic with classical type music.


Thing is though, the system in the M5 could sound very different due to the different acoustics of the car and possible different speakers used.
These systems are also very dependent on equalizer setups for different music

Only way to know is to wait for one to test
__________________
BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 05:01 PM   #4
phish_100
First Lieutenant
United Kingdom
17
Rep
300
Posts

Drives: Azurite Black F10M M5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

I have the BMW professional stereo in my f10, which was a 300 quid option. The stereo is very good but unless I am very wrong I am sure my e60 stereo was better - crisper trebles and lovely warm clarity on the mids.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 06:59 PM   #5
chillin4now
First Lieutenant
chillin4now's Avatar
United_States
30
Rep
380
Posts

Drives: F15 X5M, 458 Spider
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Smocation

iTrader: (0)

How much is it as on option in 5 series. My guess if it's not $3700 it's not the same system.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 07:02 PM   #6
PatrickC23
Colonel
PatrickC23's Avatar
United_States
183
Rep
2,245
Posts

Drives: '16 991.1 911 GTS, '16 F85 X5M
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NNJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW ///M5  [0.00]
Music to my ears...$3700 to spend elsewhere
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 10:11 PM   #7
AlpWhite11
Captain
United_States
66
Rep
693
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Irvine

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patsc23
Music to my ears...$3700 to spend elsewhere
You should try to listen for yourself too. Hearing is also a matter of different tastes between different people.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2012, 10:31 PM   #8
PatrickC23
Colonel
PatrickC23's Avatar
United_States
183
Rep
2,245
Posts

Drives: '16 991.1 911 GTS, '16 F85 X5M
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NNJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW ///M5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 09BlkSapphire View Post
You should try to listen for yourself too. Hearing is also a matter of different tastes between different people.
I was already leaning against geting it anyhow. With free Sirius I'll be tuned to NFL radio most times anyhow.
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 12:46 AM   #9
jphughan
Brigadier General
jphughan's Avatar
United_States
594
Rep
4,488
Posts

Drives: '16 Cayman GT4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Testing over Bluetooth was a mistake. Even if people might use that, when the goal is to determine differences in fidelity, you don't negate the high-bitrate source aspect by forcing it over a low-bandwidth connection. I can tell a clarity difference between BT and hardwired even on crappy 128 kbit MP3s. I've read that B&O isn't worth it, but using BT removed any possibility of detecting any added value the system might offer.
__________________
'16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up)

Gone but not forgotten:
'11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans | Black Nov w/ Alum | 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 08:30 AM   #10
s62
Enlisted Member
United_States
9
Rep
45
Posts

Drives: Yellow
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

I listened to the B&O in the F12 M6. I tuned in to a few radio stations and I found the clarity and tightness to be excellent.
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 08:46 AM   #11
BMW0412
Private First Class
85
Rep
148
Posts

Drives: M5
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

try a CD, dont use ipod
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 10:00 AM   #12
Akili02
Private First Class
2
Rep
107
Posts

Drives: 2013 M5 (soon replaced)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge UK

iTrader: (0)

The hard part is finding a car optioned with it. No dealers in my area have one. So it may just have to be a leap of faith on my part.... An expensive one.
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 10:23 AM   #13
Jvmorrow
New Member
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: BMW m3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale

iTrader: (0)

For 3,700 I feel like people should be going wow over it. For me there are way to many people are giving disappointing reviews on it. Unfortunately I will probably never get to hear it before I order the car.
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 10:41 AM   #14
Merc1
Private
8
Rep
89
Posts

Drives: 2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AW
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Dallas TX

iTrader: (0)

I heard it in a regular 650i Coupe and wasn't impressed either. Sounded like any normal system to me, nothing spectacular at all. I don't listen to classical music so maybe it isn't meant for me either. For the 3700 savings I'll just get the driver's assistance pack instead and still come out less than I would have with the B&O ~ $105,575 for mine.


M
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 11:36 AM   #15
Akili02
Private First Class
2
Rep
107
Posts

Drives: 2013 M5 (soon replaced)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Merc1
I heard it in a regular 650i Coupe and wasn't impressed either. Sounded like any normal system to me, nothing spectacular at all. I don't listen to classical music so maybe it isn't meant for me either. For the 3700 savings I'll just get the driver's assistance pack instead and still come out less than I would have with the B&O ~ $105,575 for mine.


M
Sounds like the way I'm going to go as well.
Frozen black
I can't make a final decision on interior :-(
Piano black trim
Exec package
20" wheels

Just waiting to be able to order. Maybe it's a good thing I can't test because I can't decide on an interior color anyway :-) (leaning towards sakhir)
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2012, 12:02 PM   #16
nordic@telia.com
Love V8!
Sweden
47
Rep
148
Posts

Drives: BMW X5M F8, McLaren 650S, P85D
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sweden

iTrader: (0)

I have the "HIFI Pro" option in my 550 and in my coming M5. I think this is the best original factory sound i have had in a BMW.

A HIFI magazine here in Sweden tested car HIFI a year ago, Audi A8 with B&O, BMW 7 with HIFI Pro and a MB S Class.
The best sound was the B&O but i cost 8 time more than the HIFI Pro system in the BMW, and some of the test persons liked the sound in the BMW better than the expensive B&O. So best sound for the money were the HIFI Pro in the BMW.
The MB was not in the same class as the other.

Im interested in home HIFI and i have never heard a B&O that sounds better than other Hi end products that always costs at least half the price of the B&O...

So no B&O in my car
__________________
X5M 2015 Donington Grey/Red Merino
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2012, 03:49 PM   #17
Mako
(Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC
1545
Rep
2,586
Posts

Drives: '23 M3 comp
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chicago suburbs

iTrader: (0)

I don't see the standard specs yet on the M5 but I am guessing the standard audio system is the same 16 speaker 600 watt one that is in every other car (as a $950 option of course).

Our X3 has this option and its not bad, but not great either. So many people looks at the "watts" and base their decision on that but you need to listen to it first. My C63 has a 550 watt system and it sounds a lot better than our X3, my wife agrees with me on that. I know that the X3 has more space for the sound to travel through but I was still expecting a similar sound from the two cars. I need to be able to listen to my music loud at times (helps me get rid of stress) but won't do so at the loss of clarity, the C63 does an awesome job of that, the X3 not so much.

Having said that, if I was buying a new or used M5 (which I am thinking of in the near future) it would be a tough choice to get the $3700 BO system or not because the standard isn't all that great (not horrible either though). I just think in a $90K-$100K car it better have a nice ass stereo system, at least as good as my $65K C63 has.

I have a feeling that getting a loaded USED M5 in 2 years or so is the way to go for me, let one of you guys spend the cash to get all the upgrades since they hardly add anything to the resale value
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2012, 11:05 PM   #18
LAKEOM5
Second Lieutenant
LAKEOM5's Avatar
United_States
16
Rep
289
Posts

Drives: 2013 M5 Black Sapphire
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon

iTrader: (0)

$3700 can get a fantastic aftermarket system if you don't like the factory. Don't gamble, you can fix it if you don't like it.
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2012, 03:09 PM   #19
jphughan
Brigadier General
jphughan's Avatar
United_States
594
Rep
4,488
Posts

Drives: '16 Cayman GT4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

I got to hear the base-for-US "Premium Hi-Fi" system in an M5 right next to a B&O-equipped M6 today, and here is the relevant excerpt from a post I made about the event I attended today overall:

- Customers in the US, skip Bang & Olufsen. The M6 had it, and the M5 had the "base" stereo, which for US-spec is BMW's Premium Hi-Fi system -- it sounds excellent. So does B&O, but honestly I couldn't tell much of a difference at all between the two even after rolling the windows up. For $3700 I would have expected to have my mind blown, and instead it sounded just like the base Premium system. Maybe for countries that have the lesser stereo as standard and have to choose between that and B&O it might make sense, but for the US, save your $3700 or spend it much more wisely on the aftermarket.

Full post is at http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687155.
__________________
'16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up)

Gone but not forgotten:
'11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans | Black Nov w/ Alum | 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2012, 04:40 PM   #20
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1309
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jphughan View Post
I got to hear the base-for-US "Premium Hi-Fi" system in an M5 right next to a B&O-equipped M6 today, and here is the relevant excerpt from a post I made about the event I attended today overall:

- Customers in the US, skip Bang & Olufsen. The M6 had it, and the M5 had the "base" stereo, which for US-spec is BMW's Premium Hi-Fi system -- it sounds excellent. So does B&O, but honestly I couldn't tell much of a difference at all between the two even after rolling the windows up. For $3700 I would have expected to have my mind blown, and instead it sounded just like the base Premium system. Maybe for countries that have the lesser stereo as standard and have to choose between that and B&O it might make sense, but for the US, save your $3700 or spend it much more wisely on the aftermarket.

Full post is at http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687155.
We need to see if the M5 B&O has any changes from the M6 system
__________________
BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2012, 05:38 PM   #21
jphughan
Brigadier General
jphughan's Avatar
United_States
594
Rep
4,488
Posts

Drives: '16 Cayman GT4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Fleet View Post
We need to see if the M5 B&O has any changes from the M6 system
If it does, I suspect it will only be for the worse. The 6 Series is marketed (and priced) upmarket of the 5, so even if there were differences between the base and/or B&O in the two cars, comparing the 5's base to the 6's B&O should be the largest possible difference -- and I heard practically none at all.
__________________
'16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up)

Gone but not forgotten:
'11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans | Black Nov w/ Alum | 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
Appreciate 0
      05-05-2012, 07:55 PM   #22
Bluesummer
Lieutenant General
Bluesummer's Avatar
Taiwan
585
Rep
15,818
Posts

Drives: slower than Ayrton Senna
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (15)

Garage List
2017 BMW X5M  [0.00]
2015 M4  [0.00]
2011 E82 135  [0.00]
2011 M3  [0.00]
2007 335  [0.00]
I would save the money for a real sound system at home.
__________________
IG:d.violet.m3
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:31 AM.




m5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST