[ripkord]

Hi all getting my 118d sport next month think its too late to change my order but am concerned at a few posts saying the standard sound system is rubbish. I have a 318d msport with the standard professional radio (2010) is it basically the same as this as it does me fine??

[neilwilliams]

I've had my 116i with the standard professional sound system for around six months now and I find it meets my needs. I'm no audiophile and I can't stand heavy bass. I use the radio (DAB/FM) and my iPod and it's fine. I could tell it was certainly a step or two above the system on the VW I had previously - I could head elements in the music on my iPod I hadn't heard in the VW and that's despite not having perfect hearing.

[ripkord]

Ok, can always look at aftermarket solutions if I think its lacking, but like I said I'm happy enough with the E90's so I'm sure it will be fine

Thanks

[eezzee]

It's OK, but not more.

[M1fortyeye]

I have standard system and it's quite good.. But I would definitely choose Harman Kardon..but now it's too late -.-"

[westphone]

It's okay, might as well use it for a bit and then upgrade if necessary....

[ripkord]

I think I'll be fine, I only have the standard system in my 3 and it sounds OK. Wouldnt win any awards but its satisfactory

[AusF20/F48]

If it is crap to your ears, you can always replace the standard speakers with better ones and add a amp and some subs.
You may even be able to get HK speakers fitted by your dealer

[BGM]

i've got a 118d with std system, and the day i got it i was bitterly disappointed and said to myself damn i'll get this sorted ASAP..

nearly 3 months on, i've gotten used to it, and all is well.

i only ever listen to the radio anyway, so i don't care too much.. but in those first few weeks when i was still 'expecting' to hear my old sound system it really did sound absolutely horrid

[ripkord]

Ive never had a good system, so ignorance is bliss

[Mr Buck]

I went along to test the audio's at my local dealers and I must admit that it almost seems a no brainer opting for HK. Unless you have a fixed budget and your not much of a music person therefore feel other options would suit your budget better then I'm sorry to say, but you may regret it a little.

The standard sound system is decent in answer to your question, I tried it at numerous levels of volume, it only seems to lack when your seeking that 'bit extra' from say bass or trebble at higher volumes, where the HK system seems to deliver throughout. That said it isn't breathtaking, but it is noticeably better than BMW's own Audio systems

Then again put the HK system against the B&O in the 5 or 7 series and again it feels as though the HK system lacks something.

You could probably get yourself some retrofit speakers that would show the HK system BMW offer a thing or two tbh, and possibly save yourself a few quid

[BGM]

the std system i believe has paper cones... just replacing them with something a bit better would work wonders i should think!

[hwelvaar]

Some people just aren't into (loud) music, other than for background sound and listening to the news journals.

For them, standard system is just fine.
It's still a BMW, so I can't believe the standard system would be rubbish...

[elstoof]

After a day of listening to the standard system it's fine enough for my needs. I cranked it as loud as I dared with a sleeping baby next to me and couldn't find much fault. It's a car anyway, so acoustics are hardly going to be on the same level as the Sydney Opera House. My last car had a Bose system which was obviously better but personally I'd rather spend the close to a grand on upgrading my home system.

[bc27]

I have a 2012 128 and when listening to my iPod from USB the radio keeps coming back on after 2 minutes, any suggestions?

[SteveC]

On your attitude to music and how much good music improves your enjoyment of the car. If you're not a music lover and mainly listen to the news, weather and traffic reports, then the standard system is OK
The point is; it could be a LOT better and a LOT more enjoyable, but do you care?

The problems with the standard system are several fold:
lack of full range speakers (treble and bass)
poor speaker quality
poor cross-over strategy between speakers
lack of good, clean amplification
poor resonance control of door panels etc.
As a result, the system sounds dull, coloured and strained at higher playback levels
Given that the limits are mainly amplification and speakers, the unresolved musical detail present off the head unit is homogenised into the sound you hear and comes across as harshness and congestion.
I think you would be completely surprised how nice even a moderately well thought out and properly installed system can sound. For me, good sound in a car is one of the life's great pleasures. With today's digital technology I can have every album and song I've ever liked in the car and ready to rock and roll. The combination of a twisting back road, sweet BMW power and handling and my favourite blues guitarists on a cranked up stereo is up there with life's finest things

[logiclee]

Originally Posted by ripkord

Hi all getting my 118d sport next month think its too late to change my order but am concerned at a few posts saying the standard sound system is rubbish. I have a 318d msport with the standard professional radio (2010) is it basically the same as this as it does me fine??

Standard system gets 4 mid drivers and two 6.5" subs all powered from the weedy amplifier built into the head unit.

Business loudspeaker system (£230 Option) gives you 5 mid drivers and two 8" subs powered from an external 205W Amplifier.

HK (£580 Option) adds 5 tweeters to the 5 mids and 8" Subs all powered from an external 320W Amplifier.

Cheers
Lee

[creepy coupe]

Purely personally-but spending good money on higher end sounds systems for a car. Is like buying fine wine and adding lemonade. There are so many outside influences to spoil the "better sound" it's kinda wasted. Maybe in an S class Merc. But a 1 series?

[logiclee]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Purely personally-but spending good money on higher end sounds systems for a car. Is like buying fine wine and adding lemonade. There are so many outside influences to spoil the "better sound" it's kinda wasted. Maybe in an S class Merc. But a 1 series?

Have you heard how poor the standard system is?

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Purely personally-but spending good money on higher end sounds systems for a car. Is like buying fine wine and adding lemonade. There are so many outside influences to spoil the "better sound" it's kinda wasted. Maybe in an S class Merc. But a 1 series?

Building a good sound system in a car is nothing like building a good home system; the challenges are totally different. But the end result is the same...great music, thrillingly presented and that's entirely possible in a car.

My home system is special but that doesn't mean I can't have a ball listening to my favourite music on a well sorted 1 Series system.

Your metaphor of adding lemonade to wine is, with respect, really not valid...think of it as drinking a lovely chilled chardonnay with a fine picnic lunch or a beautiful mellow Merlot with a fillet steak and spare rib barbeque. The smoke may mask the bouquet, but its still most enjoyable. Would it make more sense to save your money and drink a sharp Supermarket red? Not in my book....what the scented smoke masks is more than made up for by a host of other aspects and cheap wine still tastes like cheap wine. The point is, I probably wouldn't drink vintage Bordeaux, but a really good Aussie Shiraz, Cape Cabernet, Chilean Syrah or Argentinian Malbec? MMmmmmm Its the same in a car...a cheap, poorly installed system will never approach the sensory overload and pleasure of a well designed and implemented higher-end system.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by logiclee

Have you heard how poor the standard system is?

i've gotten used to the std system now.. meh

[Math]

I agree with BGM, you do get used to the standard system. Most of the time I listen to my mp3's on usb but dont turn the volume up too much because when I have a passenger I want to talk to them. Times when I'm alone I do turn up the volume a bit more and then you notice its not a perfect system..
To me its ok, but if you like a decent system, I think for €800 there really is no discussion!
Try to listen to both sysytems before you order, and bring your own music