Harmon Karman vs. Bang & Olufsen

SriRamJaiRam · 10-07-2015, 12:29 PM

Can anyone comment on the sound quality difference/details between the two? I'm wondering if B&O is worth the $4,500. Thanks in advance...

kanvas · 10-07-2015, 12:43 PM

I find the HK sound system to be good enough (and this comes from someone who is picky about car audio quality). You can go ahead and tinker with the EQ settings for better customization. If I were you, I'd visit a local dealership that has an X5 or X5M with B&O and test it out yourself.

X5Jouster · 10-07-2015, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SriRamJaiRam

Can anyone comment on the sound quality difference/details between the two? I'm wondering if B&O is worth the $4,500. Thanks in advance...

i had a B&O system in my Audi S6 at a cost of $5,000, and it was epic. one of the best sound experiences in my life.

i have HK in my X5 and i am more then satisfied once i put in a single 12 inch subwoofer in the trunk. takes some fiddling of the EQ with no presets, but once on target it sounds very very good.

Shaw · 10-07-2015, 06:39 PM

It's not about money or whether you can afford it or not...This a huge cost that can not be justified IMO. Because HK is superior enough.
Why would you spend $5,000 on a stereo system that is only marginally better???
I could have lived with a $1,000 price difference...but $5,000?!
No thank you!
I have HK and it is more than I need.

RR-NYC · 10-07-2015, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaw

It's not about money or whether you can afford it or not...This a huge cost that can not be justified IMO. Because HK is superior enough.
Why would you spend $5,000 on a stereo system that is only marginally better???
I could have lived with a $1,000 price difference...but $5,000?!
No thank you!
I have HK and it is more than I need.

Huh?

If it's not about the money than how can $5000 be thought of as a huge cost that cannot be justified?

I have the HK sound but did listen to the B&O system. It sounded incredible and a huge upgrade over HK but I can live without it especially at that price

Crashnbrn5 · 10-07-2015, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SriRamJaiRam

Can anyone comment on the sound quality difference/details between the two? I'm wondering if B&O is worth the $4,500. Thanks in advance...

Keep in mind if you're leasing you would only be paying around $2200 for the system spread out over 36 months. It's only the suckers who buy the truck out right that are worried about such a high cost. So the question is; is an extra $61 a month justifiable?

EDIT. In this case, it is 100% worth it if you want my two cents

twelve535i · 10-08-2015, 12:00 AM

As mentioned in EVERY BO vs HK thread, if you're listening to low quality music files on your Iphone, you'll never notice a difference.

If you don't listen to high quality CD's, save your money and get the HK.

SriRamJaiRam · 10-08-2015, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twelve535i

As mentioned in EVERY BO vs HK thread, if you're listening to low quality music files on your Iphone, you'll never notice a difference.

If you don't listen to high quality CD's, save your money and get the HK.

Thanks everyone for you input. Very helpful and appreciated...!

1230vani · 10-08-2015, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SriRamJaiRam

Thanks everyone for you input. Very helpful and appreciated...!

I think the HK has a much weaker bass. If you do not care about the bass that much then go for HK. I have B&O and have to replace the mid speaker (the one that pops out under warranty).

Shaw · 10-08-2015, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR-NYC

Huh?

If it's not about the money than how can $5000 be thought of as a huge cost that cannot be justified?

I have the HK sound but did listen to the B&O system. It sounded incredible and a huge upgrade over HK but I can live without it especially at that price

It means, even if I was insanely rich, I would not go for something that is marginally better and doesn't really change anything...whatever there's out there doesn't mean it has to be purchased...
oh well, on second thought, I guess there's always a market for everything....

JNoSol · 10-08-2015, 08:41 AM

OP, I'll start by saying I'm not an extreme audiophile. I've owned 8 BMWs in the past 5yrs (all with HK except for the F80 M3). My X5M is the first vehicle I've ever own to have B&O. I do appreciate music, so B&O is worth every penny for me. I listen from country to pop to 90's rap (new rappers are a bunch of phonies) to Eric Clapton/George Harrison/70s/80s. I play the guitar so I love listening to acoustic notes and appreciate a system that allows me to hear every single instrument in the background.

The music I've loaded into the car's HDD are dense mp3 files, so it's similar to a CD. Sat radio and BT streaming are simply not good enough quality for me.

B&O delivers very accurate sound, great highs/mids/bass. If you're not picky about music and small detail sound, then HK is good enough.

Let's face it. BMWs have the worst audio system in the luxury car segment. B&O right now is as good as it gets for the X5. BMW falls behind Acura's RLX Krell/ELS system (amazing sound and volume), Lexus's Mark Levinson, and Merc/Porsche Burmeister.

Thankfully the new 7s will have an awesome B&W system, which will trickle down to other BMW models later.

X5Jouster · 10-08-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaw

It means, even if I was insanely rich, I would not go for something that is marginally better and doesn't really change anything...whatever there's out there doesn't mean it has to be purchased...
oh well, on second thought, I guess there's always a market for everything....

in the Audi , the B&O was ten fold better than the stock system.

in the X5 i am unsure as to the quality of the sound with B&O. Although HK with a Alpine type R 12 sure has kept me satisfied.

(Edit )
Ive actually put a Type R 12 in any vehicle personally owned, almost negating my previous satisfaction with the B&0....to be honest most stock sound systems need Low and Middle improvment

Alan l. · 10-08-2015, 08:49 AM

There was a member that reviewed both system before he purchased his X5. The main point of his review was that B&O did sound noticeably better than the HK system when the cars were in the BMW showroom floor but that difference was washed out once you were on the road driving due to outside noises. I like bass but i find the HK system more than enough for me. I drive with my wife and kids 99% of the time so there isn't many opportunities for me to really crank up a good song to give the speakers a nice work out. Half the time i'm playing Frozen or the wheels on the bus... LOL

Alan

stewy604 · 10-08-2015, 09:58 AM

I settled on the HK for my build, but having listened to the B&O, I can say...it is amazing. Much like the others above, I just couldnt justify the price tag. Better yet, the uptick in price didnt match what I felt to be the uptick in quality (if that makes sense).

Hang0ver · 10-08-2015, 10:14 AM

Worth for the money. Not really worth for the need.

MattBianco · 10-08-2015, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SriRamJaiRam

Can anyone comment on the sound quality difference/details between the two? I'm wondering if B&O is worth the $4,500. Thanks in advance...

F15GorDe can respond. He has the B&O, and has been in ones with the HK.

If I could stomach the budget, I would have ordered it.

PRican//M614 · 10-08-2015, 07:59 PM

I have B&O on my 14 M6 F13 and I have HK on my 15 F15 35i besides the little thing whatever it is.....on my M6 that sticks out on the top of the dashboard........ not a lot of diffrence not worth the money.... sounds a little more crisp... Hope that helps....

kanvas · 10-08-2015, 08:00 PM

Obviously a YT video is not the best way to gauge audio quality, but it's something..

Shaw · 10-08-2015, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoloYueng//M614

I have B&O on my 14 M6 F13 and I have HK on my 15 F15 35i besides the little thing whatever it is.....on my M6 that sticks out on the top of the dashboard........ not a lot of diffrence not worth the money.... sounds a little more crisp... Hope that helps....

Ahmen!!!!

Chem14 · 10-08-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I drive with my wife and kids 99% of the time so there isn't many opportunities for me to really crank up a good song to give the speakers a nice work out. Half the time i'm playing Frozen or the wheels on the bus... LOL

Alan

I'm right there with you. My wife likes to get those books on tape for our kids.

dds007 · 10-08-2015, 10:59 PM

I can't comment on the BO, but I do know that the HK system is way better than their crap base system from driving around in those 3 series loaners :/.

F15GorDe · 10-09-2015, 01:07 AM

As has been posted by others, use your sound system budget to fund a custom install to your liking for LESS than what the B&O upgrade will cost you!
Lots of great options available out there.

10-07-2015, 12:29 PM	#1
SriRamJaiRam Private First Class 39 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 i35d M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: West Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Harmon Karman vs. Bang & Olufsen Can anyone comment on the sound quality difference/details between the two? I'm wondering if B&O is worth the $4,500. Thanks in advance...
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10-07-2015, 12:43 PM	#2
kanvas Major 649 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: V8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	I find the HK sound system to be good enough (and this comes from someone who is picky about car audio quality). You can go ahead and tinker with the EQ settings for better customization. If I were you, I'd visit a local dealership that has an X5 or X5M with B&O and test it out yourself. __________________ 2001 X5 4.4i - sold but never forgotten! 2014 X5 xDrive50i
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10-07-2015, 06:39 PM	#4
Shaw Lieutenant Colonel 307 Rep 1,806 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 35d \| 2019 X3 30i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW X5 35d xDr ... [0.00]	It's not about money or whether you can afford it or not...This a huge cost that can not be justified IMO. Because HK is superior enough. Why would you spend $5,000 on a stereo system that is only marginally better??? I could have lived with a $1,000 price difference...but $5,000?! No thank you! I have HK and it is more than I need.
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10-08-2015, 12:00 AM	#7
twelve535i Major 478 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	As mentioned in EVERY BO vs HK thread, if you're listening to low quality music files on your Iphone, you'll never notice a difference. If you don't listen to high quality CD's, save your money and get the HK.
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10-08-2015, 08:41 AM	#11
JNoSol Brigadier General 1381 Rep 3,834 Posts Drives: 750 MSPORT & E90M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	OP, I'll start by saying I'm not an extreme audiophile. I've owned 8 BMWs in the past 5yrs (all with HK except for the F80 M3). My X5M is the first vehicle I've ever own to have B&O. I do appreciate music, so B&O is worth every penny for me. I listen from country to pop to 90's rap (new rappers are a bunch of phonies) to Eric Clapton/George Harrison/70s/80s. I play the guitar so I love listening to acoustic notes and appreciate a system that allows me to hear every single instrument in the background. The music I've loaded into the car's HDD are dense mp3 files, so it's similar to a CD. Sat radio and BT streaming are simply not good enough quality for me. B&O delivers very accurate sound, great highs/mids/bass. If you're not picky about music and small detail sound, then HK is good enough. Let's face it. BMWs have the worst audio system in the luxury car segment. B&O right now is as good as it gets for the X5. BMW falls behind Acura's RLX Krell/ELS system (amazing sound and volume), Lexus's Mark Levinson, and Merc/Porsche Burmeister. Thankfully the new 7s will have an awesome B&W system, which will trickle down to other BMW models later. __________________ Daily: G12 750 MSPORT Weekend Car: E90 M3
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Harmon Karman vs. Bang & Olufsen

10-08-2015, 08:49 AM	#13
Alan l. Major General 5437 Rep 8,808 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	There was a member that reviewed both system before he purchased his X5. The main point of his review was that B&O did sound noticeably better than the HK system when the cars were in the BMW showroom floor but that difference was washed out once you were on the road driving due to outside noises. I like bass but i find the HK system more than enough for me. I drive with my wife and kids 99% of the time so there isn't many opportunities for me to really crank up a good song to give the speakers a nice work out. Half the time i'm playing Frozen or the wheels on the bus... LOL Alan __________________
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10-08-2015, 09:58 AM	#14
stewy604 Lieutenant Colonel 290 Rep 1,547 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	I settled on the HK for my build, but having listened to the B&O, I can say...it is amazing. Much like the others above, I just couldnt justify the price tag. Better yet, the uptick in price didnt match what I felt to be the uptick in quality (if that makes sense). __________________ 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750
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10-08-2015, 10:14 AM	#15
Hang0ver Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 208 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Worth for the money. Not really worth for the need.
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10-08-2015, 07:59 PM	#17
PRican//M614 Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 288 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M6, 2015 BMW X5... Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wantagh, long island iTrader: (0)	I have B&O on my 14 M6 F13 and I have HK on my 15 F15 35i besides the little thing whatever it is.....on my M6 that sticks out on the top of the dashboard........ not a lot of diffrence not worth the money.... sounds a little more crisp... Hope that helps....
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10-08-2015, 08:00 PM	#18
kanvas Major 649 Rep 1,170 Posts Drives: V8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Obviously a YT video is not the best way to gauge audio quality, but it's something.. __________________ 2001 X5 4.4i - sold but never forgotten! 2014 X5 xDrive50i
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10-08-2015, 10:59 PM	#21
dds007 Lieutenant 411 Rep 463 Posts Drives: F95, F97, F85, F82 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	I can't comment on the BO, but I do know that the HK system is way better than their crap base system from driving around in those 3 series loaners :/. __________________
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10-09-2015, 01:07 AM	#22
F15GorDe Well versed in the care and feeding of BMWs 261 Rep 733 Posts Drives: F15d, F10 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	As has been posted by others, use your sound system budget to fund a custom install to your liking for LESS than what the B&O upgrade will cost you! Lots of great options available out there. __________________ B&O, parking assistant, executive package, 3rd row seats and the manual rear shades are the ONLY items we didn't order. Having everything else makes our F15d a NICE ride.
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