Bang and Olufsen in the X5 vs HK

[vivalaReagan]

Originally Posted by gpitts

Glad you asked this question, the feedback helped me greatly!

One other common thread was the leather dash being a worthwhile option. However it appears that I can't get the leather dash with the mocha interior that I want. I thought I'd ask if that is an accurate understanding, or whether there's a special order consideration BMW can do to provide the leather dash in mocha.

see my thread on this topic. the mocha interior design package comes with the leather dash. you should be able to order the standalone leather dash if you opt for the dakota leather. it may not work on the online configurator but it did seem to work on the dealers ordering system.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1009756

[Michiganian]

Only briefly listened to HK, but put the B&O into me 35d. The source material variable is very important. I am amazed at the differences among, loaded CDs, including high def versions; iphone through snap-in adapter; Pandora through Connected App; sky radio at various sampling rates from 44khz to 128khz; quality of the original recording. And the list goes on and on.

Having said that, driving on a decent road with high quality source material listening to the B&O is a tremendous experience and feels almost like wearing headphones. Could the sound have been achieved for less money, probably, but in the context of the way above utilitarian transportation investment you make when buying a BMW and if you, like me, plan to keep the vehicle a long time, the premium for The factory designed system probably comes out in the wash.

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by DavidTSG

If you're ordering the full Mocha Nappa design package, then it does come with the leather dash.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I was referring to the Mocha Interior Design Package. You gave me the answer I was hoping for!

I also just followed-up, and when you select the Mocha Interior on the BMWUSA configurator page you can actually see the stitching on the dash. I didn't pay attention to that previously, but it confirms what you're saying.

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by vivalaReagan

see my thread on this topic. the mocha interior design package comes with the leather dash. you should be able to order the standalone leather dash if you opt for the dakota leather. it may not work on the online configurator but it did seem to work on the dealers ordering system.

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1009756

Many thanks!

[Propofoln]

Originally Posted by Michiganian

Only briefly listened to HK, but put the B&O into me 35d. The source material variable is very important. I am amazed at the differences among, loaded CDs, including high def versions; iphone through snap-in adapter; Pandora through Connected App; sky radio at various sampling rates from 44khz to 128khz; quality of the original recording. And the list goes on and on.

Having said that, driving on a decent road with high quality source material listening to the B&O is a tremendous experience and feels almost like wearing headphones. Could the sound have been achieved for less money, probably, but in the context of the way above utilitarian transportation investment you make when buying a BMW and if you, like me, plan to keep the vehicle a long time, the premium for The factory designed system probably comes out in the wash.

Thx for the feedback,Michigan. Anybody else take a test run at both systems? I too feel the source material is very important and also turning off the EQ on the iPod, and just use the EQ on the B&O. It makes a huge difference on my M5 B&O.

[Bimar]

I listened to the B&O on the X5 vs HK on the X4 same song R&B music and I was like where is the bass on the B&O ? Anyway anyone compared the HIFI to the HK on the X5/6, any difference?

[Taran.J]

Optioned for the HK, didn't want to spend a lot of money on a aftermarket speaker system in here so the $900 is fair Id say for a daily driver

[Ray knight]

I have the B&O in my F10 M5 and F15 X5 and both are awesome. I had the "premium sound" in my '13 X5 and the B&o kills it in every direction although that system was good too. The B&O is worth the price for me. Just adds more sex appeal to the interior. More high end feel/look as well.

[oshevtsov]

A couple of days ago had an opportunity to listen to BO and HK in two F16s parked near each other. BO does sound better - but only when a car is idle/stationary. As soon as you start engine and drive away, ambient noise significantly dilutes BO advantages over HK. Financially I was fully prepared to opt for BO, but found it to be marginally better in daily driving situations. So went for HK

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by oshevtsov

A couple of days ago had an opportunity to listen to BO and HK in two F16s parked near each other. BO does sound better - but only when a car is idle/stationary. As soon as you start engine and drive away, ambient noise significantly dilutes BO advantages over HK. Financially I was fully prepared to opt for BO, but found it to be marginally better in daily driving situations. So went for HK

Did you compare the bass sound of the two?

[oshevtsov]

Originally Posted by X4guy

Did you compare the bass sound of the two?

My goal was to compare overall impression. So no, I have not made any bass-specific comparisons. I would observe, however, that crossover cut-off frequency is better tuned on HK (for my ear). BO's cutoff seems to be lower, which makes me feel there is certain gap in the range. So for 'acoustic' styles requiring flat response I would prefer HK. BO seems to be somewhat 'punchier', possibly explained by a more powerful amplifier.

And one more observation - HK seems to better digest lossy files/radio. BO is not forgiving, it is that crisp and sharp.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by oshevtsov

My goal was to compare overall impression. So no, I have not made any bass-specific comparisons. I would observe, however, that crossover cut-off frequency is better tuned on HK (for my ear). BO's cutoff seems to be lower, which makes me feel there is certain gap in the range. So for 'acoustic' styles requiring flat response I would prefer HK. BO seems to be somewhat 'punchier', possibly explained by a more powerful amplifier.

And one more observation - HK seems to better digest lossy files/radio. BO is not forgiving, it is that crisp and sharp.

Noted that for regular use HK or HIFI was good enough and felt B&O suited for stage type of music. But the B&O looks stunning though!

[AGV]

Recently, I compared the sound of HK (F15) and B&O (F86). I listened mostly POP music and Progressive - Hard House. All settings were by default.

Bass in my opinion better on HK (even the butt feels it better), while high frequencies are on B&O. And when make louder, on HK high frequencies turns into mess, and on B&O remains crystal-clear.
If from drivers point of view, as for me, the HK system fits in BMW much better. In HK the sound is softer, so to speak. Also in the B&O design, this center speaker in my opinion distracts from driving.
I very long thought what to choose and eventually stopped on B&O (simply because it is more expensive), but I still am not sure that made a right choice.

HK is much better harmonize with BMW and less distracts from driving, although the В&О sounds overall a bit better.
B&O distracts and with a sound (not enough bass and a lot of high frequencies), and with the design and with the central speaker, in difference from HK which fits into BMW like a native.

As I am not going to install a custom sound, I decided to choose the most expensive - В&О (on F85). At most, perhaps, I follow the advice of forum members and will install in the trunk 12W7A (someone have any ideas how to better integrate it into the existing system?). But considering what is written above, I very much doubt that made a right choice.

[dsad1]

I went purely on a looks standpoint and got the B&O, the speakers just make the interior look a step up.

Edit---- Didn't notice I was in the X5 forum I thought I was in the 6 series forum. I got the B&O on the X5 too, but it doesn't change the interior as drastically as it does on the 6 series.

[M3 Chris]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

I went purely on a looks standpoint and got the B&O, the speakers just make the interior look a step up.

Edit---- Didn't notice I was in the X5 forum I thought I was in the 6 series forum. I got the B&O on the X5 too, but it doesn't change the interior as drastically as it does on the 6 series.

Me too. The fact that the center speaker pops up and down had me sold. I like gadgets and it makes the car much more luxurious looking.

[pdawg]

Originally Posted by AGV

Recently, I compared the sound of HK (F15) and B&O (F86). I listened mostly POP music and Progressive - Hard House. All settings were by default.

Bass in my opinion better on HK (even the ass feels it better), while high frequencies are on B&O. And when make louder, on HK high frequencies turns into mess, and on B&O remains crystal-clear.
If from drivers point of view, as for me, the HK system fits in BMW much better. In HK the sound is softer, so to speak. Also in the B&O design, this center speaker in my opinion distracts from driving.
I very long thought what to choose and eventually stopped on B&O (simply because it is more expensive), but I still am not sure that made a right choice.

HK is much better harmonize with BMW and less distracts from driving, although the В&О sounds overall a bit better.
B&O distracts and with a sound (not enough bass and a lot of high frequencies), and with the design and with the central speaker, in difference from HK which fits into BMW like a native.

As I am not going to install a custom sound, I decided to choose the most expensive - В&О (on F85). At most, perhaps, I follow the advice of forum members and will install in the trunk 12W7AE. But considering what is written above, I very much doubt that made a right choice.

I thought the HK sounded better too.

[JustAnotherGuy]

I too was turned off by the sticker of the BO so I opted for the HK. I'm no audiophile but it sounds REALLY good to me.

[Kessler35is]

I had the HK in my previous X5 and now have the B&O.

The main thing I can tell is no matter how you set the EQ you can not over drive the B&O. I can not get it to distort at all. That is a huge plus for me since in the old X5 I could get it to sound dead if I turned the volume up too loud.

You can max the volume on the B&O with out worries.


I would either do a custom audio system or get a B&O after experiencing the 2. So for me I'm happy with the B&O. I didn't buy a $100k car to have it ripped apart and have after market crap installed. I do not need my bolts vibrating loose from the bass. I'm a rocker anyway and don't really listen to rap.

So for Rock music the B&O is real good, if you want your license plate to rattle and buzz on the outside of your X5, maybe you should have just bought an old crown vic and dropped $10k on a audio system.

[stewy604]

+1 for the "insanely high" sticker price on the B&O. I've been pretty happy with the HK system. I could by no means justify paying the extra high cost for the B&O. As said above, that money is better spent with upgrading the H&K system, which will give you better performance.

[Crashnbrn5]

Originally Posted by Overtaxed

I'm an audiophile, I have a listening room with sound dampening and bass trapping in my house. The HK system is noticeably better than stock. The BO system is even better, but the cost is out of this world. You'll get much better than the BO for less money if you take the car to a custom shop and have them install new speakers/amps and a high end subwoofer. For me, the BO system, while nice, is just too much money for what you get, if it was 1500 bucks, I would have gotten it. But 4-5K? For that price, you better have bass that can shake the house when your parked in the garage coupled with incredibly powerful, clean, clear and crisp highs. The BO system has good (not great) highs, but the bass is simply not up to par for that kind of money. You need a big woofer (10-12") and serious power (500-1500 watts) to really shake the earth with a sound system.

If you want the best, get the BO and take it to a custom shop and have them drop a W7 in the back. Or, for a huge step down in price, get the HK system and take that to a custom shop for a W7 install. That'll crush the BO system for visceral experience and most people won't notice the lack of some midrange punch.

Or, if you really want to go all out, get the stock system, take it to a custom shop and have them do it up. New speakers all the way around, amps for everything, and a W7 in the back. Probably 3-5K and I'll absolutely humiliate the BO system.

If you're leasing, the BO makes more sense because you are only paying for 40% of it (where you'd have to pay 100% of a custom install). If you're buying longer term, I'd go custom if you want the best.

Damn, you brought me back to the past with this post. I had the JL 12W7 with the High Output Red and Black custom box in my Maxima, about 10 years ago, connected to the 1000w mono class D JL amp. WOWWW, people thought I had 4 subs in the back, when they saw just 1, their head popped off. lol, You know what I mean, right?

I think the JL 10W7 would be perfect in the X5, especially if its hidden somewhere.

[stewy604]

JL makes some kick a$$ products...I ran two 10W04's back in the day, ah...the memories.

[AGV]

That is how looks H&K speakers on F15
.

Does anyone have similar pictures of B&O speakers on F15?
I have a suspicion that H&K sounds softer, due to the paper speakers, unlike metallic in B&O.