10-07-2015, 12:29 PM | #1 |
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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 |
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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.
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10-07-2015, 01:57 PM | #3 | |
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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.
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10-07-2015, 06:39 PM | #4 |
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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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10-07-2015, 09:23 PM | #5 | |
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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 |
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10-07-2015, 11:36 PM | #6 | |
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EDIT. In this case, it is 100% worth it if you want my two cents |
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10-08-2015, 12:00 AM | #7 |
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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, 12:45 AM | #8 |
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Thanks everyone for you input. Very helpful and appreciated...!
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10-08-2015, 03:08 AM | #9 |
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10-08-2015, 08:18 AM | #10 | |
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oh well, on second thought, I guess there's always a market for everything.... |
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10-08-2015, 08:41 AM | #11 |
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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.
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10-08-2015, 08:45 AM | #12 | |
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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
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10-08-2015, 08:49 AM | #13 |
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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 |
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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).
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10-08-2015, 10:41 AM | #16 | |
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If I could stomach the budget, I would have ordered it. |
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10-08-2015, 07:59 PM | #17 |
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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 |
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Obviously a YT video is not the best way to gauge audio quality, but it's something..
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10-08-2015, 09:11 PM | #19 | |
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10-08-2015, 09:25 PM | #20 |
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I'm right there with you. My wife likes to get those books on tape for our kids.
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10-08-2015, 10:59 PM | #21 |
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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 |
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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.
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