New X5M

[spatelll]

Hi guys!
Just ordered a 2016 X5M in Donington Grey Metallic with the Mugello Full Leather Interior.
Packages are Executive and Drivers Assistance +
It's set to build next week sometime so hopefully will be here by the end of the month!
Just a question: do any of you regret going with the base Harmon Kardon audio system?

I am so excited for this car!

[onfireX5]

I love HK. Congrats on the best sub/sav on the planet.

[JM71]

I have heard both and can't tell much difference but my ears suck. From an aesthetic standpoint, I think the HK looks better as the B&O system overwhelms the cabin with too much aluminum.

[Payton3485]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club! I think you're good either way in terms of the sound system. I went with B&O and love the sound. It looks great in the cabin as well. Enjoy!

[theseeker]

Originally Posted by Payton3485

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club! I think you're good either way in terms of the sound system. I went with B&O and love the sound. It looks great in the cabin as well. Enjoy!

+1

[Luca42]

Welcome to the club! You picked an awesome ride. Can't wait to hear your impressions. I am so pleased every day that I chose this car!

I went with B&O and do not regret it for a moment. Either way, you will be happy. HK is a solid system and unless you are a confirmed audiophile, you will not notice the difference. I do think the HK provides a better bass response, if that is your preference. B&O will provide amazing highs and an amazingly clear soundstage.

[GoGetGriff]

You can most DEFINITELY tell the difference between the two. But the HK is still great. The B&O is just perfection but I feel that when I get a new car after the X6M nothing could compare. Then I would be sad.

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by GoGetGriff

You can most DEFINITELY tell the difference between the two. But the HK is still great. The B&O is just perfection but I feel that when I get a new car after the X6M nothing could compare. Then I would be sad.

Agreed, there is a difference. But not of the magnitude that the OP would regret it. It's not like one is a 2017 65" 4K OLED HD tv and you're comparing to a 1963 black & white 8" Philco monitor. There the difference is noticeable.

I love my B&O but if I'd never heard it, I'm sure I would love the HK. It's a great system.

[AwesomeM3]

Congrats on your order, I have the same color combination. I went with the HK. I couldn't justify spending the money for the B&O, my car isn't my living room/home theater system. I spent the money on the Dinan Stage 1 instead!

[GoGetGriff]

Originally Posted by Luca42

Agreed, there is a difference. But not of the magnitude that the OP would regret it. It's not like one is a 2017 65" 4K OLED HD tv and you're comparing to a 1963 black & white 8" Philco monitor. There the difference is noticeable.

I love my B&O but if I'd never heard it, I'm sure I would love the HK. It's a great system.

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

[Ash777]

I would say it depends on the price. I'm a bit of an audiophile and think the HK is good. But it could be much better and from what I've heard the B&O would do it. However its an exorbitantly priced option in my country compared to the US. If I was being asked to pay the US price for it I would have optioned it in.

[Payton3485]

I'll add one more comment about B&O. If you're debating on whether to get it or not, get it. The difference in monthly payments with B&O added is negligible and in the end you'll continue to wonder what it would be like to have it instead of the Harmon Kardon system. Good luck and enjoy!

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by JM71

I have heard both and can't tell much difference but my ears suck. From an aesthetic standpoint, I think the HK looks better as the B&O system overwhelms the cabin with too much aluminum.

I had it on my 50i. The sound was good. I didn't mind the looks of it but when the sun reflected off the pop up speaker it would blind me. At times the cabin was like a kaleidoscope. The M I grabbed off the lot has the HK. I do hear the difference but I don't think it's night and day.

[jcfay]

I have the B&O and I love it. But I end up just listening to the exhaust at least half of the time now that I've gotten rid of ASD.

[Coelho]

Originally Posted by JM71

I have heard both and can't tell much difference but my ears suck. From an aesthetic standpoint, I think the HK looks better as the B&O system overwhelms the cabin with too much aluminum.

Totally agree.

[Coelho]

B&O is not worth $3700 over the HK. Is it better? Yes. Is it $3700 better? No. For me, not having all the light reflecting stuff in the cabin was more important.

[JNoSol]

Congrats.

I have B&O. My brother's X5 has HK that is now broken in (yes, speakers take time to break in). The difference is very hard to detect when listening to AUX, BT, or Sat Radio. When listening a CD, my ears picked up B&O to have sharper and more accurate sound. Every single instrument sounds clearer, very crisp.

The conclusion is if you're not an audiphile and don't listen to dense audio source, there's no need for B&O. It does look cool for awhile when the speakers pop up, after a while you forget it's even there.

Save the $3,700 for nice stereo for the home.

[jcfay]

I'm just reposting again to see how many responses we can get to this single question Agree with what's been said. Unless you're a music maniac like I am, and I really only listen to lossless music, then I'm sure you'll be totally happy with the HK system. And even with the HK, you'd probably just be wondering "I wonder how much better this can sound" when the HK is sounding awesome anyway. Enjoy the new ride!

[Coelho]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Congrats.

I have B&O. My brother's X5 has HK that is now broken in (yes, speakers take time to break in). The difference is very hard to detect when listening to AUX, BT, or Sat Radio. When listening a CD, my ears picked up B&O to have sharper and more accurate sound. Every single instrument sounds clearer, very crisp.

The conclusion is if you're not an audiphile and don't listen to dense audio source, there's no need for B&O. It does look cool for awhile when the speakers pop up, after a while you forget it's even there.

Save the $3,700 for nice stereo for the home.

What he said!

[jpsjr70]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Congrats on your order, I have the same color combination. I went with the HK. I couldn't justify spending the money for the B&O, my car isn't my living room/home theater system. I spent the money on the Dinan Stage 1 instead!

Totally Agree! HK works awesome and is more than enough in our cars.

Joe

[UrbanExtant]

My X5 M, with Bang & Olufsen sound system in it, is in for service right now. A speaker went, and they are chamfering the brake pads to remove the squeal. They opened a PUMA case for the brakes, since there is an SIB for non-M cars for this issue, and they needed an SIB created for M cars.

The loaner vehicle, an X5 eDrive, I have has the HK system in it. While it sounds nice, it is in nowhere near the category of the B&O system in my X5 M. Everything sounds compressed together, and, to be honest, muddled, and overpowered by too much booming bass. There is a clarity that the B&O system provides that is utterly astounding.

For me, I have a test song I play in every single vehicle I'm considering buying, it's Inca Son's, "Virgenes Del Sol", from their Canto A La Libertad album. I turn the song up a good bit, close my eyes, and listen. On the B&O system, I can hear the strings being plucked on the instruments, the air from the artists' mouths being blown into the flutes, bows being pulled across the strings of instruments, etc., it us utterly mind numbing to be able to hear that in a sound system. One simply does not get anywhere near that on the HK system. The sound is adequate, but nowhere near as clear, distinct, and wonderfully satisfying as on the B&O system.

[Coelho]

Originally Posted by UrbanExtant

The loaner vehicle, an X5 eDrive, I have has the HK system in it. While it sounds nice, it is in nowhere near the category of the B&O system in my X5 M. Everything sounds compressed together, and, to be honest, muddled, and overpowered by too much booming bass. There is a clarity that the B&O system provides that is utterly astounding.

Are you sure it is not the settings/EQ? I have the HK in my X5M and the bass is not muddy or booming at all...

In fact, I test drove a brand new M5 with the BO that made me opt for NOT having it in the X5M. Couldn't justify the price. IMO 60% of the price is design/looks and 30% a more powerful amp. Sound quality might be 10% better.