Premium sound

[jo-e90]

Does this have premium sound? Is there really that big of a difference.
http://pictures.dealer.com/searsimportedautosinc/8ebddcf94046381e00450fe6be495035.jpghttp://pictures.dealer.com/searsimportedautosinc/8ebddcf94046381e00450fe6be495035.jpg

[Rob V]

If you notice the top left of the radio is says "BMW Business CD" so that's not the premium radio. from what I've heard though, it doesn't make a big difference.

[LMC]

If you notice the top left of the radio is says "BMW Business CD" so that's not the premium radio.

I disagree. All US X3s (without Navigation) have the BMW Business CD unit. The premium audio upgrades the amps and speakers, but not the head unit.

So, my response to jo-e90 is that you can't tell from that photo if the vehicle has premium sound or not.

[AzNMpower32]

The change isn't vast; you get upgraded amp and speakers. It's nowhere near as good as the Logic7 offered on newer BMWs.

All US BMWs get a standard upgrade from the standard audio (hence, "Business CD"). You can't tell based on the headunit alone. Ditto for the E90-93, except they get Professional CD as standard.

[smellthebeans]

If you notice the top left of the radio is says "BMW Business CD" so that's not the premium radio. from what I've heard though, it doesn't make a big difference.

Yes....its very....ummm well, quite "business" like :eek::thumbdwn: Like staying at Court Yard Marriott...clean, nice, decent beds...but certainly not like a regular Marriott.

BSW is developing an upgrade.

[Skottoman]

We just got the standard US sound system. Coming from a MINI cooper, I feel it has a good sound. I would like more 'rear fill', and adjusting the fader to the rear is somewhat effective. Although the rear needs more power to really sound full.

Cheers,
Skottoman

[Evlengr]

For those of you looking for better sound quality even the premium sound system does not meet "Mid-Fi" sound standards. The four inch speakers they supply with the mid-bass speakers under the seat miss a lot of the audio spectrum. You can actually see major gaps when running a scope.

One option is to replace the amp (you can leave the old on in place, there is plenty of room to install another) and replace the speakers. This way you can keep the look of the head unit and maintain the symetry of the console. Then, replace the speakers (make it very clear to the installer not to tear the "Vapor Barrier". Mine just shelled out $340.50 to fix that mistake). PS --I am normally a hands on guy with electronics, but a lot of insurance companies require a "Professional Installer" to do the work or they won't insure it for theft and damage.

If you have any questions I can fill you in on options and some of the mistakes I made along the way. IMO if you love to roll down the windows and listen to Rachmoninoff or RUSH while cruising down a mountain road with the windows open, an upgrade is a must.

[Rob V]

I stand corrected regarding what I said about the "BMW Business CD" designation on the head unit. I know...I'm a looser...:(

[Evlengr]

Nahhhh you live in one of my favorite places. How is the snow today?

[smellthebeans]

For those of you looking for better sound quality even the premium sound system does not meet "Mid-Fi" sound standards. The four inch speakers they supply with the mid-bass speakers under the seat miss a lot of the audio spectrum. You can actually see major gaps when running a scope.

One option is to replace the amp (you can leave the old on in place, there is plenty of room to install another) and replace the speakers. This way you can keep the look of the head unit and maintain the symetry of the console. Then, replace the speakers (make it very clear to the installer not to tear the "Vapor Barrier". Mine just shelled out $340.50 to fix that mistake). PS --I am normally a hands on guy with electronics, but a lot of insurance companies require a "Professional Installer" to do the work or they won't insure it for theft and damage.

If you have any questions I can fill you in on options and some of the mistakes I made along the way. IMO if you love to roll down the windows and listen to Rachmoninoff or RUSH while cruising down a mountain road with the windows open, an upgrade is a must.

What amp & sub woofer (size?) combination did you use?
The vapor barrier? Is that a heavy plastic type sheet that lays under the speaker?

[Rob V]

Nahhhh you live in one of my favorite places. How is the snow today?

Nasty! There was sleet and light snow all day yesterday and it froze over through the night. One of those morning where I trully appreciated having having my X. Even with tires at the wear bars it wasn't fazed at all.

[Evlengr]

What amp & sub woofer (size?) combination did you use?
The vapor barrier? Is that a heavy plastic type sheet that lays under the speaker?

I used two Alpine amps. The speakers in X3's are tricky because of very shallow depth. The Infinity Kappa 4.2 series fit in the doors nicely. I use a conventionals sub atm, but plan on using the new Pioneer shallow mount 8" under the seats after BMWNA and I work some things out (hopefully). A conventional Pioneer Premiere HU was mounted. You can use an adaptor to keep standard HU --check crutchfield. They wont know squat about speaker sizing no one does, but my installation recommendations are accurate I have the Infinity's mounted in doors and the subs were measured thoroughly.

GL and PM if you need more.:thumbup:



The vapor barrier is a simple poly-propylene barrier on door to keep out water that may trickle in during heavy rains. If it is torn --why BMW makes their vehicles so fragile to depend on such a minor piece rather than engineer weep holes to drain water away is beyond me.

[AzNMpower32]

I'm having the front speakers replaced in my X3 this weekend, with fairly basic Alpine speakers. To make it better, it was on clearance at just $50/pair. I can't wait to hear the improvement.

[Evlengr]

STB the unit in questions that will improve your sound, allow you to keep the original HU, and add amps is the Alpine PXE-H650. It's pricey and should be installed by a someone with technical chops, but will make a world of difference while allowing you to maintain the standard HU and surface appearance. http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PXE-H650.

Bonus plan btw the Alpine Amps I used are on sale: for $150 in Crutchfield.

[smellthebeans]

Wow...what a brilliant idea a digital signal processor!

Sample interior sound
Digitally sample signal output (HU Output)
Adjust output to optimize listening pleasure

[Evlengr]

Thanks--Fosgate and JL make one, but the technical specs of the Alpine are much better.

I am betting it uses a pink noise sampler/generator, which is essentially an even tone across all frequencies. Bottom line is it customizes to the interior or your vehicle.

I used to use something similar to these when I ran sound for bands at constant different locations. It takes the guess work out of calibration, and leaves the fine tuning or tweakng up to the end user.

I think I may incorporate this into my wife's car.

Good Luck and let me know if you need some help.

[jo-e90]

How can you tell if an X3 on the lot/pictures has the Premium stereo?

[AzNMpower32]

Geez, chill. Hit the tone button to scroll thru the settings. Premium sound has DSP concert hall or similar settings. If the vehicle doesn't have premium sound, then it will not have DSP.

Premium sound was a fairly rare option, not that common.

[Evlengr]

And their dsp settings are not DSP, but EQ'd effects.

[mkaresh]

Geez, chill. Hit the tone button to scroll thru the settings. Premium sound has DSP concert hall or similar settings. If the vehicle doesn't have premium sound, then it will not have DSP.

Premium sound was a fairly rare option, not that common.

How many owners went and checked after reading this post...good info.

I've heard of a couple of cases where the wrong system was installed in a BMW at the factory. So even the window sticker isn't necessarily proof.

[Andrew*Debbie]

Premium sound was a fairly rare option, not that common.


+1 When we were shopping options for our X3 we couldn't find an X3 on a dealer lot that premium sound.

[LMC]

I _may_ have another way to tell...

The base system in the USA (the BMW Hi-Fi system) has 8 speakers:
-- Four in the front doors: 2 mids and 2 tweeters
-- Two in the rear doors: 2 mids
-- Two subwoofers under the seats

The premium system in the USA has upgraded speakers at all positions, but also has tweeters in the rear doors, for a total of 10 speakers.

So -- a premium audio system X3 should have two speakers in each rear door. Can you easily see the extra small speaker? I do not know, but worth a quick glance anyway.
:dunno:

]How can you tell if an X3 on the lot/pictures has the Premium stereo?