Premium Sound

I've found an X5 that has all the options I'm looking for, except it doesn't have premium sound. How much better is premium sound?

It's not. Marginal improvement at best.

I would disagree. If you make the right adjustments to the equilizer on the Premium sound system, the audio is fantastic. Deep base, clear/crisp treble - sounds like "you're there" if you know what I mean. The base sound system is "tinny" and relatively empty sounding by comparison (we only used it on the test drive and I did my best to adjust it, but it wasn't in the same league as the Premium system.)

Premium sound is not worth it. Go with individual sound pkg

^^^ well that doesn't help the op, does it?

Originally Posted by weingarm

I would disagree. If you make the right adjustments to the equilizer on the Premium sound system, the audio is fantastic. Deep base, clear/crisp treble - sounds like "you're there" if you know what I mean. The base sound system is "tinny" and relatively empty sounding by comparison (we only used it on the test drive and I did my best to adjust it, but it wasn't in the same league as the Premium system.)

Weingarm: Will you please share photos of your equalizer and treble / base settings?

Originally Posted by ard

^^^ well that doesn't help the op, does it?

Haha no not really. I have premium sound because I wanted Sirius. Premium sound does sound better when the EQ is adjusted; however voices do not come through very loud (talk radio, etc) and I find myself turning it way up. I would get standard sound if I did it again and just get patryk to activate Sirius.

Originally Posted by Kar Don

Haha no not really. I have premium sound because I wanted Sirius. Premium sound does sound better when the EQ is adjusted; however voices do not come through very loud (talk radio, etc) and I find myself turning it way up. I would get standard sound if I did it again and just get patryk to activate Sirius.

Exactly what I did. I spent almost an hour listening to both systems before ordering my car last year. The markup really wasn't worth it because the prem. sound just isn't good. It's louder and has more mid, but it's not worth the extra cash.

If I had known about the Individual Sound Package when I ordered, I probably would have custom ordered it.

Originally Posted by MrX5Jr

I've found an X5 that has all the options I'm looking for, except it doesn't have premium sound. How much better is premium sound?

"Better" is subjective and inconclusive as a means of judging each individual system (evidence lies in the different posts above).

Best advice, is to go to the dealership, find two identical E70s (with the base and premium sound) and sit down, listen to the media sources (ipod, sirius, regular, or HD) and make a decision if its worth it.


Questions whose answers might help you:
What systems are you accustomed to in your prior vehicles? ( Mark levinson, ELS, BOSE, harmon kardon, JBL, Pioneer, Sony)

Are you the type of person who invests in creating the ideal sound stage at home or not? (ex: do you purchase 5.1 system and then a audiometer and individually tune each speaker)

Lastly, BMW historically have been focused on the driving performance, aural pleasure is at the very end of the Hofmeister kink. Theyre trying now (with the partnership with Bang & Olufsen), however that wont render any benfits till the next generation (2014 F15) X5. The closest at the present moment to that, would be the individual sound (which requires the purchase of premium sound, plus the individual sound package).

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

The closest at the present moment to that, would be the individual sound (which requires the purchase of premium sound, plus the individual sound package).

Good Luck!

That is incorrect.

Individual sound is a different code and you do not order ZPS.

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

"Better" is subjective and inconclusive as a means of judging each individual system (evidence lies in the different posts above).

Best advice, is to go to the dealership, find two identical E70s (with the base and premium sound) and sit down, listen to the media sources (ipod, sirius, regular, or HD) and make a decision if its worth it.


Questions whose answers might help you:
What systems are you accustomed to in your prior vehicles? ( Mark levinson, ELS, BOSE, harmon kardon, JBL, Pioneer, Sony)

Are you the type of person who invests in creating the ideal sound stage at home or not? (ex: do you purchase 5.1 system and then a audiometer and individually tune each speaker)

Lastly, BMW historically have been focused on the driving performance, aural pleasure is at the very end of the Hofmeister kink. Theyre trying now (with the partnership with Bang & Olufsen), however that wont render any benfits till the next generation (2014 F15) X5. The closest at the present moment to that, would be the individual sound (which requires the purchase of premium sound, plus the individual sound package).

Good Luck!

The premium you pay for the B&O systems in the Audi & Jag models has been...EXCESSIVE (e.g. $5K upgrade costs) so you can pretty much expect that option in the BMW line will likely be inline...equally un-affordable.

I AM one of those 7.2 guys (7 speakers + 2 subs) in my Home Theater and I DID specifically go out and bought a SPL meter simply for the subs measurements & have a tuner that can customize each speaker individually based on input from a centrally-positioned mic but even I would not pay those overly-excessive prices for the B&O systems so I would not wait for the same to show up on the next X5 iteration.

My prior '06 750Li had the Logic 7 surround sound system and the rear entertainment option. That system flat out ROCKED for movies and did fairly well for classical and other music. There were "non-music" fans who wanted more bass on the 7-series forums and they basically ruined good logic 7 systems playing crap...er, I mean rap. The Premium system in my current X5 is good enough to warrant an extra $1K over the base system but that's about it. I got it simply because it was on the vehicle I was looking at that was on the lot. If I had ordered instead, I would have spent those $'s on other options (like Ventilated seats &/or Cold air package)

Originally Posted by Kar Don

That is incorrect.

Individual sound is a different code and you do not order ZPS.

Thanks for the correction.

I believe the Codes for the individual audio system (has to be specially ordered) are
752 EPS (enhanced premium sound). (I read that you have to add 655 for sat radio).

The price as of a poster back in 2011 was around $2100, so prices could be more or less (unlikely).

Good lucks

Premium sound IS WAY different than the standard. Are you kidding me? Those people who are saying it's not must not have heard both or have not adjusted their eq's / surround settings on the premium audio package.

I would have never bought an x5 without it. the standard system is absolute garbage to any true audiophile.

Originally Posted by skunkd

the standard system is absolute garbage to any true audiophile.

Unfortunately, the same is true about the premium. It *may* sound better to some people, but to me it was totally not worth the expense. I agree with those true audiophiles that do not recommend premium sound (and my home *stereo* is worth half of my X5). Again, individual taste will vary, so OP - check for yourself to avoid regrets later.

Year of the vehicle matters as well. The 2011s were cost cut and got the base audio system, which is terrible.

Originally Posted by bxmxwx

Unfortunately, the same is true about the premium. It *may* sound better to some people, but to me it was totally not worth the expense. I agree with those true audiophiles that do not recommend premium sound (and my home *stereo* is worth half of my X5). Again, individual taste will vary, so OP - check for yourself to avoid regrets later.

I have a fairly high caliber system at home as well and I share the same sentiment.

Originally Posted by ND40oz

Year of the vehicle matters as well. The 2011s were cost cut and got the base audio system, which is terrible.

I have a 2011 with the hifi (base) system, and it actually doesn't sound that bad. Sure the bass extension isn't flat to 20hz, but the highs are very controlled and it's easy on the ears. Most of the after market speakers are far too bright once you're accustomed to an acoustically treated environment at home.

Yes I'm talking about the 2012+ Base audio system that I feel sounds good.

Premium Sound was a no brainier for me when I was ordering mine. Especially since the dropped the price to $950 for 13.

Then I did extensive listening to both systems. To put it mildly, I was underwhelmed by Premium Sound. I have to join the ranks of those audiophiles that do not recommend it. I was big into audio back in my day, even had a car stereo shop. Was a Dynaudio, McIntosh, Focal dealer. The standard system in the X5 has been recently upgraded. It sounds better to me than Premium. Premium has more Boom and the highs are harsher. The bass in the standard system is tighter and the overall balance is better. Played around with the eq settings on premium too.

Originally Posted by z51vette

Was a Dynaudio, McIntosh, Focal dealer.

Not to thread-drift too badly, but as an old audiophile myself, I loved my MC2300 amp. Back when we used amps, preamps, separate radio tuners, etc.

I loved those big blue dials. I miss my hearing too.

Originally Posted by astrohip

Not to thread-drift too badly, but as an old audiophile myself, I loved my MC2300 amp. Back when we used amps, preamps, separate radio tuners, etc.

I loved those big blue dials. I miss my hearing too.

I'm still running a processor and seperate power amp at home. It's not quite Macintosh quality though