[smlong79]

Hi All,

I've had my 2016 340i for about 3 months now, and I can't figure out if I'm just hearing things or if the audio playback - particularly with an iPod - is really poor in terms of static and distortion. I am very particular about sound and spent my college years installing high-end aftermarket audio systems, so I realize I may have been a bit spoiled, but I honestly expected more from Harman Kardon and BMW even if it is a factory-installed system. The problem is I haven't had a decent component audio system in a car for several years, so I'm not sure now whether the HK system in the 340i is really poor, of if I'm just suddenly hearing all of the static in the digital audio that my last few cars weren't able to reproduce... I don't drive the system very hard (loud).

Has anyone else found the audio system in the 340i to be disappointing with respect to static and distortion? If so, did you find any solutions that made it better or worse? I've been experimenting with using the lightning/USB cable vs. streaming over Bluetooth....doesn't appear to be a big difference. I also haven't noticed much difference when playing back 256kbps files vs. 128kbps.

I read in other posts about the engine sound enhancement also causing some issues, but what I'm hearing in the audio playback doesn't seem to replicate those symptoms.

Anybody?

[Lancelot]

Are you using USB or Aux in with the ipod?
If charging you may get ground loop noise from the charging current through the aux in

[smlong79]

I am using the lightning/USB cable. It is not ground loop noise from charging current, as the static does not vary with engine rpms, etc.

[bri1042]

Does it do it with a CD? I did not have any static when my HK was intact.

[goj]

I love my HK. I'm sure there are better systems but only on the forums will you find people that don't think it's good enough.

Go to the dealer if static continues across all inputs. If not, it's probably your cable/ipod