[Danman5666]

I am looking at some 13 leftovers and wondering how bad the standard sound system is? I currently have the HK system in my 09 E90 - so I'm more or less used to that.

[DesertSmokeBBQ]

I didn't think it was worth it on my '13 328 but got it on my '14 335 and realized I was absolutely wrong. The sound quality is an order of magnitude more superior IMHO and I wouldn't buy another BMW without it.

[Roki_014]

I love hk but you can hear it outside a lot which just shows the poor build quality of the whole car

[carzaddict]

obviously the HK is going to be much better. but the standard system really isnt that bad. just dont crank it all the way up

[focal]

standard HiFi in the US is acceptable, but the HK is definitely better. It's main weakness is lack of amp power. at low levels the standard is fine, but after a little louder distortion starts. I have the standard system and will be adding aftermarket gear. it will be better than HK I hope, but I'm spending a lot more than the HK option. My goals and preferences for sound systems are something HK doesn't give so I didn't mind getting the standard system since upgrading was in the plans.

if the deals are so good on the '13, it's a system that you could tolerate. your personal preferences for tech and options is for you to decide. 3-4 years on a lease is a long time to not be happy and if you're buying, 5-8 years is even harder if the sound system is a high priority option.

[drexplode]

i have an E90 with hi-fi (non-HK) and it's decent. No complaints but willorder HK on my F30, no question.

[bosjt]

You should really test drive the car and try it with your own music over the interfaces available in the car (USB, BT, etc.).

I test drove a MY2014 328d with (USA) stock sound system and played some songs from my iPhone through it. My hearing has become lousy, but I used to be an audiophile. Generally the F30 stock sound was good but I did find in more than one song that the bass sounded unnatural at certain points in the song. My conclusion was that the stock sound doesn't do so well at the low end and this may have been for a number of reasons including not having the Tech Package on the car (better USB/BT interface??) or general design issues in the F30, as some have reported.

At the dealership I got into a 640i that had the HK and the same songs were certainly better sounding in this car. So I elected to go with the HK for my 328d. I'll know more in a weeks time when I pick it up.

I think in the USA there is only stock or HK but I read some European posts where it seems there are 3 options, stock, hifi, HK... is that true? In those posts the lowest "stock" option was rated very badly and I should say that the stock hifi in the USA F30 is rather good, except for the bass reproduction in certain songs.

[Tommy_hf]

Well it's better than standard used to be in the mid 2000's. But if you are referring to the base 6 sp stereo, it lacks clarity.

There are some cheap options to improve sound quality a LOT if you're not into thumping the hood though.

1. Alpine upgrade which adds 6 ch amp, replaces front midranges and add tweeters in the doors.

2. Bavsound stage 1 which replaces front and rear door speakers and adds tweeters up front. It runs from the standard radio.

3. Rainbow IC4L2 compo up front and the rear door speakers, using OEM trim for the front tweeter. (similar idea as bavsound but a lot cheaper)

If you do need the extra power:
4. Jehnert pack which replaces the 6.5 inch subs and puts in their 8 inch, new mids in front doors and adds tweeters, this setup needs some wiring though and the amp needs to be at least 2x120W RMS at 4 ohms.

[Kafkaesque328]

Guess it all depends what you came from. Coming from Volkswagen, I assure you that the base audio in my 320 is better even than their 'dynaudio'. The 'premium 8' system I had in my GTI was pretty terrible. I added an aftermarket sub which helped a little but still didnt touch my base, HK stereo. If I had ordered a 328 though I would have personally ordered the HK as a standalone option.

[chetman7]

My previous Lancer had a rockford fosfate system oem, my hyundai genesis had an infinity system, and bmw 435 has the H&K.
I felt like the infinity system in my genesis was superior, but it was close

I had a 320i loaner w base stereo and I was appalled by the sound quality. It was a huge difference, I felt like I was in a 10 year old car. I'm not a audiophile either and I'm usually not picky

[Kauro]

I hate the standard sound system, should've went with HK. If you listen to a lot of hip hop or EDM, you would hear rattles on the door and outside.

My old Lexus "standard" was one of the best standard system I ever had.

[Tim@codemybimmer]

My take on this:

Came from a '07 Infiniti G35 with BOSE Studio on Wheels 10-speaker system. That system sounded pretty decent, covered the highs, mids and lows quite well. Though it wasn't a bass-heavy system, which was fine.

One of the salespeople I met with told me the standard hi-fi is just fine and the Harmon Kardon isn't "worth" the extra money (Executive Package on 328), Test drove the F30 and the X1 (was comparing at the time) with the standard hi-fi system, it was okay, but it definitely lacked clarity in the highs in my opinion.

Then I went to another dealer and took one of their cars for an overnight test drive (the very one I bought). Man did the Harmon Kardon make a difference. Was way better than the standard system, and was bit better than the BOSE I had in the Infiniti. Covered the lows really well as well as keeping the sound crisp and clear!

Definitely would only get it with the Harmon Kardon if I had to do it again. Also given, I usually find a car optioned with the optional "upgraded" sound.

[ipp]

Originally Posted by bosjt

I think in the USA there is only stock or HK but I read some European posts where it seems there are 3 options, stock, hifi, HK... is that true? In those posts the lowest "stock" option was rated very badly and I should say that the stock hifi in the USA F30 is rather good, except for the bass reproduction in certain songs.

The US "standard" is the HIFI. In europe there is a step below your stock system.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

I love hk but you can hear it outside a lot which just shows the poor build quality of the whole car

It's not poor build quality. It was a decision to utilize less sound deadening to keep the overall weight down. If you want tomb-like isolation buy a 5er or a Lexus.

The standard system is fine. Adding some Dynamat or similar would make it sound better for sure. This is very subjective - you need to verify for yourself.

[focal]

Most premium sound systems in cars and what many people perceive as good sound is a strong bass line and clear treble. Explains the popularity of Bose systems at home. A good system is hard to explain in words but mid bass is usually better than the standard and HK system.

If you can get hk it will please most customers. Even I could live with it but I know what a good system should sound like.

[jkoertge]

I'm old so most music sounds like noise to me. I pretty much only use the stereo to listen to books in my commute.

I got the basic sound and I'm sure it'll be better than anything I've had before.

[martyg]

The standard sound system is really good IMHO.

If only is suppressed all the F30's rattles, then the music would sound great!

[300hp]

Someone here said something I absolutely agree with, the F30 doors are not padded well enough. I fear you could go all out with a nicer setup (eg aftermarket) but if you don't take care of the padding you will end up with poor sound. I have the base Audio and I will not make any excuses for that system, it's bad. There is really no other way to describe it

[AweSam8]

I honestly could not tell a big difference when I tested out both systems (HK vs HiFi), but when I got into my previous (before I bought my f30)---my Mazdaspeed's base system sounded better to me.

[snowghost]

I got the HK and kept forgetting the car will play DVDs, so I popped in Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle" 5.1 surround. IIRC its from the 8-Track Quad master.

It sounded pretty darn nice. I couldn't imagine not having the HK.

I'm a musician (piano and electric bass) and somewhat of an audiophile. My brother is a well known jazz guitarist, far better than me in playing and his ear. The basic stereo in his E46 is fine for him. So I would audition both--just don't listen to Sirius LOL

[btinl]

I had premium sound in my e90. I have the standard system in my f30. I honestly don't notice much of a difference. I'm satisfied with the standard system.

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by snowghost

I got the HK and kept forgetting the car will play DVDs, so I popped in Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle" 5.1 surround. IIRC its from the 8-Track Quad master.

It sounded pretty darn nice. I couldn't imagine not having the HK.

I'm a musician (piano and electric bass) and somewhat of an audiophile. My brother is a well known jazz guitarist, far better than me in playing and his ear. The basic stereo in his E46 is fine for him. So I would audition both--just don't listen to Sirius LOL

Who is your brother? I was a professional touring bassist for many years, major tours for indie and major label acts, have a handful of recording credits, a few for Geffen and Interscope, etc. Have been in the industry in LA since '99 and have a master's in jazz studies. Just curious as I may have heard of him.