[viperdriver5150]

So people out there with the standard stereo, how bad is it?

Also, for media playback from USB is it standard A or USB-C? I was going to add a bunch of new music for my delivery this weekend and wanted to have the right stuff.

[jpcoop]

USB-A by the cupholders and USB-C in the center.

I have the HK system (which sounds great) so I can't comment on the stereo.

[yanks1]

jpcoop.. good to hear on HK audio. I owned a 2018 230i but without HK that I regretted afterwards. I heard this one is improved a bit; do you have any reference from prior HK set-up w/recent BMW??

[Lightngsvt]

Comparing the base audio in my wifes X5 to the HK in my F30 (I know very different cabins), I'm planning to at least upgrade the speakers in my M240 if/when it arrives.

[wk240i]

Originally Posted by yanks1

jpcoop.. good to hear on HK audio. I owned a 2018 230i but without HK that I regretted afterwards. I heard this one is improved a bit; do you have any reference from prior HK set-up w/recent BMW??

I have HK in my 2016 228i, and I've been happy with it. Compared to the base hifi system I heard at the time (in loaners), it is a notable improvement to my ears, though not exactly state-of-the-art.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by Lightngsvt

Comparing the base audio in my wifes X5 to the HK in my F30 (I know very different cabins), I'm planning to at least upgrade the speakers in my M240 if/when it arrives.

agreed. this definitely seems like an upgrade I would consider for my Hi-Fi speakers. I am not enough of an audiophile to want to spend the extra for the HK and figured I would rather spend that on a better exhaust.

[jpcoop]

Originally Posted by yanks1

jpcoop.. good to hear on HK audio. I owned a 2018 230i but without HK that I regretted afterwards. I heard this one is improved a bit; do you have any reference from prior HK set-up w/recent BMW??

I unfortunately do not… my 2018 230i also didn’t have it. The standard system in that car sounded like garbage, to the point where I was taking my car apart a week after I bought it to put in better speakers. The HK in this car is at least good enough I don’t feel the immediate urge to take it apart and replace it.

[yanks1]

ok thanks jpcoop, I am an audio buff and hope the $875 is worth it.. Regardless, has to be better than the poor base audio system

[jay73]

Can you stream music from your phone using the standard stereo?

[Lightngsvt]

I don't believe it has anything to do with the Drive version, it's just the audio output portion of the system. My wife cr has the base but is still the latest version of Drive so wireless apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity/streaming, etc all work the same as any car with HK.