HiFi Reviews?

[Jays1stM]

I've spent a couple days searching the forum on this topic and I don't want to boil anyone's blood.

That being said, have any of you come across an actual review of the base system in the M3? My local dealers suck and don't have any M cars anyway, so I don't have the opportunity to listen to either one. I understand the EPS is better, as it should be. But I didn't order it and I had to make a decision in the blind on this option. This M is also my first BMW so I don't have any context with the brand.

It 's probably not too late to add the option since my VIN isn't assigned yet but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. I'm really just looking for an evaluation of the HiFi system on it's own merit, not a comparison to the EPS. Obviously, the 2k price matters to me since I'm trying to keep the total cost down to my budget. That particular option fell bellow my cutoff line initially but I don't want any regrets for prioritizing it too low.

Sorry I got tired of all the searching and finally had to ask the question! Thanks for the help!

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Jays1stM

I've spent a couple days searching the forum on this topic and I don't want to boil anyone's blood.

That being said, have any of you come across an actual review of the base system in the M3? My local dealers suck and don't have any M cars anyway, so I don't have the opportunity to listen to either one. I understand the EPS is better, as it should be. But I didn't order it and I had to make a decision in the blind on this option. This M is also my first BMW so I don't have any context with the brand.

It 's probably not too late to add the option since my VIN isn't assigned yet but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. I'm really just looking for an evaluation of the HiFi system on it's own merit, not a comparison to the EPS. Obviously, the 2k price matters to me since I'm trying to keep the total cost down to my budget. That particular option fell bellow my cutoff line initially but I don't want any regrets for prioritizing it too low.

Sorry I got tired of all the searching and finally had to ask the question! Thanks for the help!

You know its not that bad...Its not as good as the Logic7 sound system in the non M 3 series but its not that bad.

You do get the tweeters in the front door sails along with the subwoofers in under the seats. The 2010+ M3s lose the rear tweeters in the back seats, but I don't feel this is an issue as highs are directional while bass under 100-150hz is non directional so all in all its not bad. I wouldn't spend $2k for the EPS as most of the time in my M3 I'm listening to the engine/exhaust note as my engine combination sounds devine.

Dave

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Jays1stM

I've spent a couple days searching the forum on this topic and I don't want to boil anyone's blood.

That being said, have any of you come across an actual review of the base system in the M3? My local dealers suck and don't have any M cars anyway, so I don't have the opportunity to listen to either one. I understand the EPS is better, as it should be. But I didn't order it and I had to make a decision in the blind on this option. This M is also my first BMW so I don't have any context with the brand.

It 's probably not too late to add the option since my VIN isn't assigned yet but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. I'm really just looking for an evaluation of the HiFi system on it's own merit, not a comparison to the EPS. Obviously, the 2k price matters to me since I'm trying to keep the total cost down to my budget. That particular option fell bellow my cutoff line initially but I don't want any regrets for prioritizing it too low.

Sorry I got tired of all the searching and finally had to ask the question! Thanks for the help!

As an OEM sound system the HiFi sounds quite good within its limits. The best part is that it is the easiest to upgrade; it could surpass the EPS sound quality depending of the equipment used for less of its cost.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

You know its not that bad...Its not as good as the Logic7 sound system in the non M 3 series but its not that bad.

You think the M3 EPS doesn't sound as good as the upgrade/Harman Kardon system in a regular 3er? Logic7 is no longer available.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SamS

You think the M3 EPS doesn't sound as good as the upgrade/Harman Kardon system in a regular 3er? Logic7 is no longer available.

Harman Kardon = Logic7 system

Only the name was changed, although it looks like 2 speakers are also missing.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Technic

Harman Kardon = Logic7 system

Only the name was changed, although it looks like 2 speakers are also missing.

Yeah, I knew HK replaced Logic7, but it was a pretty substantial change IIRC. Didn't the center speaker go missing? Logic7 is a specific kind of processing that utilizes a center speaker, so I'm sure they had to redo the EQ and processing when they changed it over to H/K.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SamS

Yeah, I knew HK replaced Logic7, but it was a pretty substantial change IIRC. Didn't the center speaker go missing? Logic7 is a specific kind of processing that utilizes a center speaker, so I'm sure they had to redo the EQ and processing when they changed it over to H/K.

P/N-wise it is the exact system (including the Logic7 processing) except that two rear speakers are missing.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Technic

P/N-wise it is the exact system (including the Logic7 processing) except that two rear speakers are missing.

H/K has a center speaker? I sat in my friend's 2011 E90 with H/K, but I've forgotten. It sounded OK. Much better than his 2010 E90 with the base system!

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SamS

H/K has a center speaker? I sat in my friend's 2011 E90 with H/K, but I've forgotten. It sounded OK. Much better than his 2010 E90 with the base system!

Yes, all Top HiFi systems have a center speaker.

One thing that no forum member have tried but it is more than possible is to order a Harman Kardon system in their USA M3. For $875 it is a much better value than the EPS and really improves quite a bit on the HiFi.

That could be done thru Individual. Somebody like Ryan Amico could make it happen.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Technic

Yes, all Top HiFi systems have a center speaker.

One thing that no forum member have tried but it is more than possible is to order a Harman Kardon system in their USA M3. For $875 it is a much better value than the EPS and really improves quite a bit on the HiFi.

That could be done thru Individual. Somebody like Ryan Amico could make it happen.

That would be pretty interesting. I suppose it's too late for me to try something like that.

However, my original point was this: the EPS sounds worse than the HiFi? I heard the HiFi in my friend's 2011, and thought it sounded pretty good. I figure the EPS has to be at least as good, although I realize not necessarily $1000 better.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SamS

That would be pretty interesting. I suppose it's too late for me to try something like that.

However, my original point was this: the EPS sounds worse than the HiFi? I heard the HiFi in my friend's 2011, and thought it sounded pretty good. I figure the EPS has to be at least as good, although I realize not necessarily $1000 better.

If your car has not entered production yet then it could be possible to change the options, but you need to hurry as this is quite a change and it requires some nice people at BMWNA to make it happen. If a regular US 3-Series can get the EPS special ordered from factory (the forum member is at E90post) then the opposite could be true for the M3.

The EPS sounds better than the HiFi it is just that it is not necessarily $1900 better. Definitely the HK system sounds $875 better than the HiFi, though.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Technic

If your car has not entered production yet then it could be possible to change the options, but you need to hurry as this is quite a change and it requires some nice people at BMWNA to make it happen. If a regular US 3-Series can get the EPS special ordered from factory (the forum member is at E90post) then the opposite could be true for the M3.

The EPS sounds better than the HiFi it is just that it is not necessarily $1900 better. Definitely the HK system sounds $875 better than the HiFi, though.

Well, it's a moot point.. because I just checked an my car has officially started production!

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SamS

Well, it's a moot point.. because I just checked an my car has officially started production!

Check your PM in a few...

[Templar]

Good luck!

When I was making my decision, I did a lot of research on this.

I thoroughly enjoy the EPS in mine, and won't touch it (since it was pricey). If I hadn't gone this path, I would have probably upgraded at some point with my own bits and pieces.

I am huge into music, so when I listen to it I want it high quality, which is why I went EPS, but like was mentioned above, the sound of the engine is intoxicating as well, and I will often just turn the volume down and ride with the windows open to hear that jungle cat purr

[isakhnov]

I liked HK in in my my old e46 better then HiFI in my new e90.

[eisenb11]

Originally Posted by Technic

Harman Kardon = Logic7 system

Only the name was changed, although it looks like 2 speakers are also missing.

I was under the impression that Logic7 used a Lexicon processor while HK doesn't?

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by SamS

You think the M3 EPS doesn't sound as good as the upgrade/Harman Kardon system in a regular 3er? Logic7 is no longer available.

I don't know how you got that from what I posted, but the Logic 7 system sounds better than the HiFi M3. Logic 7 isn't available in the M3 only the non M 3 series. I think the EPS sounds better than the Logic 7.

Dave

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Technic

Yes, all Top HiFi systems have a center speaker.

One thing that no forum member have tried but it is more than possible is to order a Harman Kardon system in their USA M3. For $875 it is a much better value than the EPS and really improves quite a bit on the HiFi.

That could be done thru Individual. Somebody like Ryan Amico could make it happen.

Hey Tech, I don't think my 2011 E92 M3 has a center speaker....am I wrong?

Dave

[Technic]

Originally Posted by eisenb11

I was under the impression that Logic7 used a Lexicon processor while HK doesn't?

The processing is Logic 7; Harman Kardon is a unit of Harman International, the manufacturer/creator of Logic 7. Lexicon is another unit of Harman International.

BMW just labels the Top HiFi system in the 3-Series with those trademarks (in the case of Logic 7 they use Logic7, and with Harman Kardon they use Harman/Kardon), but technically they are the same system from the same source.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Hey Tech, I don't think my 2011 E92 M3 has a center speaker....am I wrong?

Dave

There is a center speaker if your system is Top HiFi.

Top HiFi = Harman Kardon, Logic7 or Individual Audio/Enhanced Premium Audio OEM systems

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

I don't know how you got that from what I posted, but the Logic 7 system sounds better than the HiFi M3. Logic 7 isn't available in the M3 only the non M 3 series. I think the EPS sounds better than the Logic 7.

Dave

Sorry, I misread your post.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Technic

There is a center speaker if your system is Top HiFi.

Top HiFi = Harman Kardon, Logic7 or Individual Audio/Enhanced Premium Audio OEM systems

Was this a 2011.75 offering? My car was one of the first 2011's.

Dave