Why does the stock sound system suck so much

Exwoodchuck · 02-01-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERdiesel

Yes, I believe so.

Not quite that simple-- tweeters would be in a Hifi car, a Logic7 car, a Harmon-Kardon car, or an Individual Audio car.

Someone posted the Magic BMW Audio Decoder pdf a few posts ago-- that can help you identify which is which!

ERdiesel · 02-01-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

Not quite that simple-- tweeters would be in a Hifi car, a Logic7 car, a Harmon-Kardon car, or an Individual Audio car.

Someone posted the Magic BMW Audio Decoder pdf a few posts ago-- that can help you identify which is which!

I see what you're saying but i interpreted the question from the perspective of the person trying to distinguish from the crappy base sound system versus the less crappy "HIFI" base sound system. I assume if it's not the HIFI but one of the "premium" models like logic7 or harmon kardon, then the head unit or elsewhere would explicitly say logic 7 or harmon kardon or basically anything other than BMW Professional like you get on the stock system and there would be no way of confusing the crappy base system versus one of the premium systems.

Bavarian13 · 02-01-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERdiesel

Yes, I believe so.

Ok, that's what I thought. I'm going to have to look at it later. That PDF can't be right because it leads me to believe I have the Logic 7, which I don't. I have, now this is based on memory, 2 speakers in the front door panels, 2 tweeters near the mirrors, another speaker on each side of the dash (or so it seems to resemble one), one in the middle of my dash, and then 2 speaker covers in the rear door panels.

ERdiesel · 02-01-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian13

Ok, that's what I thought. I'm going to have to look at it later. That PDF can't be right because it leads me to believe I have the Logic 7, which I don't. I have, now this is based on memory, 2 speakers in the front door panels, 2 tweeters near the mirrors, another speaker on each side of the dash (or so it seems to resemble one), one in the middle of my dash, and then 2 speaker covers in the rear door panels.

Yeah, if the document is accurate, it definitely sounds like you might have the Logic 7. I thought that i've read a few threads where someone mentioned that Logic 7 was the "stock" sound system at one point many years back?

AW335OME · 02-01-2012, 01:38 PM

The sound system in my car is literally a POS, being that i only have the 'base' stereo system i can never fully enjoy my music whether windows up or down.

JimVR4 · 02-01-2012, 01:43 PM

Look for E90 ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATION.pdf on these forums. It has alot more detail about each type of audio system.

Bottom line is look in the left rear section of the trunk. If you have the silver box you have the Logic7 system. This system is available with either the standard Professional radio (RAD2) or the iDrive Navigation radio (CCC).

apc3libras · 02-01-2012, 01:45 PM

I have the basic stereo in mine and I have no problems. Sure, the Logic7 sounds a lot better but mine is much better than some of the cars I have had before this.

nichojo · 02-01-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian13

Ok, that's what I thought. I'm going to have to look at it later. That PDF can't be right because it leads me to believe I have the Logic 7, which I don't. I have, now this is based on memory, 2 speakers in the front door panels, 2 tweeters near the mirrors, another speaker on each side of the dash (or so it seems to resemble one), one in the middle of my dash, and then 2 speaker covers in the rear door panels.

http://www.musicarnw.com/bmw-factory-audio-explained/

ERdiesel · 02-01-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichojo

http://www.musicarnw.com/bmw-factory-audio-explained/

Great link, thanks!!!

nichojo · 02-01-2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apc3libras

I have the basic stereo in mine and I have no problems. Sure, the Logic7 sounds a lot better but mine is much better than some of the cars I have had before this.

You at least have tweeters.

Aurich · 02-01-2012, 03:11 PM

I have the Base Stereo in my 2011 335i, and it's 'effing terrible. Luckily I have a care package about to leave Musicar.

If you have the HiFi system the good news is you have the easiest system to upgrade. You have the tweeter pods, and you have the wiring already run to an amp.

I'm going to install new sail panels and crossovers to get tweeters, and I have to run the wiring to the trunk so I can install the amp. Not a huge deal, but a PITA. It's ridiculous that a car that stickered over $50k came with this stereo.

MonsterM · 02-01-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichojo

http://www.musicarnw.com/bmw-factory-audio-explained/

Thank you good sir! I do have the older HiFi system but no rear tweeters.

slingxshot · 02-01-2012, 04:04 PM

what about the speaker in the center on the roof? I found out it spits out music just few days ago.... unless I imagined it?

F1Senna · 02-01-2012, 04:12 PM

I looked at my vin report and it says my car has the following:

HiFi loudspeaker system
Radio BMW professional

The build date is 11-2008

Is this the crappy system everyone is referring to? I'm out of town so can't test it out.

electro-house · 02-01-2012, 04:14 PM

The loaners I always get have the stock system and I don't even bother using it. House music requires the upgraded system.

nichojo · 02-01-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingxshot

what about the speaker in the center on the roof? I found out it spits out music just few days ago.... unless I imagined it?

Yeah that's the LSD.

nichojo · 02-01-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1Senna

I looked at my vin report and it says my car has the following:

HiFi loudspeaker system
Radio BMW professional

The build date is 11-2008

Is this the crappy system everyone is referring to? I'm out of town so can't test it out.

No. In 2010 and early 2011 cars there is a BASE stereo that has no tweeters. This is the crappiest of the crappy.

TheStigsTwin · 02-01-2012, 04:23 PM

YES! For a "luxury"car to give this as a base system is ridiculous. This spring, i'm gonna start project stereo upgrade.

ciomas · 02-01-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguar36

2011's got an upgraded sound system. Us folks with 2010's got boned. The stock stereo is a friggan embarrassment.

Its beyond embarrasing...

JimKW · 02-01-2012, 04:31 PM

Mine has nine speakers counting the tweeters at the mirrors and the center one in the dash. I have one in each door (4) and two good size ones in the rear deck.

After reading this thread I cranked it up good and loud with the MP3 player on the way home and it sounds great.

I need to upgrade what is in the 4Runner. It has a JBL system which is an upgrade, but it does not sound good at all. Too much coming out of the center speaker and no adjusting fixes it.

Wild Squid · 02-01-2012, 05:07 PM

My basic stereo in my '11 is not bad, but not good either. I'd say its just ok and I can live with it. What I do like about it is the Hi Def radio, it doesn't cut out or have static when in weak signal areas for any particular station.

talisman311 · 02-01-2012, 06:24 PM

I really like my Logic 7 in my 06 e90! Very clean at pretty much all volume levels and what sounds like a very flat response.

02-01-2012, 01:38 PM	#49
AW335OME Captain 123 Rep 932 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E90 M3, F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bergen County, NJ iTrader: (0)	The sound system in my car is literally a POS, being that i only have the 'base' stereo system i can never fully enjoy my music whether windows up or down. __________________ IG @BYZZNESS
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02-01-2012, 01:43 PM	#50
JimVR4 Captain 338 Rep 842 Posts Drives: 21 X5 M50i M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Look for E90 ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATION.pdf on these forums. It has alot more detail about each type of audio system. Bottom line is look in the left rear section of the trunk. If you have the silver box you have the Logic7 system. This system is available with either the standard Professional radio (RAD2) or the iDrive Navigation radio (CCC). __________________ 2021 G05 X5 ///M50i / Phytonic Blue / Cognac Vernasca iStep 03/2023.50
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02-01-2012, 01:45 PM	#51
apc3libras Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,691 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UTAH iTrader: (3) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [4.00]	I have the basic stereo in mine and I have no problems. Sure, the Logic7 sounds a lot better but mine is much better than some of the cars I have had before this. __________________ 2007 BMW 328I Monaco Blue /// 1999 BMW M3 Titanium Silver /// 2007 BMW 328I Sparkling Graphite (sold)
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02-01-2012, 03:11 PM	#55
Aurich New Member 1 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I have the Base Stereo in my 2011 335i, and it's 'effing terrible. Luckily I have a care package about to leave Musicar. If you have the HiFi system the good news is you have the easiest system to upgrade. You have the tweeter pods, and you have the wiring already run to an amp. I'm going to install new sail panels and crossovers to get tweeters, and I have to run the wiring to the trunk so I can install the amp. Not a huge deal, but a PITA. It's ridiculous that a car that stickered over $50k came with this stereo.
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02-01-2012, 04:04 PM	#57
slingxshot Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 209 Posts Drives: BMW 2014 528i xDrive Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Long island iTrader: (0)	what about the speaker in the center on the roof? I found out it spits out music just few days ago.... unless I imagined it?
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02-01-2012, 04:12 PM	#58
F1Senna Private First Class 12 Rep 140 Posts Drives: E90 Sedan Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: All Over iTrader: (0)	I looked at my vin report and it says my car has the following: HiFi loudspeaker system Radio BMW professional The build date is 11-2008 Is this the crappy system everyone is referring to? I'm out of town so can't test it out.
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02-01-2012, 04:14 PM	#59
electro-house Lieutenant 24 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	The loaners I always get have the stock system and I don't even bother using it. House music requires the upgraded system.
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02-01-2012, 04:23 PM	#62
TheStigsTwin Captain 11 Rep 964 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	YES! For a "luxury"car to give this as a base system is ridiculous. This spring, i'm gonna start project stereo upgrade.
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02-01-2012, 04:31 PM	#64
JimKW Private First Class 12 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330xi Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunbury, OH iTrader: (0)	Mine has nine speakers counting the tweeters at the mirrors and the center one in the dash. I have one in each door (4) and two good size ones in the rear deck. After reading this thread I cranked it up good and loud with the MP3 player on the way home and it sounds great. I need to upgrade what is in the 4Runner. It has a JBL system which is an upgrade, but it does not sound good at all. Too much coming out of the center speaker and no adjusting fixes it. __________________ 2008 Space Grey BMW 535XI Wagon 2006 Alpine White/Terra Cotta BMW 330xi 2000 Red Crownline 180BR - Lil Red 2003 Dark Blue Toyota 4Runner V8
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02-01-2012, 05:07 PM	#65
Wild Squid Banned 21 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i coupe Msport AW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (0)	My basic stereo in my '11 is not bad, but not good either. I'd say its just ok and I can live with it. What I do like about it is the Hi Def radio, it doesn't cut out or have static when in weak signal areas for any particular station.
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02-01-2012, 06:24 PM	#66
talisman311 First Lieutenant 43 Rep 358 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	I really like my Logic 7 in my 06 e90! Very clean at pretty much all volume levels and what sounds like a very flat response. __________________ 2006 e90 330i \| Black/Terra \| 6MT \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW
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