[kootz]

I picked up my 2011 e90 335i and started playing with the HK sound system. I'm glad to say it is way better than expected. Curious thing is that when I compare the sound between CD and my ipod, the ipod actually sounds much much better. While this is great for me since I primarily use my ipod, I thought it was odd that the CD performance wouldn't be as good. The music I was comparing was ripped from the a CD so I can't explain it. Anyone else notice this?

So far I see no reason to upgrade with aftermarket stuff. The subs under the seats give lots of bass and the mid and highs are really nice. I had a G35 coupe prior and hated the Bose system and spent a ton-o-money replacing the amp, speakers and adding in a subwoofer. I'm not sure how different the 2011 HK system is from the 2010 L7, but for me, I'm very happy with it...

[kaigoss69]

Ah, you're still in the honeymoon phase. Give it some time, enjoy the stereo, but eventually the upgrade bug will get you! As far as the question on the CD vs. iPod sound quality, no clue why that would be.

[bavarianboar]

Digital sound could be tuned to reproduce MP3s much better and make them sound nicer, as most people use iPODs these days. Just my guess.

Don't see a reason why an HK would not make uncompressed music on CDs sound superior than the highly compressed MP3s.

Enjoy your iPod till you feel the need ti upgrade

[The J-Man]

I have a 2011 and I think the CD's still sound better than the ipod does. It seems to have more clear low end bass than with the ipod Either way, the system leaves a lot to be desired.

[ctuna]

The bitrate you record your ipod sounds as 256k and better is
considered neat cd quality.

[VP Electricity]

Originally Posted by kootz

I picked up my 2011 e90 335i and started playing with the HK sound system. I'm glad to say it is way better than expected. Curious thing is that when I compare the sound between CD and my ipod, the ipod actually sounds much much better. While this is great for me since I primarily use my ipod, I thought it was odd that the CD performance wouldn't be as good. The music I was comparing was ripped from the a CD so I can't explain it. Anyone else notice this?

Commercial CD or burned?

I'm driving a 2011 loaner at present, I will test it before giving it back (non-HK, though).

[kootz]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Commercial CD or burned?

I'm driving a 2011 loaner at present, I will test it before giving it back (non-HK, though).

It was a commercial CD and I ripped it at 256 kbps AAC. I thinking maybe the equalizer is set per device? I didn't check it to see if the settings I had for the ipod carried over to the CD.

Talk to me in 6 months and see if my impressions hold. As noted, I'm still in the honeymoon phase where i try to find reasons to go out and drive.

[VP Electricity]

So it wasn't commercial, it was homemade - so how do real .WAV files sound? CD Audio means .WAV files... MP3s on any media are MP3, regardless of what media it is.

Originally Posted by kootz

It was a commercial CD and I ripped it at 256 kbps AAC. I thinking maybe the equalizer is set per device? I didn't check it to see if the settings I had for the ipod carried over to the CD.

Talk to me in 6 months and see if my impressions hold. As noted, I'm still in the honeymoon phase where i try to find reasons to go out and drive.

[kootz]

Sorry for the confusion, the ripped audio is on my ipod. The CD is the original commercial CD.

so when I switch back and forth between the CD playing and the ipod playing I'm hearing a significant difference in the sound.

I would have expected the CD to sound better, but it really didn't. I haven't tried other CDs at this point. Sounds like others don't have this issue, i'll spend some more time playing with it to see if it's just this one CD.