[MCMLXXXIX]

Originally Posted by iAerodynamic

does the stock really have a sub?

yes sir. pretty nice too but L7 has more power

Originally Posted by BK

What I'd like to know is whether the premium stereo in the M3 sounds better than Logic 7. Not to take this thread OT, but I've wondered that since the M3 came out.

+1, interested as well

Originally Posted by jayely1

w/o making a new thread which does every prefer Theatre or Concert Hall??

concert hall

[Thunder Dump]

Originally Posted by mike-y

In the US, the "stock" system (called "professional" on the head unit) comes with two 8" subs (one under each front seat).

What year did the stock system change from 10 speakers/2 subs to 8 speakers/no subs? My '09 E93 with the base system just has the 8 speakers in the doors/rear panels.

[beppy]

so does anyone know what the exact hardware difference is with L7 other than the two extra speakers?

do they share the same speakers/subs/amps? or are all 3 different?

[BK]

Originally Posted by beppy

so does anyone know what the exact hardware difference is with L7 other than the two extra speakers?

do they share the same speakers/subs/amps? or are all 3 different?

Here you go.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by Thunder Dump

What year did the stock system change from 10 speakers/2 subs to 8 speakers/no subs? My '09 E93 with the base system just has the 8 speakers in the doors/rear panels.

BMW doesn't make an 8 speaker setup, you have the subs.

There are three setups offered in 3 series models:

Base Stereo System (standard on 2010+ US-spec 1 Series, not available on US-spec 3 Series) is 6 speakers, 4 channels - 2 mids in the front doors, 2 mids on the rear shelf, and 2 subs. This setup uses the head unit as the amp, others have a dedicated amp. People have complained about distortion crackling at not-very-loud volumes with this system. Max output is 15 W per channel (60 W total).

HiFi (Business) System (standard on 2006+ US-spec 3 Series) is 10 speakers, 6 channels - 2 tweeters and 2 mids on the front doors, 2 mids and 2 tweeters on the rear shelf, 2 subs under the front seats. This setup has a dedicated amp. Max output is 4x 25 W for speaker channels, 2x 40 W for subs (180 W total).

Top-HiFi (Logic7) System (optional on most 2006+ US-spec 3 Series, was standard on some models) is 13 speakers, 9 channels - 1 mid on the dash, 2 tweeters and 2 mids on the front doors, 2 mids and 2 tweeters on the rear shelf, 2 subs under the front seats, 2 mids in the backseat. Max output is 6x 40 W for speaker channels, 2x 70 W for subs (380 W total).

The M3's Enhanced Premium Sound system is classified above these. It's 16 speakers, 9 channels, with 825 W total.

[dchen2]

Originally Posted by jopa489

BMW doesn't make an 8 speaker setup, you have the subs.

There are three setups offered in 3 series models:

Base Stereo System (standard on 2010+ US-spec 1 Series, not available on US-spec 3 Series) is 6 speakers, 4 channels - 2 mids in the front doors, 2 mids on the rear shelf, and 2 subs. This setup uses the head unit as the amp, others have a dedicated amp. People have complained about distortion crackling at not-very-loud volumes with this system. Max output is 15 W per channel (60 W total).

HiFi (Business) System (standard on 2006+ US-spec 3 Series) is 10 speakers, 6 channels - 2 tweeters and 2 mids on the front doors, 2 mids and 2 tweeters on the rear shelf, 2 subs under the front seats. This setup has a dedicated amp. Max output is 4x 25 W for speaker channels, 2x 40 W for subs (180 W total).

Top-HiFi (Logic7) System (optional on most 2006+ US-spec 3 Series, was standard on some models) is 13 speakers, 9 channels - 1 mid on the dash, 2 tweeters and 2 mids on the front doors, 2 mids and 2 tweeters on the rear shelf, 2 subs under the front seats, 2 mids in the backseat. Max output is 6x 40 W for speaker channels, 2x 70 W for subs (380 W total).

The M3's Enhanced Premium Sound system is classified above these. It's 16 speakers, 9 channels, with 825 W total.

I had a 08 335xi coupe with the logic7 and currently have a M3 sedan with the $1900 EPS speaker upgrade.

The logic 7 sounds pretty good, clear mids and highs with good seperation though the low end bass is not super punchy. The mid and highs sound comparable to the 2001 Lexus GS430 with the Mark Levinson system I used to have.

I am a big bass head and ended up upgrading the subs from the stock 8" ones to much more higher rated 8.5" SWS earthquake subs (200watts rms, 400w peak power handing) powered by a JL Audio 500/1 amp. Also dynomatted the sub enclosures to reduce vibrations. After the sub/amp upgrade the system sounded great and punchy.

In comparison, the M3's EPS is definitely head and shoulders above the stock logic7 (though I heard the sedan sound acoustics are better than the coupes). Crystal clear highs and mids and the bass is almost as strong as the upgraded sub/amps I had in the 335xi. I am very satisfied and feel no desire to upgrade the sound system any further at this point.

[Ron1n]

You guys are really making me wish I'd asked for the EPS. >.<

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by Ron1n

You guys are really making me wish I'd asked for the EPS. >.<

LOL, I wish I researched this forum (and found out you can order EPS on 335ds) before placing my order for my 335d. It went to 150 yesterday so I'm SOL!

[BK]

Originally Posted by dchen2

In comparison, the M3's EPS is definitely head and shoulders above the stock logic7 (though I heard the sedan sound acoustics are better than the coupes). Crystal clear highs and mids and the bass is almost as strong as the upgraded sub/amps I had in the 335xi. I am very satisfied and feel no desire to upgrade the sound system any further at this point.

Excellent. This is good to hear.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by dchen2

I had a 08 335xi coupe with the logic7 and currently have a M3 sedan with the $1900 EPS speaker upgrade.

The logic 7 sounds pretty good, clear mids and highs with good seperation though the low end bass is not super punchy. The mid and highs sound comparable to the 2001 Lexus GS430 with the Mark Levinson system I used to have.

I am a big bass head and ended up upgrading the subs from the stock 8" ones to much more higher rated 8.5" SWS earthquake subs (200watts rms, 400w peak power handing) powered by a JL Audio 500/1 amp. Also dynomatted the sub enclosures to reduce vibrations. After the sub/amp upgrade the system sounded great and punchy.

In comparison, the M3's EPS is definitely head and shoulders above the stock logic7 (though I heard the sedan sound acoustics are better than the coupes). Crystal clear highs and mids and the bass is almost as strong as the upgraded sub/amps I had in the 335xi. I am very satisfied and feel no desire to upgrade the sound system any further at this point.

Cool, good to know. I'm very happy with L7 in my car and have no desire to upgrade it. Agreed the bass can be just a bit weak at times, but I've certainly heard far worse. Overall it's very warm and clear, which works for me.

[magbarn]

In my test drives with the L7, I noticed the bass was pretty weak. I also tried out a M3 with EPS and not only was the bass much cleaner and louder, the mid-range I thought had much more detail than the L7. My dealer can't change my order and won't refund my $500 deposit... I'm thinking about telling the dealer to shove it and just order from another dealer so I can get the EPS system. As a victim of 2 different car break-ins in which I lost several thousand each time (I was a naive 20 something then who didn't get comprehensive insurance), I'm very averse to going aftermarket again.

[dchen2]

Originally Posted by magbarn

In my test drives with the L7, I noticed the bass was pretty weak. I also tried out a M3 with EPS and not only was the bass much cleaner and louder, the mid-range I thought had much more detail than the L7. My dealer can't change my order and won't refund my $500 deposit... I'm thinking about telling the dealer to shove it and just order from another dealer so I can get the EPS system. As a victim of 2 different car break-ins in which I lost several thousand each time (I was a naive 20 something then who didn't get comprehensive insurance), I'm very averse to going aftermarket again.

I hear you about aftermarket sound systems being a bit more trouble than it's worth nowadays for newer high end cars. I put in a JL Audio 12W6v2 sub with a 500/1amp (relatively high end 12" sub/amp combo) in my old GS430 and the bass blew away the stock 10" open air sub mounted in the backdesk that came stock. However, it took away a lot of trunk space and I was aways paranoid about my car being broken into.

That is nifty you can order 328/335s with the EPS now... If I had known that when I custom ordered my 335xi back in June 08 I definitely would have paid $900 for the upgrade over the L7. I spent over $750 parts and labor for just the sub/amp upgrade on the L7 system and it was still subpar compared to the EPS on the high/mids and I had a tell tale aftermarket amp stuck to the side of my trunk to boot.

[AWM3]

Originally Posted by dchen2

I had a 08 335xi coupe with the logic7 and currently have a M3 sedan with the $1900 EPS speaker upgrade.

The logic 7 sounds pretty good, clear mids and highs with good seperation though the low end bass is not super punchy. The mid and highs sound comparable to the 2001 Lexus GS430 with the Mark Levinson system I used to have.

I am a big bass head and ended up upgrading the subs from the stock 8" ones to much more higher rated 8.5" SWS earthquake subs (200watts rms, 400w peak power handing) powered by a JL Audio 500/1 amp. Also dynomatted the sub enclosures to reduce vibrations. After the sub/amp upgrade the system sounded great and punchy.

In comparison, the M3's EPS is definitely head and shoulders above the stock logic7 (though I heard the sedan sound acoustics are better than the coupes). Crystal clear highs and mids and the bass is almost as strong as the upgraded sub/amps I had in the 335xi. I am very satisfied and feel no desire to upgrade the sound system any further at this point.

This pretty much sums it up very accurately. The base US system is mediocre to poor. The L7 is much better and worth the money for the upgrade. The top level Enhanced Premium sound (previously available only on the M3) is outstandnig and should please even the most picky audiophile. The only advantage of the base system is that it uses standard electric signal wires from the head unit to the amp, while the others use an optical signal cable, so the base system is much easier to upgrade with new amps and speakers.