Premium sound or not

[SamS]

Originally Posted by kmarei

you can get much better sound with an upgraded HIFI than the EPS
BUT
that means removing the door panels, rear trunk trim, running wires all over the place
EPS gives you 95% of the quality, without undoing a single screw...

That's my opinion as well. I know it's fun for some people to do car audio, but for me it seemed like a major headache, especially considering my lack of hands-on experience replacing a stock system in a car built within the last 10 years.

[bimdo]

i don't like it because i don't have it.i got my car used,and thought i wanted it,but changed my mind when i found out you had to get idrive with it,which i didn't want.i would have liked it as a stand-alone option.

i then found a car equipped mostly how i wanted it,so i got it.unlike some,i don't think the base system is so bad,it sounds decent to me.like some,i do just enjoy hearing the motor.

[Nine]

I love it.

[PaneristiDriver]

I love mine. Sounds awesome in particular the louder it gets. Its the best Ive heard in a BMW and certainly worth it over the standard system even though the standard system is good as well. Gotta love Harman Kardon products!

[ksoze]

It is a requirement fort the E93, where the competition with the environment and the engine need the extra dB's. The engine sounds with the top down can make any music sound better, but it needs to work harder.

[PinkFlamingo]

One thousand million percent

[Leonardo629]

yes, I recently got a E90 335i sedan as a loaner, and the premium system in my M3 sounds a lot better with my custom equalizer setting.

[duk]

dont regret not getting it at all, id rather listen to the engine n exhaust

[circlek]

If I truly want to listen to music I go in the house. E92 M3 is all about engine and exhaust noise.

$1900 well saved, No regrets not getting it at all, and I ordered new.

[Wanna Race?]

Originally Posted by Jchan99

Hey guys

Is the premium sound option that much better than the stock BMW system?

Best decision you will make

[spr]

I bought my car used and specifically passed on several cars BECAUSE they didn't have the EPS. There is a HUGE difference. You definitely have to fiddle with the EQ to set it correctly. To do so put on your favorite DIGITAL quality recording, SAT, Ipod at clean and high bitrate and then move one band all the way down then bring it up starting with the bass and go to the treble for all bands. Thereafter listen to it a little bit. Then do the reverse of down all the way from treble and up and you will find what you like. HUGE difference.

The stock stereo is such garbage it is worse than the ford and hyundai rental cars I use for travel all the time. Unbelievably bad.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Definitely!!!

[Jch99]

Thanks for all the responses! I will let you guys know what I decide on. I'm just finalizing the options that I want for the car....only thing that I'm worried is that ....BMW will end up changing the light system like the new 6 series......

[TTG]

No - Not when a darn $1900 upgrade has pages of pages threads just how to set it up properly and people still can't get it right.....

The Logic 7 that my 335 had was simply amazing and the 1900 upgraded system doesn't even go near it....

Before ordering my car I spent some time in a M3 with and without the upgraded sound system..... and afterwards deleted $1900 waste of money from my order sheet.

If I were to buy used, it is something that I won't care if it there or not, and certainly I would not pass on a clean car if it lacks the optional upgrade....

You are buying a car in here.... not a sound system.

PS: $1900 will get you a much better aftermarket upgrade period!

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by TTG

The Logic 7 that my 335 had was simply amazing and the 1900 upgraded system doesn't even go near it....

Before ordering my car I spent some time in a M3 with and without the upgraded sound system..... and afterwards deleted $1900 waste of money from my order sheet.

If I were to buy used, it is something that I won't care if it there or not, and certainly I would not pass on a clean car if it lacks the optional upgrade....

You are buying a car in here.... not a sound system.

PS: $1900 will get you a much better aftermarket upgrade period!

And it came standard on '07s ..$1900 for a stereo upgrade is steep considering what kind of audio setup you could do for the same money..

[jamze132]

Almost $2k for an upgraded stereo is not worth it. I tied a mono amp and a 10" JL to the factory amp and the sound in my car is amazing. Its pretty cool what just adding an external sub/amp can do for your sound.

[SteveWatson13]

Originally Posted by R3dn3k Flyby

If, and only if you tune it properly. Proper EQ settings combined with surround, a little fade, and the bass turned up a bit will lead to one of the best factory stereos you've ever heard. However, don't expect booming bass. It won't hit like a pair of 10's or 12's, but it'll be super clear to ridiculous levels.

Can you post these settings to make the premium sound set sound perfect??

[nullrouted]

Originally Posted by kmarei

you can get much better sound with an upgraded HIFI than the EPS
BUT
that means removing the door panels, rear trunk trim, running wires all over the place
EPS gives you 95% of the quality, without undoing a single screw
add a trunk sub to the EPS (like i did) and it sounds fantastic
i've owned HIFI, upgraded HIFI with JBL MS-8, amps, speaker upgrades ets
and i've had the EPS then EPS with trunk sub
EPS with trunk sub is the best sounding of all of them

Agreed - I got my EPS based on Technic's review of the quality of the component speakers. Will soon add Jehnerts under the seats and maybe an ID or JL in the trunk to round it out. It is a great factory system but its lacking in the bass category especially below 100hz.

[Krockit1]

Originally Posted by InterJon

I have owned e92 with and without. Here's my opinion. If you are ordering car new, no doubt include the premium. If you are shopping used for the perfect car, do not let non-premium sound turn you off to a car that has all other options. It is good, but not that good.

This is spot on advice. But unless BMW has improved it, you will be upgrading. I passed up probably 10 cars that spec'ed exactly the way I wanted... except no premium sound. Came from an '06 330i that had Logic 7 OEM system that was just incredibly good. My home system is pretty high end and music is a big part of my life so I wanted the best BMW had to offer. Premium in this M3 is fair at best and I am going to have to upgrade amp and subs just to get any kind of bass response. Had I known, I would have ended up buying with a full stereo replacement in mind. Mids and highs are ok, but I listen to a wide range of styles and have to constantly reset the EQ to get the sound right. Very disappointing system.

All that in mind I hardly ever listen- the sound of the car is so good, why get in the way of that music!

[Sandye90m3]

Originally Posted by kmarei

you can get much better sound with an upgraded HIFI than the EPS
BUT
that means removing the door panels, rear trunk trim, running wires all over the place
EPS gives you 95% of the quality, without undoing a single screw
add a trunk sub to the EPS (like i did) and it sounds fantastic
i've owned HIFI, upgraded HIFI with JBL MS-8, amps, speaker upgrades ets
and i've had the EPS then EPS with trunk sub
EPS with trunk sub is the best sounding of all of them

+1 well said. Don't get me wrong, the EPS is great system but it isn't the most amazing thing out there. If you are not that much of an audiophile you will think it is one of the nicest systems out there. But if you are an audiophile, you will not be too impressed.

But as others have said, the only benefit is that, you don't have to upgrade your system and have a company remove panels and reinstall them. Having said that, I just spent $1900 on a home audio system, and that blows everything I've ever heard out the door.

If I had to do it again, I would get the EPS but don't regret the decision if you don't.

[alee0729]

EPS is a good clean system, esp. with the EQ settings recommended in the other forum. It's definitely not a bass machine, so set your expectations appropriately. Based on what I've read changing the amp is probably enough to make a big impact if you aren't getting a lot out of the stock EPS.

But I'm a bit conflicted -- great sounding system, but with a V8 engine and the M Performance Exhaust, it's 2 kinds of music that are at competing odds.

Went for a spirited drive yesterday, and did what I usually do... crank up the tunes. It just felt wrong. I turned off the tunes and spent the rest of my ride listening to my car make its own beautiful music.

Never did that in another one of my cars before.

[Denk]

No. I've had both, I like the standard system better, sounds less sterile/clinical than the enhanced.