Individual Audio Test

Epacy · 02-05-2008, 11:25 PM

This is a comparison of the Audi R8 Bang & Olufsen system to the Dirac-based Individual High End Audio System in the M5, which is identical to the one offered in the new M3.

http://www.dirac.se/admin/download.a...-No10-2007.pdf

lucid · 02-05-2008, 11:28 PM

I listened to the individual audio in the M5 to make up my mind. Then I sat in a regular 3 series with the base stereo. Yes, the individual audio is definitely very good, but not worth the $1900 for me, given I plan to listen to the engine more than anything else in this car. Even my salesguy was going, "Nah, you won't listen to music in your M3..." That's a stretch, but still...If I find myself really not liking the base system, I'll have the pros upgrade it, which will most likely cost just as much, but I want to have see if I can live without it first.

Epacy · 02-05-2008, 11:30 PM

Yes, but the stock appearence is always nice.

In regards to B&O, I think that option is near $8k for Audi. Crazy!!

lucid · 02-05-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

In regards to B&O, I think that option is near $8k for Audi. Crazy!!

Now when you start speaking of B&O, and mention $8k, that brings memories of Clarkson driving around in the M3 in a silky shirt and white tie and shades, with an earpiece hanging off his ear.

Patricius · 02-06-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

Now when you start speaking of B&O, and mention $8k, that brings memories of Clarkson driving around in the M3 in a silky shirt and white tie and shades, with an earpiece hanging off his ear.

swamp2 · 02-06-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

I listened to the individual audio in the M5 to make up my mind. Then I sat in a regular 3 series with the base stereo. Yes, the individual audio is definitely very good, but not worth the $1900 for me, given I plan to listen to the engine more than anything else in this car. Even my salesguy was going, "Nah, you won't listen to music in your M3..." That's a stretch, but still...If I find myself really not liking the base system, I'll have the pros upgrade it, which will most likely cost just as much, but I want to have see if I can live without it first.

Funny, you took the words right out of my mouth. I love music and like to have a nice system but I am definitely going to try to "scrape by" with base. Way too much money for the benefit is my preliminary judgement.

Technic · 02-06-2008, 08:26 AM

Individual Audio for $700 in the M5 is a good buy... $1900 in the M3 not so much.

Epacy · 02-06-2008, 08:34 AM

Aftermarket audio you won't neccesarily get a good sound processor like Dirac and/or surround sound.

gadget · 02-06-2008, 09:45 AM

The end of the article states that to buy and M5 without the speed limiter you need to take a M5 driving course. I've not heard of this for the M3. Is some type of training needed to buy a delimited M3?

Technic · 02-06-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

Aftermarket audio you won't neccesarily get a good sound processor like Dirac and/or surround sound.

That's assuming that you will like what that Dirac processor is doing with your music.

Personally, I like to adjust the music to my very particular liking. 100% of the time manufacturers adjust their OEM system to their concept of how music should sound for a set budget. That's good for the vast majority of customers, but then the combination of their sound and a set budget means for the rest of the customers that their sound is simply not good enough because of both the OEM tuning and the cost constraints (inexpensive components) of getting that sound.

There are several aftermarket processors already available that are extremelly good in taking the OEM sound to higher levels (thru time, position, phase, EQ adjustments), without the need of ripping the car internals off. There's even a Logic7 processor by JBL that should be the equal or better than the OEM, once you add better speakers and higher power, and still be within a relative reasonable budget.

I'm glad that Logic7 is not standard in the M3 for this same reason. I don't doubt that Individual Audio will sound outstanding, but it will be BMW concept of outstanding. I rather do my thing with those $1900.

apw2607 · 02-06-2008, 12:16 PM

The individual audio system although may share the same architecture and components as the system found in the M5, it should be noted that its being customized of course for the M3 cabin.

footie · 02-06-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epacy

Yes, but the stock appearence is always nice.

In regards to B&O, I think that option is near $8k for Audi. Crazy!!

The R8 B&O system cost roughly £1500K over here so I doubt it will be any more than $2K in the States. The $8K B&O system you are referring to is the one in the A8.

lucid · 02-06-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricius

Yeah, that'll definitely be the case with the B&O system!

thooooorgal · 02-07-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

...I plan to listen to the engine more than anything else in this car. Even my salesguy was going, "Nah, you won't listen to music in your M3..."....

will you ALWAYS ride like hell with your car
will you always track it ....
will you always high reving...

in fact no ....

i don't have taken the upgrade audio ..
i miss it ...

but you decide for your own car.

Keto · 02-07-2008, 07:06 PM

Aftermarket is only an option in an area where the aftermarket is skilled at both installation and tweaking.

You should have heard the hiss from my JL audio amp when I first got it back from the shop to replace an a/d/s I installed myself on my E46. They actually thought this was OK -- and this was supposedly the "good" place in town. LOL. Of course, references can be morons...

02-05-2008, 11:25 PM	#1
Epacy Reincarnated Drives: 02 Maxima SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: IL Posts: 4,227 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Individual Audio Test This is a comparison of the Audi R8 Bang & Olufsen system to the Dirac-based Individual High End Audio System in the M5, which is identical to the one offered in the new M3. http://www.dirac.se/admin/download.a...-No10-2007.pdf __________________ Pearl Bliss
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02-05-2008, 11:30 PM	#3
Epacy Reincarnated Drives: 02 Maxima SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: IL Posts: 4,227 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Yes, but the stock appearence is always nice. In regards to B&O, I think that option is near $8k for Audi. Crazy!! __________________ Pearl Bliss

02-06-2008, 08:34 AM	#8
Epacy Reincarnated Drives: 02 Maxima SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: IL Posts: 4,227 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Aftermarket audio you won't neccesarily get a good sound processor like Dirac and/or surround sound. __________________ Pearl Bliss

02-05-2008, 11:28 PM	#2
lucid Major General Drives: E30 M3; Expedition Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 8,057 iTrader: (0)	I listened to the individual audio in the M5 to make up my mind. Then I sat in a regular 3 series with the base stereo. Yes, the individual audio is definitely very good, but not worth the $1900 for me, given I plan to listen to the engine more than anything else in this car. Even my salesguy was going, "Nah, you won't listen to music in your M3..." That's a stretch, but still...If I find myself really not liking the base system, I'll have the pros upgrade it, which will most likely cost just as much, but I want to have see if I can live without it first.

02-06-2008, 08:26 AM	#7
Technic Major General Drives: 2012 E92 M3, 2010 CC Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 8,577 iTrader: (9) Garage List 2004 M3 [0.00]	Individual Audio for $700 in the M5 is a good buy... $1900 in the M3 not so much.

02-06-2008, 09:45 AM	#9
gadget Major Drives: 09 e92///M SSII DCT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US Posts: 1,194 iTrader: (0)	The end of the article states that to buy and M5 without the speed limiter you need to take a M5 driving course. I've not heard of this for the M3. Is some type of training needed to buy a delimited M3?

02-06-2008, 12:16 PM	#11
apw2607 Major Drives: 2009 X5 35d Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (0)	The individual audio system although may share the same architecture and components as the system found in the M5, it should be noted that its being customized of course for the M3 cabin.

02-07-2008, 07:06 PM	#15
Keto Major Drives: 550i M-sport AW Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: N'awlins Posts: 1,088 iTrader: (1)	Aftermarket is only an option in an area where the aftermarket is skilled at both installation and tweaking. You should have heard the hiss from my JL audio amp when I first got it back from the shop to replace an a/d/s I installed myself on my E46. They actually thought this was OK -- and this was supposedly the "good" place in town. LOL. Of course, references can be morons...