BMW call this "Premium Sound?"

wgerman · 05-21-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hakaida442

How does the Eton speakers in the premium system compare with other speaker companies like Rainbow, Dynaudio, and Zapco?

Eton manufactures drivers for aftermarket companies,such as JL Audio, and Diamond (I think). BMW picked the supplier for the tweets and mids. Not sure why they chose Harmon for the bass units.........lowest cost probably.

KINGLEH · 05-23-2008, 06:01 PM

soooooo..... do all those pics and tests pretty much say that the upgraded system is worth it.... or atleast dont suck?

Gemcoska · 05-27-2008, 04:15 PM

Okay, I finally got my car in and my first impression of Premium Sound.... BOOO

.

I'm to the point that I'm not sure if I actually have premium sound. But I do see the diff grills. I just can't hear anything worth while. There are subs in here? You've got to be kidding me.

I'm gonna get to tweaking and see if I can salvage anything.

M3Kevin · 05-31-2008, 03:30 PM

badfish-

would you recommend upgrades for the smaller speakers in order to get better midrange?

I would have to agree that midrange and voices appear kinda muddy/indistinct on the premium system. I am thinking that I may be able to swap in new speakers without much hassle and improve the quality.

Any thoughts? Any suggestions?

brianco · 06-04-2008, 08:30 AM

Hi,
Saw your graphs cross posted over at m3forum.net and came over to read the whole thread.
Nice work. Makes me think about trying it with my spec-A. I have an E46 vert, and it's so much worse than my old 330xi that it's not even worth it.

One curiosity question though: is there any chance you changed the analysis settings between the before and after graphs, perhaps the averaging time interval or something? I don't see how your EQ settings could have gotten rid of all the spectral noise at the high end. Looks more like the analysis was changed.

Not super relevant to to your results, I just couldn't make sense of the change. And wondered if you had any explanation.

-Brian

saMxp · 06-04-2008, 03:45 PM

Great thread, PG. I will definitely back you up on that Camry Premium Sound system. My mother has a 2007 with the JBL Premium Sound and it is, by far, the nicest OEM sound system I've heard. I would never have gutted the sound system in my e46 M3 if it sounded anything like that.

brianco · 06-04-2008, 11:26 PM

Sorry! I misread your graphs. When you said before/after, I thought you were saying the two plots on the same graph were before and after. After looking at your previous discussion of the Camry, I see that you are graphing the reference pink noise and the recording from the car on the same graph. I though you were claiming the reference as your "after" result. Seemed a little too good to be true. What I meant was the non-smooth (noisy - but in the frequency domain) frequency response at the top end. I thought you were showing having smoothed that out completely, but again, that was your plot of the reference file. Didn't occur to me that your reference tone and the recording from the car would be on a timeline together. I thought I was looking at one long recording where you disabled eq and then enabled it.

Anyway, fun to see your results!

-Brian

karriman · 06-09-2008, 12:54 PM

i have the prem. sound system. if I just upgrade the subs to earthquake sws, will I notice a difference? or would i need to upgrade the amp too.

Keto · 06-17-2008, 11:48 PM

Just got my car and wanted to thank PG again... settings sound great imho.

Gemcoska · 06-18-2008, 02:13 PM

I am definitely thinking I want more thump. Any recc's for that?

kyoshozx · 06-18-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

I am definitely thinking I want more thump. Any recc's for that?

+1

GT3 Tim · 06-18-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

I am definitely thinking I want more thump. Any recc's for that?

There is a post in the E90 forum about that...can't recall exactly where, but try to search and see if you can find it. basically, this guy replaced the subs under the seat with a better model....said it helped......YMMV

GT3 Tim · 06-18-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

... adding too much "thump" and you run the risk of permenantly damaging your ears.

What did he say?

Technic · 06-19-2008, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karriman

i have the prem. sound system. if I just upgrade the subs to earthquake sws, will I notice a difference? or would i need to upgrade the amp too.

And that's the problem that I have with the Premium Sound... if after spending $1900 I still have to add aftermarket equipment to make it sound good to me, then it is $1900 not well spent.

Gemcoska · 06-20-2008, 04:06 AM

Agreed, money not well spent.

Pencil... I'd have to say that there are VERY FEW people that will put 2 15" subs in this car. There is NO WAY 2 10" shallow depths subs with very little airspace under the seat will produce enough thump to do any damage (w/o breaking the bank). I'm talking about getting a decent amount of bass at low/normal listening levels and still being able to turn a block of heads with the windows down w/o revving the engine. I crank the volume to the point when I wanna rock out, then I have to go even further than I'd like to get a fair amount of bass. I should be able to TELL that there are subs in the car. A set of 6x9's in front and back would put out more bass than those two subs.

But I do agree, buzzing/ringing in your ears after loud noises indicates some amount of hearing loss.

RDM3 · 06-20-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Have you confirmed that the woofers under the seat are actually functioning? BTW, this is the list of speakers for those not able to find them all:

Dash center, 1 coax - 2
Front door mid - 2
Front door tweeter - 2
Rear side mid - 2
Rear side tweeter - 2
Rear shelf, 2 coax - 4
Under front seat bass - 2

Total - 16

Thanks I was going crazy trying to find all 16 of them

RDM3 · 06-20-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

I am definitely thinking I want more thump. Any recc's for that?

I feel i do too ...

Big Windy · 06-20-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

What did he say?

He said damage your ears, not your eyes.

HK_M3 · 06-28-2008, 02:35 PM

Pencil Geek,

What kind of home system do you have?

-Nate

HeadOn · 06-28-2008, 03:09 PM

Just another thanks to PG. Your settings dramatically improved the sound, and now I am very impressed with the stereo.

Cheers!

Keto · 06-28-2008, 04:56 PM

Make sure your wife's old Ipod wasn't set for "bass reducer" when you plug it in.... /slaps self.

I'm happy with the bass. Not quite as much thump as my old 12" but it's very clean.

Big Windy · 06-29-2008, 01:50 AM

good god, that is a ton of stuff. you are our resident audophile.

05-23-2008, 06:01 PM	#46
KINGLEH Major 98 Rep 1,043 Posts Drives: 00 GTR - 09 E92 M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (1)	soooooo..... do all those pics and tests pretty much say that the upgraded system is worth it.... or atleast dont suck?
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05-27-2008, 04:15 PM	#47
Gemcoska Sleepy Member, wishing I was on the road. 34 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Okay, I finally got my car in and my first impression of Premium Sound.... BOOO. I'm to the point that I'm not sure if I actually have premium sound. But I do see the diff grills. I just can't hear anything worth while. There are subs in here? You've got to be kidding me. I'm gonna get to tweaking and see if I can salvage anything. __________________ 2003 Ducati '996 2008 M3: Sparking Graphite, Red Fox Standard, 19s, Premium pkg, Tech pkg, Premium Enhanced Sound, HD Radio, Heated Front Seats.
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05-31-2008, 03:30 PM	#48
M3Kevin Private First Class 17 Rep 128 Posts Drives: Alpine White 2008 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Corvette Z06 [0.00] 2004 GT3 [0.00] 2008 M3 [0.00]	badfish- would you recommend upgrades for the smaller speakers in order to get better midrange? I would have to agree that midrange and voices appear kinda muddy/indistinct on the premium system. I am thinking that I may be able to swap in new speakers without much hassle and improve the quality. Any thoughts? Any suggestions? __________________ A happy tire is a squeeling tire. Happiness isn't around the corner - it IS the corner!
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06-04-2008, 08:30 AM	#49
brianco Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	Hi, Saw your graphs cross posted over at m3forum.net and came over to read the whole thread. Nice work. Makes me think about trying it with my spec-A. I have an E46 vert, and it's so much worse than my old 330xi that it's not even worth it. One curiosity question though: is there any chance you changed the analysis settings between the before and after graphs, perhaps the averaging time interval or something? I don't see how your EQ settings could have gotten rid of all the spectral noise at the high end. Looks more like the analysis was changed. Not super relevant to to your results, I just couldn't make sense of the change. And wondered if you had any explanation. -Brian
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06-04-2008, 03:45 PM	#50
saMxp Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2001 ImolaRot BMW M3 Cabriolet Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Winston-Salem, NC iTrader: (0)	Great thread, PG. I will definitely back you up on that Camry Premium Sound system. My mother has a 2007 with the JBL Premium Sound and it is, by far, the nicest OEM sound system I've heard. I would never have gutted the sound system in my e46 M3 if it sounded anything like that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2008, 11:26 PM	#51
brianco Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	Sorry! I misread your graphs. When you said before/after, I thought you were saying the two plots on the same graph were before and after. After looking at your previous discussion of the Camry, I see that you are graphing the reference pink noise and the recording from the car on the same graph. I though you were claiming the reference as your "after" result. Seemed a little too good to be true. What I meant was the non-smooth (noisy - but in the frequency domain) frequency response at the top end. I thought you were showing having smoothed that out completely, but again, that was your plot of the reference file. Didn't occur to me that your reference tone and the recording from the car would be on a timeline together. I thought I was looking at one long recording where you disabled eq and then enabled it. Anyway, fun to see your results! -Brian
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06-09-2008, 12:54 PM	#52
karriman Private First Class 13 Rep 113 Posts Drives: BMW x7 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI iTrader: (0)	i have the prem. sound system. if I just upgrade the subs to earthquake sws, will I notice a difference? or would i need to upgrade the amp too. __________________
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06-17-2008, 11:48 PM	#53
Keto Lieutenant Colonel 73 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WHO DAT NATION iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [10.00]	Just got my car and wanted to thank PG again... settings sound great imho. __________________ 2015 SO/SO MT M3 :: Exec : Lighting : Adaptive : HK : CF trim : Full leather : DAP : Black 19's : sunshade Crystalline tint 40%/70% on windshield : M performance mirrors, spoiler, splitters : Status Gruppe CF lip : RKP diffuser : Fully dechromed Bavsound Stage 1 : V1 Savvy hardwired : Self-coded
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06-18-2008, 02:13 PM	#54
Gemcoska Sleepy Member, wishing I was on the road. 34 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	I am definitely thinking I want more thump. Any recc's for that? __________________ 2003 Ducati '996 2008 M3: Sparking Graphite, Red Fox Standard, 19s, Premium pkg, Tech pkg, Premium Enhanced Sound, HD Radio, Heated Front Seats.
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06-20-2008, 04:06 AM	#59
Gemcoska Sleepy Member, wishing I was on the road. 34 Rep 280 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Agreed, money not well spent. Pencil... I'd have to say that there are VERY FEW people that will put 2 15" subs in this car. There is NO WAY 2 10" shallow depths subs with very little airspace under the seat will produce enough thump to do any damage (w/o breaking the bank). I'm talking about getting a decent amount of bass at low/normal listening levels and still being able to turn a block of heads with the windows down w/o revving the engine. I crank the volume to the point when I wanna rock out, then I have to go even further than I'd like to get a fair amount of bass. I should be able to TELL that there are subs in the car. A set of 6x9's in front and back would put out more bass than those two subs. But I do agree, buzzing/ringing in your ears after loud noises indicates some amount of hearing loss. __________________ 2003 Ducati '996 2008 M3: Sparking Graphite, Red Fox Standard, 19s, Premium pkg, Tech pkg, Premium Enhanced Sound, HD Radio, Heated Front Seats.
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06-28-2008, 02:35 PM	#63
HK_M3 Enlisted Member 4 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 335 Sedan, Sport - Euro D June Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Better Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Pencil Geek, What kind of home system do you have? -Nate
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06-28-2008, 03:09 PM	#64
HeadOn Private First Class 21 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Spark. Graph. 6MT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 Coupe [8.00]	Just another thanks to PG. Your settings dramatically improved the sound, and now I am very impressed with the stereo. Cheers! __________________ 08 M3 6MT Coupe - Sparking Graphite Metallic
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06-28-2008, 04:56 PM	#65
Keto Lieutenant Colonel 73 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WHO DAT NATION iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [10.00]	Make sure your wife's old Ipod wasn't set for "bass reducer" when you plug it in.... /slaps self. I'm happy with the bass. Not quite as much thump as my old 12" but it's very clean. __________________ 2015 SO/SO MT M3 :: Exec : Lighting : Adaptive : HK : CF trim : Full leather : DAP : Black 19's : sunshade Crystalline tint 40%/70% on windshield : M performance mirrors, spoiler, splitters : Status Gruppe CF lip : RKP diffuser : Fully dechromed Bavsound Stage 1 : V1 Savvy hardwired : Self-coded
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06-29-2008, 01:50 AM	#66
Big Windy Major General 152 Rep 5,124 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	good god, that is a ton of stuff. you are our resident audophile.
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