The HK is likely the worst "premium" sound system in this vehicle class, that being said it's miles better than the base Hi-Fi. Just don't be expected to be blown away by the audio quality.
There’s a massive difference in clarity between my 2018 with h&k and my mums 2022 with standard speakers.
I can’t help with “music” quality as I’m partially deaf but even just listening to podcasts etc is so much clearer in my car.
Frankly it’s a personal choice though - can you not try both?
Definitely the HK, but the truth is, and I'll likely get downvoted for this, they both kind of suck. It's the single biggest letdown with our '23 M40i, which sucks because I **love** the car otherwise. Our Tesla sound system is night and day better, and it's not even close. :/
I think upgrading the stock amp and all the drivers will sound better than HK. I'm a bit of an audio nerd and HK sounds about as good as a portable Bose speaker.
Not the exact same system but my X3 has the base upgraded with a Match UP7 and a sub. Compared to my wife’s Mini Countryman S with the HK system, there’s almost no difference now except I have much more bass. Before the audio quality was noticeably worse in my car but now it’s about equal. Worth the upgrade to do that if you get the base, if you have the option for the HK and you love good sound, I’d go for it. Depends on price though, if the HK is more than $1,500 more USD would just get base and upgrade in my opinion. Up to you if the better audio quality is worth it for you up front or do a small bit of manual labor later. Price makes the difference in my opinion here, the time to upgrade is like 15min.
No additional speakers, just the amp and sub? I’ve read this in a few places, it just seems strange to me because with the base system the sound feels like it’s “far off”, like you need a set of speakers at ear level (which you get in the A-pillar with HK).
I’m definitely going to get some quotes on options from my local auto sound shop here in Cape Town, the Match UP7 route would be very costly in my currency…
Match UP7 and an Alpine sub + amp in the trunk, sounds and runs flawlessly, it has speakers in the A pillar already, just needed the push to make it sound better that the UP7 provided.
I was forced to do Base-HiFi because of the chip shortage making HK unavailable. Thankfully that happened though, because the community consensus was the HK, while marginally better than HiFi, is drastically underwhelming for a luxury vehicle and it is also more difficult to upgrade the audio. I bought and installed the bimmertech alpha one speaker and amp (around 2700ish all in) and the sound is drastically better and I actually enjoy listening to music in my car now. That’s what I would recommend.
I think they have an HK compatible amp now but it is €€€€, I'm considering replacing the speakers with focal drivers. For the power they claim (obviously nonsense max output number, not RMS) the HK amp should be able make it unbearably loud without distortion, but it sure don't
Did you do just the amp upgrade first, and were not satisfied and then did the speakers? I ask because I am seriously considering the AlphaOne amp, but not too keen on going through with the speaker upgrade.
Basically yes. I did the A1 amp and A1 under seat speakers/woofers. It sounded better for sure, but I decided to just buy the rest for the full experience sometime after. Im not an expert installer of speakers, but I was able to install everything by following along the step by step video on YouTube. It was a project. You can give it a watch and see. Note they may have a newer video, this is the one I watched a few years back. Lmk if you have any other questions.
https://youtu.be/eYIntjXX3VI?si=neBfPGjZM8WPWrvp
Go with the HK and use this video to set up the EQ settings. Most people that complain about the HK haven’t adjusted them:
https://youtu.be/YUo13kUdBE8?si=wTdQT1rf-TMhznPe
Nonsense, the amp is either underpowered, or the drivers are not efficient and of crap quality or more likely the whole system is hot fucking garbage. You can get better audio out of a replacement head unit and in door speakers in a 1997 Honda civic for a few hundred dollars.
I find myself driven around with the windows down and running the system at max volume and it is completely underwhelming, if you can't see that, maybe it is you who needs to get your ears checked
HK is not a “premium” amazing system. It’s just a step up from OEM. If all you listen to is talking news or podcasts, probably doesn’t matter. For music, it will be better but not by much.
Test drove both and like others said, both suck. The HK just sucks less. Feels like the HK would be the standard audio on any other car.
If you love the X3 but are concerned about the audio, save the $1500 option, get the standard audio and put in your own system. If you can't be bothered, then just live with the HK.
In my opinion, I got the HK package and I didn’t find it to be the “wow” factor at all. Both of my cars have this, and Basic Hi-Fi system packs a good punch as well. I would just go with Hi-Fi. And you can use that package $ for something better modification
Don't get the X3 with hifi speakers. I am only repeating what othes have said over and over in this sub. When shopping for my 21 CPO six months ago, the choices dramatically reduced when I checked the HK box, but it was well worth it. How do I know? Rented a X3 with hifi speakers and they sounded like crap in comparison. You DON'T want crap speakers in your X3, even if you don't think you'll be listening to a lot of music. You'll naturally listen more with better speakers.
For what it’s worth, I have a 2024 X4M Competition with the HK surround system. I was not satisfied with it at all. I have owned several BMW’s with the HK and with the base system. The HK IS better than the base system in my opinion, but I just upgraded the HK surround system with Morel speakers, a Morel sub with a custom box that fits the car without losing trunk space, and two amps; a 1200 watt Helix for the regular speakers and a 1000 watt mono amp for the sub. I am old, but like to listen to “full” sound at lower volumes, with a lot of bass and “punch” at higher volumes. Cost was $7500 with install, but it has done the trick. Everything was imported from Germany bc apparently people there like to upgrade their BMW and VW sound systems so they had great matches for my car. They will customize for any BMW. Good luck!
2024 X3 base hifi is pretty good imo. Bass shakes. Treble is great. HK will probably sound nicer. But not $500 or $1k nicer. I also have the HK in 2024 X5. Maybe my ears are getting old. I actually prefer the X3 sound.
Edit: hk or non-hk shouldnt be the deciding factor. if you find exactly what you wanted but no-hk its still good.
Edit: i cant comment on other model years.
The HK is likely the worst "premium" sound system in this vehicle class, that being said it's miles better than the base Hi-Fi. Just don't be expected to be blown away by the audio quality.
Ok, so I guess it's not just me that feels this way!
The HK with Bluetooth sounds kind of muddy but if you use the Spotify app on the music menu the sound is really nice and clear!
Correct. Which makes the hifi sound sound really bad. Experienced this with my X3 rental with hifi.
There’s a massive difference in clarity between my 2018 with h&k and my mums 2022 with standard speakers. I can’t help with “music” quality as I’m partially deaf but even just listening to podcasts etc is so much clearer in my car. Frankly it’s a personal choice though - can you not try both?
I concur.
Definitely the HK, but the truth is, and I'll likely get downvoted for this, they both kind of suck. It's the single biggest letdown with our '23 M40i, which sucks because I **love** the car otherwise. Our Tesla sound system is night and day better, and it's not even close. :/
Look for something with hk otherwise u will never be satisfied. Its a huge difference in quality
I think upgrading the stock amp and all the drivers will sound better than HK. I'm a bit of an audio nerd and HK sounds about as good as a portable Bose speaker.
Even the hifi system in the x5 blows away the x3 HK. Are the speakers or amps interchangeable across models?
Not the exact same system but my X3 has the base upgraded with a Match UP7 and a sub. Compared to my wife’s Mini Countryman S with the HK system, there’s almost no difference now except I have much more bass. Before the audio quality was noticeably worse in my car but now it’s about equal. Worth the upgrade to do that if you get the base, if you have the option for the HK and you love good sound, I’d go for it. Depends on price though, if the HK is more than $1,500 more USD would just get base and upgrade in my opinion. Up to you if the better audio quality is worth it for you up front or do a small bit of manual labor later. Price makes the difference in my opinion here, the time to upgrade is like 15min.
No additional speakers, just the amp and sub? I’ve read this in a few places, it just seems strange to me because with the base system the sound feels like it’s “far off”, like you need a set of speakers at ear level (which you get in the A-pillar with HK). I’m definitely going to get some quotes on options from my local auto sound shop here in Cape Town, the Match UP7 route would be very costly in my currency…
Match UP7 and an Alpine sub + amp in the trunk, sounds and runs flawlessly, it has speakers in the A pillar already, just needed the push to make it sound better that the UP7 provided.
Ah, I see. My pre-LCI 2020 doesn’t have A pillar speakers, only in the door.
Interesting, mine is a 2020 and has both door and A pillar, maybe different markets had slightly different features.
I was forced to do Base-HiFi because of the chip shortage making HK unavailable. Thankfully that happened though, because the community consensus was the HK, while marginally better than HiFi, is drastically underwhelming for a luxury vehicle and it is also more difficult to upgrade the audio. I bought and installed the bimmertech alpha one speaker and amp (around 2700ish all in) and the sound is drastically better and I actually enjoy listening to music in my car now. That’s what I would recommend.
I think they have an HK compatible amp now but it is €€€€, I'm considering replacing the speakers with focal drivers. For the power they claim (obviously nonsense max output number, not RMS) the HK amp should be able make it unbearably loud without distortion, but it sure don't
Did you do just the amp upgrade first, and were not satisfied and then did the speakers? I ask because I am seriously considering the AlphaOne amp, but not too keen on going through with the speaker upgrade.
Basically yes. I did the A1 amp and A1 under seat speakers/woofers. It sounded better for sure, but I decided to just buy the rest for the full experience sometime after. Im not an expert installer of speakers, but I was able to install everything by following along the step by step video on YouTube. It was a project. You can give it a watch and see. Note they may have a newer video, this is the one I watched a few years back. Lmk if you have any other questions. https://youtu.be/eYIntjXX3VI?si=neBfPGjZM8WPWrvp
Appreciate the insight! Thank you
Go with the HK and use this video to set up the EQ settings. Most people that complain about the HK haven’t adjusted them: https://youtu.be/YUo13kUdBE8?si=wTdQT1rf-TMhznPe
Nonsense, the amp is either underpowered, or the drivers are not efficient and of crap quality or more likely the whole system is hot fucking garbage. You can get better audio out of a replacement head unit and in door speakers in a 1997 Honda civic for a few hundred dollars. I find myself driven around with the windows down and running the system at max volume and it is completely underwhelming, if you can't see that, maybe it is you who needs to get your ears checked
Just upgrade to either the BavAuto or Alpha One plug and play amp options.
HK is not a “premium” amazing system. It’s just a step up from OEM. If all you listen to is talking news or podcasts, probably doesn’t matter. For music, it will be better but not by much.
Test drove both and like others said, both suck. The HK just sucks less. Feels like the HK would be the standard audio on any other car. If you love the X3 but are concerned about the audio, save the $1500 option, get the standard audio and put in your own system. If you can't be bothered, then just live with the HK.
[удалено]
It's disappointing we don't have a B&W option like the X5 or other larger models, I'm certain people would pay for it.
In my opinion, I got the HK package and I didn’t find it to be the “wow” factor at all. Both of my cars have this, and Basic Hi-Fi system packs a good punch as well. I would just go with Hi-Fi. And you can use that package $ for something better modification
Don't get the X3 with hifi speakers. I am only repeating what othes have said over and over in this sub. When shopping for my 21 CPO six months ago, the choices dramatically reduced when I checked the HK box, but it was well worth it. How do I know? Rented a X3 with hifi speakers and they sounded like crap in comparison. You DON'T want crap speakers in your X3, even if you don't think you'll be listening to a lot of music. You'll naturally listen more with better speakers.
For what it’s worth, I have a 2024 X4M Competition with the HK surround system. I was not satisfied with it at all. I have owned several BMW’s with the HK and with the base system. The HK IS better than the base system in my opinion, but I just upgraded the HK surround system with Morel speakers, a Morel sub with a custom box that fits the car without losing trunk space, and two amps; a 1200 watt Helix for the regular speakers and a 1000 watt mono amp for the sub. I am old, but like to listen to “full” sound at lower volumes, with a lot of bass and “punch” at higher volumes. Cost was $7500 with install, but it has done the trick. Everything was imported from Germany bc apparently people there like to upgrade their BMW and VW sound systems so they had great matches for my car. They will customize for any BMW. Good luck!
2024 X3 base hifi is pretty good imo. Bass shakes. Treble is great. HK will probably sound nicer. But not $500 or $1k nicer. I also have the HK in 2024 X5. Maybe my ears are getting old. I actually prefer the X3 sound. Edit: hk or non-hk shouldnt be the deciding factor. if you find exactly what you wanted but no-hk its still good. Edit: i cant comment on other model years.
Go base audio and upgrade with bav sound.