[admranger]

Originally Posted by darylp310

I
Funny story, when I had my Tesla, I did notice some speaker buzzing on certain songs when a specific frequency of bass played. It really annoyed me, so I opened up the Tesla app, and put in a repair request via text, and they got back to me within 4 hours to schedule a fix. The next morning a Tesla tech came over to my house, diagnosed the problem in my garage, and my speaker was fixed within two hours. (Turns out that two of the screws had fallen out of the front right speaker!!). We all love to give Tesla shit when they drop the ball, but objectively that was a great customer service experience, I must say.

BMW version of above story: After 3 days at the dealer, your SA will call and say "we couldn't repeat the problem".

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by admranger

BMW version of above story: After 3 days at the dealer, your SA will call and say "we couldn't repeat the problem".

no, the BMW version is that the speaker would have been screwed in properly in the first place.

[DemoZ]

I will say that my tesla Model S (2022) which i sold had a great sound system.
I think the BMW's is also good (on paper). But the distortion from even a news broadcaster speaking is apparent at 50% or higher volume.

I like the idea of using a thumbdrive to play music - can the Ix have that feature - I didn't see that on the Media sources colum.

I have my appointment on Tuesday and hopefully we make progress

[SignMD]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

HK here too and I have zero complaints. The HK setup in the IX is on par or even ahead of the B&O system I had in my X5. Zero issues with the midrange and no distortion. I personally believe this to be the best HK setup ever fitted in a BMW.

It also puts the “premium” Burmester system in the EQS SUV to shame (in a big way).

I agree. although I would have optioned for the B&W, I too am very satisfied with the HK. It sounds outstanding, can't imagine needing something better. The B&O in e-tron and Mach-e was pure garbage, my EQE is decent but no comparison. Overall extremely satisfied with the HK.

[f82fanatic]

Originally Posted by darylp310

Please double check your CarPlay phone quality settings. If you are on an iPhone make sure you are using Lossless settings in Apple Music. Set all the EQ settings to flat. If you have Logic 7 Surround enabled set it to one of the lower amounts.

The HK system is phenomenal! Just this past weekend I was testing a wide range of music from Kanye hip hop to the orchestral Pirates of the Caribbean sound track and comparing between HK and B&W, and in some ways the HK is better than the B&W (and I can really go deep and nerd out on the audio engineering if someone wants to).

There's no distortion even at 80% volume, and it almost hurt my ears. My Apple Watch was complaining that the decibels were too loud!!

I suspect the audio source might be the problem, but the HK system is unbelievable. It has all the clarity of the B&W system without the shakers rattling extra bass your back!

I thought the HK in the car sucked ⚽️, but I’ve tried switching the audio quality from automatic to high quality and it blew my mind. It’s a night and day difference! Thanks for the tip!

I mostly listen to podcasts, so it doesn’t make much of a difference for me. But on the few occasions that I had listened to a song, I did not like the HK at all.

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by f82fanatic

I mostly listen to podcasts, so it doesn’t make much of a difference for me. But on the few occasions that I had listened to a song, I did not like the HK at all.

Glad to hear you got it all fixed up now!

Sounds like OP DemoZ might have a real a physical hardware problem with his speakers. Looking forward to hearing what his BMW dealership tells him about the problem.

[KRS_SN]

Some cable somewhere isn't plugged in properly. I'd ask if the dealership has an ix with hk as a demo. Then go in and play the same music in your car and the demo. Ask for the foreman to listen in to both. Once they agree there is a problem I've found they'll find a solution. Getting them to agree needs our inventiveness sometimes.

[hugo_nz]

Just for fun I blasted "Korn - Coming Undone" at 90% volume this morning. No special EQ settings, HK Surround set to maximum. Connected to CarPlay wirelessly, streaming over Spotify.

No distortion at all...

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

no, the BMW version is that the speaker would have been screwed in properly in the first place.

Perhaps, but in my 28 years of BMW ownership, I cannot count the number of times "can't replicate the problem" has come up at the service counter.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

Just for fun I blasted "Korn - Coming Undone" at 90% volume this morning. No special EQ settings, HK Surround set to maximum. Connected to CarPlay wirelessly, streaming over Spotify.

No distortion at all...

What a great song…

[f82fanatic]

Originally Posted by admranger

Perhaps, but in my 28 years of BMW ownership, I cannot count the number of times "can't replicate the problem" has come up at the service counter.

Incredibly annoying and common occurrence.

[exxxviii]

Originally Posted by f82fanatic

Incredibly annoying and common occurrence.

Tying over to the posts on the other thread… this is something my Audi, Porsche, Tesla, Hyundai, and Genesis friends and family never say. Because, they have no problems to replicate. (M-B friends have bigly problems.)

[ilya4min]

Originally Posted by hugo_nz

Just for fun I blasted "Korn - Coming Undone" at 90% volume this morning. No special EQ settings, HK Surround set to maximum. Connected to CarPlay wirelessly, streaming over Spotify.

No distortion at all...

I have bad news for you, but if you can't hear distortion effects in a Korn song, either your sound system is broken, or you're listening to the wrong KoЯn 😛😛😛

[admranger]

As far as songs to test your sound system to, try Sarah Bareillas' live version of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

I first heard it on a 2 channel system running full d'agostino pre and amps, DCS front end, and some massive Rockport speakers. When the fortissimo piano hit, it was the real deal. I have been using that song (as well as others) ever since to "test" sound systems. Funniest part of this whole bit was when my wife asked how much each amp was and the salesman said "35". My wife said, "then why don't you buy them". The salesman and I both laughed out loud. She withdrew her purchasing approval upon hearing that the amps were $35k each.

[darksilkx1]

Originally Posted by DemoZ

Appreciate the feedback. All EQ settings are flat.

Whether I use Sirius radio from the BMW system or streaming Spotify from the phone, same issue. That's why I'm concerned that it sounds like a bad speaker or two.

Unless something has changed. Spotify does not offer hi-res audio. I left them after 13 years for Apple music a year ago for that reason and every one can hear the difference. Any audio system is only as good as the source material and both Spotify and XM are highly compressed audio sources. Current Spotify quality is NOT up to CD quality.

https://www.techhive.com/article/790...er-coming.html

[f82fanatic]

Originally Posted by darksilkx1

Unless something has changed. Spotify does not offer hi-res audio. I left them after 13 years for Apple music a year ago for that reason and every one can hear the difference. Any audio system is only as good as the source material and both Spotify and XM are highly compressed audio sources. Current Spotify quality is NOT up to CD quality.

https://www.techhive.com/article/790...er-coming.html

Very high quality audio level on Spotify it’s about 320 kbps streaming. I can tell you it sounds great playing via Bluetooth on the HK on my car. It’s not CD quality, you are correct. But it’s enough for me, and probably many others here.

[SGiXers]

Time and again i have visited choices in life where i have to decide on
is it a need, a want( bragging rights/ more expensive) or the 3rd option, if less is more.
I have HK sound on my iX. I have yet to listen to an BW shod iX. Paper specification like how many speakers, how many watts will always favour the more expensive setup/option. Thats sales pitch.
If there's anything I wished the HK system has is a nice,more premium speakers covers (on the dash and doors), they look low rent on a vehicle this expensive.

Now, to be objective on what is better i think a fair blind fold test will usually settle the score. If i had access to both BW and HK side by side, i would do that on myself and my family.

The same goes with ride with air or without air. This age old comparison and opinion has been flogged to death and again, but should one is truly objective, do a sameday blind fold test. Is it less for more or i want it because its better and my ego can't live without it?
A true sound system comparison from anyone or magazine editor must include the premium and the standard setup(blind fold) done at the same time.

[mfdutra]

Originally Posted by DemoZ

All EQ settings are flat.

My EQ is a U shape, with bass and trebles all the way up. It sounds amazing. With the EQ all flat, it’s crappy.

[darylp310]

Originally Posted by mfdutra

My EQ is a U shape, with bass and trebles all the way up. It sounds amazing. With the EQ all flat, it’s crappy.

Do you have HK or BW? What's your music source? iPhone? Android? Spotify, etc? I've found the U-shape EQ is often preferred for older music. Do you mind sharing what type of songs you typically listen to?

[mfdutra]

Android / Spotify. I listen to everything you can possibly imagine. In theory, each song would have a better EQ curve, but obviously I wouldn't do that.

The whole thing is really subjective. Fiddle with it until you like what you hear. Forget the mathematics.

[DemoZ]

Dealer has the car since Tuesday. They replicated the issue on the mid-range tones/sounds being distorted. However, as of today, they said that they tested two other iXs and they pick up the same distortion. They said no service bulletin has been issued.
They offered to have me hear the stereo with an another iX to show me that they are all this way. I can't believe the Ix HK stereo is this bad?

I have a nice i4 loaner, with the standard stereo, and its way better without the distortion.
Dealer is trying to be nice, but if this is what the car sounds form the factory - that's very disappointing. I'm going to run this up the ladder and get the stereo professional tested - no way at 55-60% you starting getting mid range vocal distortion.
I'll let you all know how it goes tomorrow when I meet with the shop foreman.

[darylp310]

DemoZ my offer still stands to drive over and let you listen to my HK which has perfect sound. Maybe a glitch was introduced with the recent batch of cars? Is your a 2024?