Loudspeaker system

[shakatini]

How do I know which kind of sound system I have on my 62 plate X5.  Currently I have:
1 speaker on central console
2 mid speaker and 2 tweeters on front doors
2 mid speaker and 2 tweeters on back doors
2 in the back shelf (I think)
2 subs under the seats

That's 13 speakers in total.  I don't have any option on the Icontrol giving me an equaliser option.
My question is is this logic 7, loudspeaker business or professional??

Thanks

[X5Sport]

I have Logic 7 'Professional' in my X6, 16 speakers and that has a surround control on the iDrive (60 plate).

12 speakers is 'Business', and 16 speakers with higher power Amp is 'Individual'.  I think for the latter the words 'BMW Individual' are on each speaker grille.

Richard

[shakatini]

Thanks for that.  I've  read in other forums that BMW have 4 sound systems, namely:
Standard
Business
Professional
Individual

That's the reason for the confusion!!

[fat-tyre-phil]

Has anyone had their speaker system upgraded as an after-market change, either via BMW or a competent ICE company?  If so, experiences and thoughts?

[zchap68]

I am contemplating an aftermarket upgrade but still stewing on the prices...

I have the BMW Business version (i.e. 12 speaker system). The system sounds pretty good if the engine is switched off - but the moment you add engine and road noise, the bass can get a bit lost. My wife thinks I'm mad (probably right on that one) as she thinks it sounds great. However, I am an audiophile so sound is important to me, and I like deep thumpy bass. Bear in the mind the X5 is a large vehicle so does need a powerful system if you want deep powerful bass.

From what I have read, the standard BMW system is not that great but BMW Individual and Logic7 are the ones to have, although if like me you bought a used X5, most probably didn't have this option from the factory order.

As I still have a year's warranty left, I looked at cartronics.co.uk as they have a good reputation for retrofitting standard BMW audio systems and have full coding facilities.

I called them up requesting a quote for essentially upgrading all the speakers including upgraded amps and changing the 6inch underseat woofers to an 8" version.

I was quoted the following:

So system upgrade is recommended as follows for your VIN number.

1) New speakers in the front (DSP) + tweeters in addition a new amplifier to drive these would cost £1188
2) Upgrade the subwoofers under the front seats from the 6inch version to an 8inch version and amplifier these as well cost £1211
3) Upgrade rear doors (as per front) £1188
4) and finally install rear quarter panel speakers (near 3rd seats /boot lid) cost £912 (NB this is additional as I don't have any speakers there at present with BMW Business)

All prices plus vat and subject to seeing the car for a scan.

:blink:

I know I'm an audiophile, but this exceeds the price of my home cinema system!.... Unfortunately, I had to politely reply that this fell outside my anticipated budget and left it at that. 

Back onto the net, I then stumbled across the following website:

http://www.audiofile-incar.co.uk

They seem to have been in the audio business for some time and I had a long chat with chap called Gary who seems very knowledgeable. They are based in Hertfordshire and he invited me to pop down and have a listen to his kitted out X5 which will give a good indication on the sound quality to expect.

He has more reasonable prices and you can upgrade in stages dependent on your budget.

They don't use standard BMW audio components so there may well be warranty issues but I may wait till my warranty expires till I proceed.

His options include upgrading the standard speakers with Focal components in the door cards, upgrading the underseat woofers to SWS 8" woofers (which have a very good reputation and sound) as well as driving all this via a JL Audio 500/3 amp (subs will be run on mono but apparently you don;t notice much stereo separation with the woofers anyway). They also dynamat the front doors to provide better sound deadening. The cost of all this approximately £1500, but I found out a significant chunk is labour cost as it takes two people almost a whole day to fit the gear. As previously mentioned, you can upgrade in stages, eg. just speaker and later sub and amp etc.

I am very interested in their offering and will post back if I get to listen to his demo X5. They have also custom made headrests with rear screens that can connect to the idrive as well as other video sources including iphone 
I'm sure it would cost £££ though but would look very cool!

[Caesium]

Audio-file is just up the road from where I live, I'd be interested to know how your demo turns out.

[MPH40d]

See the thread "2010 E70 Audio Upgrade" first posted on May 30 this year as well

I took my 40d to Gary and had the TV/DVD system custom installed in the headrests plus his £1000 audio upgrade (ie without the subs under the front seats). Well worth it. Sounds fantastic and my sons aged 6 and 10 have the same functionality for the rear seat entertainment as they had in my prior Range Rovers.

Customer service was excellent too.

[simpic]

I have the full upgrade from Gary at Audio File and can vouch for its superb sound.

Fitting quality is great as well. You can not tell they have done anything to the car from looking at it.

Very happy.

May consider the headrest screens in the future.

[markda]

What's the approximate cost of the full upgrade to the nearest thousand will do 

[MPH40d]

It was £1500 when I had my £1000 job done