[Ninefourteener]

I have the B&W in my 2020 X5M50i..... I've also recently driven a close friend's 2019 X5 40i with the Harman Kardon. Both G05 cars

The sound quality in the B&W is CONSIDERABLY better than the H/K system. Plus, they are very attractive at night when lit up.

I will say, I still think the B&W is lacking bass response. I'm actually building a custom stealth subwoofer box for it as we speak. But, the H/K is lacking in bass too. Those underseat subs (on both systems) just don't do the job in an interior as large as the X5. I'm not a rap music fan either.... even for modern rock and pop, it's lacking. The "quality" is excellent on the B&W. The "level" of bass is underwhelming though. It's not "bad"... I just expected more. If you listen to classical, jazz, classic rock, or anything that isn't too "bass-ey", it's perfect.

The CLARITY on the B&W is impressive though. Very impressive. It's a truly "immersive" experience. My friend's H/K at 1/2 volume was already starting to distort, whereas the B&W never distorts, even at full volume. It's always crystal clear at any level.

One of my fav albums of all time is the 2010 remastered NIN Pretty Hate Machine album. It's very "techno industrial", but also rock/metal. There are parts of that album I never knew existed, because I could never hear them on a "normal" stereo. It's like listening to the album for the first time again. Still though.... needs more bass. Not "better" bass.... just "more" bass. The highs are so perfect, so crystal clear, and so unusually audible compared to a normal stereo.... but the bass is just "ehhh". The sub box I'm building is minimal... nothing major.... just enough to compliment the bass, not make it overpowering. That's all the car needs to be perfect.

Is it worth the $3400 upgrade on a US spec car? Yes.

Is it worth (what I hear) $6000+ people are paying outside the US?? No, it isn't.