[r00ts]

I'm spec'ing out my build and curious about acoustic glass. Does anyone have it? Curious if there's noticeable difference in noise reduction.

[samvora]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get it

[natahoa]

I have it. You can still hear road noise at speed, but everyone who rides in my car comments on how quiet it is. I can’t compare with non-acoustic glass, but I’m glad I ordered it!

[r00ts]

That's awesome! Yup, I'll be getting it.

[TahoeBMW]

I have it as well, for $300 it's an easy choice, I can only compare to my 2016 F15 and there is a CLEAR difference.

[atl_1M]

$600 option for 2020. Anyone know why the price jump? And would you get it over the leather dash or the glass controls? All these options are adding up.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by ssiddiq1

$600 option for 2020. Anyone know why the price jump? And would you get it over the leather dash or the glass controls? All these options are adding up.

My guess is because it was an extremely popular option so they figured they could make some extra money. I have it and would order it again even at $600. I value the sound deadening more than the leather dash (the stitched sensated looks good) and the glass controls (I would get them but the wife doesn't like them at all).

[sygazelle]

Yes. Get it.

I got an X3 as a loaner today and it is so much more noisy than my wife's G05 with acoustic glass.

Get it.

[mnx5er]

Originally Posted by ssiddiq1

$600 option for 2020. Anyone know why the price jump? And would you get it over the leather dash or the glass controls? All these options are adding up.

Leather dash. Wish I had it.

[Aimster82]

I have it and my car is quiet like a Mercedes S class... maybe quieter. Seriously.

If you like to listen to music/drive with windows down then don't get the acoustic glass. I've heard it is very quiet without it too.

[atl_1M]

Thanks. I think I’m going to have to just wait til the 2020s hit the dealer and test it out to see how much of a difference it makes.

[VTENGR]

Here's my take on it in the context of the other two options you mentioned. A lot of people have commented on how quiet the cabin is even without the Acoustic glass. So there's already an improvement there. Knowing that I would rate the option in this order.
1) Glass controls - really adds a pop to the interior.
2) leather Dash - the primary reason I want this is because the stitched dash looks so much better than the single unit soft plastic dash. However for 2020 all dashes are stitched sensatec - which might be the best of both worlds honestly. You get the aesthetic of the stitching but the durability of the synthetic leather.
3) Acoustic glass - I would really like to know how much improvement there is. I have a feeling it's mostly placebo effect. Most ppl won't be able to tell a difference between 5 or so decibels and if they could that would be a cabin already quiet, but who drives in a quiet cabin? Going 85 mph with the music on, how much of a difference does 70 dbs vs 65 dbs make? I see this as one of those options that you're on the fence with but after a month of ownership you won't even think of it.

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

3) Acoustic glass - I would really like to know how much improvement there is. I have a feeling it's mostly placebo effect. Most ppl won't be able to tell a difference between 5 or so decibels and if they could that would be a cabin already quiet, but who drives in a quiet cabin? Going 85 mph with the music on, how much of a difference does 70 dbs vs 65 dbs make? I see this as one of those options that you're on the fence with but after a month of ownership you won't even think of it.

70db vs 65db noise may seem only 5db apart by deicble is logarithmic scale so noticeable difference.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by mattsrs

70db vs 65db noise may seem only 5db apart by deicble is logarithmic scale so noticeable difference.

This. A 6 dB difference roughly doubles the perceived sound intensity. A whisper is about 20 dB, a lawnmower is 90 dB. Eardrums rupture at 150 dB, thereabouts. A thunderclap (more than 120 dB) is over 30 times as loud as a 70 dB car interior (which would be pretty noisy - the X5 and Q7 are both normally rated under that at 50 mph with non-acoustic glass). Sixty dB is half as loud as 70 dB.

[VTENGR]

Well those numbers were place holders. That's why it would be nice if we actually knew what the improvement was. Since the scale is logarithmic, will it only be 1 dbs?

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

Well those numbers were place holders. That's why it would be nice if we actually knew what the improvement was. Since the scale is logarithmic, will it only be 1 dbs?

You can download a few sound pressure measuring apps for a smartphone. I have two that I use on my iPhone. The issue will be to use the app when going to the dealer and taking out an X5 with and then one without the acoustic glass. Good luck with that! Both tests would also have to be driving the same route and then a comparison could be made..or at least an estimate could be assumed since a real sound pressure reading device is more sophisticated than an iPhone.

An increase of 3dB doubles the sound intensity but a 10dB increase is required before a sound is perceived to be twice as loud since our ears are not perfect. Therefore a small increase in decibels represents a large increase in intensity. For example - 10dB is 10 times more intense than 1dB, while 20dB is 100 times more intense than 1dB.

If the above test could be done, it might take some of the subjectivity out of the topic of...is acoustic glass worth the price? Even then, some will care and some won't.

[VTENGR]

Really the perfect test would be to have something loud playing outside the car... Like I leaf blower or something like that. Then have 2 cars with and without the option. Measure the difference and see. The challenge would be getting an inventory car with acoustic glass optioned out. Seems most that are inventory have very few options.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

This. A 6 dB difference roughly doubles the sound intensity. A whisper is about 20 dB, a lawnmower is 90 dB. Eardrums rupture at 150 dB, thereabouts. A thunderclap (more than 120 dB) is over 30 times as loud as a 70 dB car interior (which would be pretty noisy - the X5 and Q7 are both normally rated under that at 50 mph with non-acoustic glass). Sixty dB is half as loud as 70 dB.

However I've seen studies that state a 5dBA change is hardly perceptible to the human ear.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

However I've seen studies that state a 5dBA change is hardly perceptible to the human ear.

Right, you need 10db for most human ears unless you have dog ears

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

However I've seen studies that state a 5dBA change is hardly perceptible to the human ear.

According to the attached study, acoustic side glass reduces cabin noise by around 8db and here's the break down of how noise reduction is perceived:

"The perceived difference in the volume of noise, as
loud or soft, can also be expressed in dB.
0-2 dB is imperceptible
3-5 dB is just perceptible, no change
6-10 dB is clearly perceptible,
noticeable change
11-20 db is a big and significant change"

Therefore, acoustic side glasses have a very clear and noticeable impact on reduction of cabin noise.

[Paladin1]

Some interesting C&D comparisons - X7, but should be similar with similar tires and engines:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...interior-test/

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Some interesting C&D comparisons - X7, but should be similar with similar tires and engines:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...interior-test/

Very interesting! IMO an X5 with standard 19" wheels and acoustic glass could be 1-2db quieter than X7 (min 21" wheels and larger body).