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      10-09-2012, 03:34 AM   #1
neilv
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Standard stereo on the F30

Hi,

I am thinking about changing my e90 330d for a F30 330(if i can find one i can afford!) or maybe a 320d... i currently have the BMW professional with the Alpine Hifi upgrade and I m quite happy with the results.... I was wondering what the stock system is like in the new F30? Should I look for one with the HK option or is the stock system fairly good?

Cheers,

Neil
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      10-09-2012, 03:37 AM   #2
MaestroAl
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Depends what you personally like in an audio system. The stock one is fine at low volumes and farty at high volumes and it's not exactly hi fidelity. If you like your music loud and clear and like great, clear vocals from audiobooks or stuff like that then the HK is a must
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      10-09-2012, 08:40 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaestroAl View Post
Depends what you personally like in an audio system. The stock one is fine at low volumes and farty at high volumes and it's not exactly hi fidelity. If you like your music loud and clear and like great, clear vocals from audiobooks or stuff like that then the HK is a must
What MaestroAl said. I have the stock system and its the one and only thing that I actually HATE on my car. I was at the limit of lease value, so had to sacrifice them for Xenons. Let me just say again, I HATE the stock system, if you like listening to music at a decent volume (not even burst your ears loud) on motorway journeys, it's gotta be the HK.
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      10-09-2012, 09:23 AM   #4
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I have a new 1 series msport and the standard audio kit, it's much better than the 3 series I had on loan.

Also the 1 has an extra pair of speakers in the rear parcel shelf area, seems strange a lower priced car has a better standard audio installed.
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      10-09-2012, 10:07 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaestroAl View Post
Depends what you personally like in an audio system. The stock one is fine at low volumes and farty at high volumes and it's not exactly hi fidelity. If you like your music loud and clear and like great, clear vocals from audiobooks or stuff like that then the HK is a must
+1

Some people are OK with the stock system. I feel it is somewhat lack-lustre.
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      10-09-2012, 10:14 AM   #6
neilv
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Thanks for the responses guys, looks like I'll be trying to source one with the HK in that case also as I'll most probably getting a used one, in case I cant find one with the HK installed, is there any retrofit kit available similar to the alpine upgrade that was on the E90?
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      10-09-2012, 10:17 AM   #7
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I've heard murmurings that an Alpine-style upgrade will become available, but no official word on it yet.
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      10-09-2012, 10:23 AM   #8
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I had a loaner F30 last week and it had the stock system. I'm sure you could make do with it but for me it was not up to scratch. It didn't seem to have the right balance, a bit tinny rather than the refinement that the HK brings.

I like with the HK you can adjust the equaliser to get the balance you want. The sound seems to fill the car and more importantly drown out my less than perfect voice

Maybe I'm just spoilt now after having heard the HK, I may not be an expert on this but I think it was money worth spending. If you're going to be in the car listening to your own music a lot then it's worth the extra. If you're going to be listening to the radio more then perhaps you can do without
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      10-09-2012, 03:42 PM   #9
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I test drove a 330D yesterday which had the stock system, it was pretty poor and no way I could put up with it. BMW really does fit poor stock systems, guess they want you to upgrade.
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      10-10-2012, 06:00 PM   #10
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I only picked up my car this evening and had 30 mins driving it home before I had to get back to work. I have just got home and had another blast round the block. To get to the point, I had the Alpine upgrade kit in my last car (120d coupe) and the sound was far better than the standard kit. With my new car, one of the first options I chose was the HK system. In the short space of time I have driven it I can honestly say that the sound is well worth the extra £650 and is much better than my last car. It is clear and can go rather loud, though not quite as loud when streaming from my phone (using Bluetooth). Most of the demo F30s I have seen have had the HK so you could find one appearing in the used cars stock.
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      10-11-2012, 01:23 AM   #11
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Slightly OT but does the radio have Long wave ?
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      10-11-2012, 06:07 PM   #12
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I have just been out to check on the LW. Maybe it is just our market, but I can only see FM, AM the DAB option I specified. Short answer: UK cars don't have it.
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      10-12-2012, 01:46 AM   #13
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^^^ Thanks for that

No TMS so.....
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      10-12-2012, 07:08 AM   #14
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Longwave + Mediumwave = AM though

You're selecting between frequency modulation and amplitude modulation there. There's no way in hell that you can't get Longwave on these cars. Are they seriously gonna limit AM to the shorter frequencies? That makes no sense
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      10-12-2012, 10:29 AM   #15
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Quote:
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^^^ Thanks for that

No TMS so.....
Not available with DAB? Or the internet radio feature?
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