Is upgraded Audio with DSP worth the extra money

DINANM3 · #1 05-09-2006, 09:24 PM

Since i will be ordering my new X5 within the next couple of months i gigured i would ask this question. My 04 X5 is fully loaded every option in the book except rear movable cargo floor. I am very happy with it. My next one i will be getting the retractable cargo floor though. But i was wondering should i not get the upgraded audio option. It was 1200 dollars and all the the regular system sounds like shit the upgraded one is not that much better and not worth 1200 bucks IMO. So the question is what do i do? Im not really into Stereo stuff but if i blast my system it better sound alright. The regualar one was so bad thats why i went with the DSP. But like i said it sucks too. And living with it for 2 years ive always asked myself if it was worth the money. and i dont think it is. So now what. Do i just get it again anyway or is there something else i could do.

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at4689 · #2 05-09-2006, 09:37 PM

just buy your own sound system , i say, i got the regular system so i can do my own system eveentually, when i blast it im not a fan of the extreme bass but more like when you get a bose sound system the loud rich, sound, you have bass but not like you know those hoopties that round around shaking the whole road, you know what i mean ?

x5GuyInLA · #3 05-09-2006, 10:00 PM

What's the DSP setting you have currently? Is it your own, or the one suggested in the article here? I have mine set up almost like the suggested settings, but the difference I made was I put the 80hz setting almost to the top (i think it's like 1 or 2 bars from full) and in the tone settings, I have the bass setting turned +2 or +3 and the treble up about +5 or so (i think the article has the bass at +4 and the treble at +1). I think the system sounds pretty good, especially from the CD changer. Try that out and see how you like it. I definitely don't think the upgrade is worth $1200, but then again, I don't think any stock system upgrade is worth it's price because you can get something a lot better for the same price. Another thing to consider is if you decide not to get the upgrade, do you want your new X5 sitting in a shop for about a week while someone dismantles your car to put in new speakers and new amplifiers? IMO, if it's new and under warranty, I would want to minimize the invasiveness of whatever I do to the car. Just my .02. Let me know what you think of those settings.

X5Flyboy · #4 05-09-2006, 11:23 PM

My '06 sound was OK, but I opted for the BSW speakers, subwoofer, and amp upgrade (plus IceLink). Sound is awesome compared to original sound. It ended up abit more $ than Premium Sound Package, but the difference is well worth it. I, too, love my tunes. This upgrade met all my expectations. I wish I could make it to the DC meet to show it off. Celine sounds as good in my X5 as she did on stage.

vinuneuro · #5 05-10-2006, 12:11 AM

We have DSP with MB Quart speakers. The way the amp channels (more than 12) the music is absolutely fantastic. Nothing spectacular in the rear, but sit in the front and the sound stage will just amaze you.

DINANM3 · #6 05-10-2006, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5GuyInLA

What's the DSP setting you have currently? Is it your own, or the one suggested in the article here? I have mine set up almost like the suggested settings, but the difference I made was I put the 80hz setting almost to the top (i think it's like 1 or 2 bars from full) and in the tone settings, I have the bass setting turned +2 or +3 and the treble up about +5 or so (i think the article has the bass at +4 and the treble at +1). I think the system sounds pretty good, especially from the CD changer. Try that out and see how you like it. I definitely don't think the upgrade is worth $1200, but then again, I don't think any stock system upgrade is worth it's price because you can get something a lot better for the same price. Another thing to consider is if you decide not to get the upgrade, do you want your new X5 sitting in a shop for about a week while someone dismantles your car to put in new speakers and new amplifiers? IMO, if it's new and under warranty, I would want to minimize the invasiveness of whatever I do to the car. Just my .02. Let me know what you think of those settings.

Ill try those settings and let you know how i find it to be.

DINANM3 · #7 05-10-2006, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

We have DSP with MB Quart speakers. The way the amp channels (more than 12) the music is absolutely fantastic. Nothing spectacular in the rear, but sit in the front and the sound stage will just amaze you.

So do you think if i get DSP and just change the speakers it should sound alot better. Want i need amps or anything like that to power the new speakers. And why does it sound so much better in fron than in the rear of the car. Forgive me i really dont know much about sound systems except for that i like them to sound crystal clear with enough bass but not enough to rattle anything loose

vinuneuro · #8 05-10-2006, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DINANM3

So do you think if i get DSP and just change the speakers it should sound alot better. Want i need amps or anything like that to power the new speakers. And why does it sound so much better in fron than in the rear of the car. Forgive me i really dont know much about sound systems except for that i like them to sound crystal clear with enough bass but not enough to rattle anything loose

This is a very basic explanation (I'm not a sound expert); it has to do with the way the front speakers are positioned and the fact that you have six of them up there, instead of four in the rear (plus the two subs). The two tweeters right below the windshield, in the dash, I'm sure provide the majority of the image because it reflects off the windshield. The speakers in the A-pillars are pointed towards you, etc. The rear speakers just fire sideways.

I really don't know how to put it, but what impresses me the most is the sound processing. All the sounds seem to be in the right place in the "room". That's really what it sounds like, a room. Imagine having surround sound like a home theater, but in front of you. Put in any CD, and it sounds like it was engineered in the studio with several channels. I've heard non-dsp system, it's mediocre. With the right speakers the dsp system blows it away. The two stock subs are so-so; wish they were better, but not a big deal since I prefer clear/precise/sharp bass instead of pounding. M Lot of fine tuning can be done with the standard bass/treble control and equalizer.

I know the big speakers in the doors in our X are MB Quart, not sure about the tweeters. We got our X when it was a year old, and the previous owner is the president of Maxxsonics, which now owns MB Quart along with a bunch of other car audio companies.

DINANM3 · #9 05-10-2006, 01:38 AM

Cool. thanks for the info i may go that way.

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