Why did my '01 DSP sound better than my '06 ?

[bob01]

Ok, it's been a week since I replaced my '01 X5 4.4 with an '06. IMHO the '06 represents a significant improvement over the '01 except in one area... audio.

Both vehicles were equipped with NAV, premium sound (DSP) and CD changer, but the '01 sounded SO much better. Even my wife who doesn't usually care about these things commented on how "empty" the '06 sounded on the way back home from the dealership.

The '01 delivered MUCH better reproduction across the frequency range (esp. the highs and lows) than the '06 which sounds horrible when listening to the same CD's that I played for years in the '01 with the same DSP settings.

It sounds as if some frequencies are muted / missing. It also sounds as if the speakers in the rear doors have severe problems with lower frequencies at higher volumes or there's a bunch of loose stuff behind the door panel. The '01 had none of these problems - by comparison it sounded GREAT.

Has anybody else noticed the same?
Any ideas on how to improve this?

I'm taking it back tomorrow to have this looked at.
FWIW: the '01 had a 09/00 build date.

Thanks,
- Rob

[el_duderino]

It sounds like your '06 has the same DSP functionality as the '05...

see this post: http://www.xoutpost.com/showthread.php?t=3896

The rear door speakers are severely limited in what they play and it seems the system sounds better with the fader all the way to the front.

Since the X5 "DSP" systems lost their digital amp input cable in like '03, and all the digital processing of the CD audio required another conversion from analog to digital (same conversion the radio was always getting), you're one of the only ones who can compare any sound quality difference from before and after. Sounds like the old DSP systems using the cable sounded better? There are a lot of other variables, of course...

I can say that the parts all look pretty good, but they don't seem to perform that way...

[bob01]

Interesting read...,

I guess it is what it is, I'll spend some time with it this weekend - the info in your post gives me some ideas.

Thanks,
- Rob