Poor sound on a E53 with Nav
 

Hi Folks new to the forum.
Just picked up a 06 E53 3.0 80k with nav, and the audio is horrible. I don't have DSP, but the nav option. I was going to upgrade to the bav sound speakers, and sub, but I looked in the back and can't seem to find a amplifier. I did find some odd open wires, and a yellow top battery. So I guess the former owner had a system of some sort. So my question is did some nav models come without an Amp?:dunno:

A bit of a search may net you some upgrade option and additional option re: the audio in the X. I have DPS but I don't use it.

Provided that the head unit is still factory wired you might be surprised to know that it depends on the audio that is fed to the unit that will determine what comes out of the speakers.

I have the same problem. Just the components at the front and full range in rear doors. And I agree the sound is disgusting. Tend not to turn it on if I'm honest. But then I am proper fussy with my music.
The plan is to find out the connections from the standard amp and replace it with an aftermarket one and change the speakers with the addition of a sub.
For me it's not about the volume but the quality and the dynamic range.



Insight electrical ltd. &. Bristol soundsystem hire

Oh and I can't stand mp3s. My personal opinion is its a step backward for music.
Just my 2ps worth.


Insight electrical ltd. &. Bristol soundsystem hire

What is the best format for high quality output?
I've done a head to head comparison of FLAC files and MP3's but unless you have a super expensive system to play them on, you won't notice a difference -or will you?
FLAC are extremely large files but are not compressed like MP3's..
I like high quality sound and I understand the format of the files being played make a huge difference but what is actually the best?
If not MP3's then what?
If something else then how and what device to burn/ play it on..something that can actually be integrated in a car and not on a stage...
Just curious ...

I agree, the quality of the standard nav system is awful. I'm not sure if changing the speakers only will make a difference? Or if the issue lies with the headunit and speakers...

Yes. In euro models, the amp is considered an extra feature. And thus you will find many euro X's without it. -Mine is one of them. :(

As I mentioned; if you feed MP3 or other files like it and expect the head unit
to deliver great sound then you're wasting your time. I have an Alpine CD player.
(thats right CD player). 24 bit CD's makes my system sound great.

Something else to consider, if the recording was engineered improperly
which so many recordings are these days then again you going to get that result out of the speakers.

I admit its a choice but honestly try a different recorded format first before wasting a lot of money.
Remember even the most expensive system can't make a bad recording sound better.

I considered installing the MP3 link cable until I heard how it sounded in another DSP X5, in a word......lame!

Stick with CDs.

While the quality of the recording being played does have an obvious impact on what you hear....there's no getting away from the fact the factory speakers leave quite a bit to be desired....

I would venture to say that 95% (or higher) of people would not be able to hear a difference between an Mp3 encoded at or 192 vs a flac source.....which is why mp3's are considered "acceptable" by most. If you know what to listen for, and have a getup that can accurately reproduce it there is a noticeable difference. I have Krk's here at home and you can definitely tell there's a reduction in the shimmer & overtones of percussion on an Mp3. That being said though, for a vehicle such as the e53, where the cabin in subject to wind noise, road noise and other vehicular sounds trying to obtain the same sound reproduction you'd find from a set of studio monitors is an exercise in futility.

I try to stick to FLAC sources for audio that has many layers or intricate sounds; my favorite tracks. But Everything else just gets slapped to an mp3 for sheer convenience & portability.