I would agree it's not the best sounding system but with some tweeks to the EQ I was able to make it worth the cost. I also have a 2009 335 with the Logic7 and it sounds awesome! The wife always comments on how much better my stereo sounds than her X5 but I also remind her that the interior of the vehicle is much, much different so I can only assume the sound dynamics will be as well. All in all I would do it again even if not to have to worry about being irritated by not having something that sounds better than the base while also being afraid to touch the electronics in X5.

The only break I give BMW on the standard system is cost and how much the typical owner cares. As an example, if you listen to Sirius all of the time, the sound system hardly matters because Sirius is so terrible sounding. Ditto for other sources like over modulated FM or even most MP3/iTunes recordings.

I don't get why BMW doesn't offer a better upgrade option for those who really care.

I don't have a newer model X but let me just say that the reproduction of sound coming from your audio system is directly proportional to how the music you listen to was recorded.

Most recorded music today is so processed that by the time it reaches your speakers it can't be described as anything more than crap.

Bottom line? Crap in crap out..... :yawn: You want to know how your system sounds? Get some music on CD recorded by the masters, then try that out in your vehicle. In the mean time please don't judge your system by the music coming from your iPod and related players....:D

I doubt 99.9% of the people can tell the difference between 320 kbps MP3/256k AAC itunes music and a lossless recording in a car of all places. To compare 256k itunes and 320k mp3's to sirius and modulated FM just isn't fair.

Why? ipod's are capable of playing a lossless codec which would be exactly the same as the source it was encoded from.
If you truly are a purist, there is no such thing as a good quality CD. Only can true quality music be recorded on a DVD with 24 bit/ 192kHz. But seriously, we aren't talking about listening to music in a sound room or with quality cans with a headphone amp. This is a freaking car without the possibility to take advantage of almost any of this super high quality sound. 256k mp3 is going to be good enough for the general public.
Truth be told. I just made two comments about audio quality...I listen to AM talk radio in the car. I'm happy with one speaker on the dash.

Hey, could you snap a photo of how you set your EQ? I made some adjustments, albeit not scientific at all...but not sure if I helped or hindered. Would be a good data point to try.

"zaydon"
I agree with you when you say "I doubt 99.9% of the people can tell the difference between 320 kbps MP3/256k AAC itunes music and a lossless recording in a car of all places. To compare 256k itunes and 320k mp3's to sirius and modulated FM just isn't fair.":thumbup:

Some of that 99% are the people who complain about BMW's sound systems all the while basing their opinions what they think they want to hear vs what they should be hearing.

My point is, If a person knows what true quality recorded music is then use that as the criteria for judging the system the music is played on. The difference can be clearly heard weather you're at home or in a car. But don't blame the sound system if one decides to play music that clearly suffers from bad engineering especially of one doesn't know the difference.

My 2005 X5 has no problem letting this listener know that what was recorded and being played on my car stereo suffers from bad engineering.

Weather it's analog or digital there is a difference. The way a recording is "Engineered" weather Digital or analog can make all the difference in the world when played on any system. Finding a recording like that can tell you what kind of system you have if one has the "EARS" the hear the difference. (Case in point) a passenger ask me "when did I install a sub woofer in my X?. I explained that I didn't. Instead what he was hearing was the recording "101 east bound by Four Play". Which is an engineering work of art.

I will try and do that tonight. You are right that this is not scientific at all and my adjustments may not be for you so use at your own risk. I continue to tweak as I go.

Thought I would report back that I picked up the new X5 today (my wife's car) and spent about 20 mins fiddling with the audio (with the premium upgrade). This was just listening to FM radio since I didn't have a CD handy.

The audio system is quite nice, much better than the premium sound in my 2002 330i. With all the settings at flat the sound is too heavy on the deeper tones for me. I boosted the upper 3 frequency settings (1k, 5k, 10k) by 2-3 notches which helped quite a bit. I also boosted the lowest frequency (100HZ) by one notch. Surprise, surprise, I managed to arrive at roughly the "C" curve setting that was described in this thread. I also set the fader to the rear by a couple of notches.

I need to pop in a CD that I know well to get a better feel for it, but I am liking the system so far. Since I didn't compare it to the standard system I can't say whether or not the upgrade was worth $1200. However on it's own merits it's a nice system and I don't feel disappointed in the quality for the money spent.