2022 BMW X3 - 12-speaker Sound System Review | Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

[@GamesWorld03]

I’ve listened to this system in person and I think it sounds pretty good. It just doesn’t pick up notes below 40hz but it’s really well balanced and refined. I know that the author put in the c tier because of the price of the car, but it sounds better than other systems that were ranked b on this channel

[@glorifiedbusdriver7036]

I think that BMW still has one of the best base non-branded sound system in the class. It's not as impressive but it made you think, "Do I need the upgrade?". That being said, I would love to see these kind of videos on base sound systems on more affordable cars such as Hondas and Mazdas.

[@ryanshannon6963]

I agree. I think this system should be the baseline for factory sound systems for highline manufacturers. Would I want to hear this one an 8 hour road trip? Maybe....not. Obviously the HK or BW would be much better in that scenario, but for everyday driving, it's perfectly adequate and not offensive. As far as Honda/Mazdas, it could be difficult since, ideally, you'd have sound insulating windows and windshield, otherwise you'd turn it up too much and definitely start to hear the shortcomings of this particular system (mid to high crossover distortion, and becoming much worse at higher volumes). I think BMW did a great job designing a factory system with the cabin harmonics in mind.

[@jasonblair4057]

I had my x3-m40 with HK coded to enable the B&O features on the amplifier and it’s even better. Way more sound profiles to choose from, the only issue is it does not get as loud as before but I will not have it changed back. Nice review and looking forward to the iX or i4 review.

[@planetfabulous5833]

It would be interesting to see him do a review of the aftermarket plug-n-play systems designed specifically for BMW cars such as Bavsound or Bimmertech. I would like to see how those systems compare to stock and HK.

[@seattlebeast6165]

I love this channel! Thanks for taking the time to make a review man 🙏

[@jcsdesign]

Thanks for the accurate analysis. I bet all it needs is a 10/12" sub in the trunk to fill that low end bass and it will suffice. BMW just wants us to upgrade to the HK system just because no one wants to base system in a $67k BMW.

[@kenhermans]

When I ordered my 2022 BMW X3 30e I could not even choose the HK audio upgrade because of microchip shortages! So this is the best we could get in Belgium.

[@ryanshannon6963]

That system has plenty of bass already. What it needs is the logic processor to be reprogrammed for better crossover between mid and high frequencies, or a more linear amp paired with mids and tweeters to handle the increased load. You can tell it distorts quite a bit between mid and highs (*especially* when the highs are percussive, but not so much when it's string/piano). I'm not really sure why people are so fixated on bass, but I suppose it's the easiest thing to hear the difference (loud shaking bass *good*, crisp but not ear damaging highs and imaging without distortion at higher volume levels is definitely not as easy to discern or define). Since driving with the B&O system in the Volvo S90 that has plenty of *everything* (yes, even drowning out trash Trap rap with a 800 watt sub in the car next to me with some good old "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)" or "Chanbara" you really hear how clear and transparent highs can actually be represented. You also learn that ear fatigue comes from very poorly executed crossover frequencies and tweeters that simply can't keep up with representation at high volumes. Snares, bells, triangles and cymbals catch this quite easily, so that's one of the first things I listen for when looking at a car's audio system. The HK system in Volvo is still excellent at the price point. The Band and Olufsen in the A6 (and A5, but not quite as clear. Maybe because it's a hatch and sound reflectivity is amplified in that setup) is probably equivalent. I would maybe give the edge to the BO in the A6 due to it's great transparency. It doesn't have the depth that the BW system has in the Volvo, though. Overall, I think this is an adequate system in a "base" setup. I would expect all base systems to perform similar to this. It's not offensive by any means. It does an adequate job for pleasing enough listening for a factory system without pretending to be something better than it is. It's not bad! If you compare this to the factory GLC 300 system, the difference is great enough to ask what the hell Mercedes was thinking when they decided they could throw such a garbage system in their car when BMW has this for their factory setup.

[@jkdoodle4460]

These bmw also has cool gesture controls

[@guhlord4745]

Really need the Harman in there

[@stvn-j8d]

Hey, @dailymotor do you think the H/K in the x3 is much better? Does it justify an extra 1k? Thanks!

[@DanielOtte101]

Does the iX3 have the same base audio (HiFi) system, should you choose to not go for the Harman Kardon upgrade?

[@nick-xi6do]

They all have the same sound system. Just some have 10 speakers and others have 12. Personally I would def upgrade because HiFi isn't anything special, at lease me it always made me want to put it on mute.

[@simplym4gic]

Does the normal x3 also have the subwoofer? Especially the x3 20d xdrive

[@DazyBrad]

Hi! Do you have any chance to test B&W system on Bmw ix?

[@DailyMotor]

Coming in late July!

[@abelr332]

hey Charlie have you ever considered doing a review on the jeep renegade??

[@DailyMotor]

Good call! Jeep doesn't have many review units right now since the vehicle has been out for a few years, but you're right, I should try to get one.

[@jeffmao850]

I think on all luxury car brands, the base audio is actually premium audio. The bass is pronounced enough.

[@balazsmaczak4681]

Except Mercedes…

[@alexi007x3]

Any suggestions on how to upgrade the HiFi system? I have the same car and couldn’t get the HK option due to the chip shortages. BavSound Ghost subs are supposed to be great and Bimmertech sounds cool, but then the ASD has to be disabled and EQ happens via a laptop only. I wonder if you can upgrade to the HK amp and change the speakers to BavSound and then Code to add the HK profiles? I wonder if that would work…

[@wendys-milkshake8393]

Alpha 1 amp on bimmertech

[@abhigyandas6100]

Not bad, it's fun to listen it in real person. But I have Hyundai Verna with ARAKAMYS sound system. Charlie if you can please do a review of ARAKAMYS sound system please it would be an pleasure.

[@DailyMotor]

Unfortunately we don’t get that model here. But if I’m ever overseas, I will consider!

[@abhigyandas6100]

@@DailyMotor it is usually found in model of Citroen please find it, or you have to come to India to test the Hyundai verna model with ARAKAMYS sound system.

[@abhayrajput2203]

Charlie was it better than jeep compass alpine music system or not..?

[@DailyMotor]

Nope.

[@richfraser]

hifi ?

[@nickpick9402]

I think it should be a c- cause when I heard the system in person it was harsh on my ears.

[@Minizzan]

I have x3 same as this demo my biggest disappointment is weak treble I usually like to listen woman vocal songs when it comes with that I can barely hear the vocal and sounds like a singer been smoke cigarettes for 20years

[@ryanshannon6963]

That's funny. Yeah, definitely can hear it at elevated volumes, even in this demo. That's usually where it's difficult for speakers to reproduce sound without more investment in the setup. It's not as simple as just throwing in better tweeters and calling it a day. You need to accommodate those tweeters for an amp that can provide a clean and wide enough signal for the highs since the mids can't represent other tones in that frequency range. I think the HK system is probably a good enough upgrade where you can equalize your way out of the shortcomings of the speakers.

[@newyorkerik]

Sounds muddy, no definition

[@mortensenvick5711]

bmw and porsche base system are so disappointing!