2024 BMW X5 - Harman Kardon 16-speaker Sound System Review

[@omegasquadlder]

I wish you didn’t have to upgrade to the m60i just to have the option the bowers and Wilkins sound system. They should at least offer it in the x drive 50e

[@v12-s65]

The bowers is available in every engine trim, at least in my market

[@MrMiamiswaggz305]

@@v12-s65Canada?

[@v12-s65]

@@MrMiamiswaggz305 europe, Switzerland

[@LesleyHawkins-o5p]

in the UK you have to spec the pan roof at £2650.00 to add the B&W hifi upgrade which costs £3500.00 - I have it on my 50e and its awesome, but then again the HK on my previous 2019 X5 was great.

[@Wasabi9111]

Thanks for the review. I’m surprised you rated this so high. My dad had a 2020 x5 w HK. We thought it was just OK and always wondered if the B&W would be much better. I think at the time it was the nicest car we ever had, so we had really high expectation for it. His X5 had the acoustic window option, smallest wheel and air suspension, so it was pretty quiet.

[@DailyMotorSound]

That's a nice setup. Yeah I think BMW HK has come a long way in the last few years.

[@TRX25EX]

I have 2019 X5 H/K and we have 2020 X7 B/W..... Yes B/W sounds great specially at clarity wise but I prefer H/K sound signature to be honest, so I wouldn't say it's always better to upgrade, B/W when tuned to my liking is better but won't say it's a whole another level better..... It's on par with Lotus KEF or Bentley Naim or Volvo B/W which I heard

[@DARIOcaptain]

When you're saying that H/K has come a long way improving and now it's not that much of a difference comparing to the B&W, would you say that it's the same in the pre-facelift X5 G05 or did H/K actually improve in the facelift (LCI)?

[@william_ochieng]

Please Charlie from Daily Motor, do a sound system test of the new Range Rover. No one has done it on KZbin and there's so much hype around it. We would like to hear your honest opinion.

[@DailyMotorSound]

I'll try to get my hands on one!

[@william_ochieng]

@@DailyMotorSound Awesome, thanks so much. You are doing really great work. I appreciate the honesty in your reviews and the details you provide. Be blessed abundantly.

[@DailyMotorSound]

@@william_ochieng You too! I scheduled the Range Rover for January.

[@william_ochieng]

@@DailyMotorSound Wow, that's really great. Thank you so much!! 💯

[@v12-s65]

I heard it. It's worse than the previous gen SVA

[@glorifiedbusdriver7036]

I'm so happy to see these improvements by HK (at least with their BMW systems). I'm not sure if you can get ahold of the iX with Harman Kardon system (not B&W), but it would be a good system to do a test on.

[@degou3438]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/enrSc6yvqdFsr9Ufeature=shared

[@v12-s65]

As a previous range rover owner I was highly unimpressed by the X5s H/K. Lack of clarity, not a very homogen sound stage. Bass could be crisper

[@MrRover30]

Have you also noticed how BMW cheapen out with the glass not on the volume knob as previous executive packages that had it

[@leonidvedine]

rreally enjoyed this - do you have a playlist i can download?

[@Sunjib12345]

Awesome Video

[@kevinsetayesh4987]

I have an f36 (2019 440i GC) and the HK in that comes with just a little under 700 watts. It sounds so much better and much louder than any of the newer bmw HK sound systems. BMW went backwards with their HK, it’s probably the main reason I won’t be upgrading to a newer gen bmw

[@ptb127]

Love the review.... Thank you! I am test driving the X5 Saturday. I just had the Q7 for a few days. The sound system sounded tiny... But I just saw your review of a previous Audi system, and I think my issue was the 3D effect was on.

[@DailyMotorSound]

Ah yes, most 3D and surround effects affect sound integrity. Mostly just a gimmick. Will be curious what you go with! Is XC90 on the table?

[@ptb127]

@@DailyMotorSound the Volvo is on the table toO BUT I like that both the BMW and the Audi has the Sirius 360L package but the Volvo does not. Did you see the new Chevy traverse? So nice. How do I send a track or two for you to try on the cars that you have?

[@DailyMotorSound]

@@ptb127 Got it. Feel free to drop a comment with your requests on any members only sound test over on the main DM channel, and I’ll see them

[@ceciland7773]

Do you think the Bowers and Wilkins on the other X5 needed a break in period? If it was brand new, maybe that’s why it was too strident and tiring?? I recall many years ago getting some sennheiser HD650 headphones. They were top dog at that time. I hated them at first. But once they broke in (and I drove them with enough power) they could leave me in a puddle of bliss because they sounded so warm and refined.

[@christopherrmcg]

The compression BMW uses with this H/K system drives me crazy

[@harrystclare6404]

Yep, its terrible. I had a 2016 X5 and the system had no limiter then. Just got a 2021 with the same system supposedly, but the limiting is very obvious.

[@christopherrmcg]

@harrystclare6404 sucks not sure why they started doing that when they could have upped the wattage, driver size, etc. For a more powerful sound instead of artificially boosting the low notes but then limiting/compressing all of the sound at higher volumes to prevent distortion and etc

[@LCfer]

Is the bimmercode B&W profile hack make HK sound better or worse? Is it worth to hack the ECU for B&W profile on HK speaker?

[@PaulAuse-er5vc]

Great stuff, thanks Charlie! My wife has a 2023 i4 with the HK system, and I'd totally agree that the HK system is pretty solid. Looking at a 2025 x5, and glad to hear you're impressed with the HK system as I'm not interested in stepping-up to the top of the line just so I can get the B&W system. One question- do you have any experience with the Bavsound speaker and/or amp upgrades? I've installed Bavsound speakers in 6 BMW's over the years and pretty impressed with the speakers, the amps in our 2013 5-series and 2019 M2 Comp, a little less so. Would love to see if you have any thoughts. Thx!

[@DailyMotorSound]

Thank you. I have not experienced Bavsound, but I will have to check them out.

[@kevinwang618]

Great test! BTW have you tested the BMW Diamond B&W with 20 speakers? I thought in your last video it was the standard B&W not the premium diamond version

[@DailyMotorSound]

Yeah it's coming in a week or so

[@noahyoha894]

Compared to the HK system in the i4, which one do you prefer, this or the i4 system? I remembered you gave the i4 system a S tier rating. Also I have noticed that the HK system in the i4 is also 464 watt. Any chance that they actually share the same system?

[@harshgoyal53]

Charlie - Thank you for posting these reviews! I'm a huge fan! Have you tested the stock X5 audio? I have a 2022 X5 and I'm happy with the audio quality. I had a loaner X5 with the HK upgrade, but I felt like it wasn't too different in quality (except bass). Also, I observed that the HK system output degrades severely (heavy distortion) at max volume. The stock system handles high volumes pretty well in my experience.

[@DailyMotorSound]

You're welcome, and I have not, but that's good feedback. Perhaps the base system has fewer channels to worry the amp

[@RJ-xj3ct]

was test driving an I4 and was told that the base system and HK are the same speakers except the HK gets the sub. Not sure how credible that info is but If its true probably the sub drawing a lotta juice and speakers don't have a lot of power to draw from.

[@oliverwhittington4887]

I am confused a little, I have a g20 LCI with the Harman Kardon, which is on paper the exact same as this system, (16speaker, 464watt) from what I can see. If they are the same systems, why is this one so much better than the one in the 3er. Also I think streaming services are only available once you have signed into the BMW ID in the vehicle settings. at least in my car when I signed in, Spotify showed up.

[@DailyMotorSound]

The newer designed HK systems have been a big improvement. I don't know why they didn't step it up in the LCI 3 series, honestly the biggest disappointment about that car.

[@joshuakarp2586]

Is this the same system that is in the 2023-2025 X7?

[@DailyMotorSound]

Probably very similar, yes

[@jimgaul67]

Here in MN the HK upgrade is part of the $2550 Premium package on my X6. I pick it up Friday so I’ll let you know how the sound is in the slightly smaller X6 interior. I just traded in my 2018 Grand Cherokee which has the 900 watt HK with 19 speakers . I really liked that system which had too much power. 😅

[@anjin77]

So, now that you've had the X6 for a little bit, how does the HK sound? I'm assuming that's a 2024 X6?

[@jimgaul67]

@@anjin77 I had the 900 watt version in my Previous Grand Cherokee and it was over powered. This 450 watt is better and I’m liking the sound and clarity. I’m glad I upgraded. I’m at 2500 miles and this car has no defects. So glad I bought a BMW X6.

[@anjin77]

@@jimgaul67 Awesome! Congrats on your purchase. But know that once you go BMW, it's hard to choose anything else! I bought my 2008 E60 535i 16 years ago, and even with the softer drive feel of modern BMWs, I still feel I can't find anything else that offers a better bang-for-the-buck than BMW. Porsche can be better, but not worth the extra money for what you get IMO (except a 911 😉). And Mercedes quality has gone to absolute trash the last 4 years (e.g the GLE has atrocious reviews). So BMW it is!

[@nottechnical]

I have the new 2025 x5m and so disappointed in the sound system, I’ve tried tuning and still can’t get it sounding good, I think my Tesla m3p has probably one of the best sound systems I’ve ever heard for a stock car. Great video by the way ✌🏻

[@DailyMotorSound]

Thanks! Yeah I need to get into the updated Model 3, Tesla PR is just very difficult to get through to.

[@Milocat-v3g]

you have to try the lexus tx with the mark levinson. i may try this week. The last time i tested it in the rx it was not as good as the gv80.

[@DailyMotorSound]

Getting it next week!

[@Milocat-v3g]

@@DailyMotorSound thanks.... Looking forward to your thoughts

[@itbeginx]

Can you review the new 2024 Lexus RX Mark Levison? I drove and listened to it for a good month, not really that impressed.

[@DailyMotorSound]

I've been trying to get one, but it's been tough. I had a pre-production model, and it didn't sound very good, but I was told the tuning wasn't finalized.

[@johnlindsay3820]

Reply I have a ‘21 LC 500 convertible with ML. The HK in my bmw 6 series is night and day better. Absolutely no comparison. The ML is forward too bright and sounds like it’s coming mainly from the dashboard however you play with the settings. I am buying a new x6 and will stick with HK - don’t even want to risk B&W after the experience with the ML.

[@tejinderseera1280]

I wish i can put my micro precision 7 and dynadio esotar in this car.

[@amirfakhribadri7994]

I don't know why car company afraid to use big magnet terms out of weight distribution, just audio .

[@mscot]

I'm honestly quite surprised you like this system. It's near the top of my complaints about my 24 50e. I think the system is near garbage in terms of bass output and that the amplifier is woefully underpowered.

[@drastikjdm4door]

Great content, any idea if the Harman kardon on a 20/20 X5 is different from the new 2024 Harman kardon system? Tuanks

[@DailyMotorSound]

Thanks! Yes it likely is, but I can't speak directly to it

[@Milocat-v3g]

Is this a fact the 2024 radio has been upgraded. The previous years have been terrible. I have a gv80 going off on lease in 6 months and cant find anything comparable. May have to wait till 2025 gv80 and it will have bowers and wilkins in it. Cant imagine what that will sound like. Thanks

[@DailyMotorSound]

Volvo XC90 would be your best bet for audio, but can't guarantee reliability. GLE would probably be pretty good too.

[@brizv]

I have this car and the same sound system. I do not like it at all. I had a 4 speaker Škoda Yeti and I miss that stereo. There is something missing in BMW. I am no audiophile but the “depth” in music and voice of singer, it’s missing here. I do not know if it’s the base or mid lower end, but something big is amiss in here. You have to play Indian music more to realise it.

[@brizv]

Skoda yeti was 8 speakers*. Missed counting the tweeters.

[@kimpyeatt2595]

Upgraded HK????? No, I believe they downgraded the system w/Idrive 7.

[@kimpyeatt2595]

This system lacks depth. Lacks bass. Sounds pretty terrible to me. The HK in my 2018 G30 sounds way better (altho could use improvement). The HK's were 600w then. They've cheapened it since then. And certainly sounds like it.

[@Madrid4ever07]

HK in X5 2019 is really sounds terrible, for me it is weak even worse than the basic BMW sound system in X6 2014.