[marauder34]

Hey all
I’ve settled in comfortably in the new i5. I’m a huge fan and there’s much to appreciate about this car.

However. I still find the stereo lackluster. It’s pretty good at low volume but when you crank it, the deeper base drops out and mid bass (toms, bass guitars) is kind hollow and boomy.

I’ve spent too much of my life in sound settings trying to tweak it and I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten it to the best it’s ever going to be.

Has anyone heard of adding a sub and an amp? I’m not thinking of excessive six 18’s in the trunk). I’m thinking a single high performance 10” is what this car needs.

Anyone? (Help!)

Thanks all - hope you’re having a great weekend!

[Scrapula]

I’m interested in this as well. The system has great clarity but could use more bass.

[marauder34]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I’m interested in this as well. The system has great clarity but could use more bass.

So I’ve been doing research and this is doable.

It seems there’s a 12V line in the trunk you can take from the stock amp. The big question that needs to be answered is what fuse and what gauge wire.

I’ll keep digging and let you know.

Btw, folks have also made me aware that there’s potentially high voltage back there that you don’t want to mess with - because it’ll kill you.

So please be safe!

[Scrapula]

The bass as it is sounds really good with a Rickenbacker 4001 bass. It has that really warm sound.

[Trevor G]

The bass is good but only at lower volume. I want to be able to shake the muffler baffles loose like I do in my Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit with the Harmon Kardon system in it.
3rd muffler for the Jeep already

[sowlesa]

Curious if you stayed with the Harman Kardon or upgraded to the bower and Wilkins? I’ve got my 540i on order with the bower system and am curious if it’s much better or not.

[Trevor G]

It is supposed to be an upgrade to the HK system in the 5 series. The Jeep is no comparison though because it has bigger amps compared to what the 5 series has. The Jeep also has room for larger sub woofers.
I have the B&W system in my i5 M60

[AddyDaddy]

My brother has a new i7 and we’re both getting a pioneer 10” powered sub for our trunks to help the sound after 50% volume where the bass just stops. His car has seat vibrators which is interesting but the current subs in both cars needs help

[QandnotU]

Crutchfield will allow you to put your car in and it will tell you if its compatible.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_51000/...?tp=99596&pg=2

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by QandnotU

Crutchfield will allow you to put your car in and it will tell you if its compatible.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_51000/...?tp=99596&pg=2

But, not really.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by sowlesa

Curious if you stayed with the Harman Kardon or upgraded to the bower and Wilkins? I’ve got my 540i on order with the bower system and am curious if it’s much better or not.

Would love to compare the new less wattage, decontented, post chip shortage B&W system in the G60's. It's much cheaper than the B&W price for the G30, but it looks like they cheapened it a bit. The question is how much has it affected the sound quality...

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by magbarn

Would love to compare the new less wattage, decontented, post chip shortage B&W system in the G60's. It's much cheaper than the B&W price for the G30, but it looks like they cheapened it a bit. The question is how much has it affected the sound quality...

It’s actually quite good when you turn off Logic 7 (or whatever it’s called). Turn the fader towards the rear, not just dead center, and play with the equalizer. Very good separation between frequencies.

It could use a subwoofer if you like to feel your bass, and it doesn’t get blasting loud, if that is your thing.

[Trevor G]

After almost 3 months of listening to the B&W system in my i5 M60 I can report that it is much better than the H&K in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Does not have the bass like the Jeep but it reveals so much more. The hidden highs in the H&K are vivid in the B&W system. I am hearing instruments in this car I never heard except for on my high end system in the house. Denon amplifier with KEF speakers.

[5403033]

Have a same issue with my 2024 540. Upgrade is available from bimmertech but my car does not have a booster amp, only RAM module , this is so strange. No clear answer from anyone.
Do you have any more helpfull info to share /

[attack7777]

Originally Posted by Trevor G

After almost 3 months of listening to the B&W system in my i5 M60 I can report that it is much better than the H&K in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Does not have the bass like the Jeep but it reveals so much more. The hidden highs in the H&K are vivid in the B&W system. I am hearing instruments in this car I never heard except for on my high end system in the house. Denon amplifier with KEF speakers.

I've got an NAD amp with KEF speakers at home as well. Why doesn't BMW use KEF speakers? I'd be so happy

[aaexpert]

as an audio shop owner, I hope to get a subwoofer upgrade done in my 540ix and share the details here, hopefully in a few weeks once I get some time to work on it.

[SouthTX210]

Originally Posted by aaexpert

as an audio shop owner, I hope to get a subwoofer upgrade done in my 540ix and share the details here, hopefully in a few weeks once I get some time to work on it.

I'm very excited to learn what you find out. I have an i5 m60 with the Bowers & Wilkins and, even though the subwoofer in this EV is in a different place than in their ICE, I'd love to add something like a JL Audio 10 inch powered sub.

[MiGs550e]

Why couldn't one tap the B&W bass speaker line add an audio transformer that then feeds to a speaker line input amp that then powers/operates a larger bass speaker?

[TLK]

Noone has yet laid eyes on it. It is known to be in the trunk. Probably like Taycan, it is under the trunk floor, probably forward of any underfloor cubby for storing chargers and tools. Somebody with an i5 w/B&W needs to explore the trunk and find it, take and post pictures and measurements. Then this oft started but never productive conversation about potential subwoofer upgrade can move forward.

[aaexpert]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

Why couldn't one tap the B&W bass speaker line add an audio transformer that then feeds to a speaker line input amp that then powers/operates a larger bass speaker?

Because BMW audio systems especially, uses 30+volt outputs and adding a standard line driver (usually rated .5 to 8 volts) or a basic amp with hi-level inputs (only up to 20volts) would catch it on fire! There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration now with newer vehicles in order to add an aftermarket amplifier like the above mentioned, start/stop voltage fluctuations, ANC microphones, to name a few. The Harman system isnt as powerful as the B&W and is a bit easier to work with. After completing a Lambo Huracan system recently, I plan to get 2 more projects done and then its onto my own car which has the B&W system. I've already sized a 10" sub to go into the spare tire foam area to remain out of site.

[aaexpert]

Just a quick update: I've finally acquired the correct OEM audio data, connectors, etc. to build a custom plug-n-play harness for the G60 ICE models with B&W. Once the parts are available for me to order, this solution will allow an aftermarket amplifier to be intergraded for a new subwoofer(s) and/or possibly all of the OEM speakers/or replacement aftermarket speakers too. I hope to get the parts in hand at the end of this month(?) and once all the testing is completed, I will update everyone here.