[scottjays]

I see an option for the light up grills in the settings. I don't see any lights actually in use. Anyone know if the BW system does have light up grills

[trivalent]

Originally Posted by scottjays

I see an option for the light up grills in the settings. I don't see any lights actually in use. Anyone know if the BW system does have light up grills

https://g60.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30722687

[KingM3llo]

Something interesting about the Bowers and Wilkins system in the i5 is that it isn't as good as the one in the x5,x6,x7, and 7 series. It has lower wattage too. I have heard other people say the i5's BW system is more comparable to the HK system in the i4.

[Sequence001]

Originally Posted by scottjays

I see an option for the light up grills in the settings. I don't see any lights actually in use. Anyone know if the BW system does have light up grills

The Rear Speaker Grills And Logo Illuminates. But for The Front, only The Logo illuminates.

[trivalent]

Originally Posted by KingM3llo

Something interesting about the Bowers and Wilkins system in the i5 is that it isn't as good as the one in the x5,x6,x7, and 7 series. It has lower wattage too.

Trying to stay on topic: Maybe it's the lights.

Originally Posted by KingM3llo

I have heard other people say the i5's BW system is more comparable to the HK system in the i4.

You were misinformed. That is a falsehood.

[Vivalamatt]

Originally Posted by trivalent

You were misinformed. That is a falsehood.

I would beg to differ. Bowers & Wilkins is owned by Harman Kardon. The “new” B&W system in the i5/5 series is not the premium B&W “Diamond” system found in higher models with a higher price tag. It’s simply B&W’s way of rebranding Harman Kardon and selling you the same, cheaper system.

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by Vivalamatt

I would beg to differ. Bowers & Wilkins is owned by Harman Kardon. The “new” B&W system in the i5/5 series is not the premium B&W “Diamond” system found in higher models with a higher price tag. It’s simply B&W’s way of rebranding Harman Kardon and selling you the same, cheaper system.

I don't think so. No mention of HK under this umbrella.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEI_Holdings#History

"The company that became DEI Holdings was founded by future US Representative Darrell Issa and his wife Kathy in 1982 as Directed Electronics, with Darrell Issa serving as the first CEO.[1] In 2000, Darrell Issa was elected to the House of Representatives, and Jim Minarik replaced him as CEO.[2]

In 2004, the firm bought speaker company Definitive Technology;[3] in 2006, it bought Polk Audio.[4]

In 2008, the companies adapted a holding company strategy, and their parent became DEI Holdings, Inc.[5]

In 2011, the company was bought by private equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners.[6]

In April 2013, the company combined Polk, Definitive Technology and the Boom Movement brands into a new division called Sound United.[3]

In August 2016, Kevin Duffy was named the company's CEO, replacing retiring CEO Jim Minarik.[7]

In March 2017, the Sound United audio division acquired YS consumer electronics company D+M Group, whose brands included Denon, HEOS by Denon, Marantz and Boston Acoustics. At the time, D+M was the world's largest supplier of audio/video receivers.[8]

In October 2020 Sound United LLC acquired Bowers & Wilkins.[9]

In March 2021 Sound United LLC acquired Australia's leading importer and distributor of home entertainment systems QualiFi Pty Ltd. QualiFi Pty Ltd was the Australian importer and distributor for Blustream, Denon, Elan, Forte, Furman, HEOS, Jamo, Klipsch, Marantz, Niles, Stealth Acoustics, Sunfire, Thorens and Xantech brands of high-quality Home Entertainment components and systems. QualiFi was based in Mount Waverley, Victoria and incorporates a service department for the servicing and repair of all products distributed by them.[10]

In April 2022 Sound United was acquired by Masimo. [11]"

[MrDit]

I believe Harman Kardon is owned by Samsung.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by MrDit

I believe Harman Kardon is owned by Samsung.

That is correct. The system in the i5 is the lowest grade B&W in the BMW lineup. But, it is truly B&W.

[trivalent]

Originally Posted by Vivalamatt

I would beg to differ. Bowers & Wilkins is owned by Harman Kardon. The “new” B&W system in the i5/5 series is not the premium B&W “Diamond” system found in higher models with a higher price tag. It’s simply B&W’s way of rebranding Harman Kardon and selling you the same, cheaper system.

Yet more misinformation.

[Beemer5to3]

trivalent Vivalamatt

The new generation B&W sits probably just above the current HK in terms of overall output & performance, but nowhere near as good as the B&W Diamond Surround in the outgoing G30, or in the G15 etc. I’ve listened to it, and can say that with absolute certainty.

To give some idea of where we were vs. current options:

Current HK output (G20/30 etc): 464W
New G60 B&W output: 655W (interestingly the F-series HK cars and early G30’s had a 600W amp)
B&W Diamond output: 1,400W

The standard fit HK in the G60 output is the equivalent of the old BMW Hi-Fi (which I suspect that’s what it actually is) of 205W.

Whichever way you look at it, it’s a bit of a cost saving exercise by BMW clearly, albeit to option B&W on the G60 is far cheaper than it was (£1,250 vs over £3k, and now you can only option it on the 8 series as part of the £6k Tech+ pack).

[PsychDoc]

The output wattage of an audio system is a very poor measure of sound quality.

There are magnificent sound systems that run on amplifiers putting out 25 watts and systems that would make you wish you were deaf that put out 700 wpc.

Why do people keep inaccurately conflating these two issues???

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

The output wattage of an audio system is a very poor measure of sound quality.

There are magnificent sound systems that run on amplifiers putting out 25 watts and systems that would make you wish you were deaf that put out 700 wpc.

Why do people keep inaccurately conflating these two issues???

I’m very aware of that, I’m just using it as a worked example, but the output (and quality of the amp) will make a difference a the HK was noticeably worse when BMW replaced the 600W system with the 464W system - the drivers fitted were identical, just the amp was poor in comparison.

The drivers are also different in the G60 B&W. The point still stands, it’s not as good of a system as the Diamond Surround, but will clearly be better than the HK.

[RichardInCA]

I’ve also wondered what, if any, meaningful difference in power drain from the HV battery a higher wattage sound system will cause. On the face of it, I can understand the need to manage consumption of accessories when the G60 is trying to cross the divide between the battery size of an i4 and the bells and whistles of an i7 (with it’s bigger batter capacity)

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

it’s not as good of a system as the Diamond Surround, but will clearly be better than the HK.

Of course not. The B&W upgrade in the G60 is $950, the Diamond system was ~$2400 IIRC.

I would certainly expect it to be a more premier system.

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

Of course not. The B&W upgrade in the G60 is $950, the Diamond system was ~$2400 IIRC.

I would certainly expect it to be a more premier system.

£3k in the UK but worth it. My previous G15 had HK and my G16 has B&W, and the difference is night and day, especially when fed with hi-res source.

[Vivalamatt]

Originally Posted by trivalent

Yet more misinformation.

Misinformation yet countless articles/posts stating Harman owns Bowers. The cheaper Bowers in the new 5 series sounds no better than any Harman Kardon out there 🤷🏼‍♂️

[cpt]

Originally Posted by Vivalamatt

The cheaper Bowers in the new 5 series sounds no better than any Harman Kardon out there 🤷🏼‍♂️

Have to respectfully disagree... The B&W in my M60, though admittedly not perfect, still blows the HK system in my previous car out of the water in every aspect. It sounds even better now after 50+ hrs of break in.

[Vivalamatt]

Originally Posted by cpt

Have to respectfully disagree... The B&W in my M60, though admittedly not perfect, still blows the HK system in my previous car out of the water in every aspect. It sounds even better now after 50+ hrs of break in.

I’m glad you love it. It’s still a great system nonetheless and as long as the you really enjoy it, that’s all that matters.

[Scrapula]

So HK does not own B&W. The article is stating that BMW uses both HK and B&W in their vehicles, which is true. This does not mean they use HK in a B&W branded system as B&W would not put their name on a system with a competitor’s speakers.

[malpatti]

We’ve been through this before with the G30 when it was announced. HK licensed the automotive tech from B&W. And the B&W system in the G60 is just a rebranded HK from the last generation.

https://www.residentialsystems.com/n...otive-products

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by malpatti

We’ve been through this before with the G30 when it was announced. HK licensed the automotive tech from B&W. And the B&W system in the G60 is just a rebranded HK from the last generation.

https://www.residentialsystems.com/n...otive-products

I don’t think it’s just a “rebranded HK” from the last generation - it has a different amplifier for a start. What I’m not sure on though without seeing the part nos, is if the drivers are indeed the same, but I doubt this is the case also.