Alpine Hifi upgrade (a must)

[LatinBimmer]

I wasn't sure about the upgrade to alpine hifi, I was reading every thread about it and finally decided to give it a try.

The standard sound system was...too "standard" I was driving a BMW X1 2013 listening a 1950 car sound system

I did the upgrade last weekend and it's an amazing upgrade. Tweeters, Powerful sound and Clear. If you love music, you will be very happy with this.


PS: no coding required

[meeks]

care to share a link to the unit?

[LatinBimmer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Nachrust...item35c424adfa

ask seller to send the specific model for your vehicle. It's cheaper than my dealer and brand new.

The kit contains everything you need.

[Grovsnus]

This would likely not be compatible with the Harman Kardon system, which is surround and not just stereo.
And adjustments might be needed if using it with the audible parking sensors, so those sounds still come from the correct perceived angle.

[nospam]

This is an upgrade to the base audio for vehicles sold outside of the US (which don't even get tweeters). Only the 2010 3-series base models got this base audio. We have HiFi upgrade standard in the US and H/K is another step up.

[LatinBimmer]

Originally Posted by nospam

This is an upgrade to the base audio for vehicles sold outside of the US (which don't even get tweeters). Only the 2010 3-series base models got this base audio. We have HiFi upgrade standard in the US and H/K is another step up.

That's right... I don't really understand why those settings are not the same everywhere...even xenons..a $900 difference? Please do it! Retrofit is a nightmare...

[conceyted]

ALL US CAR OWNERS BEWARE. This "upgrade" is not for our cars. This is for Non-US cars only. The "standard" audio system in the US is actually good. It is true stereo (unlike the HK) and has tweeters etc.

There are still upgrade paths your audio system in the US (HiFi/Standard being the easiest system to upgrade), but I don't really see the need and I am a self proclaimed audiophile.

[Grovsnus]

Originally Posted by conceyted

The "standard" audio system in the US is actually good. It is true stereo (unlike the HK)

The Harman Kardon gives you an option in the iDrive to turn off surround, and you then have a "true" stereo system. I have no idea why it's on by default, because the fake surround is truly horrible, like a bad karaoke machine.
The main reason for me to get the HK is that it has better tweeters.
Otherwise, Harman Kardon is hardly audiophile - it's a branding mark more than anything.

[CIWS]

The HK also has the electronic EQ in the controls.