Since I first bought my M40i, I´ve struggled to improve the sound quality that the Harmon Kardon unit produces. Compared to the HK set-up and sound quality produced in my previous M240i, the G29 setup is very disappointing and just lacks any depth or detail. Today, I decided to code the Bowers & Wilkins sound settings using Bimmercode, which extends the sound presets that are activated in the settings in the iDrive system under “Sound“. All I can say is wow, the more I listen the more detail I hear! I now have 5 presets to choose from, Studio, Concert Hall, Stage, Cinema and lounge, with a noticeable difference being heard between each of the presets. I just wish I had opted to code this sooner.
Improving Harmon Kardon sound quality
- Thread starter Swiftly
- Start date
Argyll Andy
Lifer
Nick, good to know 
Do you by any chance know if this sound menu can be accessed via Carly or does it have to be Bimmercode?
Do you by any chance know if this sound menu can be accessed via Carly or does it have to be Bimmercode?
B21
Lifer
Argyll Andy said:Nick, good to know
Do you by any chance know if this sound menu can be accessed via Carly or does it have to be Bimmercode?
For a small fee someone with Bimmergeeks Protool could toggle it… :rofl:
Although if I’ve followed it correctly it’s a frig..ie you are using the device settings for a different make of hardware than you should? :tumbleweed:
Not that there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with that…maybe…
B21 said:Argyll Andy said:Nick, good to know
Do you by any chance know if this sound menu can be accessed via Carly or does it have to be Bimmercode?
For a small fee someone with Bimmergeeks Protool could toggle it… :rofl:
Although if I’ve followed it correctly it’s a frig..ie you are using the device settings for a different make of hardware than you should? :tumbleweed:
Not that there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with that…maybe…
I only came across this coding on another forum, it would seem that this coding option is also available for other BMW models and looking at the posts going back a number of months, they all seem positive. Either way, it can be quickly restored to the original version.
Argyll Andy
Lifer
Swiftly said:Argyll Andy said:Nick, good to know
Do you by any chance know if this sound menu can be accessed via Carly or does it have to be Bimmercode?
I didn't see it on Carly Andy
Cheers Nick, looks like I’m buying someone a beer then if I want it done
B21
Lifer
Swiftly said:B21 said:Argyll Andy said:Nick, good to know
Do you by any chance know if this sound menu can be accessed via Carly or does it have to be Bimmercode?
For a small fee someone with Bimmergeeks Protool could toggle it… :rofl:
Although if I’ve followed it correctly it’s a frig..ie you are using the device settings for a different make of hardware than you should? :tumbleweed:
Not that there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with that…maybe…
I only came across this coding on another forum, it would seem that this coding option is also available for other BMW models and looking at the posts going back a number of months, they all seem positive. Either way, it can be quickly restored to the original version.
It’s not unusual for the geeks, be they coders or owners to find these options and probably in the case of an audio system unlikely to do any damage..
You can do the same on the E89 too…albeit much more limited..
B21 said:
As you said Peter, I doubt it would do any damage as the coding only replaces the stock HK 408 Watt Logic 7 DSP amplifier preset with the Bowers & Wilkins 5 presets:
Studio - No surround, just music as recorded (claims)
Concert - surround dsp emulates a live concert hall
Stage - surround dsp emulates live stage
Movies - surround dsp emulates movie theater
Lounge - DSP applied to rear speakers
For me, Concert, Stage and Movies all sound very similar, with Concert perhaps the most balanced and clearest. Stage and Movies have some enhanced base and a more muted upper end.
B21
Lifer
I’m just surprised that the software for the B+W which was destined for what I assume was a much more capable system works on what appears to be a successor to the mid-fi E89 system aka HK….. :tumbleweed:
I assume it’s a thin veneer of application software ..
Whatever if it works for you and others great :roll:
I’ll have to listen to Andy’s system once he stops playing The Monkees..
So the HK sounds like it’s a 7 or 8 channel system ?
I assume it’s a thin veneer of application software ..
Whatever if it works for you and others great :roll:
I’ll have to listen to Andy’s system once he stops playing The Monkees..
So the HK sounds like it’s a 7 or 8 channel system ?