New Z4 - SOUND SYSTEM NOT GOOD!!

[gypsyroadhog]

Hello all, this is my first post so hello to one and all.
I bought a new Z4 23i sDRIVE in April and I am over the moon with the car. The sound system is vey disappionting, even to the point of being 'naff' :x I have the standard proffessional system and to be honest, the speakers behind the seats may as well not be there at all.
I was just wondering if anyone else had any comments and is there anything I can do to make it sound like a car of this stature should??
Thanks
Steve

 

[sars]

Hi, have the same system, I was told it was "very good" before buying mine so didn't upgrade. The standard set up is woefully inadequate for the car. When I made an official complaint to the stealer they took the car for a few days to check the system and yes no surprises everything was working well.

The bad news is that there is, at present, no BMW after-market kit to make it better, the system is adequate at best in a standard car, but just does not have enough power for a convertible at about 84 dbl at maximum volume and yes there are only four speakers and the rears might as well not be there (no tweeters either), that's why they don't advertise it in the brochure.

There are few threads here that give details on how to upgrade the standard stereo.

 

[ksher]

When I ordered my car in April, I chose Connectivity package and Loudspeaker system - BMW Business from Complimentary Specification Upgrade 2. The quality of sound is good. I did not try the standard one, so cannot tell the difference.

Loudspeaker system with a total of 11 loudspeakers and a multi channel digital 245W amplifier:
1 centre midrange speaker in instrument panel
2 bass speakers in A-pillars
2 tweeers in mirror triangles
2 midrange speakers in door panels
2 bass speakers in partition wall behind seats
2 midrange speakers behind seats at the side

I think all my future BMW will have Loudspeaker system - BMW Business.

 

[P.eter]

I've upgraded from a BMW 320D with the professional soundsystem to a Z4 also with the upgrade to professional. The configuration is as ksher listed and this system is very good no complains very clean sound and very good bass reproduction, I didn't use in it yet as cabrio (just got my Z4 and didn't drive with the roof down yet), but I'mm hopeful that the power will be enough because when I close and my stereo is still playing I can hear it cleanly outside the closed car

But there is one but: the system in the 320 was better, that had L7 surround or something like that and sounded a little better but marginally

 

[supremeart]

Hello all, this is my first post so hello to one and all.
I bought a new Z4 23i sDRIVE in April and I am over the moon with the car. The sound system is vey disappionting, even to the point of being 'naff' :x I have the standard proffessional system and to be honest, the speakers behind the seats may as well not be there at all.
I was just wondering if anyone else had any comments and is there anything I can do to make it sound like a car of this stature should??
Thanks
Steve

Unfortunately, I have found, across the entire BMW modem line, unless you opt for the Premium Audio package, you will be quite disappointed. On the flip side, while not an option now for you, unfortunately, the Premium Audio, from my experience, is outstanding, especially on Z4s. Best stock audio system I ever had on a car was the THX upgrade for my 2007 Zed..

 

[Maniac]

Oddly on my old Z4 the stock system sounded fab. The new one (e89) I'm not taking chances with and I've ordered the Business speaker upgrade (£550), while not the full malarkey, it should prove better than the stock unit.

 

[DAGSZ4]

Oddly on my old Z4 the stock system sounded fab. The new one (e89) I'm not taking chances with and I've ordered the Business speaker upgrade (£550), while not the full malarkey, it should prove better than the stock unit.

You are correct, the stock sound system in the e85 Z4 was not a bad system. I had the premium even in my old Z4's, but I listened to the stock and it was far better than what BMW threw in the new Z4. I do not understand their logic. They upgrade the entire car and raise the pricing, but put a crappy standard stereo in. Why not just use the same set-up they used as a stock system in the old Z4? Alot more people would have been happy. I opted for the premium in my '10 and it sounds great.

 

[EdP]

Oddly on my old Z4 the stock system sounded fab. The new one (e89) I'm not taking chances with and I've ordered the Business speaker upgrade (£550), while not the full malarkey, it should prove better than the stock unit.

You are correct, the stock sound system in the e85 Z4 was not a bad system.

This is not the case for Euro versions of the E85/86. The E89 basic 4x25 system is better.