doug_999

Under Entertainment one of the menus is Logic 7 - there you have your choice of two DSP modes (Concert and one other one I think) and off. I have mine off - but you can experiment and see which you like better.

From what I've read about the iPOD interface, one of the things you want to do is run it through the cable that blends the DIN connector with power and then connects to the bottom of the iPod. Apparently that makes it sound a lot better - removing the resistors helps as well.

Try creating an MP3 CD and playing that in the car or just using a regular CD for comparison. Also make sure you have recorded at 192K+ sampling rate.

gIzzE

I think it is more of a problem with the ipods digital to analogue converter, the ipod is convenient but hardly high quality.
The new one is meant to have digital outputs on it, this is what we need from it. 160gig ipod with digital out so you can fill it with wavs or MLPs.
But until then my ipod will stay in the drawer and only come out on holidays.

Geno

The iPod sounds much better on all my stereos including the Lexus'; I'm super familiar with how it sounds. I agree that even at my high rip rates, mp3s have limitations, but that's not what I'm hearing and remarking on. This is a muffled and abrasive stereo sound I haven't heard prior to this system.

Could it be the aux jack capacitor?

Geno

I don't need my car stereo to sound like my audiophile rig at home. I just want it to sound better than a car RADIO.

Geno

Even my daughter's current music sounds way better in the Lexus.

Bimmer32

I've heard that the aux port is not that great but verify it. Create a CD at 128. Sound can be really subjective just like a TV viewing. You may think your consumer LCD TV looks great, but compare it to other prosumer equipment, side by side, you'll see the difference.

At home, I use Polk Audio Rtis towers, NHT sub amp, and Phase Technology sub. I used to own an LS400 with Nakamichi (sp) and a Maxima with Bose. Now I have L7 (HK). I've also listened to Levinson in my father's LS430. I like clear highs and mids and "accurate" bass response. REALISTIC sounds are what I'm after.

Well, nothing compares to the home setup primarily due to the space of the room and the size of the speakers, and the amp (Yamaha RX series). With regards to the HK, ML, Nakam., and Bose: See below:

HK - Fairly good on the highs and mids while bass response is about 7 out of 10
Nakam. - Very good in highs, mids, and bass response. (They kick a$$ when it comes to accurate sound reproduction).
ML - Same a HK, but bass is 5 out of 10 for accuracy response
Bose - a disgrace to audiophile, well, their good for talk radio The effects of "sound everywhere" is great, but it's not very realistic. It's great if you want to listen to crowd sounds at a concrete in your car/media room.

So, my conclusion is for a factory installed system, HK is the best out of the above systems with regards to accurate sound reproduction. As for the money, it's a bit too expensive for what I get.

largeface

Has anyone hear the new L7 THX Certified stereo system?
Is this a new concept for the z4s and 3s? I read about this in the BMW magazine. I hope the L7s in our 5ers are also THX certified considering the price we pay for.

doug_999

People who have had their aux jacks installed on their 06s have reported this problem when the installation is done wrong - sound's like they messed yours up at the factory.

swajames

Surprised at some of the iPod bashing. Many of the British hi-fi magazines rate the iPod as having decent DACs and audio quality in general and my experiences bear that out, particularly using a line level signal rather than the stereo out headphone jack. The thing is that all MP3 or AAC files are not created equal - many of the criticisms here are likely attributable, at least in part, to the quality of the original rip and/or post processing.

Geno

I agree with swajames: the iPod has a surprisingly good DAC for the price and sounds great through a variety of playback systems at decent rip rates. No pun intended, but I guess I don't get the logic of the Logic 7: is it supposed to be something other than stereo reproduction? If so, that would explain why it doesn't sound like good stereo.

doug 999: I'll check with an mp3 burn at iTunes rip rates onto a cd to see if the aux jack and annoying European-politically-correct-volume-suppression might be the culprit. (iPods sold in Europe have a tradition of suppressing gain at the expense of sound-- maybe that's what's happening here?) Not sure what I'll find; the radio sounds poor too, not to mention the reception here in LA from the sharkfin is pretty sketchy.