Rudy: I totally 'dig' what your are saying. I've got a slightly different perspective on the equalizer thing in that, to me, they were invented/used to address problems caused by room or equipment 'issues' preventing a flat frequency response from getting to the ear. I really only meant the above as a starting point for the people that asked and they they can tweak from there for personal preference, as you suggest. Audio reviewers have had this classic struggle for awhile. To address it, they use a variety of CDs they know were recorded well; they use frequency analyzers to test their judgement as to whether what they're hearing is really flat; they get second and third opinions, etc. My friend may not have perfect hearing, but the difference is that he has sat down with several audiologists and knows where his 'holes' are and accounts for them during his listening and adjustments.

I guess I do belieive in a 'perfect' sound, that what arrives perfectly flat is what should and will sound the best. I know it's somewhat simplistic as there are lots of variables involved. As kind of a final note, we've known each other since junior high school (let's just say many years!) and he knows the sound I like and that I do believe in an audio perfection worth striving for. I may like nice deep, pounding bass when I visit a gentleman's club in Dallas, but it's not what I want in my living room or my car.

Re: DSP modes, I haven't touched them yet. It's OFF and was adjusted while OFF. I listen to some talk radio and I was concerned about them sounding like they're in a tunnel and didn't want to switch it on or off all the time. Same way inside...I don't use DSP modes. Stereo direct, unless it's a movie and then hopefull DTS or maybe DD 5.1. Tone controls always off on my indoor system.

Respectfully,

Sam

 

Makes sense to me Sam!

I think we pretty much agree on things, I just couldn't really tell from your initial post.

On to pet peeve number 659:

You'd think that by now they'd have independent tone/eq/surround settings for each source. The AM talk radio echo is something I've actually gotten used to by now (had this problem in both E39's) but how hard could it be to store the settings seperately?

Oh well, when I own my own car company, I guess I'll make the perfect car!

 

It's actually not an easy process if you want settings that don't constantly need tweaking. Put in your first cd, maybe a nice classical. Set the eq so it's correct. Now, put in your second test cd, maybe a rock or jazz or mix selection. Now, set that so it's like you want it, but do it in such a way as to not completely screw up your first selection. Now, put the 1st one back in to make sure it's not too messed, then go to #3, 4, etc., going back to the 1st few to ensure they're still ok. Once all the cd's are 'acceptable' try the whole process again with a nice strong FM station (lots of variability here). It took about an hour and a half for mine.

Rudy, I've got your first request for enhancement... Each FM, each AM, each cd should be able to have its own eq settings. The computer reads the cd, matches the title to see if you've set custom eq for that title and if not use default cd setting, which could have been customized. Since FM stations are so variable in their quality, each station would need its own setting, with a default FM setting if the station hasn't been set yet (necessary for road trips). This option should be standard on your company's extra high end models and paid for the lower end vehicles, if you have any! Any idea on what the name of your car co. will be?

Thanks,

Sam

 

Just wondering, what do you guys think of the harmon kardon system in previous BMWs and how does it compare to Logic-7?

Logic-7 is nice, but I honestly don't think it's worth the price. I've definately heard better aftermarket systems and if an equivalent amount of money were spent, a superior aftermarket system could be had.

 

I had a harmann kardon system in my 330 Cic and it was okay but nothing more than that. The convertible model looses a lot of sound by the cloth roof or open roof. The only thing I liked about it that the volume could go really how without loosing quality in sound. The subwoofer in the rear didn't do anything.

I like the logic 7 I heard in the testcar 100 times better than my old system, so that's why I bought it.

 

It is Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 Sound System in the 5 series.

 

BTW, i checked out the settings that SJ3 specified, and i gotta say its not bad. But for others out there, i found a site made by Rost12 from Roadly forums who made a FAQ for 7 series and included this in it.
ecommended Stereo/Equalizer settings.

Here are settings that our contributors found to work best:

Courtesy of Brian Lewis:

EQ:
100hz: +3
200hz: +6
500hz: +7
1Khz: +3
2Khz: +5
5Khz: +9
10Khz: +10

(bar on the zero middle line DOES NOT count, so these are +3 bars, +6 bars, etc)
Treble = Setting 5
Bass = Setting 5
Logic7 = Setting 7


Courtesy of Z8Mania:

EQ:
100hz: +1 (this is because I have reduced the bass control)
200hz: 0
500hz: 0
1khz: -1
5khz: 0
10khz: +1

For the other controls:
Trebble: +3
Bass: -5
Balance: 0
Fader: 0
Speed volume: 3
Logic 7: 8 (this one is really dependent on where the listener sits in the car- in general most people will prefer between 7 and 9.)

For the website click Rost12 FAQ

 

It's the sub-woofer. I kept my two tweeters and added a different sub-woofer and it's just like magic. Sounds great. Endless bass. Clean and clear sound.

 

Hi all,

I dont have L7 in my 545

is it available as a retrofit ??

 

I think that's way too expensive.
13 speakers, 2 of'em are subwoofers, under the front seats.
You would have to take the interior apart - think about the labour...