M-Audio supposed to be an upgrade? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

lisa · 19th December 2001, 20:52

I am not really thrilled with the "M-Audio" system! The system in my YukonXL Denali sounds better! Any suggestions for upgrading the tuner/system? The CD's sound good, though.
Thanks, Lisa

1200 mile check-up on Monday!!!!! YAY!!

EBMCS03 · 19th December 2001, 20:58

Ooo 1200 mile check up!! CONGRATS!!! Now you can really open the BEAST up and feel the power! As for M-Audio, really? I thought it was pretty decent when I heard Paul's (M5_SanDiego ???) system... ya of course thats only me... hehehe there are many ppl who went the aftermarket route, I'm sure someone will help you out there. CONGRATS again for hitting 1200 miles Woo Hoo

lisa · 19th December 2001, 21:01

Thanks! Maybe I'll have the dealer check the system out on Monday. It just doesn't sound right to me, maybe something is wrong with my tuner!
Lisa

AJ · 19th December 2001, 21:01

the audio in the m5 is very tightly integrated with... everything... however, you can certainly do speakers- high end car audio speakers seem to have a very positive effect on the quaility of the m5 stereo.... or you can rip out everything and install good old fashion stereo. but you will lose nav, trip computer, etc.

what i am tryin to say is that there isnt much to play with in the m5. sure, you can buy harnesses and piggyback amps and other stuff, but the m5 has enough electrical problems as is by default.

alex
00 m5

Chris Foote · 19th December 2001, 21:18

Oh no, doesn't the Yukon use BOSE???

BOSE =

Buy Other Sound Equipment

Better Off with Something Else

'No highs, no lows, it's gotta be Bose'

Hehehehehe, I know, I know, each person has their own listening preferences....

-Chris

EBMCS03 · 19th December 2001, 21:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Foote
Oh no, doesn't the Yukon use BOSE???

BOSE =

Buy Other Sound Equipment

Better Off with Something Else

'No highs, no lows, it's gotta be Bose'

-Chris

AHAHAHAH Gotta give you that one Chris! LOL

de Witt · 19th December 2001, 21:34

What is the OE audio supplier in the e39 M5? I remember that the old supplier for BMW systems was Harmon Kardon, but that was back in 1995.

I think that the stock system in the M5 is excellent. It sounds great to my ears...

de Witt

PhilSeastrand · 19th December 2001, 22:31

Since someone suggested turning off the stereo and rolling down the windows I'm finding myself doing this most of the time (at least when the weather is better!). The sweet sound of those 8 cylinders pumping is the best music you can get! Somehow my wife hasn't bought into this, however...

Roton · 19th December 2001, 23:35

I'm curious, Lisa. Exactly what did you find better about the Yukon-Denali XL system than the M5's. I've listened to both extensively and frankly the M5's M audio in my car sounds better in almost every regard. The major complaint on the M audio is that the bass is a tad on the boomy side, but the premium system in the Yukon-Denali XL makes it seem as tight as the Egglestonworks Andras in my media room at home by comparison. As far as imaging and soundstage go (as much as these things can be optimized in a vehicle) there's also no comparison. Here the M5 wins by providing a much better damped and inert environment that the Yukon. Finally, if you were to put a spectrum analyzer and noise source in the Yukon, I think you'd confirm one of the highest 120 Hz. peaks (caused by standing waves) of any vehicle on the road today.

Two disclaimers here:

1. Your ears are your ears and that's all that matters.
2. I agree that they could have done a better job with the M audio in the M5.

Chris Foote · 20th December 2001, 00:22

Doug, a fellow audiophile! What else do you have for equipment? I am running a Krell HTS along with their KAV-250a/3 with the older B&W Matrix 802 Series 3. Nice speaker, but nowhere near as nice as those Andras! Congrats!

-Chris

Roton · 20th December 2001, 03:24

Nice stuff Chris! I haven't upgraded in years as my ears aren't anywhere near as good as they used to be and fading fast, I'm afraid. My stuff is approaching 10 years old, but it still sounds good enough so that ultimately it would come down to personal opinion and room acoustics rather than the equipment itself, IMHO. Krell MDA-500 monoblocks wired for 220V line (dedicated right to the breakers), Krell KRC-HD preamp, Wadia Digital 16i CD player, Mangnum Dynalab tuner, Cardas Golden Cross balanced interconnects, Cardas Golden Cross speaker wires.

I've also got a couple of amps that I built myself laying around that I use every once in a while. A 300B Single Ended Triode, an OTL similar to the old Futtermans as well as a solid state 1000W/CH MOSFET output/tube input hybrid.

Then of course there's the AV crap, but that's another tale of ridiculousness...

Too many hobbies and no time.

lisa · 20th December 2001, 03:26

My M-audio sounds "tinny" to me, just the tuner, though. The CD player sounds great. Maybe I should have the tuner checked out, or the antenna? Where is the antenna? In the windshield?
Thanks,
Lisa

Roton · 20th December 2001, 03:37

Lisa,
Perhaps you should compare it to another M5 before or after you take it in. FM is the worst thing to use to evaluate audio performance. It will never sound as good as the CD. Yes, you may have a problem (it's probably not the antenna, the amplifiers or the speakers), but I'd be suprised that your dealer will give you any satisfaction in this regard unless it's really bad or you can let him compare it to another unit that's OK. I don't think it's the M Audio upgrade that's causing this.