quick question regarding the upgraded("premium") sound system on the Z4.

Why is it not HK? Isn't the premium sound on every other BMW HK? I was reading and it seems that the system for the Z4 is Carver, which I've never heard of. Any thoughts on why this is?
Also is there much of a difference between the two?

I have no experience with the Z4, but speaking strictly from a brand perspective, Carver is just as well known in the audiophile world. They make spectacularly clear, distortion free amplifiers and home theater equipment, (sound familiar.... a lot like HK?)

ic...thx

I've been pleased with the sound, but was just curious as for whatever reason I'd never heard of Carver before.

Carver is well known in Germany, in fact it is german made. They specialize in Home Theater applacations.

Thank God Bose wasn't in the new BMW Z4!

Originally posted by Kain
Thank God Bose wasn't in the new BMW Z4!

why is that?

I am not sure if Carver is german made, but it may be if it is recent development. Carver used to be based out of Lynnwood, Washington. Its founder, Bob Carver used to work for Phase Linear and a few other companies and then started Carver. I the early ninties Carver started building his equipment overseas. The company was best known for amps. The company was later sold and Bob Carver went on to start Sunfire.

Last I heard Carver was back in the hands of Bob Carver. As you can probably tell, I am a fan of Carver equipment and I am pleased to start hearing the name in Audio circles again. :)

Although I am no big fan of the marketing machine known-as-(no high, no lows, it must be...) BOSE, the systems they developed for the last couple Audis I have had were much better than the HK systems in BMWs. A little too heavy in the bass though and quite $$$ for what they are.

quick question regarding the upgraded("premium") sound system on the Z4.

Why is it not HK? Isn't the premium sound on every other BMW HK?


Because HK is a total joke (have you ever heard the subwoofer in a Z3 M roadster?). I guess that's why they charge you $46k for the car; you get: a plastic window that looks horrible, 3100 pounds of weight to lug around, windows that don't roll up correctly and need repair, a damn noisy glove box and to get some decent power from the car you have to add another $10k for a supercharger - yet I still like the car - I really don't know why....

HK is teh suck!!!

I had the upgraded HK system in my E46 and I have the Carver in my Z4. The carver is a big step up in sound quality over the HK. It may be that 10 speakers surround 2 seats instead of 4? The biggest differences are the awsome bass and that the system still sounds great at high volumes with the top down.

I had some Santana blasting the other day and it sounded like someone sitting next to me playing bongos.

I had the upgraded HK system in my E46 and I have the Carver in my Z4. The carver is a big step up in sound quality over the HK. It may be that 10 speakers surround 2 seats instead of 4? The biggest differences are the awsome bass and that the system still sounds great at high volumes with the top down.


I have 10 speakers and the system sounds worse than what you'd get with the cheapest car possible and that's without ANY exaggeration. I cannot use the subwoofer because of all the rattling it has - it's a very common problem with this system. But, it's not like you got much bass from it anyway (although massive bass isn't really a requirement for me). Anyway, the stereo system I've got is a total joke. Not really sure where that $46k went.

I've got the upgraded Carver sound system in my Z4 and I'd say it is really worth it. I had a loaner late last fall and I convinced my service guy to let me take a Z4 but of course it only had the basic sound system. I drove it around all day and it wasn't bad but with the top down it really couldn't keep up with the wind noise. :nono

When I test drove mine before I bought I immediately paid attention to this difference and it was quite noticeable. The Carver system keeps up pretty well with noise and sounds great. :buttrock I wish there were a little more bass but the "subwoofers" as they are called (they are only 6.5", maybe 8") are placed in the footwells, not behind the seats as I thought they would be there.

I would spend the money and get the upgraded system.

I've got the upgraded Carver sound system in my Z4 and I'd say it is really worth it. I had a loaner late last fall and I convinced my service guy to let me take a Z4 but of course it only had the basic sound system. I drove it around all day and it wasn't bad but with the top down it really couldn't keep up with the wind noise. :nono

When I test drove mine before I bought I immediately paid attention to this difference and it was quite noticeable. The Carver system keeps up pretty well with noise and sounds great. :buttrock I wish there were a little more bass but the "subwoofers" as they are called (they are only 6.5", maybe 8") are placed in the footwells, not behind the seats as I thought they would be there.

I would spend the money and get the upgraded system.

Yeah I have the carver system, don't think I've heard the base system...might have to go check one out @ bmw...

The subwoofers are really not behind the seats? I guess I just assumed they were...what size speakers are behind the seats then? They are rather large grills/covers...

Yeah I have the carver system, don't think I've heard the base system...might have to go check one out @ bmw...

The subwoofers are really not behind the seats? I guess I just assumed they were...what size speakers are behind the seats then? They are rather large grills/covers...

Nope, behind the seats are fairly small actually. Just guessing I think that they are 5.5", maybe 6"ers but no bigger than that. Take a look at the pictures on this link and you'll have a good idea.

CD changer install (http://www.z4owners.net/FAQ-CDinstall.htm)

BTW, has anyone here installed an aftermarket CD Changer (namely Alpine) into their Z4 yet? I've seen plenty of examples in the Z3 but not the 4.

Carver / Sunfire is in Snohomish.

That's not a German town name. It's a Coastal Salish name..... in Washington State. Same town that JonM / LeatherZ lives in.

For general Sunfire info (and maybe the best subwoofers on the market), see http://www.sunfire.com