I am about to purchase a new Z4 and have been debating if the premium HiFI sound system is worth the extra $875. I have searched across the net looking for detailed review of the THX certified system to no avail, only limited info. This forum has limited personal thoghts but nothing in detail comparing the stock system to the premium. Have any of you come across a decent review of the higher end sound system? Please share where if so.

Also, if the Premium Audio option is purchased but not the NAV, is the display which provides visual EQ setting and other options installed or is that a benefit of havign the NAV insatlled witht he upgraded audio systrem?

Thanks.

I haven't heard stock system, however premium system is really crappy. I think because speakers. Midrange speakers can't handle power.

With the top down you will not get the benefit from upgraded any sound system. There will be so much road and wind noise that you cannot appreciate an upgraded sound system. Even with the top up, there will be more noise than from a hardtop version of the same car. Hopefully, you will be driving with the top down most of the time so the only "music" you hear is the car working.

Compare to my A4's non-Bose sound system, the premium system in Z4 is much much better. At least I can hear music with the top and window down. Maybe I have a low standard compare other people in the forum.:alright

T

I like music & IMO the base stock radio system is very very good. I debated also (because I ordered my car from the factory). The clincher was that my old convertible had a two speaker system and the base stock BMW radio has 10 speakers! What a difference in sound. I listened to both BMW radios at the dealer before I put in my order. When I first got it, I was driving around saying "whose bass is that I am hearing?" Then I said, oh, it's mine!

I have the Premium sound as it comes standard with the si version. It's not bad. I have faded the sound to just the front speakers and that sounds better to me. The sub-woofer's are loud and there doesn't seem to be a way to control their volume independently (not to mention the crossover frequency) so the bass seems too boomy. I like bass but I don't like boom, per se. If I lower the bass on the head unit it goes from too much to too little in one step.

Maybe you can adjust this stuff if you have the Nav but I just have the Business head unit.

I have not found or heard of any way to adjust the bass crossover.


Andy

I have it on my Si as well, with all levels equal it sounds like garbage, I find a little higher bass, lower treble and a fade to the back helps clear up the sound. DSP which comes with premium sound is GARBAGE 100% useless. But having the subs behind the seats and upgraded speakers makes it almost bearable.

My 04 Z4 has premium sound. It is a Carver system that is good enough for me.