[OliwerSE]

As most have figured out, the car just comes with B&W optional sound system which is kind of a let down - 660w is nowhere near the predecessors 1450w B&W system.

Is there any statement from BMW regarding the sound system, or is this the best that will be offered down the line also?

[HMN]

Good question - even on the configurator you only get the one option.
I merely hope this is a mistake

[Remigijus]

At the moment B&W comes as standard for M5 and as only option. And is the best they can offer at the moment.

[OliwerSE]

Originally Posted by Remigijus

At the moment B&W comes as standard for M5 and as only option. And is the best they can offer at the moment.

But it’s quite a steep downgrade from the F90, and other models in the program offer way better sound systems.

Even Harman / Kardon in the new X3 seems better, 16 speakers with 750 compared to 18 speakers with 650w on the G90..

[Remigijus]

Originally Posted by OliwerSE

But it’s quite a steep downgrade from the F90, and other models in the program offer way better sound systems.

Even Harman / Kardon in the new X3 seems better, 16 speakers with 750 compared to 18 speakers with 650w on the G90..

It's almost the same compared to my old F11 with Harman/Kardon sound system 655w vs 600w. Really strange decisions for business class sedan (or was it)

[OliwerSE]

According to the product manager for M5 in Sweden, it is highly unlikely that they’ll add the possibility to have extended leather on the dash / door sides and not likely at all that the sound system will be offered in a superior version in the future as the car is simply not designed for it

[Remigijus]

Somehow it is not surprising. Interior was downgraded in many areas compared to F90 or F10.

What can we expect - other/individual leather or vegan "leather" options in early 2025

[subterFUSE]

B&W in the F90 was not very good, so going down from that is a serious letdown.

[gblansten]

BMW is likely not offering a better stereo due to their strong commitment in the M series to keep the weight down in their flagship performance sedan.

[subterFUSE]

Originally Posted by gblansten

BMW is likely not offering a better stereo due to their strong commitment in the M series to keep the weight down in their flagship performance sedan.

[WWM3]

Lost luxury features AND a decrease in the power to weight ratio are a disappointing reality for this new M5. A drive will be important for evaluation, but on paper this car is a step in the wrong direction.

[RPiM5]

I just wish they would provide some sort of explanation as to why they are leaving these things out on the G60 and the G90.

Way back when, I wrote a letter to BMW asking them to please put Adjustable Side Bolsters in the seats of the F10 M5. BMW never provided an official answer as to why this feature was omitted for the 2013 Model Year F10 M5, but wouldn’t you know it that when the LCI 2014 F10 M5 came out, it had Adjustable Side Bolsters.

Same thing happened when enthusiasts wrote letters to put the manual transmission in the E60 M5, as the 2006 Model Year only came with the SMG. Then we got manuals in the 2007 M5 and all model years after that.

Maybe if we ask them about Full Leather, Soft Close Doors, and Fender Vents they’ll listen? For a Premium Sound System, I think we are SOL as B&O and B&W have to design the system for the cars specifically.

Otherwise, the lack of these things gives reasons for people to hold on to their F1x’s and F9x’s.

Just a thought.

[subterFUSE]

The E60 M5 with the 6 speed was an abomination, though. Gearing was all out of whack because the car was designed for a 7 speed. That was a case where BMW should have ignored the customers.

[Frenetic]

Anyone get a chance to listen to it firsthand?

[iifymbro]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

Anyone get a chance to listen to it firsthand?

if it's anything like the HK systems in the g20 and g87 it needs to be adjusted a lot with the EQ to get the most out of it

[Remigijus]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

Anyone get a chance to listen to it firsthand?

It's the same system as in i5 or other 5 series, so think so. Sounds good, but nothing special - like Harman Kardon in older ones.

[subterFUSE]

The only car on the market that is sold with an even halfway decent audio system is the Lexus LS500 with Mark Levinson. My friend is the person who tunes that stereo for Mark Levinson, and he is one of the best car audio tuners on the planet. He even uses the ML processor from the LS500 in his personal car for sound quality audio competition, and he is one of the most decorated competitors in the game. That's a serious statement for how good that processor is, because the aftermarket processors available these days are incredible.

The factory stereo options in most other cars are mediocre at best. Aftermarket is the only way to achieve really good audio performance. Unfortunately, BMW has some of the worst factory speaker sizes and locations in the auto industry. Midbass are under the seats, terrible. Midranges are mounted to the door cards not to the door frame. The distance between the midranges and the tweeters are too far apart for proper crossover. It's just a mess and the only way to fix it properly is to go with a full custom install with custom-fabricated speaker enclosures to move the drivers to better locations. That means a lot of money and time and modification to the interior.

[Crazy1323]

Originally Posted by subterFUSE

The only car on the market that is sold with an even halfway decent audio system is the Lexus LS500 with Mark Levinson. My friend is the person who tunes that stereo for Mark Levinson, and he is one of the best car audio tuners on the planet. He even uses the ML processor from the LS500 in his personal car for sound quality audio competition, and he is one of the most decorated competitors in the game. That's a serious statement for how good that processor is, because the aftermarket processors available these days are incredible.

The best “factory systems” that I have seen are the upgraded B&O in Audi’s (the one where the tweeters rise out of the dash) and the Range Rover Meridian high end system (the 29 speaker one).

[subterFUSE]

Originally Posted by Crazy1323

The best “factory systems” that I have seen are the upgraded B&O in Audi’s (the one where the tweeters rise out of the dash) and the Range Rover Meridian high end system (the 29 speaker one).

I have the B&O Advanced in my 2023 S8 currently. It’s not good at all. A joke, honestly. The B&W stereo in my F90 was better, although not much better.

[DocWeatherington]

Audio is pretty subjective as everyone has different hearing ability...so to say this system is better for 98% of the population wouldn't know.

[RPiM5]

Sooooo…

Almost a couple of months ago I went ahead and leased a 2024 i5 M60. After running the numbers I just couldn’t justify the monthly payment on the G90 M5. With some money down, a massive discount, rebates, and incentives, I was able to lease my i5 M60 for less than $1,000 per month. The payment on the G90 was looking like at least $1,800 per month, but likely even more, with the same down payment I put on the M60, with no rebates or incentives.

Anyways, since I still own my F10 M5 with the B&O system in it, I figured I would compare to the two systems since the M60 comes with the B&W as standard.

The B&W in the G60/G90 doesn’t even hold a candle to the B&O in my F10 M5. I have always been an audiophile, I love music, and have played a few instruments in my time. The B&W in the M60 is “good,” while the B&O is “incredible.” The Bass and the highs are no where near the fidelity of the B&O, but the B&W is definitely better than the standard Harmon Kardon you would get in a G60 530i for example.

It’s a real shame they aren’t offering a supreme sound system in the G90 M5. Maybe it wasn’t profitable for BMW? Maybe the engineering of the sound system just couldn’t work? I dunno, but besides raw acceleration, I am having serious doubts about the reasons why one would by a G90 M5 at all. There’s just so much the G90 M5 doesn’t do anymore.

[SSM5]

I had 2 F10 M5's with the B&O and now on my 2nd F90 M5 with the B&W Diamond System. when I switched to my 1st F90 I was disappointed in the sound of the B&W, the B&O had better bass and all around better sound to me, I use my Ipod plugged into the USB with most recordings from CD using Apple Lossless.
Now they are heading downhill again only offering the lower range B&W in all 5 series including the G90 which is comparable to the old Harmon Kardon in the F90, really ??