[badg3r]

Hi! This is my first post!
I'm in the process of buying a 2015 M235 with base audio. This will be my first BMW. My previous cars have all been VWs. I've been researching and reading up on the base audio system and it seems that the general consensus is that it sucks...
I was wondering what everyone is comparing it to and how it will compare to the stereo in my current 2012 GTI. I only really listen to satellite radio which i know is extremely compressed. Will the base sound system be good enough for my needs? I've been reading about the relatively easy process of upgrading the speakers but will it be worth it if all i listen to is sirius xm?

[arun21]

I'd upgrade if you can. Yo do definitely hear the difference.

[MikeT]

I have the base system in my m235i. My ipod sounds okay on it. The radio doesn't sound that great, though. I'm not sure if the issue is the tuner or the speakers or lack of proper noise-reduction technology... or some combination thereof.

I haven't heard the HK system, but when I was ordering I read a lot of comments in this forum along the lines of "Save your money. It's not much better than the base system."

Audio is not a huge deal to me, so I'm happy enough with the base system. If it's a priority for you, though, I'd listen to both at your local dealership.

[Sportstick]

My base audio system is always on Sirius. It's just "ok". But, I had also read several comments that the upgrade wasn't that much better and not worth it. The sound in my "beater" 2015 Subaru Crosstrek is better, but that's not why we buy BMWs, is it?

[nike001]

The H/K system is definitely a lot better than the base system.

[MrBimmerM235i]

Originally Posted by nike001

The H/K system is definitely a lot better than the base system.

I agree 100%

[wjones14]

It really depends on how fussy you are. I wouldn't say a speaker replacement is "easy." There's info in the forums here, but not a lot, and there aren't a huge amount of 2 series cars on the road, so places like Crutchfield have no info on speaker replacement, what fits, or how to DIY if that's what you want to do. People on these forums have also had issues with the Active Sound becoming annoying after upgrading the speakers and amp.

The base stereo is average at best when compared to base systems in typical family cars. IMO, it should be better than what it is considering the cost of the car. It's adequate for the average non-audiophile.

I thought about the H/K upgrade for $875 before buying the car, but didn't buy it based on a lot of negative comments in the forums here. I figured I would just replace the speakers like I did with my previous cars. But after reading stories in the forums, I decided to live with the base stereo for now. There are stories about the Active Sound becoming annoyingly loud like I said, and a few other stories about guys popping the door panels off and breaking clips during the removal/replacement process, etc.

If I had it to do over again, I would have sprung for the $875 H/K system. That said, I still love the car to pieces, and don't dwell on the less-than-great stereo. The radio reception is actually quite good, and music through the iPod sounds decent enough.

[MG 228i]

I've had a loaner 3 series with the base speakers and that was horrible.

[yeezy]

The satilite radio reception in the car sucks. Whenever you drive under the smallest underpass or even a few trees the reception cuts out.

[shark715]

Of course the best thing to do if you are able is to listen to the base and H/K back to back at the dealer if they happen to have one of each in stock. We were able to, and we thought the difference was significant. That being said, we were still disappointed because the H/K in our X5 is far superior, and even the H/K in our Mini Countryman is better. But we still ordered the H/K in the 235.

[Transfer]

If all you listen to is satellite then get whatever because satellite sounds like total shit through everything.

[Merc for hire]

The base on m235i is actually Hifi professional.
It should be a substantial upgrade from the base bone 228i sound system.

[Larry7995]

I would get the HK with subs under the front seats, I love mine.

[bluemeanie]

+1 for the HK. Sounds fine unless you like high volume gangsta rap.

[akuan99]

In US base stereo is Hi-Fi stereo.
With HK you get upgraded amp and speakers and addition of 4 tweeters.
HK head unit appears to be same as one in Hi-Fi.
If HK upgrade sounds good to you then it is worth upgrade.
But if it is not good enough then it is not worth the upgrade because upgrading HK system is basically replacing HK components that you've paid extra $875.

[kern44]

I have the base system and replaced the front and rears with JLAudio C2 400x
All 4 ran <$200. Took about 1.5 hours to do the fronts and 30 minutes to do the rears. If you are careful, the door panels are not problematic. Some say disconnecting the front center speaker helps as well.
The sound is much improved and well worth it if you are keeping the car for years to come.

[_dmglce]

Just so you know the HK system in the 2 series is different from all the other models, it only has 12 speakers instead of 16 and it sounds night and day! I recently had a 3 series loaner and was very disappointed at how bad my HK sound in my 2 series and the worse part is that the price is the same but yet 2 series do not have the same quality HK system. Very disappointing.

[ggabriele3]

I have the base (hifi) system in my 228. (7 speakers - 2 front, 2 rear, center, 2 woofers)

The speakers are all 4-inch paper-cone mid-bass drivers.

It's pretty crappy, but it's apparently far easier to upgrade than the HK system.

I'm in the process of upgrading the speakers now.

Here's a comparison of the magnet from the BMW speaker (left) and the one from a Focal IC100 coaxial ($99/pair).

[tbonez3858]

From the numerous threads I've read the Hk isn't worth it. You can get the plug and play bimmer-tech amp and or the focals and get much better sound for your money.

[Outrun]

I have the HK sound system....it's good but not great. There's only EQ for treble and bass, no mid. It's on par with my 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix base sound system (which was pretty decent and the only redeemable feature of the car).

I'm not sure how easy it would be to upgrade the sound system....my local car audio installation shop told me Bimmers are a pain to upgrade and estimated it would cost $3500 including labor for a complete sound system upgrade (8 speakers and subs)

[DanG]

I upgraded to four Focal ISC 100s over a year ago. Car Toys installed the speakers in about an hour. Installation was pretty simple and used the existing wire harness. The only hiccup was the doors needed spacers so the speakers didn't hit the windows. It took them about 15 minutes to make two spacers.

I also disconnected the center speaker. Replacement of that speaker is extremely difficult.

The sound is great and I think much better than the HK system at a lower cost. The car also looks 100% stock.

[uberspeed]

The amp is usually the best bang for your buck upgrade and "quickest" improvement, better speakers would still be woefully underpowered vs crappy speakers but well driven.