Having trouble Determining what Audio System your BMW has?
Base (Stereo)
This is BMW's most basic audio system offering. Available ONLY outside the U.S. except for 2010 and some 2011 model year BMWs when it was offered in the U.S.
If you live in the U.S. and have any model year BMW besides 2010 or 2011, you most likely do not have this audio system. If you live outside the U.S., this is the audio system which comes standard on most BMWs.
Specifics vary by vehicle, but this audio system is generally characterized by a lack of an external amplifier, and usually just 6 total speakers (often without tweeters), and generally very poor overall performance.
If you live in the U.S. and have any model year BMW besides 2010 or 2011, you most likely do not have this audio system. If you live outside the U.S., this is the audio system which comes standard on most BMWs.
Specifics vary by vehicle, but this audio system is generally characterized by a lack of an external amplifier, and usually just 6 total speakers (often without tweeters), and generally very poor overall performance.
Standard (Hi-Fi)
This is the "standard" audio system offered in BMWs in the U.S. (except model years 2010 and 2011 when "Base" was standard equipment) and an optional upgrade for BMWs outside the U.S.
If you live in the U.S. and do not have one of BMW's "Premium" audio system offerings or a 2010 or 2011 model year BMW, you have this audio system.
Although exact specifics vary from vehicle to vehicle, this audio system is generally characterized by 10 total speakers and an external amplifier, no user adjustable "DSP" processing or equalizer settings, and "average" overall performance.
If you live in the U.S. and do not have one of BMW's "Premium" audio system offerings or a 2010 or 2011 model year BMW, you have this audio system.
Although exact specifics vary from vehicle to vehicle, this audio system is generally characterized by 10 total speakers and an external amplifier, no user adjustable "DSP" processing or equalizer settings, and "average" overall performance.
Premium (Top Hi-Fi)
This is BMW's "premium" audio system referred to internally by BMW as "Top Hi-Fi". There are a number of different names under which this system may be marketed depending on the year and model of your BMW:
- Harman Kardon
- Logic7
- Premium "DSP"
- Professional Audio
If your vehicle is equipped with one of these audio system types listed above or referred to by your dealer or invoice as "Top Hi-Fi," you have this audio system type. You have this audio system if you have ANY of the following on your radio, nav, or interior (although you may have this audio system even without the below features):
- Spacial effects (such as "Concert Hall")*
- "Surround" or "L7" setting*
- Multi-band equalizer*
- Harman / Kardon interior branding
Specifics vary, but this system is generally characterized by a more powerful amplifier, DSP (digital signal processing) for equalization and/or spacial effects, better speaker construction, and additional speakers or subwoofers versus the "HiFi" system.
*If you have an "M" vehicle (M3, M5, etc.) you may have DIRAC or Enhanced Premium Sound (EPS). Please view the descriptions of those audio systems to determine whether you have DIRAC or EPS, or check with your dealer.
- Harman Kardon
- Logic7
- Premium "DSP"
- Professional Audio
If your vehicle is equipped with one of these audio system types listed above or referred to by your dealer or invoice as "Top Hi-Fi," you have this audio system type. You have this audio system if you have ANY of the following on your radio, nav, or interior (although you may have this audio system even without the below features):
- Spacial effects (such as "Concert Hall")*
- "Surround" or "L7" setting*
- Multi-band equalizer*
- Harman / Kardon interior branding
Specifics vary, but this system is generally characterized by a more powerful amplifier, DSP (digital signal processing) for equalization and/or spacial effects, better speaker construction, and additional speakers or subwoofers versus the "HiFi" system.
*If you have an "M" vehicle (M3, M5, etc.) you may have DIRAC or Enhanced Premium Sound (EPS). Please view the descriptions of those audio systems to determine whether you have DIRAC or EPS, or check with your dealer.