[bsamoul]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335Ci

i wish we have B&O sound system. it's one of the best sound system imo

+1

[Blacksapphiref06]

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

Audi ftw.

yeah, but the B&O system in the Q7 costs $8k

[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335Ci

yeah, but the B&O system in the Q7 costs $8k

Well you know, that's only because its big as shit

[John 070]

Funny thread. Everyone seems to be into a brand and price. As if 8k is a lot for a stereo LOL 8k wont even buy an amp if it's McIntosh.

I think the real solution for the OP is to either get a car adapter for the clock radio, or use the settings that are in the stickies or something under audio. As I recall there are settings for iDrive, non iDrive, and an explanation as to why those settings.

[jmsent]

Originally Posted by badassfajita

Doesnt' make any sense. Same situation with the e46 HK stereo. CD's and MP3s and even the USB input sound great, but the radio sounds like hell. My wife's Camry's radio is 10x better. I keep the tone flat for the most part.

Is that 10x better for the Camry a scientific observation? Look, it's garbage in, garbage out. You confirm that yourself when you say the CD's sound good. The L7 system has digital signal processing that depends on certain things from the original signal source being in place. It depends on phase and amplitude relationships that occur in normal high quality recordings. Well, radio has turned to shit. It's compressed to death. Much of it, even on FM, is sourced through low bit digital sources. The L7 processing will exaggerate the audible defects of low bit rate source material. It's especially audible on Sirius, but also on FM, as many of these stations have also tuned to a strictly digital feed. Turn off the L7 processing(music,cinema, etc) and let the system run in normal stereo mode. It will improve the sound a lot on compromised source material.

[badassfajita]

Originally Posted by jmsent

Is that 10x better for the Camry a scientific observation? Look, it's garbage in, garbage out. You confirm that yourself when you say the CD's sound good. The L7 system has digital signal processing that depends on certain things from the original signal source being in place. It depends on phase and amplitude relationships that occur in normal high quality recordings. Well, radio has turned to shit. It's compressed to death. Much of it, even on FM, is sourced through low bit digital sources. The L7 processing will exaggerate the audible defects of low bit rate source material. It's especially audible on Sirius, but also on FM, as many of these stations have also tuned to a strictly digital feed. Turn off the L7 processing(music,cinema, etc) and let the system run in normal stereo mode. It will improve the sound a lot on compromised source material.

Thanks I'll try turning off the L7 circuit and see what happens. I really can't explain why the radio sux so bad. I've got a $70 aftermarket Sony CD player in my '99 4runner (180k and running smoothly) and the radio doesn't sound nearly as bad as my L7 or e46 HK. And the tuner on my HK home receiver sounds OK too.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by badassfajita

Doesnt' make any sense. Same situation with the e46 HK stereo. CD's and MP3s and even the USB input sound great, but the radio sounds like hell. My wife's Camry's radio is 10x better. I keep the tone flat for the most part.

Try listening to the base radio in a 2010. My laptop speakers sound better.

[Blubaron79]

Disagree. L7 sounds great. Every passenger who gets in my car comments on the great sound, and the deep bass.

I'm sure it could be better, but it exceeds my needs.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Satellite sounds worse than FM IMHO. But this was with XM when I had my free trial on my Accord. Listened to it for all of 5 minutes because I couldn't stand the compression. It was like a 64kbps MP3.

Satellite does sound worse that FM, however; if you want listen to the same song 17 times in one day. On top of 400 commercials an hour. Please listen to FM. Regular radio is such garbage. I have had XM/Sirius for 8 years now, and will never go back to regular radio.

[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by jmsent

The L7 processing will exaggerate the audible defects of low bit rate source material.

This. Makes a lot of sense

[BayMoWe335]

Like my L7, but I wouldn't buy it again. However, I think I'd be singing a different tune if I had the downgraded 2010 stereo in my car. In other words, it might not be GREAT, but it's far superior than the stock 2010. Basically, I was forced to get the option.

[anowlan]

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

Why would you bother to play with EQ settings on the radio, though? Unless its satellite, which should already sound superb.

The nicer your factory system is, the worse Sirius sounds, because you can really hear the compression. It's proprietary, but I've heard that it is equivalent to about 32 Kbps. HD radio suffers from the same issues, to my ear. The iPod with apple lossless sounds great, though.

[BTM]

This is a good place to start for eq/freq settings...I was disappointed too but found this thread and my L7 sounds 100% better

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161120

[John 070]

Originally Posted by badassfajita

'99 4runner (180k and running smoothly)

We've got our eyes peeled for the new 4Runner, have always heard they cannot be killed even if the owner tries. Not crazy about the new look, but it seems to offer more value than the car suv Highlander.

190k and the '98 Nissan has had no major repairs except exhaust and cv joints. Let's face it, owning Japanese cars (low total cost of ownership) allows us to own and pay-off a German toy.

[07E92TT]

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

You don't use the nav? Bluetooth?

I've used the nav like 4 or 5 times probably in the past 4 months and bluetooth I just use voice controls..

[CHCCubs]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Disagree. L7 sounds great. Every passenger who gets in my car comments on the great sound, and the deep bass.

I'm sure it could be better, but it exceeds my needs.

+1 I've been really happy with the L7 as well.

[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by anowlan

The nicer your factory system is, the worse Sirius sounds, because you can really hear the compression. It's proprietary, but I've heard that it is equivalent to about 32 Kbps. HD radio suffers from the same issues, to my ear. The iPod with apple lossless sounds great, though.

Yes, this is what I noticed upon reading jmsent's post.