Sound system in the GTS

[Boostin FD]

How bad is the sound system in this thing? I completely forgot to even try the stereo when I test drove one... but then read that there are only total of 6 speakers, including 2 little tweeters.

Has anyone upgraded it or did any modifications to it? I know, I know "track car, don't need sound system, get a regular m4...." frankly, been there done that. What can I say, I like weird things and track cars, even though, they never see any track time

Thanks for your input.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

How bad is the sound system in this thing? I completely forgot to even try the stereo when I test drove one... but then read that there are only total of 6 speakers, including 2 little tweeters.

Has anyone upgraded it or did any modifications to it? I know, I know "track car, don't need sound system, get a regular m4...." frankly, been there done that. What can I say, I like weird things and track cars, even though, they never see any track time

Thanks for your input.

There are no speakers in the doors (actually, there's nothing in the door panels, not even comfort access), so all the sound comes from the back. Is it good sound? Probably not, but I'm not an audiophile. I'm just glad it has a radio.

[jpdchicago]

Sound is not awful (crisp with some good bass) but it only comes from the back. A little bit weird...
Good enough to listen to news on the way to work and the occasional tune. Could not care less in that car. The M3 Gts did not even have a radio and it sold out.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

if it makes you feel any better my f80 with HK doesn't sound all that good either. Good but even my g35 with "blowse" sounded way better lol. Sound systems used to be a big opiton

[Boostin FD]

I'm not that crazy about perfect audio and getting the highest possible "pitch" out of each song HA! I'm just curious because this would be the first car where it doesn't actually have speakers in the front.

My M4 was just fine. People complain about the GT350R's sound, but I think it sounds fine as well. So that's why I was just wondering... is it complete crap, or is it okay.

Thanks guys.

[Boostin FD]

I went back for a test drive... sound is not bad... yes it's faded to the back... but I can live with that. It's got "nice Bass" and I can hear some of my tunes over the exhaust. Ha!

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

I went back for a test drive... sound is not bad... yes it's faded to the back... but I can live with that. It's got "nice Bass" and I can hear some of my tunes over the exhaust. Ha!

I kept trying to fiddle with the hk setting to get it to sound better; than realised my speakers need to be at 80% volume to beat the remus+aa setup lol.

[schnell325]

It gets the job done from the track and back

[jninja]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

if it makes you feel any better my f80 with HK doesn't sound all that good either. Good but even my g35 with "blowse" sounded way better lol. Sound systems used to be a big opiton

I also had a G35 (6MT Uprev; later turbo'd), also added a nice sub..while the sound was ok, I don't get at all what you mean by G35 stereo> f80 HK...18' F80 is pretty good, not audiophile, but very good for an OEM stereo. I did make some adjustment in the settings, but really can't see how this stereo is thought of poorly.

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

How bad is the sound system in this thing? I completely forgot to even try the stereo when I test drove one... but then read that there are only total of 6 speakers, including 2 little tweeters.

Has anyone upgraded it or did any modifications to it? I know, I know "track car, don't need sound system, get a regular m4...." frankly, been there done that. What can I say, I like weird things and track cars, even though, they never see any track time

Thanks for your input.

Apple car play will be your audio savior!

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by jninja

I also had a G35 (6MT Uprev; later turbo'd), also added a nice sub..while the sound was ok, I don't get at all what you mean by G35 stereo> f80 HK...18' F80 is pretty good, not audiophile, but very good for an OEM stereo. I did make some adjustment in the settings, but really can't see how this stereo is thought of poorly.

maybe I just remember it differently. or my exhaust is too loud

I don't know if it was you...do you have anything aftermarket(sound) on your f80?

[jninja]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

maybe I just remember it differently. or my exhaust is too loud

I don't know if it was you...do you have anything aftermarket(sound) on your f80?

No I don't..just tuned EQ settings

[495evo]

Get one of those Bluetooth speakers and it's a wrap. Akra turbo back is my daily music. Cheers

[em4ef82]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

How bad is the sound system in this thing? I completely forgot to even try the stereo when I test drove one... but then read that there are only total of 6 speakers, including 2 little tweeters.

Has anyone upgraded it or did any modifications to it? I know, I know "track car, don't need sound system, get a regular m4...." frankly, been there done that. What can I say, I like weird things and track cars, even though, they never see any track time

Thanks for your input.

Where is the radio located?? :

Somehow I find myself rolling down the windows and turning off the stereo every time the car starts.

[VCP]

Bavsound subs and speakers will amp it up nicely.

[MarksM]

What sound system? Oh, you mean the exhaust. The "noise system" rivals my old tape recorder with the 6" speaker (1)

[Boostin FD]

I was about to start a thread about this, and I just remembered, I already did... when i had my grey GTS. HA!

I completely forgot how sucky the sound system is in this car... i know, it's not meant to be "bumping" and it's a "race car"... but why couldn't they stick 2 little speakers somewhere up front.

I looked at the diagram for the GTS's sound system (attached) and it seems there's no amp... it just goes from head unit to the speakers... So i was thinking, about adding just the center speaker in the dash, to kind of Equalize the sound so it doesn't sound "faded" to the back only...

Has anyone done anything to the sound of this car since the last time i started this thread?

[786]

Man I never touch the radio in the GTS, doesn't sound bad but it's so faded to the back seems pointless. I prefer the exhaust anyway. But if you close the windows and listen to the radio it sounds decent. In my Porsche I would just put in earbuds and cruise around listening to stuff on my phone.

[JLS_397K]

I too toyed with the idea of upgrading the GTS sound sytem, I would have thought that BMW would put their best mid-range speaker to increase the clarity at least, but this is GTS, "purpose" built to be more track going. I don't know how much you would gain by going to Bavsound speakers, I guess based on the diagram, the best would be an amplifier inserted in-between then full speaker upgrade if you had too.

I will be doing a rally with my girl this December, I did it last year with her as well and the car will get you by most occasions.

as 786 mention, you could just insert some earbuds, although it may be illegal in some states, maybe all of them, if you are caught( just not bass a*s kicking unfortunately with that.) I was considering doing this since my girl and I have Apple air pods, we can dual sync them to a single cell phone and play music through that. Which works since there is only two seats. lol

[Secret Chimp]

I'm happy enough with the sound quality but I would just like the sound to be not 100% coming from behind the roll cage.

I'd be happy to have a speaker installed under the grill on the dash and tweeters in the door/mirror location to balance out the 'faded to the rear' sound of the stock set-up. How hard could it be? If I was to guess, I'd think that it's just a matter of using the already existing pins in the head unit wiring harness and maybe a reprogram so the system recognizes these extra speakers and so you get the fader slide in the menu.

What would it add, maybe 10lbs to the 3600lb curb weight? Though the system will always be battling against road/wind noise because of the nearly total lack of sound deadening, a few more speakers would help 'round-out' the sound.

[786]

Originally Posted by JLS_397K

as 786 mention, you could just insert some earbuds, although it may be illegal in some states, maybe all of them

really? never heard that before. in my dailies i always have earbuds in listening to music.

[JLS_397K]

Originally Posted by 786

really? never heard that before. in my dailies i always have earbuds in listening to music.

Yeah, I don't know if it the same as every other other state. but here in Cali,..

California Vehicle Code:
27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears.

But having one in is okay. As long as it doesn't impair your ability to hear audible alerts and sirens( Car horn, Truck Horn, train Horn, Police, Fire, Ambulance sirens.... you know?)