[chefczyk]

Seems pretty good to me - I’m curious what people who say it’s “crap” are used to listening to?

[MMMBRAP]

Originally Posted by chefczyk

Seems pretty good to me - I’m curious what people who say it’s “crap” are used to listening to?

I listen to pretty much everything from Classical, K-Pop, EDM, etc.

Like I said, only ML was able to impress my ears, stock system-wise.

Originally Posted by BigKutta

The HK is crap, and more importantly, the acoustics inside the cabin are terrible (if you want quiet, or good audio quality). The M2 is not built for this. I have tried to listen to music a few times in the car and quickly turned it off. Given all the other sounds, its not even a pleasure listening to music, nor listening to the car. So I always have it turned off and the windows cracked to enjoy the sounds of the M2 instead

This right here is pretty much on par with my own experience.

Originally Posted by M2C-NLUSA

The old ML's in Lexus's were great

Burm in Porsche Pannie or Cayenne
Upgraded Meridian in JLR
BMW B&W ain't bad either.

I personally find the Burm in MB to be garbage. The speaker grills are gorgeous but I was so underwhelmed by their performance (speaking for a C-Class/E-Class)

The Burm's in MB's are an absolute disaster, it's not even funny. I still recall trying it out in a C63S AMG, and I was like "Is this a JOKE? They actually put something this bad in here?"

[nearwater4me]

Lexicon on the 1st gen Genesis sedan was pretty good after adding a subwoofer.
Thoroughly enjoyed that system but that $2000 amp had to be replaced twice after the XM radio subscription expired. (Couldn't remember what technical issue it was.)
ELS for the TL Tech package was decent also.

HK on the M2 isn't terrible, but highs are harsh and lacks the low/bass

[Midtown2020]

I just posted an ad for a new pair of Focal IFBMW-S plugnplay Component Speakers (midrange + crossover + tweeter) in member classifieds section if anyone is interested. Fantastic speakers for our car doors! Much better than stock HK. Asking $215 plus shipping fees. Here's a photo showing the HK vs Focal Midrange Drivers.

[MooMooM2]

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

Lexicon on the 1st gen Genesis sedan was pretty good after adding a subwoofer.
Thoroughly enjoyed that system but that $2000 amp had to be replaced twice after the XM radio subscription expired. (Couldn't remember what technical issue it was.)
ELS for the TL Tech package was decent also.

HK on the M2 isn't terrible, but highs are harsh and lacks the low/bass

that is exactly my thoughts on the highs and no low or bass whatsoever.

[Midtown2020]

Originally Posted by Midtown2020

I just posted an ad for a new pair of Focal IFBMW-S plugnplay Component Speakers (midrange + crossover + tweeter) in member classifieds section if anyone is interested. Fantastic speakers for our car doors! Much better than stock HK. Asking $215 plus shipping fees. Here's a photo showing the HK vs Focal Midrange Drivers.

Sold!

[M2_MEDUSA]

In my 428i the HK was much better definitely notice it big time.

[dc_rivers]

Originally Posted by chefczyk

Seems pretty good to me - I’m curious what people who say it’s “crap” are used to listening to?

I had an 09 e90 and the speakers it had seemed better than that on my 19 M2, I also have a 2020 Sierra with Bose sound system and it is leaps and bounds better. Its not a bad sound system like you say, but can definitely be improved.

[T1313]

Sorry folks, I'm not an audiophile and even I think the HK system in the M2 is pretty mediocre at best. It's marginally better than my Honda but awful compared to my E9x M3 with the 'fancy' stereo (I don't know what it's called). I'd even go as far as saying that my Dodge Magnum had better audio and an old Caddy with a Bose system was miles ahead....No highs, no lows, must be Bose....but it sounded better than my HK!

[Davil]

I like it. Though I readily admit my '18 M2C sounded better then my '20 M2CS. No idea why. Maybe it was another lightening effort like the lack of comfort access.

[richard in NC]

My opinion is the M2 HK system is OK and better than the noise level while driving allows it to be. Sitting still it can be tuned to be OK but not as good as the HK system in other models. Better speakers would definitely help but given the noise levels, I'm not sure how well you'd hear the difference.

Good news, I bought the car for its engine and handling. I do like the S55 M2C sound and rarely listen to the stereo on daily drives.