Photo: Bowers & Wilkins
Whether some people acknowledge it or not, a car’s sound system is a very important feature, especially if we’re talking about a premium model such as the all-new 2024 BMW 5 Series and its fully electric counterpart, the i5. Well, if you plan on ordering one such business sedan for yourself, rest assured that your ears are going to be in good hands, so to speak.
Enhancing the music experience in the new 5 Series will be Bowers & Wilkins, via a 17/18-speaker sound system with True Sound and the company’s proprietary Continuum Cone technology. You can get this system not just on the 5er, but also on more expensive Bimmers, such as the all-new 7 Series or the XM.
The British consumer electronics firm worked closely with the BMW Group in order to make sure that each loudspeaker was optimized as per its position inside each vehicle, while also checking to see that all visual components work together well with the interior design of these cars.
You can get a total of 17 speakers in the all-electric BMW i5, and 18 in the 5 Series, blasting a total of 655 watts of power with the help of seven 25 mm aluminum tweeters. The latter are lightweight yet rigid, which is said to produce exceptional clarity. In the end, that’s what it’s all about when it comes to sound systems - clarity.
Meanwhile, there are seven 100 mm midrange speakers, four of which feature B&W’s proprietary technology, Continuum. The Continuum Cone is said to reduce distortion and deliver authentic sound reproduction for both voices and instruments alike. Also key to this system are the dual balanced woofers. The 5 Series has two central bass woofers under the front seats, whereas the i5 boasts a single 200 mm Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer in the trunk.
“It has been a delight to work with BMW on the new i5 saloon,” said B&W exec, Dan Shepherd. “Ensuring sound reproduction in an electric vehicle requires a shift in mindset, but we have successfully worked to deliver True Sound through the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound system, creating a performance reference audio system in the executive car class. The benefit of clear and pristine audio is apparent to fleet customer, when making hands free calls, improving both productivity and safety when traveling.”
In terms of visuals, the B&W sound system blends into the interior design language of the i5 through branded speaker grills with illuminated logos and a stylized hole pattern. We actually sampled this design in person when we brought you our review of the BMW i7, a few months back.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series is priced from $57,900 in the United States, which gets you the entry-level 530i model. If you want the battery-electric i5, it will cost you upwards of $66,800. As for the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound system, it's a $950 option.
The British consumer electronics firm worked closely with the BMW Group in order to make sure that each loudspeaker was optimized as per its position inside each vehicle, while also checking to see that all visual components work together well with the interior design of these cars.
You can get a total of 17 speakers in the all-electric BMW i5, and 18 in the 5 Series, blasting a total of 655 watts of power with the help of seven 25 mm aluminum tweeters. The latter are lightweight yet rigid, which is said to produce exceptional clarity. In the end, that’s what it’s all about when it comes to sound systems - clarity.
Meanwhile, there are seven 100 mm midrange speakers, four of which feature B&W’s proprietary technology, Continuum. The Continuum Cone is said to reduce distortion and deliver authentic sound reproduction for both voices and instruments alike. Also key to this system are the dual balanced woofers. The 5 Series has two central bass woofers under the front seats, whereas the i5 boasts a single 200 mm Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer in the trunk.
“It has been a delight to work with BMW on the new i5 saloon,” said B&W exec, Dan Shepherd. “Ensuring sound reproduction in an electric vehicle requires a shift in mindset, but we have successfully worked to deliver True Sound through the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound system, creating a performance reference audio system in the executive car class. The benefit of clear and pristine audio is apparent to fleet customer, when making hands free calls, improving both productivity and safety when traveling.”
In terms of visuals, the B&W sound system blends into the interior design language of the i5 through branded speaker grills with illuminated logos and a stylized hole pattern. We actually sampled this design in person when we brought you our review of the BMW i7, a few months back.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series is priced from $57,900 in the United States, which gets you the entry-level 530i model. If you want the battery-electric i5, it will cost you upwards of $66,800. As for the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound system, it's a $950 option.
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