Bowers & Wilkins Stereo Specifications Wanted - Can it Play High Resolution Music?

[Shivaji]

I just purchased a 2022 BMW X6 M50i car optioned with the Bowers and Wilkins (B&W) stereo. There is no information or documentation regarding the B&W car stereo available from BMW. Contacting B&W directly and requesting information about their stereo in BMWs was also a dead end.

Does anyone know where I can get the stereo specifications? I included the B&W stereo option expecting to be able to play high resolution (hi-res) Music files, such as 24-bit FLAC files. Does the B&W stereo support these hi-res file formats (though it's DAC)? I actually play the files on my iPhone through an app that is capable of playing the files. Then Apple CarPlay is used to connect to the app. 

[Greydog]

Hi Shivaji

Welcome to the Forum

First came across this in a 7 series (I saw a review somewhere), I was under the impression that it was a speaker system not the complete sound system so if the cars iDrive/Radio is capable of plying Hi Res Audio files the speakers give the best chance of reproducing the sound. Always worth remembering it is a car not a Cinema or Club 😁

Really tasty motor Luck Boy ENJOY 

Dave

[Shivaji]

Greydog - I think you are partially correct... B&W is known for their speakers. However, the short BMW YouTube videos I have come across promoting the B&W sound SYSTEM in a BMW, implies that B&W is providing the complete audio system including speakers and amplifier and the DAC. Apparently B&W works along with BMW to analyse the best placement for their speakers specifically for each BMW model the system is offered in.

[Greydog]

Morning Shivaji

You could try BMW Vin Decoder which should give the build sheet for your car, I just had a quick look at realoem and if you have S6F1A on the build sheet you do have the B&W High end system

However it looks as though someone could order an HK system with B&W speakers most confusing unfortunately it still doesn't give any system information? Can BMW Customer services not provide something?

Dave

[Shivaji]

Greydog - thanks again for attempting to assist me. Yes, I do have the B&W High-end system. My understanding of this system is that it includes stereo components that B&W supplies (in addition to the speakers). This system should not have any HK components. 

I tried a number of BMW support services at the dealer (including the BMW concierge/genius) as well as contacting BMW Australia. But no one at BMW were aware of any details regarding the B&W system. So BMW suggested I get information from B&W and B&W sent me to get information from BMW -- a "catch 22" type of scenario. 

Any ideas how to get to the bottom of this and find the B&W stereo specs?

[Greydog]

Hi as I understand it if your car has the  S6F1A in the build sheet you have the DAB, tuner and B&W Amp and speakers 

I have a neighbour who does work for BMW he is in the States currently I have asked him how you can get the information 

I will update when he gets back to me

Dave

[Shivaji]

Greydog - I appreciate you taking this to your neighbour. Hopefully he can point us to where we may find the B&W stereo details. Thanks 

[Greydog]

Just chased as I saw his wife apparently he is in Hospital with C19 in New York so won't be back this side of Christmas

Have a Good One

Dave

[Shivaji]

Thanks for keeping me informed. 

[Greydog]

It seems the B&W system is a Speaker system and Amp designed for each BMW Model the ability of the system to play digital files will be helped/restricted by the OEM Headunit and CD/DVD Player

Happy New Year

Dave