3D Burmester Fully Broken In
07-04-2023, 07:51 PM
#1
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3D Burmester Fully Broken In
I finally eclipsed 2k miles and the 3D Burmester has really settled in. I got everything dialed in perfectly and the speakers have loosened up a bit where it sounds really good to me, as good as the $4k high-end Burmester I had in my GLE. Out of all of the cars I’ve owned, and all of the stereo systems they had, from Bose, Harmon Kardon, Bang and Olufsen (not the super high-end one, though), this one sounds the best to me. I can only imagine what the 4D system is like. If given the opportunity, I would’ve have definitely optioned that. Maybe next time. This is definitely one of the bright spots to me, very pleased.
07-04-2023, 07:56 PM
#2
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2012 CLS63
3DB was pretty awesome 10 years ago, I'm sure (hope) it's just as good or better 
07-04-2023, 09:03 PM
#3
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4D=love
Price=hate
Regret= no
Do it again=yes
Am I a sucker=
Price=hate
Regret= no
Do it again=yes
Am I a sucker=
07-05-2023, 03:33 AM
#4
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07-05-2023, 04:08 AM
#5
On the subject of stereos: the B&O Diamond Surround system, equipped on current the gen BMW IX and Volvo S90, has also garnered a lot of acclamation. Like, A LOT of acclamation. Multiple review channels crown it the king of all current stereo systems.
Will be interesting to see how it compares with ours. I've been meaning to find an IX or S90 renter in my area, to test it out. But no luck so far.
Will be interesting to see how it compares with ours. I've been meaning to find an IX or S90 renter in my area, to test it out. But no luck so far.
07-05-2023, 07:58 PM
#6
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The thing is I love my tunes, have the ching, so back where I started, I almost always check that box. I think they had me at hello and know it; hence, I'm a bit of a sucker for this one. What can I say?
07-05-2023, 10:37 PM
#7
I almost always check that box. However... Even at Porsche the Burmy was 5k, they grossly overcharge for everything. Here it's a big pill to swallow when I expect to only be overcharged rather than grossly overcharged.
The thing is I love my tunes, have the ching, so back where I started, I almost always check that box. I think they had me at hello and know it; hence, I'm a bit of a sucker for this one. What can I say?
The thing is I love my tunes, have the ching, so back where I started, I almost always check that box. I think they had me at hello and know it; hence, I'm a bit of a sucker for this one. What can I say?
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07-06-2023, 01:12 PM
#8
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Thats great news considering how lackluster the base Burmester in the 222 is. I added a sub to mine and have it to where I enjoy listening to it too though.
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UrBusted (07-07-2023)
07-06-2023, 01:23 PM
#9
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I thought the 3D was the best stock stereo (where an upgrade exists) I've heard in a car.
07-06-2023, 03:47 PM
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Agree. I highly recommend spending the time and dialing in the custom sound setting instead of trying to adjust the bass, mid and treble individually. I actually took a picture of the settings because the car decided to randomly erase it from memory. Never again lol.
But, you can adjust the bass, mid and treble to fine tune it AFTER you use the custom sound profile. I have the dial pretty much in the middle of the equalizer matrix, bass on warm, and the 3D and surround three notches below the top. I have the bass in 4, mid on -2 and treble on 2. This sounds perfect to me for the wide range of music I like.
But, you can adjust the bass, mid and treble to fine tune it AFTER you use the custom sound profile. I have the dial pretty much in the middle of the equalizer matrix, bass on warm, and the 3D and surround three notches below the top. I have the bass in 4, mid on -2 and treble on 2. This sounds perfect to me for the wide range of music I like.
Last edited by Frenetic; 07-06-2023 at 04:29 PM.
07-06-2023, 11:11 PM
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Current/Last 5-years:S560, X7, X5, Accord; Sold:S550, BMW X7; X5;BMW 530e;20'Lincoln Navigator;LS460
I took me sometime to find out the best settings for my 3D Burmester.
I have the B&W in my X7, and also the 3D Burmester in my S560. Both are great and a huge improvement over the standard sound system for each vehicle. Once you own one with B&W 3D or 3D Burmester it becomes hard to re-adjust to the standard ones when you are in a loaner or so. The key for both is to adjust the settings really well to take full advantage of the system.
I am not a fan of high Bass and that is not why I like these high-end surround 3D sound systems, but rather the clarity and the 3D/surround effect combined with VIP Driver Seat setting. It takes the sound quality and experience to a different level that has nothing to do with the Bass or loud volumes, instead, the music is really different in a positive way.
I have the B&W in my X7, and also the 3D Burmester in my S560. Both are great and a huge improvement over the standard sound system for each vehicle. Once you own one with B&W 3D or 3D Burmester it becomes hard to re-adjust to the standard ones when you are in a loaner or so. The key for both is to adjust the settings really well to take full advantage of the system.
I am not a fan of high Bass and that is not why I like these high-end surround 3D sound systems, but rather the clarity and the 3D/surround effect combined with VIP Driver Seat setting. It takes the sound quality and experience to a different level that has nothing to do with the Bass or loud volumes, instead, the music is really different in a positive way.
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Frenetic (07-07-2023)
07-06-2023, 11:17 PM
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Current/Last 5-years:S560, X7, X5, Accord; Sold:S550, BMW X7; X5;BMW 530e;20'Lincoln Navigator;LS460
On the subject of stereos: the B&O Diamond Surround system, equipped on current the gen BMW IX and Volvo S90, has also garnered a lot of acclamation. Like, A LOT of acclamation. Multiple review channels crown it the king of all current stereo systems.
Will be interesting to see how it compares with ours. I've been meaning to find an IX or S90 renter in my area, to test it out. But no luck so far.
Will be interesting to see how it compares with ours. I've been meaning to find an IX or S90 renter in my area, to test it out. But no luck so far.
Keep in mind that the B&W Diamond Surround was a $3,500 option in the X7, whereas the Burmester High-End 3D Surround is a 6,400 option in the S560 --> At least that's what I have on the build sheet of the X7 and the S560.
Last edited by S_W222; 07-06-2023 at 11:19 PM.
07-07-2023, 11:12 AM
#13
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Speaker break-in is a myth, what's happened is your ears/brain have gotten accustomed to the speakers/sound system. Glad you like it.
07-07-2023, 11:18 AM
#14
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https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/e...r%20so%20hours.
The most basic way to run in your speakers is to set them up with your system and use them normally. Usually the speakers will be sufficiently run in after a total of 20-30 hours of normal use and they will often continue to develop and improve for the first hundred or so hours.
https://eminence.com/blogs/blog/speaker-break-in
Speaker break-in is no myth and something significant really does happen. All speakers are built to meet certain specifications, and we work diligently through QC efforts during and after production to ensure that happens. Every component used in a speaker has tolerances, which can relate to small variances in initial performance. The mechanical properties of a speaker are slightly modified once a speaker is put into service, and the tone is affected by these changes. Speaker break-in is a natural process that is influenced by how much you use the speaker and how loud you play it. Think of a new pair of shoes. They are not most comfortable right out of the box. They feel best after you have worn them for a while, softened up, and formed to your feet. Much like your new pair of shoes, new speakers need time to break in and will not sound best until they do.
The components making up the speaker"s suspension are primarily what changes during break-in. These components are the spider (lower suspension) and the cone surround (upper suspension). As the speaker is used, the spider and cone surround begin losing some of their initial stiffness. The sonic results you will hear are an increase in overall warmth, slightly deeper/fatter lows, and warmer/smoother highs. Subtle changes will continue throughout the life cycle of the speaker, but the most noticeable amount occurs in the early stages of use.
The components making up the speaker"s suspension are primarily what changes during break-in. These components are the spider (lower suspension) and the cone surround (upper suspension). As the speaker is used, the spider and cone surround begin losing some of their initial stiffness. The sonic results you will hear are an increase in overall warmth, slightly deeper/fatter lows, and warmer/smoother highs. Subtle changes will continue throughout the life cycle of the speaker, but the most noticeable amount occurs in the early stages of use.
Once you’ve purchased a brand new set of speakers, you’ll probably want to set them up and get to the good part - playing them. However, be prepared for the fact that for the first several hours of use (the break-in period), they won’t be quite to their maximum potential. The good news is your speakers will absolutely sound better after the initial break-in period. In fact, you may want to take care of this step right away so you are more quickly able to enjoy your speakers at their best.
Your speakers contain several moving parts but prior to use, they’ve never actually moved before. Essentially, pieces of the assembly like the spider and the surround will be stiff at first. Due to the rigidness of your new speakers, they will not be as dynamic until they have had a chance to move and become more flexible. Moral of the story? Don’t be afraid to break them in.
Last edited by SW20S; 07-07-2023 at 11:22 AM.
07-07-2023, 03:34 PM
#15
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I was always taught to blast new speakers to “loosen them up.” Speaker materials loosen up at different rates, or so I heard, but this car definitely sounds better to me after 2k miles.
Another thing, I think the reason why the base 3D Burmester in the S class sounds better than the $4k high-end Burmester in my GLE is due to the acoustic characteristics of an SUV vs sedan.
Another thing, I think the reason why the base 3D Burmester in the S class sounds better than the $4k high-end Burmester in my GLE is due to the acoustic characteristics of an SUV vs sedan.
Last edited by Frenetic; 07-07-2023 at 03:43 PM.
07-08-2023, 04:29 AM
#16
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Guys, I think some of you are talking about the Burmester 4D (code 811), not the 3D. Many features described above is for 4D.
07-08-2023, 09:18 AM
#18
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On the other hand, Vintage speakers that have sat idle for decades need to be brought to average volume very slowly, then increased after a few hours to loosen up the stiff driver surrounds to prevent cracking or tearing them. Even vintage metallic compression drivers will behave this way and improve over a few dozen hours of "re-break in"
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Frenetic (07-08-2023)
07-08-2023, 12:35 PM
#19
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,,, Once you own one with B&W 3D or 3D Burmester it becomes hard to re-adjust to the standard ones when you are in a loaner or so. The key for both is to adjust the settings really well to take full advantage of the system.
I,,,combined with VIP Driver Seat setting. It takes the sound quality and experience to a different level that has nothing to do with the Bass or loud volumes, instead, the music is really different in a positive way.
I,,,combined with VIP Driver Seat setting. It takes the sound quality and experience to a different level that has nothing to do with the Bass or loud volumes, instead, the music is really different in a positive way.
07-08-2023, 12:40 PM
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07-08-2023, 03:02 PM
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07-08-2023, 03:03 PM
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The 3D is the base system in the 223. It’s not comparable to your 222 3D system but in the 223 the upgrade is 4D.
07-08-2023, 03:06 PM
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I never realized W223 has 3D as the base, does that mean 3D is standard too or just a cheaper version of the 4D or High-End?
07-08-2023, 03:29 PM
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I had the optioned-out $4k “high-end” 3D Burnester in my GLE and I think the only difference was a larger amplifier, ceiling speakers and a dedicated subwoofer. However, the 3D Burmester in my S sounds better to me. I think the general acoustics of the GLE played a role, but another thing that bothered me with the high-end was the general output level. 50% volume in the GLE was about equal to 25% in the S. They dialed back the output so much in the GLE for some reason that the extra wattage and speakers were kind of superfluous to me. There was no difference in clarity, but the 3D was better in the GLE due to the ceiling-mounted speakers.
