Is the HIFI JBL system worth $5350 more

The upgrade system sounds WAY better. I sat and listened side by side and there is a huge difference. If you buy the stock system and want to upgrade, there is no real way to do it as well as just buying the factory upgrade.

Although the upgrade system is 5k, it would cost you almost that much to install your own and it would require turning your car over to some guy with a Dremel and a screw gun. Not worth the risk.

 

Are any of the options "worth" the exorbitant cost? Of course not

However it does sound very good and I'm happy I have it

I've heard the stock stereo is fine though

So it comes down to your budget and which options are must haves for you

I say go for it

 

You asked: Is it just a bigger base woofer again?

No, it's not just an added subwoofer. The amps are digital class d amps, the flat panel speakers were specially developed for the car by JBL and are thin and inconspicuous. The overall sound far surpasses that of the 430's upgrade system and that of the stock 458 system. Although it doesn't compare to any real high-end auto audio system (of which I have two) it certainly way out performs the aformentioned boom boxes.

 

I hear (no pun intended) that it is actually quite good. I've never actually seen it in action though.

 

I agree, the optional system sounds good. However, the stock system in the 458 is way better than previous systems I've heard in a Ferrari. If you listen to music a lot in your car, go for it. If not, the stock is good enough.

 

its worth it >>>> go for it

 

I'd recommend it too. Glad I have it in mine.

Edited to add: the iPod integration, however, is less than stellar. But, it sounds great when it works.

 

I ordered it as well. Does anyone have the a PDF copy of the manual for it?

 

The argument the dealer made was "In the end it helps the resale of the car to have the upgraded system." and that "the kinds of people who purchase these cars want the best".

I also don't think that the "box" in the back protrudes into the car much. I think that the speakers on the back deck / window look fine.

So, I have it in my current 458 and ordered it in my new 458 that should be coming in May.

 

Could someone take some pictures of the upgraded speaker system? I couldn't tell if I have it. Never bothered asking too.

 

I guess whether it is worth it depends on how high a value you place on good music reproduction. If you are in to ipod music, meaning compressed and earbud-like then no it is not worth it.

However, if you are in to Hi-Resolution un-compressed multi-channel DVD-Audio produced via electrostatic speakers, then yeah it's worth it. In fact, I am not aware of another automotive sound system out there that uses Electrostatic speakers. That kind of speaker is usually found in only high-end audiophile speakers like Martin Logan, Sanders, Magnepan, Quad, Soundlab to name a few.

Now if you are just going to play CDs on it, it is a tough call, it should sound better than iPod music but it is still 44.1k which is not Hi-Res. Do yourself a favor and check it out with Beatles Love Album in DVD Audio 5.1 surround sound. Then decide if it is worth it, that is what I did and then I ordered it

Only problem is if you don't have a lot of DVD Audio content, be prepared to spend a bunch of moola on getting more......Hi-Resolution audio is not cheap but the best never is and you may find you have a new addiction besides Ferraris

 

I have nothing constructive to say about this particular question, but it reminded me of the $5000 upgrade cost for the sound system in my Ford GT, which I still talk about to this day (5 years later) as the single greatest waste of $5000 I will ever see in my life. It wasn't worth $10. Good luck, hope it works out for you!

 

Where do you even buy DVD audio these days??

 

Best Buy, CD Universe, Amazon.com, Acoustic Sounds, and others, including Fleabay

And you can also take DTS or SACD and run it thru Cirlinca's DVD-Audio Solo and make DVD- Audio to the tune of several thousand titles on top of the number of DVDa titles that are available.

If you have the upgraded HIFI sound system in the 458, do yourself a favor and go get the Beatles Love Album in DVD Audio 5.1 surround sound and play it on the 458 system, the sound is truely amazing

 

I'll definitely look for some DVD audio...but I'm not really a Beatles fan (I know...it's blasphemy)

Now Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix...that's more my bag.

 

That IMO is the biggest bunch of B.S.! The upgraded sound system is probably the last option considered at resale.

 

If your 458 is a rocking, dont come a knocking...Vodoo Child at 100mph on a twisty back road in a 458 has to an out of this world experience!!!

 

The improvement is rather apparent even listening to FM radio. Don't let any audio snobs (me included) convince you that an iPod is not capable of delivering very high quality audio. The key is to have quality (minimum 128kbs) tracks and to take the iPod's output from the butt end, (which bypasses the internal D to A converters) and not the 1/8" headphone output.

 

It's a lot of money but its first rate.

The thinking in my case went as follows;
1) Do I want a sound system; yes; then do I want a crapper or the best; the best
2) Are others likely to want the best in a costly exotic if I sell; yes
3) Do I appreciate and use it; almost never
4) When I drive the car, its all about driving engagement and the sound of the engine; listening to a sound system just gets in the way;
5) would I purchase it again in a new 458; yes for reasons 1 + 2

 

Led Zepplin "How the West was Won" is available in DVD Audio along with I think Jimi Hendrix Live, then there is DePeche Mode, Pink Floyd, Yes, and dozens of other bands with lots of material if you really want to look.

I guess some guys are still asking if the HIFI upgrade is worth it, the real answer is it depends unless you wear depends then it definitely is worth it.

 

Really? McIntosh has such a good reputation, that just seems odd.

 

Hmmm...I have how the west was won...it came with a DVD as part of it...I'll check it out.

I found some DVD-A online last night...I'll let you know how it goes.