OEM headunit vs the newer aftermarket ones

So E46 has been around for almost 12 years now. Assuming the OEM headunit was designed a little earlier, how does it really compare to the aftermarket headunits today in terms of sound quality? Especially against those with burr-brown.

In posts dating back to even 2002(on roadfly?), people used to say OEM headunit is actually very capable, has very good signals but it is the speakers + amp, even w/ HK. Then there is the camp that says it (the fail) actually starts w/ the OEM headunit.

I have a 2003 convertible w/ HK. Sound is bad if not terrible. I did put in the cheapest aftermarket headunit w/ BT until I decided what to do. Mids and highs were changed but it now sucks in a different way, too much mids + highs + distortion.

I am curious to hear about experience of people who went through changing these pieces gradually rather than all at once. If changing speakers only really worked, or if headunit was really up to what people say it is.

cheers
--hikmet

The stock system is junk. Can't compare to quality after market ICE upgrades.

I ripped out the stock system, amp, speakers, subwoofer and replaced the entire system.

It's great as I've been enjoying the M all over again!

The OEM E46 HK Premium Sound package is actually really good compared to the current systems in the 2011 BMWs!

Originally Posted by delmarco

The OEM E46 HK Premium Sound package is actually really good compared to the current systems in the 2011 BMWs!

My 2000 323i has the HK system and it truly sounds wonderful. My other car has 7k in the audio video system with Infiniti Kappa Components front and rear, Directed 5ch Amp and competition sub and I think the HK system sounds better while the other car is alot louder..