Harmon Kardon or Not

Beemer Dreamer · Mar 29, 2004

How many here feel the upgraded HK sound is worth it?
I"m looking for opions before I listen to it.

izzyracer · Mar 29, 2004

Beemer Dreamer said:

I have one and I have driven one without it and it is no question better. Is it the best one or is it for everyone, no! All I can say is it is awesome with my ipod.

cdotger · Mar 29, 2004

I have heard many people do no feel it is work the extra $. I myself do not have.

deutsch100 · Mar 29, 2004

I do not think it is worth it. I actually think the sound is muffled and flat. The HK Logic 7 system I had in my E320 was amazing. HK in the Bimmers pretty much suck!!

pardi · Mar 30, 2004

I compared the HK system with the basic system side by side last week on my friends cars (one with HK, the other without; both 2004 models). Needless to say, the HK sounded better, but if you ask whether there was significant improvement (in particular, whether it was worth $950 Canadian dollars), my answer would definitely be No.

And hence I opted out of the HK option when I put my money down for my new 330ci this past weekend.

jarelj · Mar 30, 2004

deutsch100 said:

I agree, I think mine sounds terrible, just as you say "muffled and flat". I'm not an audiophile, and I will probably never expend any effort to change it, but it does bug me.

deutsch100 · Mar 30, 2004

jarelj said:

Hey jarelj,

Yeah man...it is pretty annoying. We also have a Z8 Alpina and a 2004 X5 4.4i and the sound pretty much bites too. What is BMW thinking?? I mean even Ford has incredible JBL systems, MBZ has Logic 7....can't BMW put in a decent sounding system? For being the Ultimate Driving Machine..... it sure does not have the Ultimate Sound System!!! I love my 330cic, but it could use a better system...but like you I will not expend any effort to change it it!!! Take care [driving2]

AWD330XI · Mar 30, 2004

A better amp will fix it...

jarelj · Mar 30, 2004

AWD330XI said:

Do you have any more info on that? If it was as easy as replacing a single component, I might consider doing it. Can a new amp be wired directly into the current system? I thought I read somewhere that there were proprietary components in the stock system....

codex57 · Mar 30, 2004

I hear a touch more bass, but no way is it worth the difference in price. For the price they charge, I'd rather upgrade the speakers, add an amp, and throw in some subwoofers myself.

AWD330XI · Mar 30, 2004

I have no idea how to add an amp but if you change the head unit it makes a world of difference.

jarelj · Mar 30, 2004

AWD330XI said:

I have no interest in changing the head unit, I think it would ruin the look of the dash. Guess I'll just stick with the HK for now with the treble set on max.

euro-D · Apr 4, 2004

Is the HK stereo compatible the folding rear seats option?
Does the subwoofer reduce trunk room or pass-through width much?

Tom · Apr 4, 2004

euro-D said:

Yes its compatible with the rear folding seat option. The subwoofers will decrease the height of your trunk by about two inches.

TheBry · Apr 4, 2004

I have the HK system and love it. I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool audiophile mind you. One of my favorite features of the HK system (and I'm not sure it's available on the standard system) is the vehicle speed sensitive equalization. I love the fact that it automatically handles the volume based on the ambient noise. I always have my top down, so I've got the radio blaring loud... when I come to a stop light, the volume is lowered for me -- a nice touch.

jonnyz16 · Apr 5, 2004

AWD330XI said:

It didn't help with mine. The stock deck has a weak signal and no rca outputs . So I just amplified a junk signal and it sounds loud and muffled. I have a '02 model so I can only speak on my personal exp. You have to change the whole system to get any quality sound..

jonnyz16 · Apr 5, 2004

jonnyz16 said:

Sorry guys , I posted before reading the whole thread. My bad .. [8]

Susie520 · Apr 5, 2004

Beemer Dreamer said:

not worth it.

The sound is definitely muffled and flat. I have the HK system and out of the other car's we've had this is by far the WORST factory installed system ... no kidding around. (1993 Ford Explorer, 1997 Explorer, 1996 Volvo 850 GLT**, 2004 Acura MDX). The "**" means that this was the best factory installed system of them all, can you believe it?
I didn't know the HK was an option, I thought it came standard on a 330 model.

mscoins · Apr 5, 2004

Mine came with the HK as standard equipment. It sounds pretty good for a factory system, but could use more depth and fidelity. A neat future option would be a Dolby ProLogic II 5.1 system.

MrElussive · Apr 5, 2004

Wow, I didn't know that so many people were dissatisfied with the HK sound system. My friend who has a 325i claims his car has the HK sound system option, but I refuse to believe it based on the way it sounds...heh, maybe he's right.
I just find it hard to believe that a 12-speaker Harman Kardon (very reputable company) sound system could sound so poor.

Here, I found this stereo evaluation on a 2002/2003 330i (featuring the Harman Kardon sound system). They give it an 8.0 out of 10 and pretty much had only good things to say.
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/73569/page010.html

Harmon Kardon or Not

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