BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum iDrive, Audio, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics + Coding HK bass dissaponting in a new car.

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-12-2017, 12:59 PM   #1
Mariuss
Private First Class
Czech_Republic
30
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: 2020 530ex
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Czech Republic

iTrader: (0)

HK bass dissaponting in a new car.

Having driven G30 530d xDrive since Friday, I find the Harman Kardon music system significantly lacking in the bass depatment. I know HK systems need some "running ineriod" and I'm interested to hear if anyone can give an estimate how much time is needed for this. The car I drove had 1100km on the odometer when I returned it and it was 4 weeks old. Can one expect the bass to improve significantly with more music time? Music was nice and crisp when stationary but on the highway at 150km/h, the tire roar was quite high and turning the volume up didn't bring expected sound clarity and "power". I did set the equalizer to full bass, default middle and high treble.

After switching to my F30, my puny Hi-Fi system has much worse sound overall but kills the G30 HK in the bass department.
Appreciate 1
      03-12-2017, 02:27 PM   #2
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1307
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

Usually takes a couple months of playing music to get them to loosen up and play properly.

Also remember the F30 has a much smaller cabin and will sound different even if the systems were identical.

Only real way to get proper bass is to add a subwoofer
__________________
BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
Appreciate 1
      03-12-2017, 03:54 PM   #3
Mariuss
Private First Class
Czech_Republic
30
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: 2020 530ex
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Czech Republic

iTrader: (0)

Size difference or not, I wouldn't expect a higher tier, more expensive audio setup to sound worse, especially in a higher class of a car. And both F30 Hi-fi and G30 Harman Kardon have woofers under the front seats, right? Does anyone here share my observation? I can't imagine it was a defective car/audio...
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2017, 04:08 PM   #4
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1307
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariuss View Post
And both F30 Hi-fi and G30 Harman Kardon have woofers under the front seats, right? .
One can hardly call those little things woofers
Wish they were proper ones. Would free up boot space in all my cars.
__________________
BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2017, 04:19 PM   #5
Mariuss
Private First Class
Czech_Republic
30
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: 2020 530ex
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Czech Republic

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Fleet View Post
One can hardly call those little things woofers
Wish they were proper ones. Would free up boot space in all my cars.

I never complained about the bass in my F30, I just wished the sound was crisper overall and I was hoping HK in the G30 would fix that. Now I'm not so sure. Some people also wrote they thought Hi-fi to sound better than HK.
Appreciate 0
      03-12-2017, 06:02 PM   #6
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1307
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mariuss View Post
Some people also wrote they thought Hi-fi to sound better than HK.
Have always found with HK that is very dependent on being setup properly, being run in and very dependent on your style of music.

A quick check in a brand new car is a poor test of the system.

I hope this is still the case with the G30
__________________
BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
Appreciate 1
      03-12-2017, 06:15 PM   #7
morellomax
Lieutenant
119
Rep
565
Posts

Drives: 2022 M440i xDrive convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Bear in mind also that the frequency response changes as the volume increases: bass is smoothed off as overall volume increases, to protect the bass amplifier channels from clipping or the woofers from overexcursion. This is frustrating as I find the HK system over bassy at low volume and then better balanced at about 60% of max volume.

All that said, the HK amp and 8" underseat woofers are quite good for factory systems and should produce enough >50hz bass to satisfy most people.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2017, 12:28 PM   #8
BiGFather
Captain
154
Rep
637
Posts

Drives: G30 540i xDrive Mperformance
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Czech Republic

iTrader: (0)

Hello guys.

I think it is must have. I had e91 with HiFi and my friend e90 with HK.. Difference was really huge!

2 weeks ago I drove G30 with HK and it seemed to be a bit better than the ones in 3er (maybe personal feeling).

I love the HK sound but mb I would take out a bit from "bass"
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2017, 04:17 PM   #9
steve090619
Lieutenant
176
Rep
546
Posts

Drives: bmw 540xi
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: ny

iTrader: (0)

You need to properly calibrate the equalizer. I have a cousin who is in sound recording, he calibrated my 535 to spec on how songs are recorded. My system was like night and day after he did that.
Appreciate 1
      04-12-2017, 03:38 PM   #10
Anglo_dude
New Member
5
Rep
21
Posts

Drives: G30 540I Xdrive
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Have to agree the equaliser needs tweaking to get the best out of it. When I picked mine up it was all at default settings and sounded flat and not very impressive. I tweaked the settings and it sounds amazing now. Full rich and clear. I think that a few minutes to change the settings will reap the rewards.

This sounds so much better than the old B&O system in my 2014 A5. I do think part of that is down to the lower ambient noise in the G30, it really is almost silent in comparison
Appreciate 0
      04-13-2017, 03:14 AM   #11
Almaretto
Major General
Almaretto's Avatar
2373
Rep
8,364
Posts

Drives: Test Vehicles
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Mountain View, CA

iTrader: (0)

Audio Source & EQ are definitely the key to minimize distortion and get the best sound. You still are not going to get much bass unless volume is turn up.
Appreciate 0
      04-13-2017, 11:29 AM   #12
///Marko
Second Lieutenant
///Marko's Avatar
Finland
14
Rep
235
Posts

Drives: X3 35d lci
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Finland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve090619 View Post
You need to properly calibrate the equalizer. I have a cousin who is in sound recording, he calibrated my 535 to spec on how songs are recorded. My system was like night and day after he did that.
Can you post here your h/k settings? Or post a pic from equalizer.
Appreciate 0
      04-13-2017, 12:29 PM   #13
Almaretto
Major General
Almaretto's Avatar
2373
Rep
8,364
Posts

Drives: Test Vehicles
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Mountain View, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sakis View Post
Can you post here your h/k settings? Or post a pic from equalizer.
HK System mic'd, measured and EQ'd
Appreciate 1
      08-12-2017, 01:19 PM   #14
morellomax
Lieutenant
119
Rep
565
Posts

Drives: 2022 M440i xDrive convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I am pleasantly surprised by the HK in my new G30, compared to my F10. Bass seems to go a little lower and to be less boomy and muddy. After an hour or so of fiddling, my current setup is:
- speed related volume adjustment at minimum;
- balance and fader neutral;
- surround off;
- bass +2
- treble 0
and then adjust equaliser bands as follows (figures are amount of adjustment, not the absolute position with cumulative effect of bass and treble adjustments)
- 100hz -1
- 200hz -1
- 1khz -1
- 2khz -2
- 5khz -2
- 10khz -1
- towel placed over the centre speaker ( trust me, this is worthwhile ).


Tracks used to test:
- "Don't give up" by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.
- "Black Skinhead" by Kanye West. Bass workout.
- "Take the long way home" by Supertramp.

All more enjoyable to listen to at mid to high volume than in the F10. But cover up that evil centre speaker firing into the glass windscreen. It has no place in what is really still just a 2 channel stereo system.
Appreciate 1
      08-12-2017, 03:25 PM   #15
remmib
General
remmib's Avatar
Norway
1566
Rep
29,202
Posts

Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Norway

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by morellomax View Post
I am pleasantly surprised by the HK in my new G30, compared to my F10. Bass seems to go a little lower and to be less boomy and muddy. After an hour or so of fiddling, my current setup is:
- speed related volume adjustment at minimum;
- balance and fader neutral;
- surround off;
- bass +2
- treble 0
and then adjust equaliser bands as follows (figures are amount of adjustment, not the absolute position with cumulative effect of bass and treble adjustments)
- 100hz -1
- 200hz -1
- 1khz -1
- 2khz -2
- 5khz -2
- 10khz -1
- towel placed over the centre speaker ( trust me, this is worthwhile ).


Tracks used to test:
- "Don't give up" by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.
- "Black Skinhead" by Kanye West. Bass workout.
- "Take the long way home" by Supertramp.

All more enjoyable to listen to at mid to high volume than in the F10. But cover up that evil centre speaker firing into the glass windscreen. It has no place in what is really still just a 2 channel stereo system.
Wait, so you drive around with a towel on top of the to cover the center?
__________________

F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White | HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 | Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 | KW V3 Coilover | M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar | 3DDesign Front Lip | BMW M Performance CF Spoiler | BMW M Performance Diffuser | BMW M Performance Black Grills | BMW M Performance Pedals |
Appreciate 1
      08-12-2017, 07:10 PM   #16
morellomax
Lieutenant
119
Rep
565
Posts

Drives: 2022 M440i xDrive convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Temporarily. Waiting for instructions on how to swap to Bavsound mids and tweeters on G30.....
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2017, 09:10 PM   #17
jpt99
2024 m340i, 2022 X5 M50i, 2019 m550i
No_Country
24
Rep
115
Posts

Drives: 2022 X5 M50i, 2019 m550i
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Swapped out stock HK amp with Match PP82DSP and MobridgeDA1 as well as under seat woofers with Earthquake woofers. Got what I wanted. More control of highs and louder lows. Highly recommend. Shout out to Ken at Musicar!
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2017, 01:02 PM   #18
morellomax
Lieutenant
119
Rep
565
Posts

Drives: 2022 M440i xDrive convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpt99 View Post
Swapped out stock HK amp with Match PP82DSP and MobridgeDA1 as well as under seat woofers with Earthquake woofers. Got what I wanted. More control of highs and louder lows. Highly recommend. Shout out to Ken at Musicar!
In a G30 ?
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2017, 07:37 PM   #19
jpt99
2024 m340i, 2022 X5 M50i, 2019 m550i
No_Country
24
Rep
115
Posts

Drives: 2022 X5 M50i, 2019 m550i
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

2016 F10. Same HK set up
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2017, 07:50 PM   #20
r33_RGSport
General
r33_RGSport's Avatar
United_States
12802
Rep
18,622
Posts

Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: So. Cal

iTrader: (6)

I got my HK swap out to BavSound and it sounds much better.
Somehow the ghostwoofer have better improvement on the G30 compared to any of the F series BMW.
If you are local, you are welcome to hear my car.
__________________
Email:sales@rgsport.com | IG:RGSport_USA | Web:RGSportShop.com
March SALES!! Evolution Racewerks - Until 04/01 | PM for DEALS
MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri
Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2017, 04:31 PM   #21
morellomax
Lieutenant
119
Rep
565
Posts

Drives: 2022 M440i xDrive convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpt99 View Post
2016 F10. Same HK set up
The HK doesn't sound the same in the G30 as it did in the F10.
Appreciate 1
      08-21-2017, 04:36 PM   #22
morellomax
Lieutenant
119
Rep
565
Posts

Drives: 2022 M440i xDrive convertible
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
I got my HK swap out to BavSound and it sounds much better.
Somehow the ghostwoofer have better improvement on the G30 compared to any of the F series BMW.
This is interesting. Suggests there is a difference in the enclosure/porting for the G30, and maybe better woofers can make better use of it. G30 HK bass is definitely a little cleaner and lower than F10 HK bass. There also seems to be less leakage of bass frequencies outside the car: if I stand next to the car and shut the door, I'm sure the bass volume drops away more than on the F10.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST