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      04-29-2014, 09:57 PM   #1
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Harman Kardon Sound, advantage?

Does anyone know what is the actual difference between the regular sound system and the Harmon Kardon system?

I am an audiophile and do appreciate good sound. However, I have not been impressed with Harmon Kardon at all in my MB cars, including the 05" E55 and the latest 12' CLS63 AMG.

In contrast, my father drives a 07' 328i with regular BMW system, and I do enjoy the sound: natural, open and accurate. It does not play as loud as the Harmon Kardons that I hace owned in the past, but at normal volumes, it sounds better to me.

I would want to know what the actual difference is in hardware. I have ordered my M3 with regular sound, but may consider adding the Harman Kardon if it really worth it.

I would also want to add that I have the Bermester in my PPT, and, although it sounds nice and probably better than any other system I've heard in a car, it is somewhat overrated.
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      04-29-2014, 10:19 PM   #2
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Stock vs. HK sound

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Originally Posted by gago1101 View Post
Does anyone know what is the actual difference between the regular sound system and the Harmon Kardon system?

I am an audiophile and do appreciate good sound. However, I have not been impressed with Harmon Kardon at all in my MB cars, including the 05" E55 and the latest 12' CLS63 AMG.
Should be same systems as in the F30/32. Check them out at a dealer. HK in my '12 ML is quite good.
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      04-29-2014, 10:24 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Should be same systems as in the F30/32. Check them out at a dealer. HK in my '12 ML is quite good.
Good point, will do some A/B comparison this weekend.

I am not saying HK is bad, it just seems not an amazing system either, at least in the MBs that I had.
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      04-29-2014, 10:28 PM   #4
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Good point, will do some A/B comparison this weekend.

I am not saying HK is bad, it just seems not an amazing system either, at least in the MBs that I had.
No, not amazing, but solid. The $1,900 Individual Audio system in my E92 sounds great cranked, but frankly does not stand out at lower volumes I usually listen at.
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      04-29-2014, 10:35 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
No, not amazing, but solid. The $1,900 Individual Audio system in my E92 sounds great cranked, but frankly does not stand out at lower volumes I usually listen at.
Agreed, I will check them out. 1K sounds like a bargain for a real upgrade. I just don't want to pay for an upgrade that is only for the name.

I will take my own music on a flash drive to check them out. BTY, Do you know if the new BMW software plays FLAC files? If not WAV is always an option.
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      04-29-2014, 11:00 PM   #6
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get it. my friend got his f30 w/o, and he regrets it everytime he hops in my car. its worth every penny esp since its not an expensive option
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      04-29-2014, 11:03 PM   #7
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While not an audible difference, the hk speakers and trim look a lot better. These M cars are not known to be quiet, so much of the fidelity is lost once the wheels start rolling.
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      04-29-2014, 11:08 PM   #8
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Who needs audio when you have loud farting exhaust?
Actually I did order HK system. It gives nice visual upgrade to interior trim.
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      04-30-2014, 12:17 PM   #9
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IMHO, the HK sound system is considerably better than the standard audio. I have had both in numerous BMWs, even today I have the HK in my 335is and not in my wife's X3 , both of which are 2012 models. The sound difference is quite apparent. Well worth the price.
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      04-30-2014, 02:16 PM   #10
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HK in the F80 is different than in standard F30. I have other BMW's with Bang & Olufsen and the HK in F80 sounds identical. I also have an F30 with HK and am sure that it sounds better than my F30
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      04-30-2014, 02:23 PM   #11
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The HK system isn't great - the problem is the lower HIFI is terrible - I think BMW does it on purpose. I went back and forth between a car with HK and a car with HIFI - I wasn't impressed with HK, but I was totally depressed with HIFI (HIFI in Europe is = to standard stereo in the U.S., we even have a lower 'standard' stereo - I have never heard it but I can imagine it sounds like the radio I had mounted on the handlebars of my bike when I was 10).

Note: the HK was in a 3 series wagon and the HIFI was in a 4 series convertible (roof up), so I can't know how much effect that had on the comparison.
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      05-01-2014, 10:10 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaguar View Post
HK in the F80 is different than in standard F30.
It is not. It is technically identical, down to the P/N.

Quote:
I have other BMW's with Bang & Olufsen and the HK in F80 sounds identical.
B&O is only available in the M5 and M6. So are you saying that you have several M5/M6's?

Quote:
I also have an F30 with HK and am sure that it sounds better than my F30
This does not make any sense.

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      05-01-2014, 01:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by parky1215 View Post
Who needs audio when you have loud farting exhaust?
To enhance the farts
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      05-03-2014, 02:57 PM   #14
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I always upgrade to H/K in every BMW I've ever had...way back to the E46. The standard HiFi does not cut it for me and usually sounds cheap and less "full." Yes, there are better OEM systems such as the Bang & Olufsen or Burmester but for under a grand, it's so worth it.
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      05-03-2014, 06:09 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by parky1215 View Post
Who needs audio when you have loud farting exhaust?
Actually I did order HK system. It gives nice visual upgrade to interior trim.


I'm glad I wasn't the only crazy obsessive person to notice that visual difference haha.
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      05-20-2014, 03:07 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by parky1215 View Post
Who needs audio when you have loud farting exhaust?
Actually I did order HK system. It gives nice visual upgrade to interior trim.

Completely agree with the detail upgrade... and am sure it'll sound great enough.
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      05-20-2014, 06:11 PM   #17
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I can't tell the difference. regular sound is great for me
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      06-01-2014, 08:43 PM   #18
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Driving in the alps with Mozart and a beautiful woman... HK definitely worth it for me.
I bought a small chunk of HK stock last year. It doubled. That pays for the HK option in my F80.
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      06-01-2014, 08:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanAutM3 View Post
To enhance the farts
Surely the 3% will sound that much sweeter through the HK...
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      06-02-2014, 07:45 PM   #20
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I finally did the A/B comparison of the F30 base and HK system. The HK sounded much better to my surprise. The HK was more lively and had a better soundstage, while the base system was a little flat.
There was also a significant difference in menu options between the two.

I've added the option to my build.
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