View Poll Results: Do you like the HK System?
Yes
32
88.89%
No
4
11.11%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
Thoughts on Harmon-Kardon System?
#2
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA
Posts: 75
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2014 C300 4matic Sport Avantgarde
I had HK in 2 previous Bimmers then bought a BMW 'vert with the janky stock system so I was happy to go back to a premium sound system. Looks like they are putting Burmester in the new C300's.
#7
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Plymouth, MA
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
16 Posts
2008 SL550
High end speakers require a break-in period, it's good to play a variety of music genres so the system is exposed a wide frequency/dynamic spectrum. I really enjoy the HK system in my 2012, however; I'm starting to notice some distortion coming out of the center dash speaker.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#10
Member
Had HK from new in my W204. Always very happy with it, although the volume isn't always as high as I would like like it when travelling on noisy road surfaces. It did improve with age as others have said. Had replacement Morel speakers fitted a couple of years ago and its even better.....
#11
Member
Dynaudio makes great stuff. I had Hertz in my Subaru and it sounded substantially better than the HK. It's good for a stock system, but I think I will be added an 8" sub to give it the low end it's missing.
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Make sure to test it with a good audio source. Sirius and most broadcast sources are a bit compressed. Most MP3s will sound better than Sirius does.
I think it could use a dedicated sub but otherwise is a very good system.
I think it could use a dedicated sub but otherwise is a very good system.
#13
Member
The HK system in the loaners that I got pumped out a well balanced sound with surprising snaps. HK doesn't boost the mid-bass to compensate for the lack of the lowest notes, which is a good thing. When I pushed the volume to a little beyond my comfort zone, the sound remained clean and I detected no distortion. Over all, they were good comparing to other stock systems.
The noted observations applied to both C class and E class cars that I've driven. Your particular environment (seat position, model, personal preferences, physical characteristics, etc.) affects the perceived audio quality, of course.
Best,
The noted observations applied to both C class and E class cars that I've driven. Your particular environment (seat position, model, personal preferences, physical characteristics, etc.) affects the perceived audio quality, of course.
Best,
Last edited by ADD0514; 09-25-2016 at 03:33 PM.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35i M Sport
I loved the HK in my BMW for about a year. I spent the next year putting up with it with different settings\EQ adjustments (the BMW system has an EQ). I am getting a JL 12 installed this weekend. The underseat 8's won't do it. Someone got in the car with a spectrum analyzer and exposed the gaping hold in the transition from midbass to midrange and another right in the 130Hz range. I can handle the first one, it's the second one and the fact that it can't reach the lowest lows that I can't deal with anymore.
In the Benz, this isn't so much an issue as it has a real sub, albeit EQ'd all wrong, but it does work where my two don't in the BMW.
In the Benz, this isn't so much an issue as it has a real sub, albeit EQ'd all wrong, but it does work where my two don't in the BMW.
#16
Junior Member
Humble opinion the stock HK system really sucks in comparison to what can be done. I had an aftermarket set up in another car running four sets of Utopia Be components. No sub in that set up... just pure SQ awesomeness.
Also, it is true you have to break in the sound system to really enjoy it. About 45 minutes at 3/4 volume will help loosen things up well.
Also, it is true you have to break in the sound system to really enjoy it. About 45 minutes at 3/4 volume will help loosen things up well.
#18
Super Member
Humble opinion the stock HK system really sucks in comparison to what can be done. I had an aftermarket set up in another car running four sets of Utopia Be components. No sub in that set up... just pure SQ awesomeness.
Also, it is true you have to break in the sound system to really enjoy it. About 45 minutes at 3/4 volume will help loosen things up well.
Also, it is true you have to break in the sound system to really enjoy it. About 45 minutes at 3/4 volume will help loosen things up well.