sjp3003

http://www.harmankardon.com/content?...s-benz-e-class

The G Man

I don't know about you, but I do not find the Harman Kardon system in the Mercedes all that impressive.

fosterelli

I find it to be better than our Range Rover, and certainly better than my previous Super Duty truck & Expedition (for obvious reasons!). But I have nothing better to compare it to. I will complain, the AM radio signal is horrible, basically unusable.

markgm

The only thing I don't like is there's no bass unless you really turn up the volume.

The G Man

I guess the MB HK system is on par with the Audi Bose system, both equally bad The BMW 5 series' HK system is munch better, the same with Acura's ELS and Lexus' mark Levinson.

jahquan3

I prefer the Bose system in my Murano over the HK in my MB but both are more than good enough.

bob2011

My uncles x5 has the HK sound system as well, and it sounds like utter crap compared to the HK system in my E. What gives?

jonUF02

+1 the Bose in my Murano rocks compared to HK, unless maybe all you listen to is talk radio or something.

I'm planning on adding a proper subwoofer very soon. I think that will balance it out. Currently looking at Rockford Fosgate P300-10 all-in-one solution. I think it might be about 1/4" to tall to fit in the opening against the back seat, but I'm going to order one and see if I can squeeze it in there.

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/p300-10

jonUF02

Also, I found that disabling the Logic7 surround sound makes it much better. then I fade about 2/3 to the rear, bass all the way up, and treble in the center. Those are the best settings I found for playing music on the stock system. You have to change the settings independently for each audio source selection.

jahquan3

Good tip, I have to look into that setup. Thx

cc16177

Maybe a stupid question but have you tried just turning up the bass? I'm not trying to "bump it" by any means but I cranked the bass up to like 80% of the max and it sounds way better.

jahquan3

I bump my system loud often when I'm in the city areas and by myself. Every car I've had I always tweak the audio settings a bit. Let's say scale 1-10 with 5 being the factory setting, I put bass at like 7 and treble at 6. Just to get a lil more umpph. Only system I never had to tweak is my Bose system. It knocks as is pretty much.

sjp3003

My own experience: I find the E63 HK system fine and better than other comparables I've had:

1. I recently sold a 2012 BMW X5 xDrive50i with the HK system and I like the MB system better.
2. I sold a 2015 Infiniti Q50S Hybrid with a Bose system when I bought the MB, and I like the HK sound better (although the head unit interface on the Infiniti is way ahead of the MB system)
3. I also like it better than the HK in our MINI and the Bose in my Porsche 997. The Bose has more Bass with the rear shelf woofer box, but the HK system is clearer.

Is it out of this world? No. But I find it very good for my listening needs that consists of jazz, rock and some pop. My frame of reference: two decent audiophile systems totaling about $11K in cost including tube amp/turntable/decent speakers. I am also a headphone geek with $1200 Denon wood headphones, High End $1100 AKG cans, Shure electrostats and a few others.

fwiw the post was to share details about the system that are not in the MB materials supplied with the car, not an endorsement.

cc16177

Well I managed to spend about $14,000 before I got to your final sentence.

THANKS A LOT JERK

The G Man

The HK system's sub woofer in the E class is pretty small. I would say that the bass is a bit lacking. Turning the bass all the way will limit the overall output of the rest of the frequencies.

sjp3003

JaJa...

homeofstone

I have the Hk in my E63, a Bose in my Denali and a Lexicon in my Genesis. All three sound very good in order of best to less ; Lexicon, HK, Bose. But the Bose is in a truck so that has something to do with it. The Lexicon in the Genesis is the fullest with the deepest sounds and you here all instruments. I can play the same recorded music from one to the other and really notice the difference between the three.

IgorE350

I got HK, I had Bose before and I have Bose at home I think its much better sound. As someone said here that HK you have to make it really loud to actually hear the base. MB should go back to Bose.

Cao Black

I like the HK better than the Bose in my previous car, and I'm going to try disabling Logic7 (without fiddling too much with bass and treble). What is it that L7 supposedly does anyway?

jonUF02

Logic 7 is a fancy name for surround sound. If you listen to talk or maybe viewing movies, then I suppose it might be better, but for music, it's useless and sounds worse. If you deactivate it, then the center speaker does nothing, and your music comes through in normal stereo.

I really don't understand why everyone is trying to compare Bose in this car to HK in another car, or HK between 2 cars. They are not comparable in any way. The whole thing is just a gimmick to slap a brand name on the vehicle stereo system and make you think it's something special, or charge a premium for an upgraded sound system over the base model. The system is designed by the factory engineers and is specific to each car and the dynamics of each interior cabin.

drivinOnPillows

Did you end up ordering the P300-10, did it fit behind the seat?

jonUF02

I plan to, probably waiting till after Christmas.

drivinOnPillows

did you get any dimensions on the trunk? especially behind the seat?

jonUF02

Height is the issue, looks like maybe 1/4" too short on the metal frame to get it right against the seat back. Maybe I can persuade it in there. Might have to go custom box, but if it will squeeze in there I think this is perfect.

I've had the Infinity Basslink in a few different cars and very happy with that, but it's an awkward looking piece.

norwayw212

why not the best B&O - SOUNDS max in my car . and dab+