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?
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV USA
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.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 761
Likes: 90
From: right to be forgotten
right to be forgotten
Got it in our GL - sounds fantastic. Soon we can compare to Burmester in our GLC, but I'm aware it is a very different car so that will affect sound quality as well.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 761
Likes: 90
From: right to be forgotten
right to be forgotten
Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 25
From: Plymouth, MA
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
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
2012 C300
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: London, U.K.
MB C220 Sport W204, 18" AMGs, Grey lthr, xenons, p'ktronic, HKardon, Comand nav.
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.....
Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 133
Likes: 8
From: Stanwood WA
2015 SLK 350
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 57
2013 C250 Sport
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.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 25
From: CA, USA
E300 P03
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; Sep 25, 2016 at 03:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
2012 C300 Sport 4Matic | 2008 CLK350 Cabriolet
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.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 848
Likes: 87
From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
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.
