Harmon Kardon Sucks
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 566
From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
Harmon Kardon Sucks
When I first got my '10 C300 I was pretty happy with the Audio 20. Of course, a flip up screen would have been cool, but whatever.
Fast forward I get a newer facelift CLS, with HK system, and honestly it's not as good as the Audio 20. I chalk it up to a somewhat wonky center front speaker. Never managed to blow/crackle a speaker in the C300, and yes, I play loud every once in a while.
Now I have a W204 C63 in the stable and man, it just proves the HK system is trash. My C300 sounds better than both of these cars, it's such a shallow sound. I've played with the settings but there's only so much you can do.
Just wanted to voice my complaints (to no one)
Fast forward I get a newer facelift CLS, with HK system, and honestly it's not as good as the Audio 20. I chalk it up to a somewhat wonky center front speaker. Never managed to blow/crackle a speaker in the C300, and yes, I play loud every once in a while.
Now I have a W204 C63 in the stable and man, it just proves the HK system is trash. My C300 sounds better than both of these cars, it's such a shallow sound. I've played with the settings but there's only so much you can do.
Just wanted to voice my complaints (to no one)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 381
From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
sure your audio 20 is so great lol. Im sure the sound quality is only rivaled by beats by dre headphones too. The center speakers do typically suck and blow out easily. just unplug it. That aside HK system and audio 20 is very similar to comparing your c63 to your c300 lol.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 493
From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
When I first got my '10 C300 I was pretty happy with the Audio 20. Of course, a flip up screen would have been cool, but whatever.
Fast forward I get a newer facelift CLS, with HK system, and honestly it's not as good as the Audio 20. I chalk it up to a somewhat wonky center front speaker. Never managed to blow/crackle a speaker in the C300, and yes, I play loud every once in a while.
Now I have a W204 C63 in the stable and man, it just proves the HK system is trash. My C300 sounds better than both of these cars, it's such a shallow sound. I've played with the settings but there's only so much you can do.
Just wanted to voice my complaints (to no one)
Fast forward I get a newer facelift CLS, with HK system, and honestly it's not as good as the Audio 20. I chalk it up to a somewhat wonky center front speaker. Never managed to blow/crackle a speaker in the C300, and yes, I play loud every once in a while.
Now I have a W204 C63 in the stable and man, it just proves the HK system is trash. My C300 sounds better than both of these cars, it's such a shallow sound. I've played with the settings but there's only so much you can do.
Just wanted to voice my complaints (to no one)
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,505
Likes: 6,347
Newer isn't better certainly comes in play here, however, there are exceptions in my opinion, the W223 4D surround system is an amazing improvement even to the W222's highest upgrade Burmester 3D High end for example.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,692
Likes: 4,584
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
hk was awesome in the W166. Car audio is space-dependent. Bose in the Cayenne is supreme. Plenty of Bose complaints in 911.
Smaller spaces = worse audio experience. Resonance and imaging benefit from physically large spaces. Not a C-Class.
Smaller spaces = worse audio experience. Resonance and imaging benefit from physically large spaces. Not a C-Class.
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 48
From: West by god Virginia
'08 C300 4Matic Sport / '11 C63
I'm really surprised to read this..... I mean there's better but I don't know. You using Line in as well? One of the better factory setups I've enjoyed over the years. Good enough I haven't even replaced any speakers and added subs haha
However, It's not a high volume decibel crushing machine, but it sure can mute the world enough I can't even hear the M156 and I forget wth I'm doing.
Windows down it comes alive more I think and stages better. Anyone else ever notice that?
However, It's not a high volume decibel crushing machine, but it sure can mute the world enough I can't even hear the M156 and I forget wth I'm doing.
Windows down it comes alive more I think and stages better. Anyone else ever notice that?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 566
From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
sure your audio 20 is so great lol. Im sure the sound quality is only rivaled by beats by dre headphones too. The center speakers do typically suck and blow out easily. just unplug it. That aside HK system and audio 20 is very similar to comparing your c63 to your c300 lol.
I'm really surprised to read this..... I mean there's better but I don't know. You using Line in as well? One of the better factory setups I've enjoyed over the years. Good enough I haven't even replaced any speakers and added subs haha
However, It's not a high volume decibel crushing machine, but it sure can mute the world enough I can't even hear the M156 and I forget wth I'm doing.
Windows down it comes alive more I think and stages better. Anyone else ever notice that?
However, It's not a high volume decibel crushing machine, but it sure can mute the world enough I can't even hear the M156 and I forget wth I'm doing.
Windows down it comes alive more I think and stages better. Anyone else ever notice that?
