Scambo

Nice set of cars there...

jimm

Many brag about the Harmon/Kardon radio system.

Can someone tell me (an ignorant audiophile) what
the difference is between it and other radios?

jimm

Barry45RPM

It is now the standard radio in your new E class. Prior to '07 it was an option. In "Non Audiophile Terms" It has an extra amplified "Bass" speaker for better Lows which the former standard radio didn't have. It also has "Surround Sound", which you can leave on or turn off. While it doesn't truly sound "3D" or surround, it does "fill the car" with very enjoyable sound.

It is a nice, full sounding radio in the car, and should have always been the standard radio in a car of this caliber.

There are better car "audio systems" available as options on some of the competition's cars, but this is very good, while not overkill. It blows away your Caddy's Bose system!

jimm

It sounds like a great system! And the surround sound should be great for
my cell phone listening.

However, you mention “applified bass.” It’s the “bass” that most of us old
hard-of-hearing guys try to cut out .. and instead, max the “treble” for clearer
speech.

With this “improved” bass, is there any reason to think that it can’t be cut way
down .. or off .. at least as much as older radios?

I realize that a hearing concern is a very boring subject to most of you. But,
to those of us effected, and the embarrassment, it really changes your life.

jimm

Barry45RPM

You have separate Bass & Treble adjustments for each audio source & Band on the system. In a good audio system, increasing the Bass does not "muddy" the sound. You can choose to drop the bass & increase the treble. If all you listen to is AM Talk, a great audio system is useless anyway.

Also, you can set the system up to be in one of 3 modes, which optimize the listening for:

1. Surround Sound Output
2. Regular Sound Output
3. Speech Output.

The frequency response of a cell phone is crappy at best. The best amplifiers and speakers in a car aren't going to do to much to give you a truly Hi Fidelity, "voice of the theater" phone call experience. Forget "surround Sound" for a cell call. The audio material isnt there in the phone call for the electronics in the system to blow up & expand to surround you with. It will have a nice tonal sound & be as loud as you choose, but it will come out of the speakers uniformly.