AMGROCKSTAR

Hey all - just wondering if anyone else has had bass issues in the 2014-2016 e63s Harmon Kardon?

Mine is incredibly low, almost imperceivable at low volume.

Took it to the dealer and they said there was no issue? Ugh...

What's the general consensus here?

Thanks in advance!

DFWdude

I like the bass in my (2016) Harmon Kardon. Much better than the Bose in my other MB.

Maybe you should take your foot off that fire-breathing gas pedal so you can hear it. (LOL)

I presume that you have found the equalizer, balance and Logic7 adjustments in Comand?

mrmotoguzzi00

It is adjustable.... i think its under audio/system...

AMGROCKSTAR

I've tried it all - no luck ☹️

markgm

I know it's almost non-existent when playing music from an iPod on my 2010. From what I've read over the years, that's just how it is.

DFWdude

Why, simply why, would you play music from an iPod (or any other external source), and expect to hear good audio? I've tried Bluetooth audio from my smart phone (just once) and it sounds like crap.

I would copy some fav tunes (320kps minimum or .flac) to an SD card or a USB drive, play it through the Comand media interface, and make adjustments from there to set your baseline.

SteveE400

Welcome to the world of MB audio systems. When I bought my first MB in 1988, I asked if there was an upgrade available for the really puny radio. The sales advisor told me, "Sir, people do not purchase these automobiles to listen to the radio." That was it. I was on my own, and that car, much like the current W212 and 213 sedans, was designed not to have anywhere to add decent speakers. At that time, I had one shop tell me that they would install a sub enclosure in the trunk, then cut out part of the panel between the trunk and passenger compartment to allow bass to enter. Problem was that in that car, that's where the fuel tank was. They would have cut into the tank with a reciprocal saw! I'll bet that would have been spectacular. . .

All I can say is that although the HK system in my E400 has some bass, it lags FAR behind the Mark Levinson system I had in my Lexus LS430 - and that system was 2001 technology.

From what I've read, you either go big or go home with these things. Some owners have spent thousands and had digital/fiber optic systems integrated. They probably sound spectacular, but I am chicken. All I need is for some dealer to decide that my stereo upgrade is somehow causing another (actually unrelated) problem, and you can see where it could go.

I would suggest that you try playing a known high-quality CD in the COMAND player and see if it is any better. I agree that streaming audio, mp3, Bluetooth all lack the frequency range, dynamic range and presence of a decent disk.

fganter

I had the same reaction.

Do a search and you'll see loads of complaints on the forums about the bass in the audio.

DFWdude

I have a University degree in TV/Radio (to include Audio Production). Worked 4 years at TV and radio stations and music studios, sitting at 30-pot audio mixing consoles with all the bells and whistles, producing various commercials and jingles, all of them using contemporary music in the mix..

I played with my system today on a 40-mile jaunt. Granted the EQ is basic; just treble, midrange and Bass. I have the Treble and Midrange set at midrange (zero). I moved the Bass setting to +3 of 10, booted the volume, and the Bass started to shake the doors and windows. Not sure even Mercedes-Benz built quality can withstand that kind of punishment. It's no 500 watt system, for sure, but really...

I know it's not my hearing, cause I took a hearing exam 6-months ago, and the Audiologist was so impressed with with my perception range (5-10hz bass, especially), he jokingly offered to trade his 35 year-old ears for mine, some 30 years older.

My wife habitually teases. She always knows when I arrive back home with all the booming from the car as I pull it into our detached garage 50-ft removed (connected by a breezeway to the house). So I'm no slouch in using the system for Rock and Progressive Classics.

So, I just don't get the complaints about HK Bass. Maybe it's generic... No matter what brand auto forum you visit, there's always people disatisfied with the audio systems in their cars, especially the Bass.

You guys biatch all you want... I very much like the HK system, just the way it is, thanks.

DubVBenz

It's not quite as good as the HK system in my W211, but I've found if you use decent sources (NOT Sirius!) then it's not too bad. I use an SD card with mp3s and bluetooth with pandora, but I went in and set Pandora to stream at the highest quality regardless of mobile vs wifi. Nothing spectacular but I'm also not looking for an experience that lets others hear me with the windows up either..

fganter

Do a search and you will find a few posts regarding the inferior bass in the MB sound systems. Some would say the overall sound system is pretty decent. However, the bass is not. Generally its because the speaker is too small.

SteveE400

Yes, it is too small, AND there really is no place in the car to install a larger speaker, unless you like the giant box in your trunk. Same exact problem I had in my W201, way back when.

Yes, the HK system is decent, but it doesn't hold a candle to things like the Mark Levinson system in a Lexus LS (even though both HK and ML are owned by Harmon International, Inc.). That's just the way it is. (Oh, and that is just my opinion - no technical testing or third party evaluations implied.)

TeeEl

I agree with DFWdude, I don't get the complaints about it. If you're expecting bass like those ghetto Oldsmobiles with a $3000 stereo in a $3000 car... then you're going to be disappointed. But it's by no means nonexistent.

Though, unlike DFWdude I tend to run BT audio from my phone. I'm happy with my 256k bitrate from Amazon Music for my 2.5 mile commute.

One quick thing, if you're going through BT like I do, make sure you disable the "Bluetooth Boost". It totally ****s up your audio. (At least, on my E550 it does... I have to assume it has the same result.)

LALALAND

I agree that the bass in our HK system is not that great. Even with the EQ with bass currently +6 or +7 setting it's not great. Probably because I'm use to the woofer 2-3 foots away from me when I'm using desktop pc.

As for blue tooth boost, if I don't turn it on, the volume will be too low even when I turn all the way up on my phone.

SteveE400

DFW Dude - It is all relative. I am not saying that the HK system is junk. I am only saying that it is not as good as others I have had from brands like Nakamichi and Mark Levenson. These systems are all built to the OEM carmakers' specifications, so whatever is important to the OEM is what we get. Apparently great frequency response is more important to other automakers than it is to MB.

Such is life.

markgm

I think the biggest issue I have with the system is you have to crank up the volume to get any bass out of it. Since the car is pretty quiet I don't need to raise the volume very high to listen to my tunes, and as a consequence there's no bass. There's no need for anyone to be an apologist for the system, if it's good enough for some, great. The majority of us think there is a lot of room for improvement.

Ed99

I have the B&O option and I am satisfied with the Bass and sound quality.

AMGROCKSTAR

....wow all that and no mention of the Logic Pro Surround option....

Thanks?

Sleeper Benz

Why not upgrade the driver in the subwoofer and power it by a higher power amp feed via the existing high voltage (speaker level) outputs of the MB subwoofer amp? An aftermarket sub woofer amp would probably give you parametric EQ ability as well as other beneficial adjustments.

One of these dual voice coil subwoofers. Make sure the diameter and depth fit your MB subwoofer enclosure first

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575P3S...fosgate_woofer






And two of these...

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R50..._subwoofer_amp

DFWdude

Ah, I offer a counter opinion, and ye of a whopping 3 posts gets offended (somehow) and starts throwing barbs.

My background in audio means that I don't need the artificiality of the Logic Pro system. I've played with it several times, and don't really perceive and benefits.

FireRx Captain

yeah, Same for me DFWdude,

I use the 7 Logic though. I have to turn the bass down so my woofers don't "bark" it's way better than the KH system in my ML 350

TeeEl

Eh, I have a 10" sub (Logitech Z5500) for my computer and a 12" sub for my AV setup in my living room. I'm still pretty sure that the bass on my E550 is only at +2 or +3. But, it's in the shop getting the hood and front bumper sanded and repainted (thanks ****ty landscapers at work) so I can't check until next week. I do know, however, that the BT Boost only distorted the sound on my car. There was zero benefit to it, and tons of issues stemming from it. Glad yours works as designed though.

6172crew

wrong thread...dude whats with the related thread crap?

Darel

I always thought the HK system in our '14 just sounded dead and flat. I can crank up the bass more but overall it just sounds thick and muddy and flat. Compared to my '09 Audi with a B&O factory system, that stereo is incredible. I look forward to long road trips with the music cranking in the Audi but I figure for the MB I'll just throw on the comedy channel until the seat digging into my *** cheek makes me pull over for a while.

TeeEl

I've found that the bass differs depending on source too. For me it's over the top on Satellite. I keep it at +4 for BT and Sat is too heavy. I don't listen to the radio.