2013 Harmon Kardon Stereo
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
2013 Harmon Kardon Stereo
I know this has been a topic of debate in both the X164 and X166. Is the HK system worth the price of the P2 package?
I should start by saying I'm not an audiophile.
I've only spent a couple days with my new GL, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the HK system. They include a demo CD in your owner's manual to show the capabilities of the Dolby 5.1 sound system. I listened to a couple of tracks (a helicopter flying around the cabin, some songs, footsteps, etc). It was impressive.
So then the next question is will you ever take advantage of the ability of the system? Sirius and mp3 files probably don't have enough audio information to be able to fully take advantage of the system. FM radio (especially HD) would. High quality CDs would, and of course you have the music register to store your own audio files which could as well.
I had the HK system in my 2007 as well. This seems to be a significant increase in quality versus what I had.
I should start by saying I'm not an audiophile.
I've only spent a couple days with my new GL, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the HK system. They include a demo CD in your owner's manual to show the capabilities of the Dolby 5.1 sound system. I listened to a couple of tracks (a helicopter flying around the cabin, some songs, footsteps, etc). It was impressive.
So then the next question is will you ever take advantage of the ability of the system? Sirius and mp3 files probably don't have enough audio information to be able to fully take advantage of the system. FM radio (especially HD) would. High quality CDs would, and of course you have the music register to store your own audio files which could as well.
I had the HK system in my 2007 as well. This seems to be a significant increase in quality versus what I had.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I know this has been a topic of debate in both the X164 and X166. Is the HK system worth the price of the P2 package?
I should start by saying I'm not an audiophile.
I've only spent a couple days with my new GL, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the HK system. They include a demo CD in your owner's manual to show the capabilities of the Dolby 5.1 sound system. I listened to a couple of tracks (a helicopter flying around the cabin, some songs, footsteps, etc). It was impressive.
So then the next question is will you ever take advantage of the ability of the system? Sirius and mp3 files probably don't have enough audio information to be able to fully take advantage of the system. FM radio (especially HD) would. High quality CDs would, and of course you have the music register to store your own audio files which could as well.
I had the HK system in my 2007 as well. This seems to be a significant increase in quality versus what I had.
I should start by saying I'm not an audiophile.
I've only spent a couple days with my new GL, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the HK system. They include a demo CD in your owner's manual to show the capabilities of the Dolby 5.1 sound system. I listened to a couple of tracks (a helicopter flying around the cabin, some songs, footsteps, etc). It was impressive.
So then the next question is will you ever take advantage of the ability of the system? Sirius and mp3 files probably don't have enough audio information to be able to fully take advantage of the system. FM radio (especially HD) would. High quality CDs would, and of course you have the music register to store your own audio files which could as well.
I had the HK system in my 2007 as well. This seems to be a significant increase in quality versus what I had.
Looking forward to giving it a try.....thanks for the review! I was always a fan of "high end" music systems in my vehicles particularly when I was younger.....but have to admit that as I got older, it was the driveability funtions that became more important.....glad I ordered it, but reality is...probably will never take advantage of all that it is capable of.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 247
Likes: 13
From: USA
2016 GLC and 2017 BMW 530xi M-Sport
I agree, the HK system in our 2013 GL350 is much better than the HK system on our last GL. It probably helps that the diesel is so quiet now too. Love that the system displays album art now too!
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
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A gaggle of MB's
The headunit/amp systems are the same - speakers a tad better - the improvement on stereo separation and clarity is a direct relationship to the improved quietness road-noise/vehicle noise engineered into the GL.
The B&O system is awesome in what it delivers - yes, I have experienced it - check my detailed post in another thread - playing catch up on this board.
The B&O system is awesome in what it delivers - yes, I have experienced it - check my detailed post in another thread - playing catch up on this board.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 7
From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
I had the HK on my 2008 GL320 and to be brutally honest I think the 4 speaker stock speakers in my Mazda 3 were better than the HK's, I have the HK's on my 13 as they come with the premium package, will write a review in March when I get the car
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