HK stereo vs regular stereo?

[dreamsongs]

First time ever that I didn't order the upgraded stereo in a BMW.

Did anyone here do a comparison between the stock and the HK? How bad is the regular one? I'm worried now it'll sound like shit so I hope I don't regret it. I hope they improved it from what I can remember.

Anybody with any experience on this?

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

First time ever that I didn't order the upgraded stereo in a BMW.

Did anyone here do a comparison between the stock and the HK? How bad is the regular one? I'm worried now it'll sound like shit so I hope I don't regret it. I hope they improved it from what I can remember.

Anybody with any experience on this?

The problem with this kind of query is that everyone's opinion diffeers as to what is good, what is bad, and what is in between.

[TAZ007]

That is true. I got the upgraded stereo for the 408W amp and 14 speakers. If you don't listen loud it's probably ok.

[DanG]

Usually you can do better by going to a car stereo store and have them upgrade your system. For the same price as the HK system you usually end up with a better sound.

[dreamsongs]

My commute is not as long as it used to be but I am a bit of an audiophile and I probably will notice it if it's bad.

Just wondering if anybody had to change the amps or speakers or if they're OK with the regular stereo.

[nerdogray]

Isn't the HK stock and Bowers the upgrade? I'm confused over no one correcting this.

[dreamsongs]

Originally Posted by nerdogray

Isn't the HK stock and Bowers the upgrade? I'm confused over no one correcting this.

I'm confused now. I posted this on the 4 series G22 forum cause I ordered a M440i. Maybe the Mod moved it for some reason.

[nerdogray]

I understand now. I usually just click "new posts." Sorry.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

First time ever that I didn't order the upgraded stereo in a BMW.

Did anyone here do a comparison between the stock and the HK? How bad is the regular one? I'm worried now it'll sound like shit so I hope I don't regret it. I hope they improved it from what I can remember.

Anybody with any experience on this?

I originally test drove a Z4 with the top down on I-95 that had the regular system and landed up taking ownership of a Z4 that already had the HK system installed. I like to play my music loud and with the top down I can hear the difference with the HK system. When the top is up you can definitely appreciate the HK system’s better quality sound.

This question is extremely subjective and like SteveinArizona said everyone’s opinion could be different.

[igglesfan63]

I believe the Bowers & Wilkins has been removed as an option from the configurator.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

First time ever that I didn't order the upgraded stereo in a BMW.

Did anyone here do a comparison between the stock and the HK? How bad is the regular one? I'm worried now it'll sound like shit so I hope I don't regret it. I hope they improved it from what I can remember.

Anybody with any experience on this?

• E36 M3 - HK - horrible too much lower base gave me a headache listening to normal radio, but now I wonder if it was the ASD
• E70 - X5 - HiFi stereo, sounded fine, no complaints
• F87 M2 - HK sounded really good, never got around to disabling ASD
• F87 M2C - HK sounds really good, had to disable ASD as soon as I got home, used the bypass cable
• F26 X4M40i - HK sounds really good, never got around to disabling the ASD. If I turn the Logic7 on and off there is a difference.
• G06 X640i - HiFi stereo only COVID option, should be fine but thinking about doing Focals to see what they're all about.

As for opinions, there are some that say HK is horrible or this is horrible but then seeing how they "customized" their systems, I sometimes just sit back and laugh, but to each their own.

EDIT: turns out not all Base and HK systems are the same between each series. So just b/c some says their stereo was bad doesn't mean it will be bad in your car.

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...-audio-for-bmw

[omasou]

Originally Posted by igglesfan63

I believe the Bowers & Wilkins has been removed as an option from the configurator.

Due to COVID some options are completely removed. Others are rationed for higher trim levels.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by omasou

• E36 M3 - HK - horrible too much lower base gave me a headache listening to normal radio radio, but now I wonder if it was the ASD
• E70 - X5 - HiFi stereo, sounded fine, no complaints
• F87 M2 - HK sounded really good, never got around to disabling ASD
• F87 M2C - HK sounds really good, had to disable ASD as soon as I got home, used the bypass cable
• F26 X4M40i - HK sounds really good, never got around to dialing the ASD. If I turn the Logic7 on and off there is a difference.
• G06 X640i - HiFi stereo only COVID option, should be fine but thinking about doing Focals to see what they're all about.

As for opinions, there are some that say HK is horrible or this is horrible but then seeing how they "customized" their systems, I sometimes just sit back and laugh, but to each their own.

Allow me to add the 2021 G29 with Executive Package the HK system is awesome.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by omasou

• E36 M3 - HK - horrible too much lower base gave me a headache listening to normal radio, but now I wonder if it was the ASD
• E70 - X5 - HiFi stereo, sounded fine, no complaints
• F87 M2 - HK sounded really good, never got around to disabling ASD
• F87 M2C - HK sounds really good, had to disable ASD as soon as I got home, used the bypass cable
• F26 X4M40i - HK sounds really good, never got around to dialing the ASD. If I turn the Logic7 on and off there is a difference.
• G06 X640i - HiFi stereo only COVID option, should be fine but thinking about doing Focals to see what they're all about.

As for opinions, there are some that say HK is horrible or this is horrible but then seeing how they "customized" their systems, I sometimes just sit back and laugh, but to each their own.

FYI. I did the Focal BMW plug and play speakers for my 1 series with the HiFi/Base stereo. The speakers are pretty aggressive from the mids to highs. A lot of it was dialed out via changing the DSP settings in the Bimmertech amp I had installed previous to upgrading the OEM speakers.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by omasou

• F87 M2 - HK sounded really good, never got around to disabling ASD
• F87 M2C - HK sounds really good, had to disable ASD as soon as I got home, used the bypass cable

As for opinions, there are some that say HK is horrible or this is horrible but then seeing how they "customized" their systems, I sometimes just sit back and laugh, but to each their own.

I have to say, the F22/F87 HK is truly awful. Among the worst modern car audio systems I have ever heard. It's objectively bad. The frequency response measurements do not lie.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by omasou

Due to COVID some options are completely removed. Others are rationed for higher trim levels.

Well, it's (B&W) not available on the M8 so...

[HerkHealer]

I have the Harmon Kardon system in my 2020 M550 and think it sounds amazing. There's a surround setting you can toggle on/off and its incredible sounding with good, clear USB music playing vs Sirius, HD stereo, etc.
I've also seen where you can code the Bowers Wilson settings into the I7 system to give you several different listening parameters, such as stadium, concert, arena, etc...

I'll have to look at my build sheet, but I "think" there was an upgrade to the HK vs the standard HK stereo. I do believe I have the upgraded version.

[PackPride85]

Originally Posted by chris719

I have to say, the F22/F87 HK is truly awful. Among the worst modern car audio systems I have ever heard. It's objectively bad. The frequency response measurements do not lie.

I have an F87 and also think its not great for an "HK" system. I wouldn't call it awful but my Xterra Pro-4X with a Rockford Fosgate system sounds similar if not better on the bass side.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

I have an F87 and also think its not great for an "HK" system. I wouldn't call it awful but my Xterra Pro-4X with a Rockford Fosgate system sounds similar if not better on the bass side.

Almost all of the people on the M4 forum also think the HK is pretty lackluster.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by snareman

Almost all of the people on the M4 forum also think the HK is pretty lackluster.

They haven't driven an M2 then, lol. I don't have that much against the 3/4 series HK. I assume it's the same as G20/G22 system.

If you look at the components and teardowns, you will see that the F22/F87 HK system is more similar to the base Hi-Fi system in the F30/F8x than the HK system in those cars. It's analog back to the amplifier, no Logic 7, weird fixed DSP correction.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by chris719

They haven't driven an M2 then, lol. I don't have that much against the 3/4 series HK. I assume it's the same as G20/G22 system.

If you look at the components and teardowns, you will see that the F22/F87 HK system is more similar to the base Hi-Fi system in the F30/F8x than the HK system in those cars. It's analog back to the amplifier, no Logic 7, weird fixed DSP correction.

I actually don't think the HK in my M4 is bad especially if you code for the B&W with Bimmercode but I'd think that for $85k I'd have the option to upgrade to the B&W.

[KevinC]

[QUOTE=omasou;28088540]

• E36 M3 - HK - horrible too much lower base gave me a headache listening to normal radio, but now I wonder if it was the ASD

Uh.. no ASD in the E36 days. Also no 27-way adjustable suspensions, numb electric power steering, or beer tap shifter in automatics. The moron who came up with the ASD idea probably wasn't even born yet!