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Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
- RustyZ4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3622
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:23 pm
- Location: Maidstone, Kent
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
It really depends how much of an audiophile you are, certainly the HK is a big step up from the standard system, but for me (a sado audiophile) it lacks depth and the midrange gets a little muddled, I know it boast 16 speakers, but that's just quantity not necessarily quality.
I went for the hi fi spec so I got the amount of speaker places I required, then swapped them all out for Audison and Eton speakers, changed the amp for the Audison Forza and added a monobloc for the bass
But for most people it will be fine, is it worth the extra money, well that's up to you
and enjoy the car
I went for the hi fi spec so I got the amount of speaker places I required, then swapped them all out for Audison and Eton speakers, changed the amp for the Audison Forza and added a monobloc for the bass
But for most people it will be fine, is it worth the extra money, well that's up to you
and enjoy the car
Z4 Mineral Grey, 28i MSport Auto, lots of goodies
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
- Wyldie85
- Senior Member
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Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Having had a HK system in our 2010 320d and in our 2018 X5 in Portugal, I assumed it was a must have. The sound was awesome in both of these cars and I was really looking forward to having it in the Z4.
Despite numerous tweaks to the equaliser, the surround sound levels and with different music genres, it sounds like two separate systems (speakers are in the front and then behind the seats). It’s muffled, disjointed and the bass is tinny and flat sounding,
I know when speakers are new they take time to bed in and warm up but I cant see these getting much better.
First world problems I know.
Despite numerous tweaks to the equaliser, the surround sound levels and with different music genres, it sounds like two separate systems (speakers are in the front and then behind the seats). It’s muffled, disjointed and the bass is tinny and flat sounding,
I know when speakers are new they take time to bed in and warm up but I cant see these getting much better.
First world problems I know.
- thecremeegg
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:43 am
- Location: North Hampshire
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Wait til you try a Mercedes stock audio system - truly abysmal! Worst part about my C300, but I couldn't get the upgraded speakers without the Premium Plus pack which meant having to have a sunroof which meant I had no headroom....argh!
Z4M - Interlagos Blue with Black Leather
Z4 3.0i - Sapphire Black with Red Leather - FOR SALE!
Z4 3.0i - Sapphire Black with Red Leather - FOR SALE!
- Chris_D
- Lifer
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- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Aftermarket is always the best way to go imo.
Get yourself some swap-in Focals, Infinitys or JBL's for an infinitely better and cheaper speaker upgrade
yw
Get yourself some swap-in Focals, Infinitys or JBL's for an infinitely better and cheaper speaker upgrade
yw
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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- Newbie
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- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:42 pm
- Location: Irvine, CA
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Is it straightforward to 'swap in' the speakers with a better option (i.e. are the speakers proprietary or do they use a standard size that could literally be swapped in/out easily?)
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Not much documentation yet but if they follow all other BMW’s then it will be a proprietary design
- RustyZ4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3622
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:23 pm
- Location: Maidstone, Kent
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Audison, Hertz and Eton all make speakers that can be direct replacements in BMW, I don't see why the new car would be any different
Z4 Mineral Grey, 28i MSport Auto, lots of goodies
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
- RustyZ4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3622
- Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:23 pm
- Location: Maidstone, Kent
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
That's a shame, are they non proprietary sizes then? or have they just not updated their configurators, as I cant imagine BMW would start using non standard size speakers, but then again nothing would surprise me with car manufacturers
Z4 Mineral Grey, 28i MSport Auto, lots of goodies
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
Z4 E85 3.0, gone but now with son
Growing Old is Mandatory But Growing Up is Optional
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
All the speakers on the E89 are non standard in the sense that they use offset/asymmetrical mounting points / form factors....they also use proprietary connectors...apart from that they are standard..
Can’t see BMW ruining the habits of a lifetime...
- Wyldie85
- Senior Member
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Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Thankfully I didn’t have to suffer that in my C300 having heard the standard ones! Burmeister and sunroof are a winning combo. The sound in the Merc is great! At least to drown out the four pot enginethecremeegg wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2019 11:07 pm Wait til you try a Mercedes stock audio system - truly abysmal! Worst part about my C300, but I couldn't get the upgraded speakers without the Premium Plus pack which meant having to have a sunroof which meant I had no headroom....argh!
- Wyldie85
- Senior Member
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Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Despite changing all the settings and the equaliser in the car, it hasn’t made any difference.
However, having stuffed the ski hatch with an old puffer jacket, this has stopped the vibration and annoying noise when the volume is above speaking level.
Ive also changed the equaliser settings in Spotify and this has helped a lot with the overall sound. It’s still not amazing but a marked improvement.
However, having stuffed the ski hatch with an old puffer jacket, this has stopped the vibration and annoying noise when the volume is above speaking level.
Ive also changed the equaliser settings in Spotify and this has helped a lot with the overall sound. It’s still not amazing but a marked improvement.
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- Member
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Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Not sure it's been mentioned but after the latest software upgrade the H&K appears to sound much better in my G29.
An annoying issue where the volume would sometimes be lower on startup has been fixed.
An annoying issue where the volume would sometimes be lower on startup has been fixed.
- handymanuk
- Member
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- Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:39 pm
Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
Good to hear
When you say better, what do you mean? What’s improved?
When you say better, what do you mean? What’s improved?
2020-now: G29 Z4 M40i, Frozen Grey with Cognac, Tech Pack, Visibility Pack and Wind Deflector
2017-2020: Audi TTS
2015-2017: BMW M235i
2014-2015: BMW E89 Z4 23i sDrive Highline
2017-2020: Audi TTS
2015-2017: BMW M235i
2014-2015: BMW E89 Z4 23i sDrive Highline
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- Newbie
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Is the Harman/Kardon Worth it in m40i ?
I find the HK sound disappointing - constant bass booming , no bass clarity.
Still making adjustments to the sound after 5 weeks of ownership.
Also stuffed the ski hatch - but maybe not enough - so will squeeze some more in
Still making adjustments to the sound after 5 weeks of ownership.
Also stuffed the ski hatch - but maybe not enough - so will squeeze some more in