Improving Harmon Kardon sound quality

[GoGirlZ4]

The Harmon Kardon setup on the G29 actually has 12 speakers not 10, but what's an extra 2 speakers amongst friends :lol:

Ah yes found it now

E7850213-8FC2-43E8-8031-03D323B1C7FD.png

Mr Google strikes again,lol.

So true and funny :lol:

 

[BrianD]

Without playing a pink noise sample and doing some real time analysis it’s impossible to know what the change is doing , but if it makes folks happier them that’s all that matters..

Having now set up a DSP and all its parameters from scratch there’s a dichotomy between what the systems think should make a good sound and what folks think..

Obviously the hardware isn’t changed so all it can be put simply is tweaking the treble n bass.. :tumbleweed:

Correct the hardware hasn't changed, but what has been noticeable and which has also been reported on various forums is that with every BMW over the air software update the audio sound quality has changed, usually for the better, so there is a definite relationship between software and hardware happening. No matter how many times I have tried, I have never been able to produce the same sound quality by just tweaking the graphic equaliser on its own, so I'm wondering if the presets also include some form of audio software algorithm. Either way my ears are more than happy with the end result and the sound currently being produced.

An audio system algorithm makes sense, as I also had the same results by only adjusting the equalizer settings. Just a point worth mentioning, the coding doesn't reset the graphics equalizer, so do forget to make adjustments to these settings if you had reconfigured them.

 

[B21]

Thanks Swiftly, I will certainly be trying this as the sound quality from mine is poor for a supposedly quality car

Maybe the equalisation circuitry is optimised for ‘the yoof’ market?

Age induced hearing loss primarily affects higher frequencies and some part of the lower frequencies. :tumbleweed: :tumbleweed: :rofl:

You may be correct, but dont forget that you are not that far behind me :rofl:

Sadly that’s true and what’s even worse is that my hearing is probably older than yours :tumbleweed:

40 years of rushing around at high speed on various motorcycles means that when last measured (I needed this as part of my pilot medical)

I was about 5db down in the midrange , 20 db down at high frequencies and 10db down at low frequencies compared to what a person of my age should be at..

So one of the issues is what sounds ok to a 50 year old doesn’t sound the same to a 21 year old..

 

[B21]

Without playing a pink noise sample and doing some real time analysis it’s impossible to know what the change is doing , but if it makes folks happier them that’s all that matters..

Having now set up a DSP and all its parameters from scratch there’s a dichotomy between what the systems think should make a good sound and what folks think..

Obviously the hardware isn’t changed so all it can be put simply is tweaking the treble n bass.. :tumbleweed:

Correct the hardware hasn't changed, but what has been noticeable and which has also been reported on various forums is that with every BMW over the air software update the audio sound quality has changed, usually for the better, so there is a definite relationship between software and hardware happening. No matter how many times I have tried, I have never been able to produce the same sound quality by just tweaking the graphic equaliser on its own, so I'm wondering if the presets also include some form of audio software algorithm. Either way my ears are more than happy with the end result and the sound currently being produced.

An audio system algorithm makes sense, as I also had the same results by only adjusting the equalizer settings. Just a point worth mentioning, the coding doesn't reset the graphics equalizer, so do forget to make adjustments to these settings if you had reconfigured them.

Actually it’s more complex than that Jim…

For each physical channel the amp has, the DSP can..

Adjust the time delay it takes for that speaker attached to that channel to reach your ears..

Adjust the phase of the signal from 0 to 360 degrees..

Adjust the frequency response of the output to offset any inadequacies in the speakers or their locations..aka tone

Adjust the sensitivity of the channel…aka fader / balance

The DSP can generate acoustic effects like concert hall, jazz club etc by using phase / frequency / time delay / volume

It can blend non physical channels to create for example centre speaker drivers

It can do very complex ‘loudness’ effects based on the user set volume..

In the case of the G29 then it’s also feeding all that both real and false engine noises in as well…

etc etc

 

[BrianD]

Correct the hardware hasn't changed, but what has been noticeable and which has also been reported on various forums is that with every BMW over the air software update the audio sound quality has changed, usually for the better, so there is a definite relationship between software and hardware happening. No matter how many times I have tried, I have never been able to produce the same sound quality by just tweaking the graphic equaliser on its own, so I'm wondering if the presets also include some form of audio software algorithm. Either way my ears are more than happy with the end result and the sound currently being produced.

An audio system algorithm makes sense, as I also had the same results by only adjusting the equalizer settings. Just a point worth mentioning, the coding doesn't reset the graphics equalizer, so do forget to make adjustments to these settings if you had reconfigured them.

Actually it’s more complex than that Jim…

For each physical channel the amp has, the DSP can..

Adjust the time delay it takes for that speaker attached to that channel to reach your ears..

Adjust the phase of the signal from 0 to 360 degrees..

Adjust the frequency response of the output to offset any inadequacies in the speakers or their locations..aka tone

Adjust the sensitivity of the channel…aka fader / balance

The DSP can generate acoustic effects like concert hall, jazz club etc by using phase / frequency / time delay / volume

It can blend non physical channels to create for example centre speaker drivers

It can do very complex ‘loudness’ effects based on the user set volume..

In the case of the G29 then it’s also feeding all that both real and false engine noises in as well…

etc etc

Firstly, my name is not Jim :rofl:
Secondly, thanks for the science lecture :lol:
I am however, fully aware that the Bowers and Wilkins presets weren't designed to be used with the Harmon Kardon system. To be honest, all that the majority of members on this forum are interested in knowing, is that it appears to work, rather than the science theory behind why it shouldn't. This coding has also received good reviews when used on newer models across the BMW range that have a fitted H&K system. If someone didn't like the sound being produced, then they can revert back to the H&K preset, it's as simple as that

 

[B21]

Brutal... :rofl:

Points well accepted..

I guess I'm still confused how BMW could make such a sequence of errors /judgements but as I did say if works for people so be it..

But then they persevered with run flats..

 

[Z4monster]

So this thread made my mind up and just bought Bimercode. Already had the OBD plug required so connected it up and made some changes.

Definitely recommend the B&W DSP change. Bass is much more controlled and punchier and overall the sound is great.

Also coded Sport individual at startup and the Alpina dash. Very nice change to the original and easy to change back

 

[Swiftly]

So this thread made my mind up and just bought Bimercode. Already had the OBD plug required so connected it up and made some changes.

Definitely recommend the B&W DSP change. Bass is much more controlled and punchier and overall the sound is great.

Also coded Sport individual at startup and the Alpina dash. Very nice change to the original and easy to change back

 

[Scubaregs]

Re my connection issues, Bimmercode gave me this reply;

"Hi,
this is a general problem of most Ethernet adapters that are just not compatible with devices running iOS 15 and there is no way to fix this for us unfortunately. An Apple MFi certified device is required."

Sounds plausible as was working fine until I upgraded to ios 15.0.2
Have an MFI certified device on order.

 

[BrianD]

So this thread made my mind up and just bought Bimercode. Already had the OBD plug required so connected it up and made some changes.

Definitely recommend the B&W DSP change. Bass is much more controlled and punchier and overall the sound is great.

Also coded Sport individual at startup and the Alpina dash. Very nice change to the original and easy to change back

My ears are currently loving the change in sound quality

 

[adey]

Bit of a silly question can you code the b&w for the standard hi-fi setup

 

[ori]

So this thread made my mind up and just bought Bimercode. Already had the OBD plug required so connected it up and made some changes.

Definitely recommend the B&W DSP change. Bass is much more controlled and punchier and overall the sound is great.

Also coded Sport individual at startup and the Alpina dash. Very nice change to the original and easy to change back

My ears are currently loving the change in sound quality

Anyone near me in nw London who can do this for me? ))