Improving Harmon Kardon sound quality
- Thread starter Swiftly
- Start date
Scottish Borders
BrianD said: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.
You may be correct, but dont forget that you are not that far behind meB21 said:BrianD said: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.
I coded my M40i this morning, and I can report that the presents have transformed the sound quality to another level 
, and I can't believe that just a few presets can alter the sound quality that much. I'm just annoyed with myself that I hadn't spotting this coding option sooner.
, and I can't believe that just a few presets can alter the sound quality that much. I'm just annoyed with myself that I hadn't spotting this coding option sooner.
ronk said:
Think that’s harsh. I found the HK to be very good.
Also, from my understanding this is just presets and you can adjust this all yourself anyway?
Don’t get me wrong, I now want the presets and if there is someone local to me who can do it for me then I’ll ask them politely to do it.
ori said:Think that’s harsh. I found the HK to be very good.
Also, from my understanding this is just presets and you can adjust this all yourself anyway?
Don’t get me wrong, I now want the presets and if there is someone local to me who can do it for me then I’ll ask them politely to do it.
Sorry if I've misunderstood, I thought there was some doubt about the available v as delivered sound quality and the need for system to be tweaked ?
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..
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..
ronk said:ori said:Think you got wires crossed. So far z4 ordered with HK system has arrived as ordered.
Some here think it isn’t a good system, but I and some others disagree and think it’s very good.
Think that’s harsh. I found the HK to be very good.
Also, from my understanding this is just presets and you can adjust this all yourself anyway?
Don’t get me wrong, I now want the presets and if there is someone local to me who can do it for me then I’ll ask them politely to do it.
Sorry if I've misunderstood, I thought there was some doubt about the available v as delivered sound quality and the need for system to be tweaked ?
KrusteKlubba
Member
This makes interesting reading - thanks guys.
Just concerned using BimmerCode might cause warranty problems for my car if anything non-audio needs work.
Strange HK are better known for electronics and B&W are British HiFi speaker experts. On our soft top Audi, its B&O system appeals more to me than my Z4 HK. It’s got no fancy dsp modes. Low frequencies to me are better.
I was a bit dubious about the Z4s L7 being a bit emperor’s new trousers. 20 years ago I dropped significant spend on Lexicon surround processors with L7 as their USP. It was supposed to improve on the Dolby surround modes but even then my ears found little benefit.
Just concerned using BimmerCode might cause warranty problems for my car if anything non-audio needs work.
Strange HK are better known for electronics and B&W are British HiFi speaker experts. On our soft top Audi, its B&O system appeals more to me than my Z4 HK. It’s got no fancy dsp modes. Low frequencies to me are better.
I was a bit dubious about the Z4s L7 being a bit emperor’s new trousers. 20 years ago I dropped significant spend on Lexicon surround processors with L7 as their USP. It was supposed to improve on the Dolby surround modes but even then my ears found little benefit.
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.B21 said: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..
These days DSPs are extremely powerful so it’s no surprise that tweaking and updated firmware can yield major perceived changes…
When I was doing the setup of the Match 7 DSP, the effect of adjustment of say a time delay just on one channel had a profound effect on perceived clarity and tone..
I re-baselined mine 3 times and each time it got better…same hardware just me tweaking it better..
So it’s all clever stuff.
Looked at newTis and they have certainly thrown the kitchen sink at this one..
As I say just surprised given that the settings for the B n W 16 speaker system settings works with a 10 speaker system..but hey ho..
When I was doing the setup of the Match 7 DSP, the effect of adjustment of say a time delay just on one channel had a profound effect on perceived clarity and tone..
I re-baselined mine 3 times and each time it got better…same hardware just me tweaking it better..
So it’s all clever stuff.
Looked at newTis and they have certainly thrown the kitchen sink at this one..
As I say just surprised given that the settings for the B n W 16 speaker system settings works with a 10 speaker system..but hey ho..
You would think so, Ron,but maybe it's their belief at those in BMW that the system sounds amazing to them.ronk said:
Have had the pleasure of listening to various car audio systems over the years and agree with Nick,etc that the Harmon Kardon set up can sound flat in some cars,no matter how much you change the eq settings.
Nice to see that you found something that takes it to the Next level,Nick
I meant to have a listen to it today.
Will look forward to hearing it next meet up
