BMW 6 Series - 2017 - Harmon Kardon - rubbish sound

[briansy]

Hi guys, I am test driving 2017 BMWs currently and have found a beauty. I tested out my Frank Sinatra CD on the sound system today as when I put in that CD into my 2004 Volvo S60 SE 2.0T the sound is loud, incredibly crisp and clear. The Harmon Kardon feels very muffled and crap by comparison - it tends to handle modern hip hop stuff better. Now the question is: why is this? Is it the physical dimensions of the Volvo and where the speakers are situated which are determining the clarity of the sound or is it really just the quality of the speakers themselves and a case of: they don't make em like they used to?! I hear audiophiles talk about actually programming how the sound eminates from the CD player, radio etc as well which is a kind of programming / tuning / callobration thing of the packets of sound or something?

Thoughts?

Music I like: Classical, Jazz, Crooners singing the classics, eighties tunes, occasionally some house and disco also.

[Geffg]

Could it need the equaliser setting up for that particular sound. All the tones etc can be altered on the Harmon Kardon system.

[briansy]

Maybe, but it felt like more of a fundamental issue than that if you know what I mean. the loudness for a start and I'm not talking about the volume. Just the natural power of the sound on the speakers but that could be the acoustics of the car dimensions. My Volvo is old and would only get 500 on a trade in so if I buy the other one I might keep my old Volvo and actually drive both to a car audio shop and ask their opinion! Then sell the volvo separately

[B235r]

Maybe the system in the BMW needs the settings tweaking, I've always found HK systems really good

[mbug]

I have a 2017 M6 Gran Coupe which had the HK audio, it sounded OK at best. The speakers are not the weak point, it is the amplification and DSP that are bad.
I recently upgraded to a custom system and the difference is night and day, I listen to a bit of everything and it sounds fantastic across the board. The only problem is it makes poorly mastered recordings sound bad.
If you are anywhere near Bristol you are welcome to have a listen.

[briansy]

What is the DSP? And what make of custom system did you go for? WS it within the physical framework of the speakers as designed by BMW? Or was it a bigger job?

[briansy]

mbug said:

I have a 2017 M6 Gran Coupe which had the HK audio, it sounded OK at best. The speakers are not the weak point, it is the amplification and DSP that are bad.
I recently upgraded to a custom system and the difference is night and day, I listen to a bit of everything and it sounds fantastic across the board. The only problem is it makes poorly mastered recordings sound bad.
If you are anywhere near Bristol you are welcome to have a listen.

I wonder if you could email me with information on what changes you made / what system you went with? I'm brianysheehy @ gmail.com

[ro250]

Probably not much help but I also have a 2017 GranCoupe with the HK and I think it's excellent. I tend to play more punchy music than Sinatra but think the bass is excellent (I think there are speakers under the front seats). I realise Sinatra is a totally different audio requirement. I also don't use the CD player but I would expect that to be at least as good as connecting by bluetooth as I do.

As others have said, maybe a tweak on the EQ and checking all the speakers are actually working?

[mbug]

Here is a video of the install on the PSSound Youtube channel;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i39pxHICGNk&li...

There are a couple of other videos detailing what kit was installed.

[Techno9000]

Hi. I have a 2015 4 series Grand Coupe with the HK system. It sounded dire with the eq set flat, and nothing I could do would put it right.
However a chap on another forum had worked out (with a RTA)that there was a massive dip in the response around 130Hz with a large hump just above 200Hz. Some judicious tweeks of the eq to overcome and the sound was vastly improved with a far more even response across 95% of music thrown at it. How this got past QC is beyond me, given the HK system has built in DSP that could have been programmed to overcome this itself.

Perhaps the 6 series has a similar issue. Try increasing the 100Hz eq and dropping the 200Hz slider to see if it helps.

[Bungleaio]

If you are planning on keeping the car for a bit then I'd highly recommend getting a full audison setup. I've got one in my mini and it's incredible. Have a word with these guys and they will tailor something to suit what you need https://www.carelectronicsnottingham.co.uk/

[alex.baker89]

mbug said:

Here is a video of the install on the PSSound Youtube channel;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i39pxHICGNk&li...

There are a couple of other videos detailing what kit was installed.

I've been flirting with the idea of doing something like this with my M240i for months now, but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. Trouble is finding somewhere near SE London reputable enough that doesn't just offer me a pre-baked package of mediocre stuff. The Helix gear is meant to be fantastic and I can't find anywhere local who stocks / has heard their stuff in action. Never heard of STEG before either. I was looking at Dynaudio speakers but they are hard to find and eyewateringly expensive.

This is a really top quality install and I'd definitely travel to Bristol if it meant getting something similar to this setup installed. My car came with every option apart from the HK system, so I don't have tweeter pods in the doors or mid-fill in the dash unfortunately. Installing tweeters should be easy as I think you can still get the HK pods from BMW's parts dept.

How is it sounding a few months in? Am seriously considering contacting PS later this year to get mine booked in! Incidently, I'd rather go for an 8 or 10'' JL sub / enclosure in the boot, but keep it carpeted all the way around for a more 'stock' look. Otherwise it's perfect.

Edited by alex.baker89 on Thursday 23 June 12:30

[mbug]

The system is sounding better than ever, it never fails to amaze me how good it sounds. It really shows up poorly mastered recordings but there is nothing I can do about that.
PS are in Brighton(I am in Bristol), you should definitely get in touch for a chat.
I am actually considering a smaller 10" sub(Focal e25kx), it will still deliver the same performance however will be in a much smaller enclosure. It's a bit of a squeeze throwing my bike in the back with the current setup.

[alex.baker89]

Ah I see. Brighton is easier for me to get to from where I live, so that's great.

I've watched quite a few of PS's videos now and they really seem to know their stuff which is very rare with car audio installers where I'm based!

Focal subs are fantastic. I had an SP25-A1 many moons ago and although it was one of their cheaper models, it was a very nice sounding 10'' sub which was easy to drive.

If a system shows up poorly mastered recordings that's a good thing IMO, because it means you start the fun of hunting for well mastered tracks (which is what I find myself doing on my home setup).

[mbug]

I also love the process of finding new well mastered tracks, I have 'discovered' some great new-to-me stuff!

Unfortunately I found that the Spotify quality wasn't good enough, so now I have started a subscription to Apple Music for the lossless playback. I prefer the Spotify interface but until they start releasing lossless music I am stuck with Apple.

[beanoir78]

mbug said:

I also love the process of finding new well mastered tracks, I have 'discovered' some great new-to-me stuff!

Unfortunately I found that the Spotify quality wasn't good enough, so now I have started a subscription to Apple Music for the lossless playback. I prefer the Spotify interface but until they start releasing lossless music I am stuck with Apple.

Have you tried Tidal? The quality is better than Apple and the interface is more like Spotify.

[mbug]

I haven't tried Tidal yet, although I hear lots of good things about it. I reckon their 30 day free trial must be worth a listen.