HK Stereo impressions.

[1stm3f80]

Sounds like it was worth the xtra cash.

[GregW / Oregon]

I like it. Sounds better at lower volumes than the $1900 Premium stereo in my E92.

However, seems radio is not HD?

[W///]

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

It was a bit underwhelming to me, to be completely honest.

Originally Posted by gthal

It is OK... certainly not the best I've heard. I plan to do some fine tuning with a sound meter once I have time. On some source material, I think it is great. On others, it isn't. I'm struggling with getting it to have enough bass without becoming too muddy. I'll report back in a week or so once I've had a chance to spend some time with it.

So it's still worth ticking that option? At less than $900, it's pretty OK price wise, but I don't expect my mind to be blown.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by W///

So it's still worth ticking that option? At less than $900, it's pretty OK price wise, but I don't expect my mind to be blown.

I think so. Perhaps I just had too big of expectations. Make no mistake, it sounds good.

[M3ryder55]

i love the HK

[Wes Howell]

Originally Posted by mic_crispy

Really? I've had both (Enhanced E92 and HK F80).

I think the F80 sounds great. Better lows (more clear) than the Enhanced... but i think the enhanced might handle higher ranges (like rock) at full volume better...

But i'm kinda splitting hairs, they both sound great IMO... and at anything under %80 volume id give the advantage to the HK by a fair margin.


Id buy the HK again, no doubt.

+1 I think it's much better than the E92 enhanced. I was never impressed with the E92 no matter how I adjusted it. I like the HK in the F82 quite a bit

[Plano]

I'm just hoping this system sounds decent like my current bose system in my 2011 Infiniti G37 IPL

[tisme]

Originally Posted by mashoutposse

I was a fan of the $1900 Individual Audio in the E92. Great system given that it was stock. If the HK matches, that's a big win IMO.

HK doesn't match it, it falls far short imo.

[voodoogeek]

I had the 335 E92 coupé with "individual audio", seems to be the "premium" option referenced here (in Switzerland they seem to call it differently). cost me 3000 swiss francs and it was awesome, 600 W performance, 16 speakers. HK has 16 speakers, of which 2 subwoofers under front seats (as the E92 had), and around 600 W performance, so on the numbers side, they seem to be comparable, but I guess the E92 system had better quality speakers - or maybe BMW just made too much money on that and now lowered the price, who knows...

[mic_crispy]

Originally Posted by Plano

I'm just hoping this system sounds decent like my current bose system in my 2011 Infiniti G37 IPL

Ive had two cars since then, but mine sounds a lot better then the Bose in my 08 G37s... which im pretty sure is the same as the 2011 IPL.

[hoffa3]

i honestly was not satisfied. the highs are noticeable crisp but loud, the lows are not strong enough giving mostly every song on the FM/Sirus a high pitch. you do have the option to mess with the equalizer which I did ( set it to a wave format- usually recommended for a standard good overall sound) and it help a bit, but feel it could use a lot more base.

[Plano]

Originally Posted by mic_crispy

Ive had two cars since then, but mine sounds a lot better then the Bose in my 08 G37s... which im pretty sure is the same as the 2011 IPL.

The IPL had an upgraded bose system over the standards that the G's came with. Overall the system was nice, not great for an audiophile, but for someone like me it works perfect. If I can have at least that or better with the HK, then i'll be happy.

[Dasm3nd]

These settings worked great for my music--metal, hip-hop, mainstream, etc. i now enjoy my music and I think I'm quite picky. I think logic7 over enhances the music.

[Holset]

Sounds great! I'm satisfied.

[Larry Chijner]

The subass definately needs help. I am adding a JL Audio 12 Sub and Mono JL Amp tom in the trunk area. they make a thin line 12 enclosure .
Ive tried everything but the subs under the seat are not sufficient to ggo low enough .
I think this will help immensly . Let you know

Stay Tuned

[RocketBoots]

Originally Posted by Caelric

I know this might be blasphemy on a performance car like the M3/4, but when I get mine, I plan on laying down about 100 lbs of sound insulation (dynomat or something similiar), turning off the active sound, and then seeing what else it needs. ...

This just negates all the $$$, R&D, carbon fiber, etc BMW did to make the F8X ligher than the E9X. IMO, the car doesn't need much extra sound deadening; it's pretty quiet from the factory.

That said, IMO, the HK system SUCKS If you don't think so, you've never heard a really good car stereo. It's exactly the same as in the F32. And L7 makes things worse. BUT, like the MP3, it's good enough for most, I'd guess.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by W///

So it's still worth ticking that option? At less than $900, it's pretty OK price wise, but I don't expect my mind to be blown.

By the way....I take back everything I said about the HK stereo. TOTALLY worth it. I hadnt changed the equalizer on the test drive so naturally, it sounded like shit. I took delivery today and the ended up messing with it with the BMW Genius at my dealer (another forum member) who gave me a baseline of what he's seen in other cars. After a couple more tweaks, its awesome.

NOTE: I am running a 32gb stick in the center and using only FLAC files, so naturally, the SQ is much better.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

By the way....I take back everything I said about the HK stereo. TOTALLY worth it. I hadnt changed the equalizer on the test drive so naturally, it sounded like shit. I took delivery today and the ended up messing with it with the BMW Genius at my dealer (another forum member) who gave me a baseline of what he's seen in other cars. After a couple more tweaks, its awesome.

NOTE: I am running a 32gb stick in the center and using only FLAC files, so naturally, the SQ is much better.

What EQ settings you using?

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

What EQ settings you using?

Remind me in the morning and I'll send a pic.

[W///]

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

By the way....I take back everything I said about the HK stereo. TOTALLY worth it. I hadnt changed the equalizer on the test drive so naturally, it sounded like shit. I took delivery today and the ended up messing with it with the BMW Genius at my dealer (another forum member) who gave me a baseline of what he's seen in other cars. After a couple more tweaks, its awesome.

NOTE: I am running a 32gb stick in the center and using only FLAC files, so naturally, the SQ is much better.

Noted. Thanks, so I guess I'll be looking for HK and LED eventually then

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by W///

Noted. Thanks, so I guess I'll be looking for HK and LED eventually then

You definitely need the LEDs. They do look much better.

[Vectors2final]

How about those settings?