Ideal EQ Settings for HK Audio System

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

I finally got my car. Here is what I came up with using an Audio Control RTA and pink noise from a CMAA test code (IASCA soaked them up in the early 1990's). This was done in my 2015 M3 with full leather. The microphone was in the drivers seat at my ear level about 2 inches forward of where my ears would be (deep microphone and I didn't want to adjust the seat with the tripod in place)...

Thank you .

Finally what I was waiting for .

[dmk08]

I think my HK sounds better ever since I coded out ASD.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by dmk08

I think my HK sounds better ever since I coded out ASD.

Can't wait to try that too. Now that the weather has become a little warmer up hear, I'll unplug the ASD module in the trunk .

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Can't wait to try that too. Now that the weather has become a little warmer up hear, I'll unplug the ASD module in the trunk .

I ended up just buying the $25 coding cable. Coding on this car is as easy as updating a windows registry. Super simple.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by dmk08

I ended up just buying the $25 coding cable. Coding on this car is as easy as updating a windows registry. Super simple.

I am full Apple at home. No PC or laptop .

Waiting for a good OS coding software to pop up.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I am full Apple at home. No PC or laptop .

Waiting for a good OS coding software to pop up.

I coded on my Macbook running Win 8.1 in VMware Fusion.

[Lincoln30]

Originally Posted by dmk08

I think my HK sounds better ever since I coded out ASD.

I plan to try this too. I just got the cable but haven't had time to learn how to do it yet. I have to dust off my old windows machine for this since I'm not running windows on either Mac yet.

[Vectors2final]

Originally Posted by dmk08

I coded on my Macbook running Win 8.1 in VMware Fusion.

Yup, I'll be busting out the VWware here soon.

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

I finally got my car. Here is what I came up with using an Audio Control RTA and pink noise from a CMAA test code (IASCA soaked them up in the early 1990's).

Thanks Lincoln! Amazing how relatively little adjustment the frequencies needed. I too am an audiophile and used to have and compete in competition car installs. My thoughts on the HK system is that it fairly well balanced for a "stock" system but lacking in power (and these speakers are not built to handle power, they are more "efficiency" and well matched it seems to the power available).

Other than the relative lack of power I tuned mine by some not very sensitive equipment anymore....my ears...and here's what I came up with (pics below). I listen to rock, pop, blues primarily. These were tuned using discs I'm used to listening to on my home reference system, so familiar with how I personally like them to sound. Also note that compressed music and music over BT will be a bit "boomier" as the lower mid range and bass gets sloppy. Also I need to turn off active sound...no need upgrading the stereo system with that pumping through. And yes...logic 7 sounded just slightly better to me on than off...

I tune with my eyes closed and start low to high frequencies. The Treble and Bass add a second curve to the EQ that tweaks multiple frequency ranges. Anyway this is what sounds good to me with the car off....test them out if you're bored...as I've aged I've preferred a less balanced frequency response preferring treble and bass to mid-range. Mid range really muddies detail (while containing some that's important), so I tune mid range just enough to "fill out" the music if you will, again thats my listening preference...and with rock, guitars quickly overwhelm the mid-ranges...

[Longbow64]

I've tried a couple of these recommendations but I had to make a few adjustments for my own preference. I listen to mostly Sirius radio. Hits 1, Venus, Highway, 90s on 9, and Pop 2K.

Treble +2
Bass +0
Fader -2 F
Logic 7 On
100 +3
200 +2
500 +0
1 +0
2 +1
5 +2
10 +3
Speed Volume +1

Thinking about eventually upgrading the front speakers (door and center with tweeters). You still get a package discount at BavSound and it's less than $400 for the set.

[3er]

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

I will be using setting #4 with the balance +3 to the right to center it for the driver. +3 is almost perfect but it's a hair too much, +2 is not enough.

Gosh, your settings are amazing. Any chance that you'll be installing BAVSOUND's Stage 1 package and doing the same analysis?

[My2ndBMW]

Lincoln30

Thank you much for taking the time to share the setting. I didn’t realize the EQ setting can make this much difference.

Now, I am truly happy with music ripped in FLAC.

BTW, Sirius still sounds like crap but oh well at least it’s not the HK’s fault.

[tonydt1g3r]

I am ordering a M4 soon and I was wondering if you guys think the EQ makes a DRAMATIC difference. I listened to the HK on a M4 and a ML on a RCF and the ML system was 3x better than the HK which made me think if I should not upgrade to the HK and install a custom system. I rather not..... but if it sounds as bad as the stock settings I am leaning that way.

[Mr. Hankey]

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

I finally got my car. Here is what I came up with using an Audio Control RTA and pink noise from a CMAA test code (IASCA soaked them up in the early 1990's). This was done in my 2015 M3 with full leather. The microphone was in the drivers seat at my ear level about 2 inches forward of where my ears would be (deep microphone and I didn't want to adjust the seat with the tripod in place).

Let me start with my credentials and goals. I have been an audiophile since I before was 12 (my love of cars started at 7). I was a car electronics installer in the higher end space for 9 years in high school and college. I was a CMAA certified SQ judge. I love accurate sound, when I say that I mean as close to the source recording as possible. That's is not just a flat response but also sound stage and imaging. Because of sound stage and image my primary setting front channels only (fader all the way to the left) and logic 7 turned off.

All of my measurements were taken at 80db avg level using the CMAA CD in the CD player. My main source of music is a 1tb hard drive plugged into the USB port with 2300 songs burned in uncompressed FLAC and 3100 songs burned WAV.

What I am posting here is 4 different settings
1. Bass, Treble, Fader, Balance all centered, logic 7 turned ON
2. Bass, Treble, Fader, Balance all centered, logic 7 turned OFF
3. Bass, Treble, Balance all centered, Fader to the front and logic 7 turned OFF
4. Absolute flattest I could get - Bass -6 or 7 (I can't tell from the pic but I remember its four bars from the left showing), Treble center, balance center, fader front, logic 7 OFF

The first 3 pics are the setup of the RTA in the passenger floor and the mic in the drivers seat. I sat in the passenger seat to take the measurements.

Attachment 1174108

Attachment 1174109

Attachment 1174110

1. Bass, Treble, Fader, Balance all centered, logic 7 turned ON

EQ setting
100hz -3
200hz -1
500hz +2
1khz +1
2khz flat
5khz +2
10khz +3

Attachment 1174115

Attachment 1174116

2. Bass, Treble, Fader, Balance all centered, logic 7 turned OFF

EQ setting
100hz -3
200hz -1
500hz +2
1khz +1
2khz flat
5khz +2
10khz +2

Only difference between logic 7 on and off was the +1 bump in 10k.

Attachment 1174118

Attachment 1174119

3. Bass, Treble, Balance all centered, Fader to the front and logic 7 turned OFF

EQ setting
100hz -4
200hz flat
500hz -2
1khz +2
2khz +1
5khz +1
10khz +2

Attachment 1174120

Attachment 1174121


4. Absolute flattest I could get - Bass -6 or 7 (I can't tell from the pic but I remember its four bars from the left showing), Treble center, balance center, fader front, logic 7 OFF

EQ setting
100hz +3
200hz -4
500hz -1
1khz +2
2khz -2
5khz flat
10khz -1

Attachment 1174122

Attachment 1174123

All four examples are very flat from around 500hz to 20k. Below 500 is where the real problems lie. There is bump at 200hz that you can't tune out with the available tools and overall the system a tad brighter then it should be. Overall, It's better then many stock systems and the best I've had in a BMW but still just OK. The bass starts rolling off at 50hz.

I will be using setting #4 with the balance +3 to the right to center it for the driver. +3 is almost perfect but it's a hair too much, +2 is not enough.

Lincoln...just had time to play with your settings.

They're really solid...thanks so much.

[robbo mcs]

Lincoln,

Thanks for the time taken to do the analysis. I tried your settings today. I was a professional musician for 10 years (a while ago!) so have a pretty good ear. Definitely these settings give a nice flat eq.

For me it is a good place to start, and then tweak to my preference. Personally I need some more high end as I have some high frequency loss, thanks again to being an ex musician.

Tuning out the rears with the fader makes a difference. I really don't like the sound of the rear speakers, and it gives a better soundstage as well.

Thanks again for the time and effort

[Lincoln30]

This is sort of deviating from the OPs questions and I apologize for that.

I ordered just the front speakers and center from Bavsound. They were delivered today and I installed them with the "dynamat" they sell. The install took me just over 2 hours and I'd say the "dynamat" is easily half the time and well worth the effort for the result.

More on topic to the OP but still not exactly the same
Here are the flat setting for a front stage BavSound upgrade on an otherwise stock HK system in my 2015 M3 with the measurements taken the same way as I did with OE system. I will post two settings. The first is the setting I think I will use for now. It is the flattest I could get but uses the bass and treble controls with the EQ to achieve that. The second set is flat bass and treble and just EQ settings for those that want the bass and treble to personalize the settings.

Flattest I could get period:




Flattest I could get without using the bass and treble controls:




I should have taken pics of the RTA for each, so you could see how much closer to flat the first option is.

In the near future plan to get the Jehnert woofers for the under the seat and a stage 2 full bass upgrade from MusicarNW.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I am full Apple at home. No PC or laptop .

Waiting for a good OS coding software to pop up.

Originally Posted by Lincoln30

I plan to try this too. I just got the cable but haven't had time to learn how to do it yet. I have to dust off my old windows machine for this since I'm not running windows on either Mac yet.

Here's a link, look for the pdf for OS X installation, detailed configuration for virtualization (parallels, VMware) software. It's old but relevant, I use boot camp though. I hope I didn't break any forum rules by cross referencing bimmerfest
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=654990

Lincoln, thanks for your settings can't wait to try them once the car gets here in four long agonizing weeks... I just hope the HK is not a disappointment... I have ProAc speakers at home

[AustinJerry]

I find that after using the HK Premium system for around six months, it actually seems to sound better to me now. I don't usually believe in break-in periods, and perhaps the better sound is expectation bias. Nevertheless, I am less unhappy than I was at the beginning. Especially with the bass.

Question: where are the low frequency drivers? Are they under the seats like my previous 335i?

[biggripper]

Yes under the seats

[Lincoln30]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Here's a link, look for the pdf for OS X installation, detailed configuration for virtualization (parallels, VMware) software. It's old but relevant, I use boot camp though. I hope I didn't break any forum rules by cross referencing bimmerfest
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=654990

Lincoln, thanks for your settings can't wait to try them once the car gets here in four long agonizing weeks... I just hope the HK is not a disappointment... I have ProAc speakers at home

I had ProAc 4" drivers in the doors of my 88 Supra. One of the installers parted out some ProAc speakers to use the components in his car but the drivers were too deep for his installation and they fit the doors of my Supra As far as the stock sound...prepare to be somewhat disappointed. The Bavsound speakers were an improvement and help get reduce the shrill sound of the stock tweeters. The Bavsound speakers are a real improvement for a smoother more natural sound (pleasing but not great, worth the price). The Musicar Stage 2 is awesome but does nothing to improve the SQ of the mids/highs, it just gives you that missing octave of bass and a bit better sound from the under seat woofers. When the subs/underseats are balanced with the fronts, the problem is the stock amp for the mids/highs craps out just before you get to the fun volume levels. I unplugged the Active Sound box when I installed the musicar kit, I think the exhaust sounds better without the assist thru the speakers.

I understand the agonizing wait. My car took 6 months to get due to the production delay in October.

[aboulfad]

Not to derail this thread, but it seems BMW continues to disappoint with their sound system offering... I guess we then have to look for an aftermarket amp/speaker offering. ah well maybe we're not supposed to listen to music in the ultimate driving machine and focus on driving!

[Lincoln30]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Not to derail this thread, but it seems BMW continues to disappoint with their sound system offering... I guess we then have to look for an aftermarket amp/speaker offering. ah well maybe we're not supposed to listen to music in the ultimate driving machine and focus on driving!

I do agree that they continue to disappoint but each generation is a bit better then the previous generation (I've owned every generation of 3-series since the E30). I can't think of stock system that wasn't disappointing and I drive a lot of different cars from my friend's dealership.