Harmon Kardon vs Hi Fi

jl001300 · 05-10-2018, 05:42 PM

Has anyone had the opportunity to do a direct comparison of the two systems? I found a dealership that has a great deal on a 2018 X3 but the only thing that's missing is the HK. I find it strange for a car to be built with all the packages, but leave out the HK...blows my mind.

I know it's 12 speakers vs 16. I'm assuming 2 are the subs under the seats, but where are the other 2 additional speakers?

bmtespar · 05-10-2018, 06:43 PM

I believe there are additional tweeters in the rear doors and larger speakers on the c pillars.

My car was pretty well loaded with options but without the HK. However my car was ordered for a customer who decided not to buy. The one you are looking at may be the same. The HK sound system sounds great but I find that I typically just barely have my radio turned up to be audible so I was fine without HK. The base system is decent and the source you play will greatly influence that.

ParadigmDawg · 05-10-2018, 07:35 PM

If you are just listening to low bit music like XM or streaming from Spotify, I would say it doesn't matter at all. If you are downloading lossless music you probably would want the upgrade.

I have this in my house so I tend to know good sound.

I also have this little sub in my ceiling. It's only about 6ft tall and has 2- 12" drivers powered by 2,000 watts....

jl001300 · 05-10-2018, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

If you are just listening to low bit music like XM or streaming from Spotify, I would say it doesn't matter at all. If you are downloading lossless music you probably would want the upgrade.

I have this in my house so I tend to know good sound.

I also have this little sub in my ceiling. It's only about 6ft tall and has 2- 12" drivers powered by 2,000 watts....

Good taste in subs! I have (2) SVS PB-2000's in my media room

KAP8 · 05-11-2018, 07:34 AM

I have Paradigm Studio 40's and a Velodyne Sub in my theater. I have B&W Nautilus 804's and 805's in the family room. I love both systems.

Keweenawbee · 05-11-2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

If you are just listening to low bit music like XM or streaming from Spotify, I would say it doesn't matter at all. If you are downloading lossless music you probably would want the upgrade.

I have this in my house so I tend to know good sound.

I also have this little sub in my ceiling. It's only about 6ft tall and has 2- 12" drivers powered by 2,000 watts....

Well.......you have a cheesy plug-in nightlight!

Bimar · 05-12-2018, 03:59 AM

The F25, the HIFI had better sound quality than HK ( both were made by HK) not sure abut the G01 whether it remains true.

nxa · 05-12-2018, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4guy

The F25, the HIFI had better sound quality than HK ( both were made by HK) not sure abut the G01 whether it remains true.

Presumably the "HK" was sold as a more premium option - do you know what actually made the HIFI better in reality?

I have the HK and found it was significantly better by turning off the Logic7, then a little equaliser tweaking. Is it possible it's just the defaults that are worse? Surely is isn't actually lower quality amp and speakers etc?

Bimar · 05-12-2018, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natd

Presumably the "HK" was sold as a more premium option - do you know what actually made the HIFI better in reality?

I have the HK and found it was significantly better by turning off the Logic7, then a little equaliser tweaking. Is it possible it's just the defaults that are worse? Surely is isn't actually lower quality amp and speakers etc?

This was the best description of why—->>>http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=28

nxa · 05-12-2018, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4guy

This was the best description of why—->>>http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=28

Thanks. To a large extent I can relate his HK comments to having Logic 7 enabled (the default). It kills accuracy, direction and muddles everything up. Everything is much punchier and separated with it off.

Edit: This has however made me look into Logic 7 and now I'm trying to find a copy of the Dark Side Of The Moon 30th anniversary 5.1 SACD edition

I bet the HK with L7 does sound good with the right source material!

aotherbimmer · 05-12-2018, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X4guy

The F25, the HIFI had better sound quality than HK ( both were made by HK) not sure abut the G01 whether it remains true.

All of the X3 units are made by HK

The "Branded" upgrade includes more power and I was told surround in addition to better speakers.

The base unit doesnt suck and as others have said, if your music source is spotify/pandora/sirius then I'm not sure it matters that much.......its 800 plus dollars for the upgrade.

I wouldnt be surprised if the surround sound/processing bits were not upgradable via programming......

BMWGuySweden · 05-13-2018, 02:15 AM

Just to be clear. For the international market there are 3 levels of audio options:

1. Base level
2. "Hifi"
3. "HK"

I chose Hifi in mine since it sounded great in the loaner and couldn't justify the money upgrade to hk. I didn't get to listen to the base model and I'm assuming that everyone from North America is assuming the "Hifi" option is in fact the base option but it isn't.

Dzo · 05-13-2018, 02:39 AM

Just my personal taste exposed: I like HK with Logic 7 enabled.
Yesterday, I’ve switched it off to hear, but I prefer it on.

abcsoup · 05-13-2018, 07:11 PM

Just got my X3 back from the retailer, and I’m very pleased with the HK system after testing it the past two days. I had some reservations initially when L7 was enabled, but after turning it off, I really like the sound. Mid-bass can be a touch boomy but it can be adjusted in EQ. Most importantly, the treble isn’t shrill or piercing.

I would rate it comparably to the Mark Levinson in my IS. I wouldn’t mind upgrading the subwoofers with a Bavsound upgrade if it ever becomes available.

ParadigmDawg · 05-14-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

Well.......you have a cheesy plug-in nightlight!

That was before the remodel last year. This is the living room now:

Oh crap...the cheesy plug-in nightlight is still there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ParadigmDawg · 05-14-2018, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natd

Thanks. To a large extent I can relate his HK comments to having Logic 7 enabled (the default). It kills accuracy, direction and muddles everything up. Everything is much punchier and separated with it off.

Edit: This has however made me look into Logic 7 and now I'm trying to find a copy of the Dark Side Of The Moon 30th anniversary 5.1 SACD edition

I bet the HK with L7 does sound good with the right source material!

I have the Dark Side Of The Moon 30th anniversary 5.1 SACD but no way to copy it.

jayely1 · 07-06-2019, 03:20 AM

Just googling "Harmon Kardon x3" and this thread came up.. Sorry to revive it but I had o to say, ParadigmDawg, you are the definition of a tool...

weez · 07-06-2019, 09:39 AM

How to you get lossless music?

sharpharp · 07-06-2019, 05:00 PM

I have HK and trust me, there's no going back after you've had the HK with the Sub in the front

Alias1431 · 07-07-2019, 12:40 AM

I'm planning on putting a 15" in the back. The low end didn't impress me.

05-10-2018, 05:42 PM	#1
jl001300 New Member 6 Rep 11 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Harmon Kardon vs Hi Fi Has anyone had the opportunity to do a direct comparison of the two systems? I found a dealership that has a great deal on a 2018 X3 but the only thing that's missing is the HK. I find it strange for a car to be built with all the packages, but leave out the HK...blows my mind. I know it's 12 speakers vs 16. I'm assuming 2 are the subs under the seats, but where are the other 2 additional speakers?
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05-10-2018, 06:43 PM	#2
bmtespar Major 709 Rep 1,066 Posts Drives: 19 X3 30i, 18 230iX Vert Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Atlanta Ga iTrader: (0)	I believe there are additional tweeters in the rear doors and larger speakers on the c pillars. My car was pretty well loaded with options but without the HK. However my car was ordered for a customer who decided not to buy. The one you are looking at may be the same. The HK sound system sounds great but I find that I typically just barely have my radio turned up to be audible so I was fine without HK. The base system is decent and the source you play will greatly influence that.
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05-10-2018, 07:35 PM	#3
ParadigmDawg Captain 610 Rep 893 Posts Drives: 2019 AMG GLC63s Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Fort Worth, Texas iTrader: (0)	If you are just listening to low bit music like XM or streaming from Spotify, I would say it doesn't matter at all. If you are downloading lossless music you probably would want the upgrade. I have this in my house so I tend to know good sound. I also have this little sub in my ceiling. It's only about 6ft tall and has 2- 12" drivers powered by 2,000 watts....
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05-11-2018, 07:34 AM	#5
KAP8 Lieutenant 218 Rep 409 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (0)	I have Paradigm Studio 40's and a Velodyne Sub in my theater. I have B&W Nautilus 804's and 805's in the family room. I love both systems.
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05-12-2018, 03:59 AM	#7
Bimar Colonel 800 Rep 2,599 Posts Drives: Bmw X Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Www iTrader: (0)	The F25, the HIFI had better sound quality than HK ( both were made by HK) not sure abut the G01 whether it remains true.
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05-13-2018, 02:15 AM	#12
BMWGuySweden First Lieutenant 192 Rep 325 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Just to be clear. For the international market there are 3 levels of audio options: 1. Base level 2. "Hifi" 3. "HK" I chose Hifi in mine since it sounded great in the loaner and couldn't justify the money upgrade to hk. I didn't get to listen to the base model and I'm assuming that everyone from North America is assuming the "Hifi" option is in fact the base option but it isn't.
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05-13-2018, 02:39 AM	#13
Dzo Private First Class 76 Rep 158 Posts Drives: M3 Comp. xDrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Just my personal taste exposed: I like HK with Logic 7 enabled. Yesterday, I’ve switched it off to hear, but I prefer it on.
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05-13-2018, 07:11 PM	#14
abcsoup Second Lieutenant 185 Rep 298 Posts Drives: X7 M60i, X3 M40i Join Date: May 2018 Location: DC, USA iTrader: (0)	Just got my X3 back from the retailer, and I’m very pleased with the HK system after testing it the past two days. I had some reservations initially when L7 was enabled, but after turning it off, I really like the sound. Mid-bass can be a touch boomy but it can be adjusted in EQ. Most importantly, the treble isn’t shrill or piercing. I would rate it comparably to the Mark Levinson in my IS. I wouldn’t mind upgrading the subwoofers with a Bavsound upgrade if it ever becomes available.
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07-06-2019, 03:20 AM	#17
jayely1 Colonel 223 Rep 2,076 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Mexico/Illinois iTrader: (1)	Just googling "Harmon Kardon x3" and this thread came up.. Sorry to revive it but I had o to say, ParadigmDawg, you are the definition of a tool...
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07-06-2019, 09:39 AM	#18
weez Lieutenant 272 Rep 467 Posts Drives: 2021 X3M Competition Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	How to you get lossless music?
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07-06-2019, 05:00 PM	#19
sharpharp Private 31 Rep 99 Posts Drives: x3 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	I have HK and trust me, there's no going back after you've had the HK with the Sub in the front
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07-07-2019, 12:40 AM	#20
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	I'm planning on putting a 15" in the back. The low end didn't impress me.
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