[keninuk]

A long post but hopefully it will be of interest and act as a discussion starter for anyone who feels that the Harman Kardon sound system in their iX3 lacks that certain something.

Hopefully the information I have put together from various sources is accurate and the components can be integrated as I envisage but if there are any errors, please post a reply.

I currently have an 825w Meridian Surround Sound system in my Jaguar and whilst not perfect it has highlighted on my BMW test drives last year that for me personally the Harman Kardon 16 Speaker 'Top HiFi' setup really does need a subwoofer. The under seat woofers simply do not provide the lower frequency response I am used to and prior to placing an order for an iX3 I wanted to feel reasonably confident how I could 'fix this' and roughly what it would cost me.

From the many posts and threads on BMW forums and the number of upgrades Audio Specialists seem to carry out on BMW cars, it would appear I am not alone in this thought. Whilst there are many discussions about the various Harman Kardon systems around the forums and on the web I wanted to open this specific thread as it is will be iX3 centric and be applicable to the RAM+BOOSTER setups that BMW are fitting to a lot of their latest vehicles including the iX3.

Given you can now get a Meridian Sound System in a Kia EV6 it seems BMW may now agree with me themselves as for the HK setup in the i4 (possibly due to a lack of depth under the seats) not only have they moved the woofers to the front doors but have added a subwoofer in the boot. Whilst the subwoofer may be a welcome addition, the chosen location appears to have a significant impact on the amount of under floor storage.

I don't know exactly how the i4 setup is configured/powered but it might be enough of an improvement for most people and not even consider upgrading it. I would be interested to see if anyone has test driven an i4 to see what they think compared to the under seat woofer setup.

It appears that for the latest HK 'Top HiFi' system BMW no longer have a 600w power amplifier connected via a MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) Bus but a RAM module and separate Booster (total output 464w approx) via what is now effectively ethernet consisting of just two wires for data send and receive.

The RAM module as I understand it has at least the following functions:

- Supplies amplification for the 7 mid and tweeter speakers.

- Supplies amplification for the external front/rear pedestrian warning speakers

- Incorporates the radio tuner (previously in the head unit)

- Provides the active sound generation which was originally is a separate Active Sound Design unit.

- Supplies low level output via Ethernet to the booster

The BOOSTER which is also connected via ethernet for the low level signal just provides amplification to the under seat woofers.

I think there were in some cases software update issues previously with bypassing the OEM amplifier but with the new setup bypassing the RAM unit seems even more of a potential issue as not only do you need the tuner/pedestrian speakers (legal issues if you disable?) etc but again a major BMW software update/re-install can it seems throw a hissy fit if the RAM module cannot be found.

These systems are now very integrated and the RAM Module it seems has its own network ID etc and can itself have software updates applied which I suppose makes sense that it complains if it cannot be found. It might be nice if BMW asked the question 'RAM module not found – Continue Yes/No' rather than just failing the update process completely although I am sure BMW have their reasons for not doing this.

My local Car Audio Specialist stated that with pre RAM+BOOSTER setups it was easier and cheaper to upgrade the base stereo rather than the HK 'Top HiFi'. The reason for this was mainly that an additional unit such as the following was required to replace the OEM amplifier and added to the cost of components and installation.

https://navtv.com/products/NTV-KIT969/zen-25.html

Unfortunately BMW have changed things with the RAM+BOOSTER setup and all of the original upgrade solutions are no longer suitable for the new hardware. I don't think BMW are the only ones to have changed/complicated things as it seems the JLR 825w system is now also around 600w and I imagine the changes are not just the power rating of the amplifier!

My local Car Audio Specialist has advised me that there will be a new ZEN module available that will do the equivalent of the original but when I checked with them last month it was not yet officially available and still undergoing final testing. Given the level of integration required I am not surprised it is taking time to get things right.

There are one or two alternative products that seem to be available or in the pipeline from providers of previous upgrade solutions but I would like to at least read a report or a review from someone who has actually done the upgrade in an iX3 or at least with the same RAM+BOOSTER combination in a 3 Series/X3. Upgrades for the 3 Series/X3 are certainly worth monitoring and perhaps more likely to be found for the 3 Series/X3 as the iX3 is not available in the US.

Given it will be a brand new vehicle I would like to go with something tried and tested to be available before messing around with it too much. We will probably try as a first stage to just upgrade the front speakers and add an active subwoofer in the boot. Depending on how this sounds I may decide that is all I need to do given the limited amount of hours I will actually drive the vehicle each week.

I know it could be further improved by adding an amplifier upgrade (including Digital Signal Processor) powering all the existing speaker outputs (excluding front centre) but I would need to be confident of a significant jump in quality to justify the extra hardware and expense that would be needed.

There are lots of options for the hardware but based on an in-car demo from a helpful rep from Audison and what my local Car Audio Specialist has suggested, I will probably go with the following initially:

Front Speakers - Audison Prima APBMW K4M

https://audison-caraudio.co.uk/produ...-for-bmw-mini/

Active Sub - Audison Prima APBX 8 AS or 10 AS

https://audison-caraudio.co.uk/produ...ima-apbx-8-as/

https://audison-caraudio.co.uk/produ...ma-apbx-10-as/

I will need to discuss prior to supply/installation but from everything I have read I think the following off the shelf cable harness would be suitable as it obtains the high level outputs from the existing under seat woofers to supply a separate feed to the active sub:

https://technicpnp.com/product/hk-op...oster-systems/

This harness can therefore be used to carry on using the under seat woofers and power them with the existing booster with a feed to a separate active sub which will be my initial requirement or via an external amplifier to power the under seat woofers separately and also if required provide a separate subwoofer feed on top of that. The harness provides both options by using the supplied connection plugs in 2 different ways.

I am not sure if the Audison Active Sub will require or is better served by a Line Output Converter to convert the high level speaker output to a low level signal in between the harness and the active sub but I will establish that prior to installation. The Audison active subs can take both types of input but there may be some technical reason why one is better than the other in this set up.

Stage 2 incorporating an amplifier upgrade could in theory be done in one of two ways:

1) Obtain low level inputs from the RAM/Booster using the new Zen module.

Need to investigate this but if this works and it also prevents the BMW software from complaining then it probably gives me the most control over the sound but will also unfortunately be the most expensive due to the required Zen module.

2) Redirect the current high level outputs to an external amplifier.

This requires an additional cable harness to fit between the RAM input connector and the RAM unit itself. An off the shelf cable harness that should achieve this is as follows:

https://technicpnp.com/product/ram-b...p-harness-kit/

Whilst the harness appears to cover the physical connections I need some advice from my local Car Audio Specialist (or perhaps a kind member on here) on how this fits in with the variable EQ output and sound controls/features of the existing system.

As a one stop shop to power all the existing speakers (excluding front centre) and give me a low level output for the Active Sub, the Audison Prima Forza AP F8 9 Bit amplifier has been suggested.

https://audison-caraudio.co.uk/produ...a-ap-f8-9-bit/

There is a lower power output version of this amplifier but as I am not looking to swap out the under seat woofers and still run all speakers except the front centre then it has been suggested that I will be better served by the extra power this unit offers.

Hope this has been useful and once I have got something installed (hopefully by the end of next month) I will provide an update on how I got things connected if anyone is interested.

[LazyEye]

THANK YOU for posting and highlighting this.

Ever since we took delivery of our iX3 M-sport my disappointment of the absence of bass in the music has been constant. Even more so too see online sound system reviews of the iX3 complimenting the sound.

Today my good neighbor took delivery of an iX40 with HK system, and with 18 speakers to our 16 – it is nowhere near any similar! It has such a rich and full bottom sound. I’m envious.

So to read this post a see that, yes – the sound system in the iX3 has a serious shortcoming with its 465 W to the 655 W in the iX.

[keninuk]

I wrote this a while ago so nice to see that someone has dug down/searched and found it useful

I ended up replacing the front door speakers with Hertz Mille Pro mids/tweeters and as I was not upgrading the amp at this stage I went with the advice of changing the centre mid with an Audison coaxial (BMW custom fit) and the original HK tweeter was left taped up in situ. Interesting that the HK speakers that came out just had BMW stamped on them!

I also went with the Audison 10" active sub and that has certainly sorted out lack of bass and the unit fits quite nicely in the boot on top of a boot liner that was recommended on here and it doesn't seem as though it will move about at all. I don't use the boot a lot other than for shopping but if I were to use it like an estate car then the active sub might not be the best way to go although it can be unplugged pretty easily.

If I hadn't got the booster amp which drives the under seat bass units then I would probably have added the Audison Forza to power all the existing speakers but remove the centre channel. NB: This would tap into the high level outputs from the existing speaker wires as that seems to be the only option at present (that I am aware of) to avoid compatibility issues.

[jjduckfan]

I have the same issue with my m-sport 2022 230i. I paid for every single upgrade and 75% of the upgraded are missing or not working.
My Harmon karden sound system sounds horrible, not only is there hardly any bass from under the seats, but there is no way in hell that the rest of the speaker are pulling from a 600W amp because they are crap.
Additionally, my pedestrian warning system has never worked. I tried all kinds of clever ways to make it work and nothing.. no sound, no images on the cockpit live dashboard… driving in the city, someone actually hit my front bumper as they sped through a stop sign as I was driving and no safety system warning came on then…
My front collision warning system never came on until
I started to get frustrated with my shady dealer.. now it red icon flashes sometimes, but no sound and the it is unpredictable when it will happen… and that is just chump change compare to everything else that has happened with this car…

[modomi06]

Consider also this .

Amp + Mac analog in : https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/m...fiers/up-10dsp

Harness: https://www.audiotec-fischer.de/en/m...-bmw-1-9ram-hk

Seems to be one of the best aftermarket solution for BMW with RAM

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

I wrote this a while ago so nice to see that someone has dug down/searched and found it useful

I ended up replacing the front door speakers with Hertz Mille Pro mids/tweeters and as I was not upgrading the amp at this stage I went with the advice of changing the centre mid with an Audison coaxial (BMW custom fit) and the original HK tweeter was left taped up in situ. Interesting that the HK speakers that came out just had BMW stamped on them!

I also went with the Audison 10" active sub and that has certainly sorted out lack of bass and the unit fits quite nicely in the boot on top of a boot liner that was recommended on here and it doesn't seem as though it will move about at all. I don't use the boot a lot other than for shopping but if I were to use it like an estate car then the active sub might not be the best way to go although it can be unplugged pretty easily.

If I hadn't got the booster amp which drives the under seat bass units then I would probably have added the Audison Forza to power all the existing speakers but remove the centre channel. NB: This would tap into the high level outputs from the existing speaker wires as that seems to be the only option at present (that I am aware of) to avoid compatibility issues.

Hi!

I'm considering to add a active sub. How did you finally do it?

[keninuk]

Originally Posted by dazzin

Hi!

I'm considering to add a active sub. How did you finally do it?

I had a local expert fit it all for me. I notice your profile states X3 so hopefully it has the same HK RAM/Booster setup up as in my iX3 M Sport Pro.

I am not sure where they obtained the live feed from, but the speaker feed is taken from the outputs using a special harness. They used their own or an Audison sub wiring harness, but it works in the same way as the following and fits between the existing booster harness and the booster.

https://technicpnp.com/product/hk-op...oster-systems/

The split signals from the existing woofer outputs then go through a high to low filter. There are a few on the market and there is one available with the harness above but mine was the following from Audison:

https://connection.eu/product/access...faces/sli-2-2/

The sub is then connected by a plug and RCA connectors and can be taken out in a few seconds for trips to the tip etc. You can just see the braided cables on the left in this picture I posted.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=39

I personally found the upgrade well worth it as I was used to a Meridian 825w system in my last car, and I knew I would miss the sub from my test drive in the iX3.

Difficult to say whether the mids/tweeters make an enormous difference given the age of my ears and I hadn't had the car more than a week or two before upgrading but looking at the BMW branded speakers that came out, I certainly feel as though they are better! It will be interesting to see the difference when I put it back to 'as new' before I trade it in/sell it.

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

I had a local expert fit it all for me. I notice your profile states X3 so hopefully it has the same HK RAM/Booster setup up as in my iX3 M Sport Pro.

I am not sure where they obtained the live feed from, but the speaker feed is taken from the outputs using a special harness. They used their own or an Audison sub wiring harness, but it works in the same way as the following and fits between the existing booster harness and the booster.

https://technicpnp.com/product/hk-option-688-add-a-sub-harness-for-ram-booster-systems/

The split signals from the existing woofer outputs then go through a high to low filter. There are a few on the market and there is one available with the harness above but mine was the following from Audison:

https://connection.eu/product/accessories/interfaces/sli-2-2/

The sub is then connected by a plug and RCA connectors and can be taken out in a few seconds for trips to the tip etc. You can just see the braided cables on the left in this picture I posted.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29489309&postcount=39

I personally found the upgrade well worth it as I was used to a Meridian 825w system in my last car, and I knew I would miss the sub from my test drive in the iX3.

Difficult to say whether the mids/tweeters make an enormous difference given the age of my ears and I hadn't had the car more than a week or two before upgrading but looking at the BMW branded speakers that came out, I certainly feel as though they are better! It will be interesting to see the difference [...]

Great! Thanks!

I've got an iX3 (HK Sound) ordered. Delivery W6 -23 😄 I know there is lack of bass as I've lived with the X3 (HK Sound) since 2019. So my plan is to do something about it, with a reasonable budget.

So if understand you correctly, the new add on sub is not an active sub?

In my previous cars I had to manage with AMPs, 12v besides all wiring. So if that's not needed it would be perfect but I guess the sub will get harder to tweak?

What was the cost all in all for the installation with parts, price of sub excluded?

Br,

Daniel

[keninuk]

Originally Posted by dazzin

Great! Thanks!

I've got an iX3 (HK Sound) ordered. Delivery W6 -23 😄 I know there is lack of bass as I've lived with the X3 (HK Sound) since 2019. So my plan is to do something about it, with a reasonable budget.

So if understand you correctly, the new add on sub is not an active sub?

In my previous cars I had to manage with AMPs, 12v besides all wiring. So if that's not needed it would be perfect but I guess the sub will get harder to tweak?

What was the cost all in all for the installation with parts, price of sub excluded?

Br,

Daniel

The sub I got was the Audison 10" Active (400w) as I wanted to keep things as simple as possible.
https://www.audison.eu/products/apbx-10-as2/

Total was £1,723 (INC UK VAT)
Hertz Mille Pro Tweeters £120
Hertz Mille Pro Midrange speakers £160
Hertz Mille Pro Xover £70
BMW midrange adaptors £40
BMW Door speaker connector & speaker cable £25
Audison Prima Centre speaker £165
Basic sound deadening £30
Audison Prima 10" Active subwoofer system £530
Connection Power / Earth cable / terminals / Fuse / Fuse Holder £100
Connection SLi 2 interface £60
Connection speaker cable £15
Connection RCA £15
Installation Of Front speakers / Subwoofer £393

Hope that helps.

At least I may be able to use a lot of the hardware in my next vehicle or trade the sub in against an amp etc.

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

The sub I got was the Audison 10" Active (400w) as I wanted to keep things as simple as possible.
https://www.audison.eu/products/apbx-10-as2/

Total was £1,723 (INC UK VAT)
Hertz Mille Pro Tweeters £120
Hertz Mille Pro Midrange speakers £160
Hertz Mille Pro Xover £70
BMW midrange adaptors £40
BMW Door speaker connector & speaker cable £25
Audison Prima Centre speaker £165
Basic sound deadening £30
Audison Prima 10" Active subwoofer system £530
Connection Power / Earth cable / terminals / Fuse / Fuse Holder £100
Connection SLi 2 interface £60
Connection speaker cable £15
Connection RCA £15
Installation Of Front speakers / Subwoofer £393

Hope that helps.

At least I may be able to use a lot of the hardware in my next vehicle or trade the sub in against an amp etc.

Hi!

Do you know how they got 12v to the sub? From the engine bay?
:S

[keninuk]

Originally Posted by dazzin

Hi!

Do you know how they got 12v to the sub? From the engine bay?
:S

I don't know to be honest, but I have left a message for the installer to give me a call back. He was pretty busy when I called, so if I don't hear anything back today then I will drop him an email tomorrow to see if I can get an answer for you.

Emailed the installer today and as it was 12 months ago he can't remember off hand and hasn't done an iX3 since. He thinks it could have been from the fuse box/power distribution rather than the battery.

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

I don't know to be honest, but I have left a message for the installer to give me a call back. He was pretty busy when I called, so if I don't hear anything back today then I will drop him an email tomorrow to see if I can get an answer for you.

Wow! Great! Thank you. 👍👍😀

[keninuk]

Originally Posted by dazzin

Wow! Great! Thank you. 👍👍😀

I updated my post but I think you might have just missed it. No definitive answer I am afraid.

Emailed the installer today and as it was 12 months ago he can't remember off hand and hasn't done an iX3 since. He thinks it could have been from the fuse box/power distribution rather than the battery.

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

I updated my post but I think you might have just missed it. No definitive answer I am afraid.

Emailed the installer today and as it was 12 months ago he can't remember off hand and hasn't done an iX3 since. He thinks it could have been from the fuse box/power distribution rather than the battery.

Ah to bad.

I wonder if the power line to the fuse box can handle another 30A? 😬I guess a dedicated 12v is the best solution.

[keninuk]

Originally Posted by dazzin

Ah to bad.

I wonder if the power line to the fuse box can handle another 30A? 😬I guess a dedicated 12v is the best solution.

The sub has a 30A fuse so this will be the maximum additional current. I would imagine given the number of 20, 30 and 40 amp fuses already in the rear fuse box that the wiring can take it and I haven't noticed any burning smells over the last 12 months!

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

The sub has a 30A fuse so this will be the maximum additional current. I would imagine given the number of 20, 30 and 40 amp fuses already in the rear fuse box that the wiring can take it and I haven't noticed any burning smells over the last 12 months!

I finally installed a sub in the boot. But I'm still not happy with the sound.it sounds like a kitchen radio with a sub. Haha

I've ordered Focal front system, and I will order Focal under seat subs. I hope this will sort it out. Mid bass/ bass I terrible. Sub is only good for some kind of music. If you listen to pop and punchy bass the sub won't do the trick.

Did you replace the under seat subs?

Match 10DSP would be great but I won't put that amount of money into the car. Hehe

[keninuk]

Originally Posted by dazzin

I finally installed a sub in the boot. But I'm still not happy with the sound.it sounds like a kitchen radio with a sub. Haha

I've ordered Focal front system, and I will order Focal under seat subs. I hope this will sort it out. Mid bass/ bass I terrible. Sub is only good for some kind of music. If you listen to pop and punchy bass the sub won't do the trick.

Did you replace the under seat subs?

Match 10DSP would be great but I won't put that amount of money into the car. Hehe

Not sure what sub you have installed but I am pretty pleased with mine and I just leave it at 50% on the cabled remote that was installed in the flip out dash compartment which also holds my charging cards.

The equipment I changed/added is all in #9. I did not change the under seat speakers. I read quite a bit on other forums about the performance of the under seat speakers and as I was keeping the existing amp I could not justify the effort and cost involved for what may provide no noticeable improvement.

[dazzin]

Originally Posted by keninuk

Not sure what sub you have installed but I am pretty pleased with mine and I just leave it at 50% on the cabled remote that was installed in the flip out dash compartment which also holds my charging cards.

The equipment I changed/added is all in #9. I did not change the under seat speakers. I read quite a bit on other forums about the performance of the under seat speakers and as I was keeping the existing amp I could not justify the effort and cost involved for what may provide no noticeable improvement.

It's more like lack of upper bass / mid bass. Not Sub Bass.And that's the under seat woofers.
Sub is DLS Nordica 10i with Alpine mono amp A60, 600w @2ohm

Sub is great for sub frequencies like rap and other tracks which benefits from 30-80Hz.

My Apple HomePod delivers more punchy bass than the under seat ones

[DPlover]

Originally Posted by dazzin

Hi!

Do you know how they got 12v to the sub? From the engine bay?
:S

It seems that those who want to add an amplifier to the iX3, the 12v power cable should be connected to the fuse box in the trunk. There is a red cable with a plastic cover protecting it.

[DPlover]

My iX3 M Sport model has Harman Kardan loudspeakers (12 altogether) and a RAM module. For the first phase, I am seriously considering adding a DSP+amplifier e.g. Match UP8DSP which comes with relevant harnesses, claimed to be plug-and-play by attaching it to the RAM module. But to draw power from the 12v battery, I need to run a cable from the fuse box on the right side of the trunk to the left side where the RAM is located. This includes, disconnecting the high voltage from the low voltage(a small rectangular device) , removing the relevant panels and plastic storage bins. Too bad the iX3 is not available in the States or else there should be more info being shared by DIYers. Besides, there is the warranty issue to be considered. When the car is being serviced by the local dealer, the added amp is easily spotted.