[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by NurseBen

I opted for the Harmon/Kardon system with the 16 speakers. It is theatre quality sound and true 7.1 surround. It was money well spent I can attest to that! I am ALWAYS having people compliment the sound quality that this thing produces. Clear as a bell and deep.

You are also driving an older X3 before they cheapened the speakers and amp for HK. As discussed on this thread, the current HK is not near as good as previous models with HK.

[ASAP]

further and further listening of the HK radio just proves to me how bad it is... again, i think something was switched in 23... i can't find specs or details on this stereo anywhere but there is no bass or response that would be appropriate of a 70K car... i think this is my biggest gripe with this car... love everything else

where is the world are these underseat woofers lol?

[ASAP]

From the below 2 screenshots... can someone explain to me who the one that is full of shit is? Is it BMW or HK? dunooo

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

From the below 2 screenshots... can someone explain to me who the one that is full of shit is? Is it BMW or HK? dunooo

BMW UK is stating 464w on current X3 HF offering -

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by avi66

BMW UK is stating 464w on current X3 HF offering -

no doubt... its a 464W system... it definitely doesn't seem to have the power of a 600W one... I think BMWs website gets another fail for false marketing

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ASAP

. I think BMWs website gets another fail for false marketing

It’s not just BMW lol

[ASAP]

oh jesus christ lmao...

i wonder if the system was revised from 600W to 464W and all of the literature wasn't updated

[jsh139]

600 watts peak, 464 watts RMS maybe?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by jsh139

600 watts peak, 464 watts RMS maybe?

I am not sure... all I know is the so called underseat woofers are barely felt even on a maxed bass setting... going to make a run to best buy tomorrow to see if they can ran a rear trunk underneath sub where the spare would usually go...

[earguy71]

Originally Posted by ProsperX3

I have an sDrive 30i on order (with M Sport and Premium Package) that is very close to going status 150, i.e, no changes allowed. My wife and I sat in a 2023 X3 in the showroom yesterday to listen to its std "HiFi" sound system. We were underwhelmed to say the least. It's shockingly bad. So now we're considering the HK option for (gulp) $875.00. To those of you who are familiar with the HK, my question is this. Does the HK system sound a whole lot better than the standard HiFi? And do you consider it worth the extra $875?

Yes it’s definitely worth the cost, unless you want to put well over 1500 to upgrade your current system. HK is far from an audiophile’s dream, however, far superior to the other option.

[Alias1431]

Originally Posted by ASAP

oh jesus christ lmao...

i wonder if the system was revised from 600W to 464W and all of the literature wasn't updated

This is exactly what happened.

[ASAP]

Had an interesting look today under the seats... the so called underseat woofers on the HK systems are laughable... they are tiny and even when bass is turned up the max using the highest quality FLAC USB audio source produce almost 0 bass... i am almost curious if they turned something down with the newer less powered amp or if the 2 woofers just really suck...

[satz]

Originally Posted by PhantomOpera

Definitely a matter of opinion.

exactly.

I tried Logic 7 on my HK system (2019 model). It initially gives a 'wider soundstage', but it also destroys any actual imaging. All instruments get too spread and not well focused. So I don't use it anymore.

My settings on the eq, done while listening during actual driving, I have the lowest one (200hz?) up a couple of notches, to account for road noise, and the highest one (10khz)? up one notch. The rest are flat.

[PhantomOpera]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Had an interesting look today under the seats... the so called underseat woofers on the HK systems are laughable... they are tiny and even when bass is turned up the max using the highest quality FLAC USB audio source produce almost 0 bass... i am almost curious if they turned something down with the newer less powered amp or if the 2 woofers just really suck...

I find my 2023 hk system to be excellent. I have no distortion in bass all the way up though I rarely crank past halfway mark.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by PhantomOpera

I find my 2023 hk system to be excellent. I have no distortion in bass all the way up though I rarely crank past halfway mark.

I 100% agree with you that there is no bass distortion... because there is no bass

[Gritty]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Had an interesting look today under the seats... the so called underseat woofers on the HK systems are laughable... they are tiny and even when bass is turned up the max using the highest quality FLAC USB audio source produce almost 0 bass... i am almost curious if they turned something down with the newer less powered amp or if the 2 woofers just really suck...

I'll have the base system and will probably need to change everything. The audio guy I'm working with recommended that i change the amp first - then the subs - then the speakers. On the HK it's the subs first and then the speakers. I had a 2019 X4 with HK and didn't need to change anything...what happened?

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Gritty

I'll have the base system and will probably need to change everything. The audio guy I'm working with recommended that i change the amp first - then the subs - then the speakers. On the HK it's the subs first and then the speakers. I had a 2019 X4 with HK and didn't need to change anything...what happened?

i think the system was revised from a 600 W to 460 W system and the speakers were cheapened out on

[Danny62217]

Originally Posted by PhantomOpera

I find my 2023 hk system to be excellent. I have no distortion in bass all the way up though I rarely crank past halfway mark.

Something is definitely wrong with mine. Sounds distorted with bass at 0 and I have to crank it at least 75%

[PhantomOpera]

Originally Posted by Danny62217

Something is definitely wrong with mine. Sounds distorted with bass at 0 and I have to crank it at least 75%

I apologize. Bass is at its maximum setting and I've never turned the volume above 50%. Though when u turn the surround up to its maximum setting the bass is automatically diverted to the subs. I've found if you turn the surround logic off, bass will come out of each individual speaker and might cause distortion.

[champ306]

the HK system leaves you feeling a bit jipped. it is just ok. Nothing that makes you say, damn, I love it. the base system is not worthy of being in a BMW, or car that cost this much. just my opinion.

[Danny62217]

I’m currently in a 2019 loaner with HiFi and it sounds less distorted. I feel very jipped

[cls49bmw]

Originally Posted by PhantomOpera

I apologize. Bass is at its maximum setting and I've never turned the volume above 50%. Though when u turn the surround up to its maximum setting the bass is automatically diverted to the subs. I've found if you turn the surround logic off, bass will come out of each individual speaker and might cause distortion.

I've taken your advice on HK settings. I'm very pleased with the results. Thanks!