10-26-2014, 02:42 AM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 33
Posts |
Harman Kardon vs Hifi
I owned a 3 series a few years ago and had the Hifi option. It sounded great. It had subwoofers in the chairs and had the best sound I ever had in a car.
Now I ordered an x4. The dealer didn't have a Harman Kardon or Hifi model to test, so I wasn't able to compare. I generally don't like surround options in cars because music just isn't made to be ilstened to in surround mode. So based on my prior experience I ordered the Hi-fi option. Now the dealer tells me the Hi-fi doesn't come with subwoofers in the X4, and he showed an X5 with Hi-fi option which did feature a center speaker (which seemed odd). So now I'm a little confused as to what I'm getting and/or whether I should get the HK option. (getting HK and turning off surround seems silly). Anyone have the 'regular' Hi-fi option and can comment on sound quality? |
10-26-2014, 11:23 AM | #2 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
I will check my car for the subwoofers it must have for the sound is awesome and bass is banging, best sound ever in any car. I will never skimp of the HIFI option ever again, I am no audiophile dunno how much better the HK can be.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-27-2014, 02:20 PM | #3 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
Could not find the subwoofer yet it bangs like it does, if so they did a superb job then if it's not there, everyone knows when I arrive for my car drops the bass nicely.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-27-2014, 02:57 PM | #4 |
Second Lieutenant
46
Rep 260
Posts |
However you turn it, regular is pretty limited and HK is far better then the Hifi upgrade, regardless where the woofers are. If you hear it, you know it is better. It is not about the hardware, it is how it sounds......
Best extra money I even spend..... |
Appreciate
0
|
10-27-2014, 11:22 PM | #5 |
Private
11
Rep 78
Posts |
I have the HK package and there are 2 subs, One under each front seat. Sounds good! You'll be happy. I can tell the big difference from my 2012 X3 with Hifi Sound system.
Last edited by coolesnce; 10-29-2014 at 09:31 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-27-2014, 11:43 PM | #6 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
does your seat vibrate then? I notice the soundproofing on the X4 is waaaay better than the X3, maybe that why the HIFi sounds so good in Mine, super crisp, hear stuff couldn't hear before and off course that bass. I would love to hear the HK but no dealer i have been to has it on the demos to compare.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2014, 01:00 AM | #7 | |
Private
11
Rep 78
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2014, 10:27 AM | #9 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
I can confirm the HIFI option has 2 subwoofers under each seat, (no wonder why it's banging) didn't see them earlier for I had looked at night. Have pics can't attach due to size and don't have ipad app to do that, maybe tomorrow when on a PC.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-31-2014, 04:42 AM | #11 |
Major
273
Rep 1,418
Posts |
I have premium hifi in x3, not so good. HK in x5 sounds great. Note same HK in x3/4/5.
Should sound better in larger vehicle. I definitely would get hk. 2 woofers in x4 http://www.harmankardon.com/estore/h...p?id=bmw-x1-us |
Appreciate
0
|
10-31-2014, 06:30 AM | #12 | |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
Quote:
However from BMW the X4 with the HIFI is 9 speakers, 205 watts, HK is 16 speakers 600 watts both with separate Amplifiers. HK must be way better on specs alone for 3 times the cost. Still happy with my HIFI more than I expected. Last edited by Bimar; 10-31-2014 at 11:13 PM.. Reason: Added BMW specs |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-01-2014, 02:58 AM | #13 |
IG @bmwF9xG80
3859
Rep 7,614
Posts
Drives: G80 M3, X4M, G07 X7m50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC to NJ to Orlando FL
|
I need to upgrade my Premium Hi-Fi then because the bass definitely hits weak.
My 2006 Cadillac had 15 speakers from Bose w/ 400watts
__________________
60-130 6.5s X4M
60-130 5.04s G80 M3 Stock Turbo 60-130 4.82s | 9.4@148mph 1/4 Hybrids IG: @bmwF9XG80 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-01-2014, 05:36 AM | #14 | |
Major
273
Rep 1,418
Posts |
Quote:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...m_professional Sounds are purely personal preference. With HK I, hear better soundstage, and clarity. I wish I had HK in X3. Perhaps next visit to dealer bring your tunes for a blast & compare. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-01-2014, 06:11 AM | #15 | |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2014, 06:36 AM | #16 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
so today i got to experience the HK in an Msport X4, I can tell without a doubt it did not sound better than my HIFI at least for R&B music on the same song. The bass was equal on max settings and wasn't more crisp on the highs and could not hear the 16 speakers difference seated in the front seats on the HK vs the 11 on my HIFI except in surround mode and ability to adjust the EQ. I understand the HIFI is actually made by HK but would like to independently verify that. Funny enough there was a Bang and Olufsen X5 and the sound was not as good as the HK, was surprised the bass was weak in Max mode, maybe acoustics of the bigger car?
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2014, 07:21 AM | #17 | |
IG @bmwF9xG80
3859
Rep 7,614
Posts
Drives: G80 M3, X4M, G07 X7m50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC to NJ to Orlando FL
|
Quote:
__________________
60-130 6.5s X4M
60-130 5.04s G80 M3 Stock Turbo 60-130 4.82s | 9.4@148mph 1/4 Hybrids IG: @bmwF9XG80 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2014, 10:09 AM | #18 | |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
Quote:
Interesting perspective here on B&O -->> http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=685197 Last edited by Bimar; 11-18-2014 at 01:11 PM.. Reason: Added B&O M5 thread discussion |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-19-2014, 09:01 PM | #20 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2014, 01:09 AM | #21 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 33
Posts |
X4 20i (will be chiptuned to 28i specs) xline, sapphire black, executive upgrade (nav etc), driving assistant plus, extended lighting package. (The packages vary from country to country), hifi, tinted windows, park distance control.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2014, 01:29 AM | #22 |
Colonel
809
Rep 2,599
Posts |
looks good hope you got comfort access and Surround cameras too in your executive upgrade. Which chip will you use?
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
audio, harman kardon, hifi, sound, sound system |
|
|