[Kinsella]

Let's face it, the HK system isn't all that it's made out to be. I've had HK systems on two Subarus leading up to my m40i. All three of these systems have been drastically different experiences. I've read many posts on how to optimize this BMW system and have incorporated some of them into my recommendations:

1. Disconnect the center dash channel. This speaker makes limited sense in a car. If you were watching a movie, sure. But you're not. Most music is made in two-channel stereo. Get a trim tool. You'll need a phillips-head screwdriver and a torx screwdriver set as well. Just pull the plug, use electrical tape to secure the wire to keep it from rattling and then put it back together in reverse. The audio will sound much cleaner without it.

2. Turn off the Logic 7 surround gimmick. This option reminds me of a baker trying to put a sweet candy coating over a stale cupcake. These things are going to only become more common. The goal here is to make substandard speakers sound better than they really are by tricking your ears. From an technical audio standpoint it creates phasing issues and low-end distortion. Additionally, the changes to the stereo field are not what the artist intended. Disable it.

3. In the EQ, trim -2 or -3 off the 200Hz and -1 off the 500hz to get rid of a bit mud. +1 to the connected treble slider for a bit of sparkle. Keep the connected bass slider about neutral.

4. Balance the sound +2 right (toward the passenger seat). In a recording studio, one would have two audio monitors front right/left creating a triangular relationship with the listener. In the car, we're too close to the left. Offset the sound with the balance slider to the right to create a better stereo relationship.

5. Code off the Active Sound Design. Even at highway cruising in eco pro it introduces low-end drone through your speakers. This is intentionally adding mud to your audio. One of the first lessons of Music Production 101 is to filter out unwanted low frequencies to clean up your sound. This car intentionally adds them. Why? You don't need fake engine noise. The car sounds great without it. To code I use an ODBLink MX+ and my iPhone. It's easy.

5. Create a hotkey out of one of the dash buttons to get directly to the Sound settings. This allows me to rapidly tune to taste on the fly without much searching. I routinely set the balance back to center when I have a passenger. The hotkey makes this very easy.

I'm much happier with the sound now than I was for the first couple months of ownership with these changes.

I had considered upgrading the tweeters and midrange to the Bavsound kit. However, that plan is now on hold.

Many of these concepts will likely apply to the non-HK equipped cars as well.

Hope everyone is having a good day..

Kinsella

[Lady Jane]

I never understood the need to spend lots of money in the worse musical environment. I have the HK and don't worry too much about fidelity. That's why I have a great home system. ♪♫♪♫

Good post.

[TX3M]

Great post, thanks for sharing! Personally, I've tried it both ways and think the HK sounds better with the Logic 7 surround on (assuming the EQ and balance settings are adjusted accordingly).

[satz]

not sure about disconnecting the centre-dash speaker. Wouldn't you then lose whatever signal was being sent to that speaker? The amp wouldn't automatically redirect that centre signal to the front left and right speakers.

I find the system sounds better with Logic 7 switched on. I've tried with and without for extended periods, especially while actually driving (with road and engine noise for example).

[rob175]

LOL....I'll stick with my X3's Standard radio because with the windows down and the roof open and moving along, there's little difference. IF I wanted great sound, I'd stay ho,e and listen to my stereo.....maybe put the extra money saved from not buying the HK and spend it in on my home system.

[Kinsella]

Originally Posted by satz

not sure about disconnecting the centre-dash speaker. Wouldn't you then lose whatever signal was being sent to that speaker? The amp wouldn't automatically redirect that centre signal to the front left and right speakers.

I find the system sounds better with Logic 7 switched on. I've tried with and without for extended periods, especially while actually driving (with road and engine noise for example).

The center signal doesn't usually exist. The DSP is creating it. Most music is two-channel stereo. If you're listening to music that's programmed in 5.1 surround, for instance, you'd be missing something, but this is rare. The center channel is basically a blend of the right and left, it creates mud and problems with with the stereo image.

[VBdiver]

That sounds very interesting to disconnect the center . It is very annoying . Reminds of my parents 1962 chevy with a single speaker in dash .
I have the non HK stereo . Maybe I'll give it a shot without .
Have been contemplating the Bav sound door speakers & subwoofers but that's a lot of money for a possible lack luster upgrade . I don't think there is an amp for the 2018 ? Doesn't show available on their web page.

[75fusca]

Thank you for this great detailed post!
As for the centre speaker, I noticed that my phone audio comes out from it... wouldn't I risk having an issue with my phone calls?

[gugin]

Originally Posted by Kinsella

4. Balance the sound +2 right (toward the passenger seat). In a recording studio, one would have two audio monitors front right/left creating a triangular relationship with the listener. In the car, we're too close to the left. Offset the sound with the balance slider to the right to create a better stereo relationship.
Kinsella

I find this step counterintuitive. I always thought that the center dot of the balance/fader sliders indicates the location of the "sweet spot." Shouldn't you balance the sound -2 toward the driver seat rather than away from the driver. Do you know if the balance slider merely changes the relative volume of the left and right speakers or does it delay the signal from one speaker relative to the other, which is what we really want to make sure that sound waves recoded in sync hit our ears at the same time.

[383vett]

Nice post. Thanks.

[mvadim]

Man, thx for the post really helpful!

[GS - X3]

There was a link in one of the many threads regarding the Harman Kardon system that had the folks from Harman Kardon actually explaining how they develop specific systems for each vehicle. Although a lot of what they had to say was of little interest to me, the one statement that really struck me was when it was mentioned that BMW imposes strict guidelines for the total weight of the system. Really? How do you design proper speakers when you are limited to how much they weigh? As soon as I heard that comment, everything made sense to me as to how a renowned Manufacturer could come up with such a weak product. A well regarded aftermarket mobile stereo equipment installer told me that the best way to really improve the X3 is to add a dedicated 10” subwoofer and amplifier in the luggage compartment. Not exactly cheap at around $750 installed, but in line with the cost of premium sound systems from other luxury Manufacturers.

Short of shelling out that kind of money, I absolutely agree that the first thing to do is to disable the synthesized engine sounds from the cabin. I personally think that all of the other suggestions made by the OP are more subjective in nature.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by satz

not sure about disconnecting the centre-dash speaker. Wouldn't you then lose whatever signal was being sent to that speaker? The amp wouldn't automatically redirect that centre signal to the front left and right speakers.

I find the system sounds better with Logic 7 switched on. I've tried with and without for extended periods, especially while actually driving (with road and engine noise for example).

It's been discussed in other threads that the sound is better with Logic 7 enabled. That said it's a personal thing and the OP obviously is looking for a specific sound that resonates better to his ears. I do agree that some of EQ bands need to be flat or below to get optimal sound. You see way too many people crank up the bands when most of them should be set near flat levels for best audio reproduction.

[RLSinCO]

I always laugh a bit to myself when friends go through such lengths to fine tune their car audio...when mostly their source is their phone.

I then ask them "What EQ profile is your phone set to", which is usually met with a "Hunh"?

Once we see that their phone either doesn't have an EQ set (i.e. "Flat" from factory default" or something like "Classical" is set when they listen mostly to rock, it changes everything.

In other words, there are so many variables when tuning audio to your preferences that it is almost pointless to make recommendations like the OP without including all this kind of information.

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by Kinsella

4. Balance the sound +2 right (toward the passenger seat).

Ohhhh you darn selfish left hand drivers ;-)

Right hand drive rules man :-2

[Kinsella]

Originally Posted by RLSinCO

I always laugh a bit to myself when friends go through such lengths to fine tune their car audio...when mostly their source is their phone.

I then ask them "What EQ profile is your phone set to", which is usually met with a "Hunh"?

Once we see that their phone either doesn't have an EQ set (i.e. "Flat" from factory default" or something like "Classical" is set when they listen mostly to rock, it changes everything.

In other words, there are so many variables when tuning audio to your preferences that it is almost pointless to make recommendations like the OP without including all this kind of information.

Good point. I use either lossless files through a USB memory stick which will not have any pre-car EQ or Spotify on highest quality settings with a flat, neutral EQ.

[Kinsella]

Originally Posted by gugin

I find this step counterintuitive. I always thought that the center dot of the balance/fader sliders indicates the location of the "sweet spot." Shouldn't you balance the sound -2 toward the driver seat rather than away from the driver. Do you know if the balance slider merely changes the relative volume of the left and right speakers or does it delay the signal from one speaker relative to the other, which is what we really want to make sure that sound waves recoded in sync hit our ears at the same time.

Good question. I am not sure about the design of the sweet spot dot. However, I don't notice any unpleasant delay effects when balancing away from me slightly to the right. I believe it's likely just relative volume. I'm not sure which side of the slider by memory has the positive and negative numbers. So, to prevent ambiguity, it looks like this [---------|-*-------] with the asterisks being the desired setting. This is basically done by ear, adjusting the slider and listening for when the sound is evenly loud from both directions rather than overpowering from your driver door. Closing your eyes helps.

Obviously opposite for folk in the UK, Australia, Japan, etc.

[Kinsella]

Originally Posted by 75fusca

Thank you for this great detailed post!
As for the centre speaker, I noticed that my phone audio comes out from it... wouldn't I risk having an issue with my phone calls?

Still works fine.

[Kinsella]

Another thing that I believe that I've noticed but cannot confirm is that when the center channel was disconnected, it felt as though I was getting better output from the rest of the connected speakers. It felt as though the amp then had more a bit more resources with which to drive the other speakers. Anyone know enough about amp design and utilization to confirm or deny this hypothesis?

[Scottatah]

I don’t know how some of you survive without a solid stereo that sounds reasonable up louder. To me, being able to crank the stereo and have it still sound fairly reasonable is part of my driving experience. That’s generally the reason I prefer to drive alone than with passengers. Don’t have to listen to anyone else complaining about the music, the volume or my driving (should I do something less smart).

Then again, I put a lot of effort into having reasonable stereos everywhere I go (car, office, headphones, home theatre, bedroom, still trying to figure out the bathroom).

Good work to OP for enabling others to best enjoy their out of box listening experience.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by RLSinCO

I always laugh a bit to myself when friends go through such lengths to fine tune their car audio...when mostly their source is their phone.

I then ask them "What EQ profile is your phone set to", which is usually met with a "Hunh"?

Once we see that their phone either doesn't have an EQ set (i.e. "Flat" from factory default" or something like "Classical" is set when they listen mostly to rock, it changes everything.

In other words, there are so many variables when tuning audio to your preferences that it is almost pointless to make recommendations like the OP without including all this kind of information.

I value input to the forum and it is of huge value to read other members experiences and set-up preferences, however I have to agree one-size cannot fit all.

The minimum quality digital music files I play is 320kbps mp3 , I buy or rip tracks to this minimum standard and some of my tracks are flac (where I can tell the difference, not the majority). Many people simply do not understand that an mp3 track at 128 Kbps results in a file about 10% of the size to original CD, many/most dab radio and streaming services compress even higher and much mp3 bought at high cost will be around 192-256 Kbps. In short, poor quality input will never flatter a sound system. My music tastes have a wide range and the best set-up for rock will be different to folk and different again for classical. I doubt any recommendation having significant value unless one understands the type of music being enjoyed, however it is good food for thought and the posts are much appreciated. In the BMW systems, the speakers also need to wear in, many find it takes months. Finally, there is no doubt that HK build systems to a price, BMW will no doubt be trying to maximise profit, so the speakers whilst significantly better than the standard set-up (which is dire) are not the best, swapping out the two front door mid range units will make a big difference, as can swapping the two under seat bass units. BMW basic systems are imho some of the worst in the industry, it is sad that they are now scr**ing customers over quality on expensive options.

[MJE60]

Originally Posted by Kinsella

Another thing that I believe that I've noticed but cannot confirm is that when the center channel was disconnected, it felt as though I was getting better output from the rest of the connected speakers. It felt as though the amp then had more a bit more resources with which to drive the other speakers. Anyone know enough about amp design and utilization to confirm or deny this hypothesis?

Interesting, it may support view that the lower power amp is struggling, disconnecting dash would in theory help. If bass is dropping out over a certain volume this can also be a symptom of amp struggling with load. This point has been made by electronics geeks in other threads over the bimmerpost platform.