Harmon Kardon sound system - Page 3

Lates · 18th December 2013, 08:32

Is the BM24 module compatible with HK Highline too or did I miss a bit ?

scoubix · 18th December 2013, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

I have to disagree with you here Nicolas. I have fitted HK door speakers (with no additional amplification) and retained the original Philips high-line receiver. The improvement in sound quality was marked, with decent bass and much crisper h.f. with a huge reduction in distortion. To get most benefit though you have to listen at quite high volume since this receiver doesn't appear to have its 'loudness' circuit activated (as has been found to be the case with the Harmony radios and possibly the Symphony too).

Simon

OK I stand corrected then

But your statement also proves that the HK speakers are an improvement over the standard ones, no matter what the amp is. So I might put those on my "improvement to-do" list

sytneraudi10 · 18th December 2013, 08:50

Well my 75 has factory HK and highline and I tested the BM24 on it but I did get a slight distortion so put the old Philips one back in as I did plan for BM24 to be fitted to the ZT which does not havr the HK setup.

I could have the wrong HK amp in the 75 as the sticker is missing so dom't have a part number for it.

Lates · 18th December 2013, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by sytneraudi10

Well my 75 has factory HK and highline and I tested the BM24 on it but I did get a slight distortion so put the old Philips one back in as I did plan for BM24 to be fitted to the ZT which does not havr the HK setup.

I could have the wrong HK amp in the 75 as the sticker is missing so dom't have a part number for it.

Cool, the prices for this unit is kerchingingly pricey

SD1too · 18th December 2013, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoubix

... your statement also proves that the HK speakers are an improvement over the standard ones, no matter what the amp is.

Indeed it does!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sytneraudi10

... my 75 has factory HK ... and I tested the BM24 on it but I did get a slight distortion ...

Dave,

The problem with the HK power amplifier is that it takes its input from the loudspeaker outputs of the existing receiver. This is bad design practice because distortion levels are always higher in the output stages, and these are passed on to the HK accessory and amplified further. It's very much a bolt-on accessory.

What MGR should have specified was a pre-amp output from the receiver and more sensitive input stages on the HK. That is well-known professional practice but more expensive to achieve.

Simon

lovema75 · 18th December 2013, 12:08

I have the bog standard setup with basic Harmony (

If anyone want to take pity on me and send me a Symphony, I will send you a tear-stained tissue by way of thanks, all donations gratefully received...)

My last SE had the full Harmon kardon kit. While the sound was nice, it wasnt blow-me-away nice, in fact there is not as vast a gulf between Harmony and HK as you would imagine. I think I would have been rather disappointed if I'd specified it as a new option.

Avulon · 18th December 2013, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidetops

Thanks very much. Most BM24's seems to be around £100 on everyones favourite auction site, is that about right?

I'm blaming Phil-T4 for letting me audition his bm24 (albeit with HK as well), I've now got one (bm24) heading my way from "everyone's favourite auction site" (regardless of what swmbo said last time something came for the car!).

I would however lookout for sellers with 'best offer', you should be able to half that price you quote.

As far as sound goes, with my limited experience of old cheap secondhand cars the sound in the 75 with highline has been the best I've ever owned, but yes, the bass is full up, but doesn't quite reach the level I'm looking for, also I'm hoping that the bm24 will have more clarity in the mids and highs as well. Or should I just get an inverter and stick my cambridge audio amp and tannoys in the car?

SD1too · 18th December 2013, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovema75

I have the bog standard setup with basic Harmony ...

David,

The German 75/ZT enthusiasts can connect your Harmony's built-in 'loudness' circuit and make it sound much better. They demonstrated it to me at Longbridge several years ago, and there's a website somewhere.

Simon

sytneraudi10 · 18th December 2013, 12:17

The BM24 transformed by ZT. I might even fit the HK sup and power it with a small amp on its own.

Im sure you will be anothet BM convert when its fitted.

lovema75 · 18th December 2013, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

David,

The German 75/ZT enthusiasts can connect your Harmony's built-in 'loudness' circuit and make it sound much better. They demonstrated it to me at Longbridge several years ago, and there's a website somewhere.

Simon

Bbbbut the Symphony look much better...

...I will trawlaround the net and se if I can find anythingout about that, although I'm usually hopeless at searching for that kind of thing.

18th December 2013, 08:32	#21
Lates This is my second home Jaguar XE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,321 Thanks: 56 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	Is the BM24 module compatible with HK Highline too or did I miss a bit ? Last edited by Lates; 18th December 2013 at 08:36..

18th December 2013, 12:08	#26
lovema75 This is my second home 75 Tourer CDT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Enfield Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 63 Thanked 431 Times in 237 Posts	I have the bog standard setup with basic Harmony ( If anyone want to take pity on me and send me a Symphony, I will send you a tear-stained tissue by way of thanks, all donations gratefully received...) My last SE had the full Harmon kardon kit. While the sound was nice, it wasnt blow-me-away nice, in fact there is not as vast a gulf between Harmony and HK as you would imagine. I think I would have been rather disappointed if I'd specified it as a new option. Last edited by lovema75; 18th December 2013 at 12:12..

18th December 2013, 08:50	#23
sytneraudi10 Banned Rover 75 Jap Spec V6, MG ZT 1.8T 160 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 333 Thanks: 10 Thanked 33 Times in 33 Posts	Well my 75 has factory HK and highline and I tested the BM24 on it but I did get a slight distortion so put the old Philips one back in as I did plan for BM24 to be fitted to the ZT which does not havr the HK setup. I could have the wrong HK amp in the 75 as the sticker is missing so dom't have a part number for it.

18th December 2013, 12:17	#29
sytneraudi10 Banned Rover 75 Jap Spec V6, MG ZT 1.8T 160 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 333 Thanks: 10 Thanked 33 Times in 33 Posts	The BM24 transformed by ZT. I might even fit the HK sup and power it with a small amp on its own. Im sure you will be anothet BM convert when its fitted.