Is It Just My Harman Kardon System Thats Hopeless ?

nickpscott · 4th July 2012, 21:30

I have the full H K Speaker upgrade in my car with the original Symphony radio and CD Multichanger.

The problem I find is my system cant handle any kind of Bass whatsoever, I cant turn it up into the + range on the headunit and has to stay at 0 or go into a minus figure to stop any distortion, are they all this rubbish ?

Is there perhaps a separate Bass control on the Amp in the boot ? Ive had a look but cant see anything.

Many Thanks !

STUBIE · 4th July 2012, 22:01

Got mine set about +2 or +3 which is plenty bass anymore and I wouold get bass boom.

Stubs

dissy1810 · 5th July 2012, 08:23

I have the harmon kardon speakers in my car powered by an aftermarket kenwood stereo and a fusion amp to power the sub all of the door speakers were great but the boot sub speakers were poor and couldn't handle bass so I replaced them with these and the sound is great now

Attachment 15069

Canonite · 5th July 2012, 08:54

Mines great. The HK system was designed and refined to match the natural acoustics of the cars interior. Leaving all the levels flat should deliver a nice heavy bass while still retaining the mid range clout and the clarity and detail of the higher frequencies.

Increasing the levels only amplifies the signal, which is already amplified by the head unit and then amplified again by the supplied processor they call the amplifier.

Before I completed my retrofit I had the subwoofer just laid in the boot, but since I moved it into it's secured position I have noticed a slight loss in the weight of the lower frequencies. Even so it is still quite capable.

Simon.h · 11th July 2012, 13:45

I fitted the full Harman Kardon set up (bass box, amp, and all speakers) to my 190 and it was rubbish! The radio in the transit at work has more bass!

I then removed all of it and replaced it with a Vibe A1 800 watt amp powering Ground Zero component speakers in front door and Kenwood component speakers in rear doors (all mounted on MDF mounts and still looks as factory set up) and a Vibe A7 1300 watt amp powering a Ground Zero 400 watt sub in boot and now im happy with it!

Leyland Worldmaster · 11th July 2012, 16:06

Is there a how to on fitting it? Ive got the HK coming soon and would like to know what goes into fitting it all! Cannot wait! Sorry to hijack but you guys have obviously got tips and hints! Regards, Stu :-)

coolcat · 14th July 2012, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard680

Is there a how to on fitting it? Ive got the HK coming soon and would like to know what goes into fitting it all! Cannot wait! Sorry to hijack but you guys have obviously got tips and hints! Regards, Stu :-)

Hi Stu,
If you need a hand fitting it all give me a shout Sir, will be glad to help

Crezzer · 14th July 2012, 11:36

I've got the hk in my car and its **** with the radio but pretty good with a cd, I've had the amp upgrade that a lot of E46 owners do and it made it a bit better. Wouldnt bother retrofitting it though.

Leyland Worldmaster · 14th July 2012, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolcat

Hi Stu,
If you need a hand fitting it all give me a shout Sir, will be glad to help

Thankyou very much Jeff! Naturally there would be a meal as thanks and cat treats for the pusscats!

Jakg · 14th July 2012, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canonite

Mines great. The HK system was designed and refined to match the natural acoustics of the cars interior

I don't think it is - very few "audio upgrades" are ever tuned for the acoustics of the interior

4th July 2012, 21:30	#1
nickpscott Regular poster MG ZT+ 190 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Torquay Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is It Just My Harman Kardon System Thats Hopeless ? I have the full H K Speaker upgrade in my car with the original Symphony radio and CD Multichanger. The problem I find is my system cant handle any kind of Bass whatsoever, I cant turn it up into the + range on the headunit and has to stay at 0 or go into a minus figure to stop any distortion, are they all this rubbish ? Is there perhaps a separate Bass control on the Amp in the boot ? Ive had a look but cant see anything. Many Thanks ! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

5th July 2012, 08:23	#3
dissy1810 Posted a thing or two mgzt 160 1.8 lpg Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: newcastle upon tyne Posts: 1,973 Thanks: 5 Thanked 72 Times in 64 Posts	I have the harmon kardon speakers in my car powered by an aftermarket kenwood stereo and a fusion amp to power the sub all of the door speakers were great but the boot sub speakers were poor and couldn't handle bass so I replaced them with these and the sound is great now Attachment 15069 __________________ http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/...0/Photo389.jpg Last edited by dissy1810; 8th August 2013 at 18:14..

11th July 2012, 13:45	#5
Simon.h This is my second home Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Calne Posts: 4,531 Thanks: 8 Thanked 116 Times in 108 Posts	I fitted the full Harman Kardon set up (bass box, amp, and all speakers) to my 190 and it was rubbish! The radio in the transit at work has more bass! I then removed all of it and replaced it with a Vibe A1 800 watt amp powering Ground Zero component speakers in front door and Kenwood component speakers in rear doors (all mounted on MDF mounts and still looks as factory set up) and a Vibe A7 1300 watt amp powering a Ground Zero 400 watt sub in boot and now im happy with it! __________________ Previously owned- MG ZT V6 160 Y plate Lpg, MG ZT 190 2003 In Rare Celestial Factory Ordered Lpg MG ZT 190 2004 lpg

11th July 2012, 16:06	#6
Leyland Worldmaster This is my second home Audi A2 1.4TDI Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Avec the Penguins! Posts: 11,469 Thanks: 3,355 Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,057 Posts	Is there a how to on fitting it? Ive got the HK coming soon and would like to know what goes into fitting it all! Cannot wait! Sorry to hijack but you guys have obviously got tips and hints! Regards, Stu :-) __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 🏓

4th July 2012, 22:01	#2
STUBIE This is my second home Back in a Rover Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 4,926 Thanks: 131 Thanked 357 Times in 261 Posts	Got mine set about +2 or +3 which is plenty bass anymore and I wouold get bass boom. Stubs

5th July 2012, 08:54	#4
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	Mines great. The HK system was designed and refined to match the natural acoustics of the cars interior. Leaving all the levels flat should deliver a nice heavy bass while still retaining the mid range clout and the clarity and detail of the higher frequencies. Increasing the levels only amplifies the signal, which is already amplified by the head unit and then amplified again by the supplied processor they call the amplifier. Before I completed my retrofit I had the subwoofer just laid in the boot, but since I moved it into it's secured position I have noticed a slight loss in the weight of the lower frequencies. Even so it is still quite capable.

14th July 2012, 11:36	#8
Crezzer Regular poster Jaguar STR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've got the hk in my car and its **** with the radio but pretty good with a cd, I've had the amp upgrade that a lot of E46 owners do and it made it a bit better. Wouldnt bother retrofitting it though.