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      07-13-2019, 10:06 PM   #1
merkaba
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F15 with Harmon Kardon - Speaker Upgrade Worth It?

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I have a 2016 F15 35d with harmon kardon and am wondering if anyone has done either the bimmer tech or bavsound sub upgrade. They seem to only recommend the sub upgrades and nothing else. If anyone has done it...is it worth it? Any other additions that you would recommend outside of the subs only. My current system is just OK in my opinion. I was expecting a bit better from a premium harmon kardon setup.
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      07-13-2019, 10:38 PM   #2
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I got Bavsound sub. Bavsound sub alone not going to make a big difference especially vol below 50%.
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      07-13-2019, 10:47 PM   #3
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HK just ok? Really?
Have you messed with the equalizer at all?
What are you looking for? More bass? Treble?
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      07-13-2019, 11:17 PM   #4
merkaba
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
HK just ok? Really?
Have you messed with the equalizer at all?
What are you looking for? More bass? Treble?
I actually haven't messed with it too much at all. I was going to start looking for some settings to try out and see if i can improve it at all depending on how this post went. I am not necessarily looking for more of anything specific, but overall.
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      07-13-2019, 11:26 PM   #5
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I find the HK system to be very good. Coming from HK in Mercedes, this is MUCH better.
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      07-14-2019, 12:05 AM   #6
turboawd
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merkaba View Post
I actually haven't messed with it too much at all. I was going to start looking for some settings to try out and see if i can improve it at all depending on how this post went. I am not necessarily looking for more of anything specific, but overall.
Do you have logic7 turned on?
There's been threads here in the past with people adjusting the equalizer and being happier with the sound.
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      07-14-2019, 05:09 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merkaba View Post
I actually haven't messed with it too much at all. I was going to start looking for some settings to try out and see if i can improve it at all depending on how this post went. I am not necessarily looking for more of anything specific, but overall.
Making adjustments to the equalizer will make a BIG difference. Give it a try, and let us know if you hear an improvement.
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      07-14-2019, 11:41 AM   #8
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I was skeptical on upgrading HK speakers to BavSound
But, 3 years ago, I decided to give it a shot on my 650GC and was surprised.
Since then, I upgraded my G30 540i with HK to BavSound on the first week of ownership.
It is such a good improvement.
AFAIK, BMW HK use the same speakers as BMW HIFI, just different Amp.
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      07-14-2019, 01:06 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
I was skeptical on upgrading HK speakers to BavSound
But, 3 years ago, I decided to give it a shot on my 650GC and was surprised.
Since then, I upgraded my G30 540i with HK to BavSound on the first week of ownership.
It is such a good improvement.
AFAIK, BMW HK use the same speakers as BMW HIFI, just different Amp.
When you did the upgrade, did you also upgrade the amp in your car or did you just replace all speakers/subs?
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      07-14-2019, 02:51 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merkaba View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by r33_RGSport View Post
I was skeptical on upgrading HK speakers to BavSound
But, 3 years ago, I decided to give it a shot on my 650GC and was surprised.
Since then, I upgraded my G30 540i with HK to BavSound on the first week of ownership.
It is such a good improvement.
AFAIK, BMW HK use the same speakers as BMW HIFI, just different Amp.
When you did the upgrade, did you also upgrade the amp in your car or did you just replace all speakers/subs?
With HK, just the speakers are enough.
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      07-14-2019, 07:41 PM   #11
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I took the advice from above and played with my equalizer, a big improvement in sound quality!
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      07-14-2019, 10:23 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by merkaba View Post
I have a 2016 F15 35d with harmon kardon and am wondering if anyone has done either the bimmer tech or bavsound sub upgrade. They seem to only recommend the sub upgrades and nothing else. If anyone has done it...is it worth it? Any other additions that you would recommend outside of the subs only. My current system is just OK in my opinion. I was expecting a bit better from a premium harmon kardon setup.
Absolutely. I have a M3 with Hi End system and a F16 with a Harman Cardon, and it is a different experience. If you love music, I would say it is a must!
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      07-14-2019, 11:59 PM   #13
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The speaker upgrades without upgrading the amp is not worth the money. The oem amps for base, HK, and B&O are horrible for the price they cost.
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      07-15-2019, 02:12 PM   #14
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I am considering adding a sub (with dedicated amp) but am on the fence. I think the 8" subs in place now would serve as excellent mid-bass drivers but I am skeptical they can go low, especially with bmwx1sq's statement about the amp. I figured it was a bit under-powered for the whole system but didn't know if others felt that way.
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      07-17-2019, 11:16 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
Do you have logic7 turned on?
There's been threads here in the past with people adjusting the equalizer and being happier with the sound.
I adjusted my equalizer using some options provided on the forums but turn logic7 off which to me sounded better. I have HK, is it better to have Logic7 on and adjust equalizer then?
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      07-17-2019, 12:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MizikeTSK View Post
I adjusted my equalizer using some options provided on the forums but turn logic7 off which to me sounded better. I have HK, is it better to have Logic7 on and adjust equalizer then?
Logic7 on is better.

I had B&O previously and absolutely hate the HK system. Too much crackle at certain frequencies and very limited depth.
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      07-17-2019, 03:55 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sj22 View Post
Logic7 on is better.

I had B&O previously and absolutely hate the HK system. Too much crackle at certain frequencies and very limited depth.
ah good...i'm not the only one who thinks it's not that great. The equalizer changes did help, but i'm still not impressed.
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      07-17-2019, 04:23 PM   #18
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Your cheapest and probably the most efficient way is to add a separate sub 10-12" in the trunk. That's what I did and I love the sound now. I usually keep my equalizer flat and Logic 7 on.
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      07-17-2019, 04:38 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duercos View Post
Your cheapest and probably the most efficient way is to add a separate sub 10-12" in the trunk. That's what I did and I love the sound now. I usually keep my equalizer flat and Logic 7 on.
Thanks for this comment. I want to do the same and was hoping to hear from someone that actually did it. Now we will just have to see how long I can hold off before pulling the trigger.
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      07-17-2019, 04:46 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KCTiger View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by duercos View Post
Your cheapest and probably the most efficient way is to add a separate sub 10-12" in the trunk. That's what I did and I love the sound now. I usually keep my equalizer flat and Logic 7 on.
Thanks for this comment. I want to do the same and was hoping to hear from someone that actually did it. Now we will just have to see how long I can hold off before pulling the trigger.
The biggest problem I ran into was finding a good fit for the spare tire well as I didn't want to sacrifice my trunk space. So eventually, after switching 2 different subwoofers and 3 enclosures, I found a good combination
I've got 2 shallow mount 10" JL audio subs and slim qbox enclosures.
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      07-17-2019, 05:08 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duercos View Post
Your cheapest and probably the most efficient way is to add a separate sub 10-12" in the trunk. That's what I did and I love the sound now. I usually keep my equalizer flat and Logic 7 on.
That's what I did - sounds waaaay better. But, I like rock music so that is what the system was lacking for me.

For classical, better speakers and amps might be the ticket.
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      07-17-2019, 05:14 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spike5150 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by duercos View Post
Your cheapest and probably the most efficient way is to add a separate sub 10-12" in the trunk. That's what I did and I love the sound now. I usually keep my equalizer flat and Logic 7 on.
That's what I did - sounds waaaay better. But, I like rock music so that is what the system was lacking for me.

For classical, better speakers and amps might be the ticket.
I like hip-hop/rap who listens to classical in a beamer anyway ?!
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