01-15-2025, 10:20 AM | #1 |
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Audio upgrade from basic to Harman Kardon
Hello everybody
I have a G31 LCI and would like to upgrade from the basic to the Harman Kardon system. Has anyone done it? Where have you bought it? Is the improvement very noticeable? Thank you so much |
01-15-2025, 12:18 PM | #2 | |
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You'll also need to figure out what kind of sound signature you prefer. Otherwise, you might end up with something that technically sounds "better" but doesn't agree with your ears. Focal (brighter, more "detailed") and Morel (warmer, more "relaxed") are two well-known and liked speaker brands. What's your budget? |
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01-15-2025, 10:04 PM | #3 |
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I think there are two HK systems out there. One has 12 speakers and lower watt amp, the other is 16 speakers with higher watt (600W) amp. I have the 600w with 16 speaker surround sound. This 600 watt OEM system sounds extremely good. I pulled out the HK speakers and upgraded to Bavsound speakers. The system sounds fantastic.
To go from basic or high, you definitely should upgrade the amp and see if you can go the 16 speaker route: mid range and tweeter in all four doors (8), mid and tweeter on rear deck(4), mid range and teeeter (2) in center dash and bass under front seats (2). I still have my old HK speakers which I’ll sell in springtime. The right speaker placement, new amp, speakers and the interior sound deadening quality should make a great sounding system. |
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01-15-2025, 10:42 PM | #4 |
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The pre-covid HK amps were 600W while the newer ones add a 'booster' to drive the under-seat sub's which they claim takes it up to 600W.
The two version of the HK speakers are the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi system (S674A) and the BMW Harman Kardon surround sound system (S688A). You would want the S688A. One thing to keep in mind is that the 'base' system doesn't have an amp (or a harness for one) so it can only drive 4 or 8 ohm speakers. Most of the other BMW speakers are actually 2 ohm which means the base HU can't drive them at higher volumes without an amp (the subs in the S688A are 8 ohm so should be OK). Also, the early HK only had 12 speakers and the later implementation had 16 (the base only has 6). You would have to make sure your car have the spaces and harness to plug them in. You may be able to just replace some of the trim to fit them (eg tweeters and center speaker grill). As mentioned by others, if you are looking to do the full upgrade you would probably be better served by just going 3rd party. Personally, I just replaced the 6 base speakers with better 4-ohm speakers, including the 2 under-seat subs (only 6 inch in the base, but room for 8 inch) and added some tweeters in the front and back since there are already holes for them. Fairly cheap upgrade, and 100% better sound. |
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01-16-2025, 10:52 AM | #5 | ||
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That harness allows you to easily add a 4ch amp. Plug 'n Play. Get a decent amp, and pair them with one of these midrange + tweeter sets. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_210IPB....html?tp=47095 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_975C42....html?tp=47095 Then 8" woofers for the underseats.. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_210IPB....html?tp=47095 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_975UP8....html?tp=47095 or Earthquakes if you want lower-extending bass (but these will need a beefier amp, and you'll need midranges that go pretty low to help with midbass) https://earthquakesoundshop.com/prod...woofer-system/ And you'll have a very good system that's a HUGE improvement over stock while not breaking the bank. I took this same exact route after asking Technic (the resident BMW audio expert) about advice for an upgrade on my E92. Last edited by rsc1; 01-16-2025 at 01:48 PM.. |
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01-17-2025, 06:51 PM | #6 | |
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01-17-2025, 09:46 PM | #7 |
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Because I’m reading that the wattage on the amps may be old advertising 600W (PreIDrive 7) versus 464W (I drive 7), now wondering if mine is actually the 464Watts. I know the version is the S688 surround sound. It does sound great. I see both 600W and 464W show for 2023, I’m a bit confused what amp I actually have.
Last edited by GSMCCASH; 01-17-2025 at 09:47 PM.. |
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01-18-2025, 07:36 AM | #8 | |
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01-18-2025, 05:07 PM | #9 |
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