[matty2244]

Hey guys me again talking about the sound system in my recently purchase 2021 m550i. So I'm in that loaner yesterday and I am convinced it has a better system than mine. My window sticker says:

"Harmen Kardon Surround Sound Audio System with HD radio"

Does this mean I have the bottom of the barrel? Am I not just one, but two away from the top - as the top is B&W?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by matty2244

Hey guys me again talking about the sound system in my recently purchase 2021 m550i. So I'm in that loaner yesterday and I am convinced it has a better system than mine. My window sticker says:

"Harmen Kardon Surround Sound Audio System with HD radio"

Does this mean I have the bottom of the barrel? Am I not just one, but two away from the top - as the top is B&W?

No, HK is middle tier. It’s not Bowers but I thought it was still decent in my 2018 540. You can get amp and sun upgrades for it, I believe, from Bimmertech.

[matty2244]

Ok cool. Ive seen things like "I have the hifi system" etc.

At any rate it's gotta go, so question:

Do I just buy this bimmertech alpha system, the whole thing with the amp, or do I go to a place and see they can do?

Part of me thinks the bimmertech stuff won't break anything, but part of me says a shop could do something better for the same money, or similar for less.

Can anybody comment?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by matty2244

Ok cool. Ive seen things like "I have the hifi system" etc.

At any rate it's gotta go, so question:

Do I just buy this bimmertech alpha system, the whole thing with the amp, or do I go to a place and see they can do?

Part of me thinks the bimmertech stuff won't break anything, but part of me says a shop could do something better for the same money, or similar for less.

Can anybody comment?

A really good stereo shop in Memphis told me the best thing to do for BMW is buy the Bimmertech system, all or partial, and they’d install for me.

[NGT2]

HiFi is the base system or third tier. That’s what my X7 has. It sucks bad. HK is way better. But some prefer to option with HiFi and just do the Alpha One upgrade with the money they’d have spent optioning HK. I’ve seen a lot of folks say the Alpha One is really good and big improvement on HK.

[adhrp]

There are threads on how to adjust the HK system for better performance. I was using mine at default settings then changed a bunch of settings and it sounds great to me (I'm no audiophile though). Search for threads on that, I even posted my own settings in one such thread. Try that out and see how it feels.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by adhrp

There are threads on how to adjust the HK system for better performance. I was using mine at default settings then changed a bunch of settings and it sounds great to me (I'm no audiophile though). Search for threads on that, I even posted my own settings in one such thread. Try that out and see how it feels.

This is another great point. Even the Bowers sounds bad to some people before they make adjustments.

[matty2244]

Bimmertech for the win, I'll let you guys know when it's all done! Will get it ordered up hopefully Monday. I have a buddy who is super OCD and great at taking things apart and putting them back together, so we'll DIY it.

I'll let you know impressions once it's done.

Best,
Matt

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by matty2244

Bimmertech for the win, I'll let you guys know when it's all done! Will get it ordered up hopefully Monday. I have a buddy who is super OCD and great at taking things apart and putting them back together, so we'll DIY it.

I'll let you know impressions once it's done.

Best,
Matt

You can also code the B&W sound settings for your HK system.

[matty2244]

Hey guys since I just need to know answers sometimes i dug around and found an old press release on the Internet about the launch of this jeep I have, which was LCId if you will in'14, which I have (HUGE for that year was the 8spd ZF, made it faster, more efficient, tripled the towing, etc). Anyways in the press release I found on google that the talked about the available stereo in this newly LCId model, which I have in mine. Here are the details from the press release:


"The available 825-watt, 19-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from Harman Kardon offers world premier innovation, featuring a 32-volt tracking power supply (TPS) 12-channel Class D amplifier that delivers outstanding acoustics and brings multidimensional, quality sound for all interior occupants."

I understand the speakers and watt numbers above and that's about it. At any rate these Harman Kardon systems share nothing in my mind but the name - they could not be further apart in performance. My jeep doesn't even have the word harman Kardon in it - which is a shame for them from a marketing perspective (opposite effect in these BMWs IMO).

Just wanted to level set why I am passionate about this audio issue...I am the result of 9 years of that system as a daily driver, but now I'm really excited to see how this bimmertech system sounds when it's all in From what I've researched I should be back to happy camper status when it's all said and done.

No more whining about audio I promise guys!

Matt

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by matty2244

Hey guys since I just need to know answers sometimes i dug around and found an old press release on the Internet about the launch of this jeep I have, which was LCId if you will in'14, which I have (HUGE for that year was the 8spd ZF, made it faster, more efficient, tripled the towing, etc). Anyways in the press release I found on google that the talked about the available stereo in this newly LCId model, which I have in mine. Here are the details from the press release:


"The available 825-watt, 19-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from Harman Kardon offers world premier innovation, featuring a 32-volt tracking power supply (TPS) 12-channel Class D amplifier that delivers outstanding acoustics and brings multidimensional, quality sound for all interior occupants."

I understand the speakers and watt numbers above and that's about it. At any rate these Harman Kardon systems share nothing in my mind but the name - they could not be further apart in performance. My jeep doesn't even have the word harman Kardon in it - which is a shame for them from a marketing perspective (opposite effect in these BMWs IMO).

Just wanted to level set why I am passionate about this audio issue...I am the result of 9 years of that system as a daily driver, but now I'm really excited to see how this bimmertech system sounds when it's all in From what I've researched I should be back to happy camper status when it's all said and done.

No more whining about audio I promise guys!

Matt

Your hands down best option is to speak to an audio shop and design your own system. This depends on your definition of good, and the depth of your pockets.

My ‘21 550 has B&W as a factory option, far better (clarity, sound) than H/K (had that in ‘19 540), but if you want something that makes your passenger (and you…) go wow, what’s in this thing, none of the factory options or Bavsound/Bimmertech stuff will even come close to something that’s designed to be good! Not sure how to easily tag an old post here, but if you search my old posts a few years ago, I had some discussions on 6-forum after my ‘17 F06 M6 received a proper upgrade… The original setup was H/K, whilst ok, left me wanting for more… So, I fixed that - well, seriously fixed… Custom sub enclosure (you won’t get proper bass without at least 10” sub, preferably 12-13”), separate amps (6-channel digital Mosconi + mono block for the sub), all door and under seat speakers (btw, they are not subs, just 8” woofers, your Jeep probably has similar size in doors) swapped for Focals, dsp, proper installation… Not only do I miss the M6, but I seriously miss the sound system… And the cost to upgrade all was not much more than a factory upgrade to B&O at the time would have been. Best use of $$$’s to upgrade…

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by adhrp

There are threads on how to adjust the HK system for better performance. I was using mine at default settings then changed a bunch of settings and it sounds great to me (I'm no audiophile though). Search for threads on that, I even posted my own settings in one such thread. Try that out and see how it feels.

I am pretty happy with mine, too--FWIW.

I have a nice set of vintage B&W DMs in the house, and the Harmon Kardon setup is fine for the car.

[Joe-BMW33]

Technically, HK is the bottom of the barrel on an M550 as it's the standard base system. HiFi or whatever they call it is offered on other G30's as the entry level system.

2022M550i did some nice upgrades recently to HK.

[Sam_M550i]

I've got the B&W and just added a 10" JL sub in a stealth enclosure and now it sounds incredible.