How to improve the Harmon Kardon sound system

[03LX470]

I'm not sure if anyone here tried the Bose in Porsche Cayenne, it is simply wow. Now, that I've got the GL, I feel that the HK doesnt sound as good as its name does. What can be done to make it better. If anyone's heard the Bose, they know what I 'm trying to achieve. No matters how loud you turn it up, the sound is always amazing & the surround is great. I'm not good at sound equipment at all. I just know what I like when I hear it & wondering if the good folks here can suggest something to improve. Thanks

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[GLDriver]

Funny you mentioned. I have an older Acura TL with Bose fitted from factory. HC is rated twice of Bose capacity but sounds only half as good.

I discovered that HK is equipped with just a single 6.5" sub ! I am also hoping to hear of some non-destructive mods someone comes up with.

[mkaresh]

Just be careful. I've heard of cases where upgrading the audio in German cars has led to major electrical problems. So find an installer familiar with Mercedes.

Odd that the two of you love Bose. They're criticized so often. To me, though, they all sound good

[03LX470]

To me the HK sounds like any standard car audio system. I dont see how HK would put their name on it & have it sound so average.

Just visit a Porsche dealership & try out the Bose in the Cayenne or any pf their sports cars, it is simply wow!

Also, in the Bose, you can tell the difference in the sound when you turn the surround on & off. In the HK, there are 3 settings & all sound the same, unfortunately.

[GLDriver]

Also, in the Bose, you can tell the difference in the sound when you turn the surround on & off. In the HK, there are 3 settings & all sound the same, unfortunately.

DITTOO

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by 03LX470

To me the HK sounds like any standard car audio system. I dont see how HK would put their name on it & have it sound so average.

Just visit a Porsche dealership & try out the Bose in the Cayenne or any pf their sports cars, it is simply wow!

Also, in the Bose, you can tell the difference in the sound when you turn the surround on & off. In the HK, there are 3 settings & all sound the same, unfortunately.

I think both brands offer/license a range of systems. I think only the most recent, top-end Bose systems have surround and 13 or more speakers. I don't think I've read the usual Bose complaints ("No highs, no lows, must be Bose") about these newer systems.

I am surprised to hear that the GL's optional HK system sounds so unimpressive. The specs claim 440 watts and 12 speakers. The standard system has only 80 watts and 8 speakers. Of course, wattage isn't everything, or even the main thing.

[jpeardm]

I'll say one thing though, the kids were watching a dvd with a good soundtrack on the RSE and the audio was amazing. For iPod and Sirius it's ok but those sources are pretty limited and compressed anyway. A good CD is very good. It's interesting that in my wife's Range Rover HSE which also has the HK logic 7 that system sounds nicer with the ipod/sirius but not as nice with the RSE?? Probably interior dynamics. Anyway it is a decent system but not truly outstanding, just my $.02

[GLDriver]

440 watts

Not sure where that is going May be there is a leak in the WATT TANK

If that Sub was receiving 100W out of 440, it would have been so noticable. Unless that sub is some al-cheapo junk

[oknish]

Originally Posted by jpeardm

I'll say one thing though, the kids were watching a dvd with a good soundtrack on the RSE and the audio was amazing. For iPod and Sirius it's ok but those sources are pretty limited and compressed anyway. A good CD is very good. It's interesting that in my wife's Range Rover HSE which also has the HK logic 7 that system sounds nicer with the ipod/sirius but not as nice with the RSE?? Probably interior dynamics. Anyway it is a decent system but not truly outstanding, just my $.02

+1.

I agree that sound sources have a lot of do with audio quality. I can tell the difference between an original CD and an MP3 CD.

[03LX470]

For me, the sound source is original CD. Not to make myself & everyone else feel really crappy about their HK, but I tried to listen to the same CD in my 07 Jeep Wrangler (it even has little tweeters!) & guess what, the Wrangler sounded better!

Makes me wonder if DC just bought the rights to use the HK stickers & there's really no technology behind those speaker covers whatsoever

[03LX470]

Originally Posted by GLDriver

Not sure where that is going May be there is a leak in the WATT TANK

If that Sub was receiving 100W out of 440, it would have been so noticable. Unless that sub is some al-cheapo junk

Certainly sounds like it!

[str8line]

I agree that the sound quality in the GL is very average. It's not as good as the sound in our BMW with the premium sound upgrade.

Probably the easiest way to make it sound better is to add a subwoofer with a dedicated amp. If you have to have better sound and don't mind having a box(or possibly a custom install under a seat), you will be amazed at what a quality 12" sub with good power will do for the overall sound.

The next step would be replacing the front speakers(which I'm sure are relative garbage as most stock speakers are) with some quality speakers.

Here's my GUESS at what it would cost:

12" sub-$300
Box for sub-$150
Amp-$500
Front speakers-$200-300
Install-$200

I'd recommend Alpine amps and speakers and a JL Audio sub, because they are good quality and have a lot of choices, but of course there are a ton of great products out there.

[03LX470]

Wanting to get to the bottom of this sound system issue, I listened to the standard sound system (not HK) in the E-Class. Sounds 1000 times better than the HK in the GL. Now I'm even more confused why the HK sounds worse than the standard, non HK, system in the E-Class ?!?!?!!

May be its got something to do with the interior?

Perhaps we need to hear from GL owners without HK. May be theirs sounds better?

[GLDriver]

May be it has something to do with the fact that Cars do have a deep trunck which uses the woofer effectively ?

[mkaresh]

No subwoofer in the standard E-Class system. At least I don't think so.

The GL's much greater interior volume no doubt plays a role.

Any chance they put standard systems in some GLs that were supposed to get the optional HK system? On the BMW forums I've read of this happening with some BMWs. BUt in these cases the systems were not marked with the uplevel brand name.

[BeanCounter]

I have waited for a while but will throw in my two cents on this topic. I have the upgraded Harmon Kardon system as well and in my opinion it is not even average. I got my upgraded system through the premium package but I am pretty sure it was an additional $1500 for this system as a standalone option. Quite frankly MB should reimburse us for the cost of this product. My guess is that there is very little to no difference in the HK sound system and the standard system. I am not a huge Bose fan but their system in my old GMC Denali was far superior to the HK system in the GL. Heck, my wife's Honda Odyssey's sound system is even better than mine. I am well aware of HK's reputation for building high end home amps/receivers, but does anyone even know if they make speakers? I went on to their website and could find nothing on car speakers. My guess is that they do not and they are getting them from some supplier with a very average to below average product. My rant is done but to answer the question on the post as how to improve the sound quality from the HK system--simple, replace it..........

[03c4s]

Upgrade to a Reus system.

[GLDriver]

Can someone please pinpoint the location of the factory amplifier if there is one (unless it is integrated with the radio)

[03LX470]

How about contacting HK & asking them the location (sorry I dont live in the US or I'd do it myself).

And one could also ask them if they just lent their name to Mercedes or actually provided some quality equipment ?!?!??!!!

[paulk84]

Hi,

The amplifier i think is under the rear shelf where the rear seat headrests are located.

This is for the E-class.

[Waiting-4-550]

My 7 series Bimmer radio beats my GL550's radio

[sraj]

Originally Posted by Waiting-4-550

My 7 series Bimmer radio beats my GL550's radio

I assume that you have the Logic 7 system. The DSP audio in my '01 540i is not as good as my GL550's system.

[GL Troll]

I compared standard and HK systems back to back when I bought my GL. The HK is much better – though I agree with everyone that it isn’t great. The mid to lows were most noticeable. And that was sitting in the parking lot. Road noise, even in the quiet of a GL, saps the strength of your lows especially hard.

I think some justification for the HK – and its price – is that it sounds pretty good at higher volumes. It doesn’t break up. In fact it may sound better at higher than lower volume. The problem with that for me is I’m enjoying the relaxing, relative quiet of the GL and don’t usually want to disturb that quiet with loud music. I’m also enjoying the sound of the engine.

I think we can expect more for the money. The standard system, however, is totally unacceptable unless you’re planning to replace it.

[GLDriver]

Does the volume automaticlly raise with outside noice ? I tend to feel that when I am driving at higher speeds, radio volume is adjusting itself to maintain same audibale volume.

[Newbie_2_MB]

Originally Posted by GLDriver

Does the volume automaticlly raise with outside noice ? I tend to feel that when I am driving at higher speeds, radio volume is adjusting itself to maintain same audibale volume.

I believe it is speed rated. I had this option on my Expedition and I could set the sensitivity; I have not found a sensitivity adjustment on the GL but so far, I haven't needed it. It seems to do just fine on it's own.