Improving the Harman Kardon system (clearning up the mud)?

01tj · 10-26-2009, 04:01 PM

My Harman Kardon system sounds kind of muddy to me. I normally turn the mid-range all the way down but that's on an option with the HK system. Has anyone done anything to improve the sound? Any suggestions?

fibonacci00782 · 10-26-2009, 04:01 PM

BSW

UKtRAINE3 · 10-26-2009, 04:06 PM

I heard it's the amp that sucks. Maybe try replacing that? Never done it myself but that's just what I've heard if you want better clarity.

eco10530 · 10-26-2009, 06:15 PM

mine sounds very muddy as well...my Saab has better sound than my BMW!!!

acegti · 10-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Not being a pimp for the advertisers, but BSW

01tj · 10-26-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eco10530

mine sounds very muddy as well...my Saab has better sound than my BMW!!!

I expected it to be better than the Audi Synphany that came in our 02 A4 but it's no where near as clear as that. I think it has a little more base but the mid range is way too high. Makes every song sound like its sang though the nose. The system in our 06 Freestyle limited has a cleaner sound.

jeffro3000 · 10-26-2009, 08:56 PM

Are you sure all of your speakers are functional? I have HK and it sounds no where near what you are describing.

three2slick · 10-26-2009, 09:04 PM

Turn the bass down, use the crystal clear highs (at least you have to give HK credit there), add a all around sub (infinity kappa perf 12.1 works well for me) with boost and gain knob. You'll be fine and save yourself money too. You'll have 10 clear speakers (with no bass distortion) at your disposal and a sub in the trunk.

01tj · 10-26-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffro3000

Are you sure all of your speakers are functional? I have HK and it sounds no where near what you are describing.

They seem to be. I covered the door speakers one by one and noticed a difference between covered and uncovered. I also listened to the in the rear deck through the trunk and they seem to be worked as well.

andypandy_e46 · 10-26-2009, 09:06 PM

i want the base to be more sharp theres too much rumble

01tj · 10-26-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by three2slick

Turn the bass down, use the crystal clear highs (at least you have to give HK credit there), add a all around sub (infinity kappa perf 12.1 works well for me) with boost and gain knob. You'll be fine and save yourself money too. You'll have 10 clear speakers (with no bass distortion) at your disposal and a sub in the trunk.

Is this something that I can turn on and off? It seems like crystal clear highs is what my stereo is missing.

three2slick · 10-26-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01tj

Is this something that I can turn on and off? It seems like crystal clear highs is what my stereo is missing.

Turn the bass down, and turn the treble up (but not too high, or your ears will bleed in pain) in the stereo settings. Also, push that HK button next to the heated seats/DSC button, that will direct more sound to highs.

BokCh0y · 10-26-2009, 10:40 PM

Thanks for the BSW link

Zeekster64 · 10-27-2009, 02:05 AM

Am I the only one that doesn't think that the H&K system is not that bad? It's no Mark Levinson but it suits me pretty well. Mind you that I don't blast it to the point of getting distortion or the "mud" sound (whatever that is) but I also don't listen to it all that quiet either. Sure beats the base sound system.

mkodama · 10-27-2009, 02:34 AM

I disconnected the rear in-trunk subwoofers and noticed everything sounded more clear and crisp, in my opinion. The sound from the rear subwoofers seemed just muffled and lower pitched, and the bass from them wasn't even all that deep. I think i just raised the bass on the equalizer 2 clicks from what it was previously at.

98E36M3 · 10-27-2009, 03:21 AM

is your treble all the way up?

you would be surprised how it sounds with aftermarket decks...

01tj · 10-27-2009, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by three2slick

Turn the bass down, and turn the treble up (but not too high, or your ears will bleed in pain) in the stereo settings. Also, push that HK button next to the heated seats/DSC button, that will direct more sound to highs.

The speaker button? Its on and it seems to make the sound more centered. I'll try lowering the bass a little more and see if that helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeekster64

Mind you that I don't blast it to the point of getting distortion or the "mud" sound (whatever that is) but I also don't listen to it all that quiet either. Sure beats the base sound system.

I think it actually sounds a little better when I turn it up louder. Its not distorted it just sounds nasaly (at least I think thats a better description). Kind of like I am listening to it through a coffee can

ixtoxi · 10-27-2009, 09:05 AM

What about your tweeters up near the A pillars? It sounds like yours may not be functioning. Mine is crystal clear.

downwithbrown7 · 10-27-2009, 09:08 AM

i got bsw and never looked back since and when they come out with a amp the system will be great.
i installed the system myself it was very straight forward and easy took about 2 hours.

toastygt30r · 10-27-2009, 09:19 AM

My HK system sounds great but the bass rattles the material against the back glass..

10-26-2009, 04:01 PM	#1
01tj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Just outside Fairmont WV Posts: 153 My Ride: 330i View My Garage	Improving the Harman Kardon system (clearning up the mud)? My Harman Kardon system sounds kind of muddy to me. I normally turn the mid-range all the way down but that's on an option with the HK system. Has anyone done anything to improve the sound? Any suggestions?

10-26-2009, 06:15 PM	#4
eco10530 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 114 My Ride: 2002 Silver 330ci View My Garage	mine sounds very muddy as well...my Saab has better sound than my BMW!!! __________________ 2002 330ci Titanium Silver Planned Mods: LED Tail lights, Predator Chromium Angel Eyes Fan of DIY oil changes, screw the dealer! Mann Oil Filters Mityvac Oil Extractor rules!

10-26-2009, 06:16 PM	#5
acegti Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Silver Spring, MD, USA Posts: 201 My Ride: 2005 325i spt pkg View My Garage	Not being a pimp for the advertisers, but BSW __________________ Gooch

10-26-2009, 09:04 PM	#8
three2slick Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: toronto Posts: 1,826 My Ride: is stuck in traffic View My Garage	Turn the bass down, use the crystal clear highs (at least you have to give HK credit there), add a all around sub (infinity kappa perf 12.1 works well for me) with boost and gain knob. You'll be fine and save yourself money too. You'll have 10 clear speakers (with no bass distortion) at your disposal and a sub in the trunk. __________________ -do not park near me-

10-26-2009, 09:06 PM	#10
andypandy_e46 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: t-town Posts: 242 My Ride: 2000 bmw 323i View My Garage	i want the base to be more sharp theres too much rumble __________________ -andrew (andypandy)

10-26-2009, 04:06 PM	#3
UKtRAINE3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,224 My Ride: ALL GO NO SHOW ///M3 View My Garage	I heard it's the amp that sucks. Maybe try replacing that? Never done it myself but that's just what I've heard if you want better clarity.

10-26-2009, 08:56 PM	#7
jeffro3000 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 10min from Jack Daniels Posts: 2,639 My Ride: 2000 328i View My Garage	Are you sure all of your speakers are functional? I have HK and it sounds no where near what you are describing.

10-26-2009, 10:40 PM	#13
BokCh0y Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 71 My Ride: JCE10; E46 CAB View My Garage	Thanks for the BSW link

10-27-2009, 02:05 AM	#14
Zeekster64 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 239 My Ride: 2004 325i premium View My Garage	Am I the only one that doesn't think that the H&K system is not that bad? It's no Mark Levinson but it suits me pretty well. Mind you that I don't blast it to the point of getting distortion or the "mud" sound (whatever that is) but I also don't listen to it all that quiet either. Sure beats the base sound system. __________________

10-27-2009, 02:34 AM	#15
mkodama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berkeley, California Posts: 10,777 View My Garage	I disconnected the rear in-trunk subwoofers and noticed everything sounded more clear and crisp, in my opinion. The sound from the rear subwoofers seemed just muffled and lower pitched, and the bass from them wasn't even all that deep. I think i just raised the bass on the equalizer 2 clicks from what it was previously at. __________________ MY 330i FOR SALE - $4000 WITHOUT WHEELS Downloadable E46 Owner's Manual - BMW Oil Info - Find Any BMW Part Number - Lookup Any OBD2 Code For Sale: AUTOart and UT Models die-cast model cars - Goodridge Stainless Braided Brake Lines - Black Coupe Sports Seats (Used) PM me for details for any of the above.

10-27-2009, 09:05 AM	#18
ixtoxi Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Park City, Utah Posts: 707 My Ride: 2002 330xi View My Garage	What about your tweeters up near the A pillars? It sounds like yours may not be functioning. Mine is crystal clear.

10-27-2009, 09:08 AM	#19
downwithbrown7 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: N.C. Posts: 252 My Ride: 2001 BMW E46 M3 Conv View My Garage	i got bsw and never looked back since and when they come out with a amp the system will be great. i installed the system myself it was very straight forward and easy took about 2 hours. __________________

10-27-2009, 09:19 AM	#20
toastygt30r Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 119 My Ride: 2002 330 ci View My Garage	My HK system sounds great but the bass rattles the material against the back glass..

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