2011 Harman Kardon observations and questions

ww007 · 01-11-2011, 01:38 PM

Hi everyone,

Just got a new 2011 e93 335i w/ the Harman Kardon system. In general, it sounds fantastic. However, a couple of things:

1. For those of you with this system, try this: play your favorite high quality music (CD preferably) with the ignition on. Then turn off the ignition while still playing the music. Wait a few minutes (or even just a few seconds may be enough). Does the music quality suddenly drop after the ignition is off, sounding very muffled? I've found this happens with any sound source (including the HD radio). My gf noticed it too after I pointed it out to her. I first noticed this when I was trying to adjust the EQ with the ignition off (had to boost the treble and higher frequencies due to the muffled quality); after I got the sound just right and started driving, it sounded like crap (mids and highs were too harsh). At the default settings, it sounds about right with the ignition on, but with the ignition off, it sounds muffled. Why???

2. This system supposedly comes with subwoofers underneath both front seats. However, although the bass sounds good, I don't feel any rumbling underneath the driver's seat, even with bass heavy music and my hand underneath the seat trying to feel for it. Did someone forget to wire my subs?

Thanks for your replies.

--WW

ajeffrey · 01-11-2011, 02:17 PM

Based on my experience with the HK system in my 2011 335is something is wrong with yours. I have no difference in sound quality w/ignition off and subs def rumble....

ctuna · 01-11-2011, 03:43 PM

If you want that you have to add a amp and ginormous sub woofer.
go to this sub board to get your audio questions answered

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27

Also if you fade the sound to the front it should increase the bass some
you also have equalizer settings you can play with

I am assuming you got the HK formerly called the L7 upgrade
you paid extra for it right?

Are you sure you got the HK
Also you may want to turn the speed sensitive volume control to minimum
I don't like this feature in any car.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161120

Professor///M · 01-11-2011, 04:03 PM

I have had logic 7 in a 2007 and HK in 2011. Neither have the problems you describe.

ww007 · 01-11-2011, 05:06 PM

Thanks to everyone who replied. Yes, I definitely got the upgraded stereo system (previously known as the Logic 7 system) as it says "Harman Kardon" on the front tweeters and specifically says I paid $875 extra for this audio package on the car's invoice.

ctuna, I'll definitely check out those EQ settings when I get a chance.

I went back and listened to some music with the ignition off and it sounded normal this time... maybe my batteries were low before and the muffledness was was some sort of battery save feature? Or I might have just been hearing things haha.

I also checked the front seat subs again and I finally did feel some rumbling underneath the seat with my hands, but only when I cranked up the bass and volume. At that point though, it might just have been the vibrations from the door woofers transferred through. Don't get me wrong, the bass is still rather strong and tight but I feel the door woofers are doing all the work. For you folks who do feel the rumblings under the seats, is it really obvious (as in, you can feel it with just your arse?) and do you have to crank up the volume and bass to feel it? Thanks.

Taipei-TT · 01-11-2011, 07:51 PM

I took my stock BMW Professional, added a Focal subwoofer, tweeters, and 4" door speakers....and wham...what an awesome stereo!

BMW REALLY falls down on the stock stereo that came in my car it was worse than what comes stock in a Toyota. I was tempted to go the HK route...but I was not sure if it was like Audi and Bose...just pay for the name...and louder sound, but not better sound.

Focal and a 3 series....yummy!

Kernel Kurtz · 01-11-2011, 07:51 PM

I'm not sure what system you have, but I have the "BMW Individual Sound w/dirac" which was the best system available here for model year '11. It does for sure sound better with the ignition on and does not turn up as loud with it off. I assume but cannot say for sure that this is a power saving thing to keep it from draining the battery too quickly.

ww007 · 01-11-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

I'm not sure what system you have, but I have the "BMW Individual Sound w/dirac" which was the best system available here for model year '11. It does for sure sound better with the ignition on and does not turn up as loud with it off. I assume but cannot say for sure that this is a power saving thing to keep it from draining the battery too quickly.

Maybe I'm not just hearing things after all lol. I haven't heard of that system; must be a Canadian thing or something earlier in the production year. Does yours have the Harman Kardon label on the from tweeters? Does it have subs under the front seats and if so, can you feel them making a significant difference?

Jgcdude1 · 01-12-2011, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajeffrey

Based on my experience with the HK system in my 2011 335is something is wrong with yours. I have no difference in sound quality w/ignition off and subs def rumble....

1 something be going on there. Mine sounds fine, power on or off.

GL

renaultf1 · 01-12-2011, 09:57 AM

Agree with the others that something must be wrong with yours...I have HK in my 2011 e91 and don't have the issues you describe.

Kernel Kurtz · 01-12-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ww007

Maybe I'm not just hearing things after all lol. I haven't heard of that system; must be a Canadian thing or something earlier in the production year. Does yours have the Harman Kardon label on the from tweeters? Does it have subs under the front seats and if so, can you feel them making a significant difference?

No HK label. It is an upgrade from the Logic 7 I had in my 2007 328. 16 speakers, including the subs under the seats. I think it's 825 watts total.

Come to think of it, I don't remember my 07 stereo even working when the ignition was not in "radio ready" mode. And I think it turned itself off after 15 or 20 minutes, which was annoying when I wanted to listen to it while detailing, but again was to protect the battery.

ww007 · 01-15-2011, 03:05 PM

Well I took my car back to the dealer. The service people said the speakers were working normally. I also checked out another 3 series with the HK system and it pretty much sounded and felt the same; I could barely feel the subs unless everything was cranked up. They said the subs underneath the front seats are actually pretty small and that you're not really supposed to feel them shaking underneath. After checking out another car, I'm inclined to believe them. I guess they somehow contribute to the bass (which is pretty good actually) without actually "shaking" things up.

Also, I haven't run into the muffled sound after turning off the ignition anymore. May have just been a battery save feature, who knows

Maybe I'm just overly sensitive to these kinds of things...

Now back to actually enjoying the music!

Technic · 01-15-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ww007

Hi everyone,

Just got a new 2011 e93 335i w/ the Harman Kardon system. In general, it sounds fantastic. However, a couple of things:

1. For those of you with this system, try this: play your favorite high quality music (CD preferably) with the ignition on. Then turn off the ignition while still playing the music. Wait a few minutes (or even just a few seconds may be enough). Does the music quality suddenly drop after the ignition is off, sounding very muffled? I've found this happens with any sound source (including the HD radio). My gf noticed it too after I pointed it out to her. I first noticed this when I was trying to adjust the EQ with the ignition off (had to boost the treble and higher frequencies due to the muffled quality); after I got the sound just right and started driving, it sounded like crap (mids and highs were too harsh). At the default settings, it sounds about right with the ignition on, but with the ignition off, it sounds muffled. Why???

I would suggest setting up your 7-band EQ and the bass and treble adjustments to your taste and also the S-volume (speed dependent volume) setting to at least level 4 while the car is stationary. That could help to eliminate that muffled sound that you are hearing while the car is not moving and keep it going while the car is accelerating.

I noticed the same thing in my Individual Audio system, and the culprit is somehow the S-volume adjustment as it raises the volume and attenuates the highs while boosting the bass (speed dependent EQ) as speed increases. By raising the S-vol level the highs are not attenuated and the muffled sound is gone regardless of the speed.

The Harman Kardon also has speed dependent EQ.

Quote:

2. This system supposedly comes with subwoofers underneath both front seats. However, although the bass sounds good, I don't feel any rumbling underneath the driver's seat, even with bass heavy music and my hand underneath the seat trying to feel for it. Did someone forget to wire my subs?

Thanks for your replies.

--WW

S-Vol can also helps you with this. If not then you will need to add a separate amp with some 150W max per channel to the underseat woofers, that helps a lot in the bass/midbass region.

ww007 · 01-15-2011, 08:19 PM

Technic, thanks for the tips. I have the speed sensitive volume to the default middle level, whatever that is. I'll try cranking it up and seeing if it makes a difference.

As far adjusting the 7-band EQ, treble, and bass, I like to leave everything at default settings because I feel a good stereo system should sound good without that sort of adjustment. Plus in lesser systems, adjustments can create distortion. I'll have to play around with the settings some more. ctuna posted a link to a nice thread regarding the EQ settings, but I'm not sure if they apply to the newer HK system too.

Maybe I'll replace the subs at some point. Overall I think the HK sound system is very good and goes for a more balanced approach rather than just car shaking bass, which is actually fine by me. I guess I'm just spoiled by the ginormous 12" Hsu sub that I have in my relatively tiny apartment

01-11-2011, 01:38 PM	#1
ww007 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i e93 ' ... [0.00]	2011 Harman Kardon observations and questions Hi everyone, Just got a new 2011 e93 335i w/ the Harman Kardon system. In general, it sounds fantastic. However, a couple of things: 1. For those of you with this system, try this: play your favorite high quality music (CD preferably) with the ignition on. Then turn off the ignition while still playing the music. Wait a few minutes (or even just a few seconds may be enough). Does the music quality suddenly drop after the ignition is off, sounding very muffled? I've found this happens with any sound source (including the HD radio). My gf noticed it too after I pointed it out to her. I first noticed this when I was trying to adjust the EQ with the ignition off (had to boost the treble and higher frequencies due to the muffled quality); after I got the sound just right and started driving, it sounded like crap (mids and highs were too harsh). At the default settings, it sounds about right with the ignition on, but with the ignition off, it sounds muffled. Why??? 2. This system supposedly comes with subwoofers underneath both front seats. However, although the bass sounds good, I don't feel any rumbling underneath the driver's seat, even with bass heavy music and my hand underneath the seat trying to feel for it. Did someone forget to wire my subs? Thanks for your replies. --WW
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01-11-2011, 02:17 PM	#2
ajeffrey Enlisted Member 1 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2011 335is sapphire black Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Francisco, Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335is [0.00]	Based on my experience with the HK system in my 2011 335is something is wrong with yours. I have no difference in sound quality w/ignition off and subs def rumble.... __________________ 2011 335is Sapphire Black/Black 6sp MT 269-style 19" rims Convenience/Cold Weather/Premium/HK Sound/iPod
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01-11-2011, 03:43 PM	#3
ctuna Lieutenant General 2098 Rep 13,467 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Its not earthquake bass If you want that you have to add a amp and ginormous sub woofer. go to this sub board to get your audio questions answered http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27 Also if you fade the sound to the front it should increase the bass some you also have equalizer settings you can play with I am assuming you got the HK formerly called the L7 upgrade you paid extra for it right? Are you sure you got the HK Also you may want to turn the speed sensitive volume control to minimum I don't like this feature in any car. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161120 Last edited by ctuna; 01-11-2011 at 03:53 PM..
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01-11-2011, 04:03 PM	#4
Professor///M Brigadier General 839 Rep 3,343 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i; Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 Comp. [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 35i [10.00]	I have had logic 7 in a 2007 and HK in 2011. Neither have the problems you describe.
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01-11-2011, 05:06 PM	#5
ww007 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i e93 ' ... [0.00]	Thanks to everyone who replied. Yes, I definitely got the upgraded stereo system (previously known as the Logic 7 system) as it says "Harman Kardon" on the front tweeters and specifically says I paid $875 extra for this audio package on the car's invoice. ctuna, I'll definitely check out those EQ settings when I get a chance. I went back and listened to some music with the ignition off and it sounded normal this time... maybe my batteries were low before and the muffledness was was some sort of battery save feature? Or I might have just been hearing things haha. I also checked the front seat subs again and I finally did feel some rumbling underneath the seat with my hands, but only when I cranked up the bass and volume. At that point though, it might just have been the vibrations from the door woofers transferred through. Don't get me wrong, the bass is still rather strong and tight but I feel the door woofers are doing all the work. For you folks who do feel the rumblings under the seats, is it really obvious (as in, you can feel it with just your arse?) and do you have to crank up the volume and bass to feel it? Thanks.
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01-11-2011, 07:51 PM	#6
Taipei-TT Captain 26 Rep 642 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 2.0D Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canadian in Taipei iTrader: (0)	I took my stock BMW Professional, added a Focal subwoofer, tweeters, and 4" door speakers....and wham...what an awesome stereo! BMW REALLY falls down on the stock stereo that came in my car it was worse than what comes stock in a Toyota. I was tempted to go the HK route...but I was not sure if it was like Audi and Bose...just pay for the name...and louder sound, but not better sound. Focal and a 3 series....yummy!
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01-11-2011, 07:51 PM	#7
Kernel Kurtz Major 396 Rep 1,145 Posts Drives: 2020 M240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure what system you have, but I have the "BMW Individual Sound w/dirac" which was the best system available here for model year '11. It does for sure sound better with the ignition on and does not turn up as loud with it off. I assume but cannot say for sure that this is a power saving thing to keep it from draining the battery too quickly.
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01-12-2011, 09:57 AM	#10
renaultf1 Private First Class 4 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 328xiT 6MT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine iTrader: (0)	Agree with the others that something must be wrong with yours...I have HK in my 2011 e91 and don't have the issues you describe.
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01-15-2011, 03:05 PM	#12
ww007 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i e93 ' ... [0.00]	Well I took my car back to the dealer. The service people said the speakers were working normally. I also checked out another 3 series with the HK system and it pretty much sounded and felt the same; I could barely feel the subs unless everything was cranked up. They said the subs underneath the front seats are actually pretty small and that you're not really supposed to feel them shaking underneath. After checking out another car, I'm inclined to believe them. I guess they somehow contribute to the bass (which is pretty good actually) without actually "shaking" things up. Also, I haven't run into the muffled sound after turning off the ignition anymore. May have just been a battery save feature, who knows Maybe I'm just overly sensitive to these kinds of things... Now back to actually enjoying the music!
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01-15-2011, 08:19 PM	#14
ww007 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i e93 ' ... [0.00]	Technic, thanks for the tips. I have the speed sensitive volume to the default middle level, whatever that is. I'll try cranking it up and seeing if it makes a difference. As far adjusting the 7-band EQ, treble, and bass, I like to leave everything at default settings because I feel a good stereo system should sound good without that sort of adjustment. Plus in lesser systems, adjustments can create distortion. I'll have to play around with the settings some more. ctuna posted a link to a nice thread regarding the EQ settings, but I'm not sure if they apply to the newer HK system too. Maybe I'll replace the subs at some point. Overall I think the HK sound system is very good and goes for a more balanced approach rather than just car shaking bass, which is actually fine by me. I guess I'm just spoiled by the ginormous 12" Hsu sub that I have in my relatively tiny apartment
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