G42 Harman/Kardon Speaker/Subwoofer Questions

Brooklyn M240i · 08-21-2022, 09:45 AM

Hi Everyone,

I have ordered a 2023 M240i and it has the upgraded Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System which I've heard is very good. I was just wondering how the bass is? And how many speakers/subwoofers there are and where they are located. In a video I watched it showed there are two Harman/Kardon units behind the rear seats which you can see through the glass, are those speakers or subwoofers?

Thank you!

BeemerBaron · 08-21-2022, 10:08 AM

The HK is exceptional. Much nicer then the $8,000 optional Burmester in my 911.

In the G series BMW's I believe the subs are under the front seats. The rears are component 3 way and only up in the parcel shelf. No speakers behind the rear seats nor in the boot.

Ruebarb · 08-21-2022, 10:26 AM

Yes, subs are under the front 2 seats. The subs are balanced, plenty of power for a balanced sound. Not going to have a distorted rattle the doors off.

Excellent fidelity, my perference was increased rear balance and increased surround, a bit more treble and alot more bass. I did not need to tweak the equalizer.

Once you tweak the settings, you can be engulfed in sound and lose all directionality of speaker location.

I can hear the speakers clearly with the windows down on the backroads and the highways, truly impressive.

Brooklyn M240i · 08-21-2022, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingray

The HK is exceptional. Much nicer then the $8,000 optional Burmester in my 911.

In the G series BMW's I believe the subs are under the front seats. The rears are component 3 way and only up in the parcel shelf. No speakers behind the rear seats nor in the boot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingray

The HK is exceptional. Much nicer then the $8,000 optional Burmester in my 911.

In the G series BMW's I believe the subs are under the front seats. The rears are component 3 way and only up in the parcel shelf. No speakers behind the rear seats nor in the boot.

When you say rear parcel shelf you mean behind the rear headrest correct? Where you can see them through the glass. I'll attach an image I saw from a YouTube video of the G42 M240i. Those are HK speakers.

azuki · 08-21-2022, 11:15 AM

has anyone tried apple carplay wired vs wireless with the HK sound? all the forums point out how wired carplay will always be better just curious by how much

P_Chris · 08-21-2022, 12:06 PM

No option for wired CarPlay.

BeemerBaron · 08-21-2022, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn M240i

When you say rear parcel shelf you mean behind the rear headrest correct? Where you can see them through the glass. I'll attach an image I saw from a YouTube video of the G42 M240i. Those are HK speakers.

Yes correct, that panel is known as the rear parcel shelf

Brooklyn M240i · 08-21-2022, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingray

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn M240i

When you say rear parcel shelf you mean behind the rear headrest correct? Where you can see them through the glass. I'll attach an image I saw from a YouTube video of the G42 M240i. Those are HK speakers.

Yes correct, that panel is known as the rear parcel shelf

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingray

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn M240i

When you say rear parcel shelf you mean behind the rear headrest correct? Where you can see them through the glass. I'll attach an image I saw from a YouTube video of the G42 M240i. Those are HK speakers.

Yes correct, that panel is known as the rear parcel shelf

What is on it? Are those HK speakers or subwoofers or something else?

donnyfontaine · 08-21-2022, 03:30 PM

You've circled HK speakers, the 8" shallow mounts are under the seats. Also bass is decent, I honestly considered not installing my sub since it was decent and pretty solid above 70-80hZ but I had a nice JL from a previous car that I just got put in Friday. Sounds a lot better, but also this is def my fav audio system I've had in a car stock

Fahfoofnik · 08-21-2022, 03:47 PM

G42 230i owner here. Went from a 2019 Mini Cooper S with HK system and fewer speakers -- to an HK system with more speakers, and I've found the bass to be lacking in the 230i HK system.

What could very likely be due to the Mini just being smaller -- the bass doesn't have as far to travel -- the BMW HK system (in a 2022 at least) is better as previously mentioned in terms of high end/treble, and surround/"full sound." Just not bass…in my experience.

Maybe there will be improvements in the 2023 models.

Jabbroni · 08-21-2022, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fahfoofnik

G42 230i owner here. Went from a 2019 Mini Cooper S with HK system and fewer speakers -- to an HK system with more speakers, and I've found the bass to be lacking in the 230i HK system.

What could very likely be due to the Mini just being smaller -- the bass doesn't have as far to travel -- the BMW HK system (in a 2022 at least) is better as previously mentioned in terms of high end/treble, and surround/"full sound." Just not bass…in my experience.

Maybe there will be improvements in the 2023 models.

Really, I find the bass more than enough in mine

ReallyRadams · 08-21-2022, 06:45 PM

I don’t know much about sound quality other then I personally think it sounds beautiful.

XC3LLR8 · 08-22-2022, 11:03 AM

I usually think the contestants the judges do not like on America's Got Talent sound pretty good, so I have no complaints with the HK.

MPR · 08-22-2022, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnyfontaine

You've circled HK speakers, the 8" shallow mounts are under the seats. Also bass is decent, I honestly considered not installing my sub since it was decent and pretty solid above 70-80hZ but I had a nice JL from a previous car that I just got put in Friday. Sounds a lot better, but also this is def my fav audio system I've had in a car stock

Can you share where you pulled amp remote trigger and sound inputs from? I'm considering adding a sub at some point.

donnyfontaine · 08-22-2022, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPR

Can you share where you pulled amp remote trigger and sound inputs from? I'm considering adding a sub at some point.

Ah I paid someone to do it professionally. I had all the wires and fuses ready to go tho so it only cost $100

MPR · 08-22-2022, 01:45 PM

Roger, did you buy a harness or something that provides an easy amp addition?

donnyfontaine · 08-22-2022, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPR

Roger, did you buy a harness or something that provides an easy amp addition?

So i'm not as much of a basshead as my early days, so something convenient and not taxing on stock electrical was the most important factor. I used a sub that has a built-in amp and is only 400W. I did have a harness which makes connecting/disconnecting super easy.

https://www.jlaudio.com/products/acp...-systems-93333

Ruebarb · 08-23-2022, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPR

Roger, did you buy a harness or something that provides an easy amp addition?

https://g42.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1895910

DaveDee · 08-28-2022, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azuki

has anyone tried apple carplay wired vs wireless with the HK sound? all the forums point out how wired carplay will always be better just curious by how much

Quote:

Originally Posted by azuki

has anyone tried apple carplay wired vs wireless with the HK sound? all the forums point out how wired carplay will always be better just curious by how much

Wireless carplay uses bluetooth to connect an "ad hoc" wi fi network so the audio is on wi fi, not blue tooth so the sound quality is as good as wired

DaveDee · 08-28-2022, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn M240i

Hi Everyone,

I have ordered a 2023 M240i and it has the upgraded Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System which I've heard is very good. I was just wondering how the bass is? And how many speakers/subwoofers there are and where they are located. In a video I watched it showed there are two Harman/Kardon units behind the rear seats which you can see through the glass, are those speakers or subwoofers?

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by azuki

has anyone tried apple carplay wired vs wireless with the HK sound? all the forums point out how wired carplay will always be better just curious by how much

In total 14 speakers Front centre a mid and tweeter, same in each door, 2 mids in the rear quarter trim and a small mid and tweeter x 2 on the rear parcel shelf, a woofer under each front seat

I replaced all these with the Bimmertech Alpha 1 upgrade speakers and the difference is very dramatic. Sound quality I thought was ordinary with the HK and OE speakers but the Bimmertech Alpha 1s were worth the trouble

The HK amp drives these flawlessly

alvinj · 08-31-2022, 08:19 PM

As my experience, the HK system just so so, the treble is not high enough, and the basss can't go so deep becasue of that flat subwoofer under the seat. It seems like the subwoofer can't go below 50Hz.

donnyfontaine · 08-31-2022, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvinj

As my experience, the HK system just so so, the treble is not high enough, and the basss can't go so deep becasue of that flat subwoofer under the seat. It seems like the subwoofer can't go below 50Hz.

yea the system struggles below 70-80hz tbh. adding a 12" sub made the whole system sound amazing tho haha

08-21-2022, 09:45 AM	#1
Brooklyn M240i First Lieutenant 278 Rep 366 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M240i xDrive Join Date: May 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 30i [0.00] 2023 BMW M240i [10.00]	G42 Harman/Kardon Speaker/Subwoofer Questions Hi Everyone, I have ordered a 2023 M240i and it has the upgraded Harman/Kardon Surround Sound System which I've heard is very good. I was just wondering how the bass is? And how many speakers/subwoofers there are and where they are located. In a video I watched it showed there are two Harman/Kardon units behind the rear seats which you can see through the glass, are those speakers or subwoofers? Thank you!
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08-21-2022, 10:08 AM	#2
BeemerBaron Banned 391 Rep 202 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Austria iTrader: (0)	The HK is exceptional. Much nicer then the $8,000 optional Burmester in my 911. In the G series BMW's I believe the subs are under the front seats. The rears are component 3 way and only up in the parcel shelf. No speakers behind the rear seats nor in the boot.
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08-21-2022, 10:26 AM	#3
Ruebarb First Lieutenant 380 Rep 375 Posts Drives: BMW G42 M240i Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Yes, subs are under the front 2 seats. The subs are balanced, plenty of power for a balanced sound. Not going to have a distorted rattle the doors off. Excellent fidelity, my perference was increased rear balance and increased surround, a bit more treble and alot more bass. I did not need to tweak the equalizer. Once you tweak the settings, you can be engulfed in sound and lose all directionality of speaker location. I can hear the speakers clearly with the windows down on the backroads and the highways, truly impressive.
	Appreciate 1 Fahfoofnik19.00 Quote

08-21-2022, 11:15 AM	#5
azuki First Lieutenant 330 Rep 301 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Texas, USA iTrader: (0)	has anyone tried apple carplay wired vs wireless with the HK sound? all the forums point out how wired carplay will always be better just curious by how much Last edited by azuki; 08-21-2022 at 11:40 AM..
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08-21-2022, 12:06 PM	#6
P_Chris Private First Class 157 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 M240i [0.00]	No option for wired CarPlay. __________________ 2022 M240i
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08-21-2022, 03:30 PM	#9
donnyfontaine Private First Class 175 Rep 198 Posts Drives: Porsche macan Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: NE USA iTrader: (0)	You've circled HK speakers, the 8" shallow mounts are under the seats. Also bass is decent, I honestly considered not installing my sub since it was decent and pretty solid above 70-80hZ but I had a nice JL from a previous car that I just got put in Friday. Sounds a lot better, but also this is def my fav audio system I've had in a car stock
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08-21-2022, 03:47 PM	#10
Fahfoofnik Enlisted Member 19 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW 230i LCI Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	G42 230i owner here. Went from a 2019 Mini Cooper S with HK system and fewer speakers -- to an HK system with more speakers, and I've found the bass to be lacking in the 230i HK system. What could very likely be due to the Mini just being smaller -- the bass doesn't have as far to travel -- the BMW HK system (in a 2022 at least) is better as previously mentioned in terms of high end/treble, and surround/"full sound." Just not bass…in my experience. Maybe there will be improvements in the 2023 models.
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08-21-2022, 06:45 PM	#12
ReallyRadams Private First Class 50 Rep 109 Posts Drives: G42 230i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Palm Harbor, FL iTrader: (0)	I don’t know much about sound quality other then I personally think it sounds beautiful.
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08-22-2022, 11:03 AM	#13
XC3LLR8 Banned 2063 Rep 1,559 Posts Drives: Super73 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Keller, TX iTrader: (0)	I usually think the contestants the judges do not like on America's Got Talent sound pretty good, so I have no complaints with the HK.
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08-22-2022, 01:45 PM	#16
MPR Lieutenant Colonel 1821 Rep 1,961 Posts Drives: 22 BMW M240i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Roger, did you buy a harness or something that provides an easy amp addition?
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08-31-2022, 08:19 PM	#21
alvinj New Member 6 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW G20 Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: CN iTrader: (0)	As my experience, the HK system just so so, the treble is not high enough, and the basss can't go so deep becasue of that flat subwoofer under the seat. It seems like the subwoofer can't go below 50Hz.
	Appreciate 0 Quote