Buy Harman Kardon in BMW. Listen. Regret.
Raoul Ries
S*U*C*K*S*!!
Key highlights:
- bOOOming bass, you have to lower them quite a lot,
- to much treble, lower this setting again,
- very poor radio reception, low CD performance,
- a very annoying crackling sound at all volume level which did not
disappear even after both source and amps were replaced.
So who is the culprit? Is it BMW who dare sell a crap radio for lots of
money or is it Harman Kardon who sell off their name on lousy sound
equipment?
Anyhow, at the price BMW ask for this installation, it qualifies as an
insult.
Should I replace the source or the whole installation (aaarghh,
expensive!)? The whole stuff is built in a 328ci, year 2000 edition.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
moss...@my-deja.com
the H/K system w/cd changer in my '00 328Ci, and I find this system
even better than a previous vehicle's $5000 aftermarket system. I have
the Nav system, but I believe the tuner is the same. I would have it
checked out by the dealer. Crackling is usually a result of something
wrong(could be a shielding/wiring problem or blown speaker), not a poor
quality system. Harmon Kardon makes very good home audio equipment,
Harmon Industries owns JBL and Infinity which make great car audio
speakers, subs, amps, etc.
Hope you get it worked out.
-Moss
itsmadsn
hearing the BOSE in the 2000 Maximia, I have to say, Im quite embarrassed
that I've paid so much for a vehicle with such poor sound. This is really
beyond sad. I turn it up, and boy does it sound bad. The Maxima - Bose can
be turned up, and sound absoultely wonderful. My car is still under
warranty. I simply don't know what to do, but even so, I would like my cd
player in the dash. Just my two cents..Harman Kardon sucks extremely bad.
itsmadsn
'99 328is
Ignace van Tienen
Raoul Ries <raou...@my-deja.com> schreef in berichtnieuws
8f1fjq$u98$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> The Harman Kardon system combined with the BMW Business CD really
> S*U*C*K*S*!!
>
> Key highlights:
> - bOOOming bass, you have to lower them quite a lot,
> - to much treble, lower this setting again,
> - very poor radio reception, low CD performance,
> - a very annoying crackling sound at all volume level which did not
> disappear even after both source and amps were replaced.
>
> So who is the culprit? Is it BMW who dare sell a crap radio for lots of
> money or is it Harman Kardon who sell off their name on lousy sound
> equipment?
>
> Anyhow, at the price BMW ask for this installation, it qualifies as an
> insult.
>
> Should I replace the source or the whole installation (aaarghh,
> expensive!)? The whole stuff is built in a 328ci, year 2000 edition.
Hi,
I have the Business rds radio/tape with cd changer.
I ordered it without extra hifi system or HK system (I listened to those
systems before buying the car),
so I had the standard speaker setup.
They were replaced by the BMW Sound Module (more info available if you want)
For my 323Ci it means that there are titanium tweeters placed in the spaces
near door opener.
mid/low speakers (16 cm) in doors and coax 3 way , 16 cm speakers in the
back.
A special amp (especially made to work with the 4 volt output of the BMW
factory radios) is part of the Sound Module.
Really great sound, no booming bass, but very clear sound, even at high
volume levels.
114 dB undistorted, freq. range: 22 Hz - 25000 Hz.
I paid about 800 Euro for it, including installation by my BMW dealer.
Reason I did not choose another aftermarket system is because I would lose
the steeringwheelcontrols for radio/tape/cd/telephone.
I saw aftermarket radios installed in the dash, it looks awfull!
Those radios have other sizes and I would have needed plastic fillings on
the sides.
Now everything still works with the standard radio and the dash layout has
not changed.
Ignace
ign...@heysterum.com
www.heysterum.com
itsmadsn
really looks good, it matches things just perfectly. I'm highly impressed.
Also, you wouldn't believe who was in there getting the works on there
Expedition. Kendall Jaycos of the San Diego Chargers. I know his system must
be all that. I know I'm certainly enjoying mine, and sorry I didn't do it
sooner. The Alpine has such quality.
itsmadsn
'99 328is
Thomas Grueske
> Is it BMW who dare sell a crap radio for lots of money
>
Regarding my 740i with DSP and the MZ3 with H/K sound system, I have to
agree, 100%.
> Anyhow, at the price BMW ask for this installation, it qualifies as an
> insult.
>
Exactly.
cu, Thomas
--
*** 740i *** ///M Z3 *** 320iT *** R1200C ***
*********** Z8 & X5 on backorder ***********
Jobs in Germany: www.job-express.de
Thomas Grueske
> I ordered it without extra hifi system or HK system (I listened to those
> systems before buying the car),
> so I had the standard speaker setup.
> They were replaced by the BMW Sound Module (more info available if you want)
>
This is exactly the recommendation of my dealer. The sound module out of the
accessories department is *MUCH* better than any upgrade from the standard
price list.
norm kaplan
Norm
Ignace van Tienen <sb05...@worldonline.nl> wrote in message
news:8f326u$q6p$1...@nereid.worldonline.nl...
>
> Raoul Ries <raou...@my-deja.com> schreef in berichtnieuws
> 8f1fjq$u98$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> > The Harman Kardon system combined with the BMW Business CD really
> > S*U*C*K*S*!!
> >
> > Key highlights:
> > - bOOOming bass, you have to lower them quite a lot,
> > - to much treble, lower this setting again,
> > - very poor radio reception, low CD performance,
> > - a very annoying crackling sound at all volume level which did not
> > disappear even after both source and amps were replaced.
> >
> > So who is the culprit? Is it BMW who dare sell a crap radio for lots of
> > money or is it Harman Kardon who sell off their name on lousy sound
> > equipment?
> >
> > Anyhow, at the price BMW ask for this installation, it qualifies as an
> > insult.
> >
> > Should I replace the source or the whole installation (aaarghh,
> > expensive!)? The whole stuff is built in a 328ci, year 2000 edition.
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I have the Business rds radio/tape with cd changer.
> I ordered it without extra hifi system or HK system (I listened to those
> systems before buying the car),
> so I had the standard speaker setup.
> They were replaced by the BMW Sound Module (more info available if you
want)
Chris Scott
roadster?
Thomas Grueske <tho...@grueske.de> wrote in message
news:VA.0000089...@tommy.corpserve.de...
> Hi Raoul,
>
> > Is it BMW who dare sell a crap radio for lots of money
> >
> agree, 100%.
>
> > insult.
> >
Ignace van Tienen
norm kaplan <nkap...@mediaone.net> schreef in berichtnieuws
bNeR4.4121$OP1....@typhoon.ne.mediaone.net...
> Can this "BMW sound module upgrade" be ordered for other cars (e.g. 540i)?
> Norm
>
Hi Norm,
yes it can be ordered for your 540i (E39 and E34), sedan and touring.
Available for almost all BMW models, also previous models.
The specifications I wrote are for the E46 coupé.
The other models can have different specifications, because of the different
car's sizes and
different car shapes.
Some versions like Touring versions and convertibles (Z3) have an extra
subwoofer which is the flattest on the market.
In the Z3 in can be placed behind the seats because of it's shape.
I have to mention that BMW is using different (new) speakers/amp
combinations in the E46.
All BMW models introduced before the E46 have a different systems.(I don't
know about the sound of those systems).
The components used in the E46 have a larger dynamic range than the other
systems.
No real need for a sub, because of the freq. range ( 22 hz and up)
Note that the system I mention is no BOOM car sound, but the sound is deeper
than standard system even at low volume.
The tweeters (titanium) give a more crystal clear sound than the standard
speakers.
Real bass lovers should not choose this system, is my opinion.
They are better of with other aftermarket systems.
Nice about the Sound Module is that it can be connected to every factory
installed BMW radio.
Ask your BMW dealer for details.
If you want I could look it up for you and send the part numbers to you / or
post in this ng.
Greetings
Ignace van Tienen
Ignace van Tienen <sb05...@worldonline.nl> schreef in berichtnieuws
8f4d7j$cj6$1...@nereid.worldonline.nl...
Thomas Grueske
> Why do u call your m roadster a mz3, I thought the name for it was a m
> roadster?
>
right, formally u r correct. And *really* correct it is an M roadster,
but most of the owners just call it MZ3.
BTW you might want to have a look at http://learn.to/quote
Ignace van Tienen
Yertle <yer...@sala.ma.sond> schreef in berichtnieuws
391b21ee.896709049@localhost...
> On Sun, 7 May 2000 08:22:36 +0200, "Ignace van Tienen"
> <sb05...@worldonline.nl> wrote:
> Do you know the part numbers for the E46 323i Sound Module? Is there
further
> information on the Sound Module on the web? Thanks.
===========
Hello,
I could not find it on the web.(maybe I did not search on the right
places.!)
Search in several ng's and sites like bimmer.org did not provide me with
sufficient info.
All this info about the Sound Module comes from my own searches, friends and
friendly people on the net.
The BMW brochure for aftermarket extra's has lots of nice things to
personalize your BMW.
The Sound Module for 3 series E46 sedan (04.98 and up)
has part number: 82 83 9 415 460.
Only in combination with the speakersystem: 82 83 9 415 459.
So you need both part numbers !!!
The BMW Sound Module is only connectable to BMW stereosystems and current
BMW radio's.
It is not compatible with the BMW hifi system and Top hifi.
When a hands free system is mounted, a special BMW switchmodule is needed.
If someone wants other part numbers of the Sound Module for their BMW
models, just mail me.
Sound Module available for
E36 sedan, coupé,convertible,compact,touring
E46,
Z3, (till 09.96) (fron 09.96 to 05.97) (since 05.97)
5 and 7 series (E34 and E32) sedan and touring
5 series ( E39) sedan and touring
7 series (E38)
The E36 compact, E36 touring and E34 touring need the extra BMW
subwoofer.(only with Sound Module)
Also available for E36 sedan (09.94 and up) are titanium tweeters with
beige,grey,sandgrey or black covers.
Greetings Ignace
ign...@heysterum.com
www.heysterum.com
Jan Helling
>Sound Module available for
>E36 sedan, coupé,convertible,compact,touring
>E46,
> ...
As for as for my german BMW brochure (dated 02/2000), there is no
sound module for the E46 (new 3 series) touring. Dou you have any
other information about it?
Thx, Jan
PS: Waiting for my 330d touring, due next month *g*.
IrukaNS
source first... get an Aline vid system or Clarion proaudio unit. if it
still sounds like crap, get better amps (like Zapco) and lastly get the new
speakers (MB Quart or Crystal)
BTW, by BOOMing bass, do you mean a loud humming type, or tight thumping
bass? and the treble, is it annoyingly loud and painful, or just very high
pitch and sharp? If it's the latter of the two, then you're system is fine,
it's probably your music or maybe you just like crappy audio?
"Raoul Ries" <raou...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:8f1fjq$u98$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> The Harman Kardon system combined with the BMW Business CD really
> S*U*C*K*S*!!
>
> Key highlights:
> - bOOOming bass, you have to lower them quite a lot,
> - to much treble, lower this setting again,
> - very poor radio reception, low CD performance,
> - a very annoying crackling sound at all volume level which did not
> disappear even after both source and amps were replaced.
>
> So who is the culprit? Is it BMW who dare sell a crap radio for lots of
> money or is it Harman Kardon who sell off their name on lousy sound
> equipment?
>
> Anyhow, at the price BMW ask for this installation, it qualifies as an
> insult.
>
> Should I replace the source or the whole installation (aaarghh,
> expensive!)? The whole stuff is built in a 328ci, year 2000 edition.
>
>
Ignace van Tienen
IrukaNS <ton...@earthlink.net> schreef in berichtnieuws
j3JT4.60049$x4.20...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> u should have listened to it B4 u bought it, oh well... try replacing the
> source first... get an Aline vid system or Clarion proaudio unit. if it
> still sounds like crap, get better amps (like Zapco) and lastly get the
new
> speakers (MB Quart or Crystal)
Why should he change the source first?
I you have a good source and bad speakers, the sound will not improve a lot!
IrukaNS
first, then Speaker, then source. sorry, for that lil mistake...
"Ignace van Tienen" <sb05...@worldonline.nl> wrote in message
news:8fooj1$mup$1...@nereid.worldonline.nl...