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      03-20-2019, 07:18 AM   #1
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Harman Kardon on 40i

Looks like the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade is now available without having to take the (now defunct because of laser light supply issue) premium package. When I placed my order, I saw no such option, so am getting a little fomo.

Anyone have any experience of the standard stereo system versus the Harman Kardon system? I've always specced a Harman Kardon system for my previous cars, so I don't have a good comparison point anymore.
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      03-20-2019, 07:39 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFU View Post
Looks like the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade is now available without having to take the (now defunct because of laser light supply issue) premium package. When I placed my order, I saw no such option, so am getting a little fomo.

Anyone have any experience of the standard stereo system versus the Harman Kardon system? I've always specced a Harman Kardon system for my previous cars, so I don't have a good comparison point anymore.
If it's anything like the new X5, the standard system is mediocre. To me it sounds flat, not a lot of definition. I've always ordered the HK option for my wife's vehicles and it's definitely a big upgrade over stock.
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      03-20-2019, 07:46 AM   #3
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If it's anything like the new X5, the standard system is mediocre. To me it sounds flat, not a lot of definition. I've always ordered the HK option for my wife's vehicles and it's definitely a big upgrade over stock.
Bummer. That's why I started ordering the HK systems and never looked back. Aw well, the car should hit my dealer this weekend or next. Still excited for it.
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      03-20-2019, 09:48 AM   #4
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Honestly, I'm not impressed in sound of the HK in X7. My F15 HK seemed much better. Still haven't messed with the more advanced equalizer yet to see if there's anything to do to make it sound better.
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      03-20-2019, 09:54 AM   #5
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Honestly, I'm not impressed in sound of the HK in X7. My F15 HK seemed much better. Still haven't messed with the more advanced equalizer yet to see if there's anything to do to make it sound better.
Interesting. I've had HK on a 2010 E92, a 2014 E84, a 2014 E class, and a 2018 MINI Countryman. It seems over the years the HK offerings have gotten progressively worse? The MINI system sounds like a tin can tbh.
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      03-20-2019, 07:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFU View Post
Looks like the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade is now available without having to take the (now defunct because of laser light supply issue) premium package. When I placed my order, I saw no such option, so am getting a little fomo.

Anyone have any experience of the standard stereo system versus the Harman Kardon system? I've always specced a Harman Kardon system for my previous cars, so I don't have a good comparison point anymore.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention I was able to add the HK system to my order. I did not want to pay $3k for the premium package just to get the HK system all the other features with the exception of the remote start was something I did not want. The heated and cooled cup holders is a useless feature, my yeti mug is all I need. I don’t have babies anymore so the power sunshade is not something I desired. The soft close doors is anther feature I could do without and don’t see the point, unless you barely close the door you will never know the SUV even has this feature. The head up display is cool but something live with out, I have it on my Escalade but find my self looking at the gauges anyway.

I compared the premium and HK audio on a 2019 x5, I thought the premium sounded fine and I could live with it but I did find the HK had crisper highs and deeper bass.
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      03-21-2019, 09:33 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFU View Post
Looks like the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade is now available without having to take the (now defunct because of laser light supply issue) premium package. When I placed my order, I saw no such option, so am getting a little fomo.

Anyone have any experience of the standard stereo system versus the Harman Kardon system? I've always specced a Harman Kardon system for my previous cars, so I don't have a good comparison point anymore.
JFU, Note that the laser light was never part of the of the premium package (ZPP). It was only part of the Executive package (ZPX) and the ZPX was available only on the 50i version. So if you wanted the laser light when it was still up for grabs, you would have to buy the 50i trim and choose ZPX. Harman Kardon has always being part of the premium package for the 40i or optioned if you do not choose the premium package. For the 50i, Harman Kardon comes standard. Hope this helps to clarify the issues.

I have the 40i with premium package. The Harman Kardon really came alive after I made a few adjustments to the equalizer as suggested in some threads below. Beautiful sound at low, mid, high levels. Bear in mind that these speakers require sometime to break-in. They get better with time. Same experience with my 2014 X5 Harman Kardon system.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1582200

Last edited by JAKE_7; 03-21-2019 at 09:44 PM..
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      03-22-2019, 05:17 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JAKE_X7 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFU View Post
Looks like the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade is now available without having to take the (now defunct because of laser light supply issue) premium package. When I placed my order, I saw no such option, so am getting a little fomo.

Anyone have any experience of the standard stereo system versus the Harman Kardon system? I've always specced a Harman Kardon system for my previous cars, so I don't have a good comparison point anymore.
JFU, Note that the laser light was never part of the of the premium package (ZPP). It was only part of the Executive package (ZPX) and the ZPX was available only on the 50i version. So if you wanted the laser light when it was still up for grabs, you would have to buy the 50i trim and choose ZPX. Harman Kardon has always being part of the premium package for the 40i or optioned if you do not choose the premium package. For the 50i, Harman Kardon comes standard. Hope this helps to clarify the issues.

I have the 40i with premium package. The Harman Kardon really came alive after I made a few adjustments to the equalizer as suggested in some threads below. Beautiful sound at low, mid, high levels. Bear in mind that these speakers require sometime to break-in. They get better with time. Same experience with my 2014 X5 Harman Kardon system.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1582200
Thanks for the specific info. I'll try those settings today. How long for break in period? 1200 miles like the engine!?
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      03-24-2019, 11:01 AM   #9
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Will the Bowers upgrade that's available for the X5 be offered on the X7? I don't see it on the online configurator.
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      03-24-2019, 11:17 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by VTENGR View Post
Will the Bowers upgrade that's available for the X5 be offered on the X7? I don't see it on the online configurator.
It's there.
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      03-24-2019, 11:19 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PIPE_DR View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JAKE_X7 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFU View Post
Looks like the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade is now available without having to take the (now defunct because of laser light supply issue) premium package. When I placed my order, I saw no such option, so am getting a little fomo.

Anyone have any experience of the standard stereo system versus the Harman Kardon system? I've always specced a Harman Kardon system for my previous cars, so I don't have a good comparison point anymore.
JFU, Note that the laser light was never part of the of the premium package (ZPP). It was only part of the Executive package (ZPX) and the ZPX was available only on the 50i version. So if you wanted the laser light when it was still up for grabs, you would have to buy the 50i trim and choose ZPX. Harman Kardon has always being part of the premium package for the 40i or optioned if you do not choose the premium package. For the 50i, Harman Kardon comes standard. Hope this helps to clarify the issues.

I have the 40i with premium package. The Harman Kardon really came alive after I made a few adjustments to the equalizer as suggested in some threads below. Beautiful sound at low, mid, high levels. Bear in mind that these speakers require sometime to break-in. They get better with time. Same experience with my 2014 X5 Harman Kardon system.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1582200
Thanks for the specific info. I'll try those settings today. How long for break in period? 1200 miles like the engine!?
The tweaking of Eq settings worked. It def livened it up a little.
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      03-24-2019, 11:57 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PIPE_DR View Post
It's there.
What I noticed with the online configuration is that on the 40i, if you add Premium Package, the B&W option disappears. On the 50i it didn’t. In the ordering guide PDF, it says if you add the Premium Package and B&W it deleted Harmon. That makes sense. The only thing I can think of is since the Harmon is standard on the 50i it is not creating a conflict in the online tool.
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      03-24-2019, 01:41 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by jokinawa View Post
What I noticed with the online configuration is that on the 40i, if you add Premium Package, the B&W option disappears. On the 50i it didn’t. In the ordering guide PDF, it says if you add the Premium Package and B&W it deleted Harmon. That makes sense. The only thing I can think of is since the Harmon is standard on the 50i it is not creating a conflict in the online tool.
Yeah that's what's happening to me. I have the premium package which adds HK but there's no option to add B&W. I guess it's just a glitch in the configurator.
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      03-24-2019, 05:30 PM   #14
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Anyone experience the b&w system? I first hand can say its a let down in my 750. Typical hi-fi premium audio from factory. Woofers under front seats not powerful enough. The 750 system is great to about 2/3rds volume. It remains clear after that but bass just dies off

Last edited by Metal man; 03-24-2019 at 05:49 PM..
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      03-24-2019, 06:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Metal man View Post
Anyone experience the b&w system? I first hand can say its a let down in my 750. Typical hi-fi premium audio from factory. Woofers under front seats not powerful enough. The 750 system is great to about 2/3rds volume. It remains clear after that but bass just dies off
I too can agree with this. The B&W system in the G11/12 is a complete let down. The B&O system was far better in the F01/02.
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      03-24-2019, 06:30 PM   #16
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HK should be standard on any mid or higher end BMW for the US market. The base audio is okay at best and really only useful for talk radio listeners.
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      03-26-2019, 04:11 AM   #17
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The base audio is okay at best and really only useful for talk radio listeners.
... or Justin Bieber fans
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