[Datemike]

With recent talk of how HK audio has been downgraded to 400 W system as opposed to 600W before, does it still make sense to spend the extra money for it?

I drove a car with this option and couldn't tell the difference between my 2018 330e with hifi system to the HK system. Curious to hear others experience on this.

[XxDanoxX]

Originally Posted by Datemike

With recent talk of how HK audio has been downgraded to 400 W system as opposed to 600W before, does it still make sense to spend the extra money for it?

I drove a car with this option and couldn't tell the difference between my 2018 330e with hifi system to the HK system. Curious to hear others experience on this.

In your shoes I would get your dealership to confirm the exact spec. My X3 M40 clearly stated in the build it was a 600w system - that is true even today.

A few of us are having problems with audio quality at the moment, so just be mindful of that.

[ramparts]

It's worth it over the stock system, 100%. As much as we all complain about what the HK is lacking, it's a TONNE better than the stock. it also makes upgrading speakers to better ones easier in the future.

[Tubes23]

Originally Posted by Datemike

With recent talk of how HK audio has been downgraded to 400 W system as opposed to 600W before, does it still make sense to spend the extra money for it?

I drove a car with this option and couldn't tell the difference between my 2018 330e with hifi system to the HK system. Curious to hear others experience on this.

I think the X3 HK system is better than my old 240i but worse than my M3 so would you be able to tell the difference between a more powerful HK system - probably. Is it definitely worth the upgrade - Yes.

Regarding value for money, if BMW are cutting cost on the HK system, bet bottom dollar that they will be with the standard system.

[suby01]

Is it worth the money for the upgrade? No. Is it a great sounding upgrade? No. Is it much much better than the base none HK setup? Absolutely.

[rob175]

To my ears the standard radio sounds "OK" but that's just a highly subjective opinion. With the drivers window down, the sunroof open and moving 70 mph down the highway I don't expect the highest quality sound....LOL. It also depends on what you listen to. News, weather, sports etc. don't need much of a "quality" sound where as a music "audiophile" prefers much more.

Bring back the "old days" when you could pull into your auto radio shop and the guy would crawl under the dash and within hours you'd have a completely new (and better) sound system. Now, that's near impossible to do with all of the interlaced sound and electronics in the car.

[methodtim]

Can't say if it's worth it (literally can't say, haven't received the car, lol), but it's, what $875? That's firmly in FOMO territory for a 50-60k car, especially a "luxury" one. Do it.

[ramparts]

The issue with the standard system is that it lacks tweeters, resulting in the stereo sounding like it's underwater. Made this mistake with my M135i, never again.

[Datemike]

Originally Posted by XxDanoxX

In your shoes I would get your dealership to confirm the exact spec. My X3 M40 clearly stated in the build it was a 600w system - that is true even today.

A few of us are having problems with audio quality at the moment, so just be mindful of that.

Harmon Kardon already lists it on their website. I'm assuming yours wasn't a 2021 build. This is the main hesitation for me because I can't find how much W is the hifi system.

[Datemike]

Originally Posted by davidoff86

The issue with the standard system is that it lacks tweeters, resulting in the stereo sounding like it's underwater. Made this mistake with my M135i, never again.

Did you mean to say it doesn't have as many tweeters? From what I've seen there should be atleast two tweeters, one each in front doors.

[ClaretFozzy]

I can’t even remember how much extra it was on my 2020 car because it came as part of the Technology Pack (I’m not even sure if I have the 600W or 464W amp, seeing as I have iDrive 7) but whatever it cost it was worth it, because standard BMW stereo systems are dreadful.

[suby01]

Originally Posted by ClaretFozzy

I can’t even remember how much extra it was on my 2020 car because it came as part of the Technology Pack (I’m not even sure if I have the 600W or 464W amp, seeing as I have iDrive 7) but whatever it cost it was worth it, because standard BMW stereo systems are dreadful.

Correct.

[TX3M]

I just traded up from a 2019 X3 M40i to a 2021 X3 M40i. Both have the HK system. I can confirm that the HK in my new car is not as loud, I could tell right away without checking the numbers on the amp. I definitely have to turn it up higher to get the same volume.

However, to my ear the new system sounds a little cleaner and the bass is less muddy. I was able to use the EQ settings to adjust the sound to my liking, I just have to turn the volume up higher than I used to in the old car. IMO, it's still plenty loud and I've never had to turn it up higher than 3/4 volume.

The real disappointment to me is that this HK system doesn't compare at all with the stereo upgrades offered in the competitors at this price point like the Bang & Olufsen system in the Audi SQ5.

[Isawelvis]

My 2021 X3 arrived today with HK, will see. I did notice on BMW build site it shows it having 600 watts.

[UConn99]

Looks like it is shown as a 600watt system when you do a build (attached picture for reference), I noticed this when I was building mine which I take delivery of next Friday at the performance center in SC. If I end up getting a less wattage system I am going to be disappointed. I have the upgraded sound in my E92 M3 and it is a nice system.

[UConn99]

Originally Posted by Isawelvis

My 2021 X3 arrived today with HK, will see. I did notice on BMW build site it shows it having 600 watts.

Just noticed your post before I replied, I am in the same boat, We shall see.

[Datemike]

Just to give a final update here - I actually went to the dealership and test drove a 21 M40i with HK audio. Currently drive an F30 LCI 3 series with hifi system so that was my baseline.

If I was blind folded, I would have a hard time telling the two audio systems apart. I tweaked with the eq settings and it still didn't sound very different. Not worth the extra money for me, ofcourse its all subjective.

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by UConn99

Looks like it is shown as a 600watt system when you do a build (attached picture for reference), I noticed this when I was building mine which I take delivery of next Friday at the performance center in SC. If I end up getting a less wattage system I am going to be disappointed. I have the upgraded sound in my E92 M3 and it is a nice system.

If you notice, that picture is from a BMW with the new interior (perhaps an X5 or an M340i), not an X3. Maybe the HK in those vehicles gets a 600-watt amp? More likely, BMW just hasn't updated the information on the X3 build site to reflect the new reduced HK amp wattage.

[gugin]

Datemike: Your original question (Is HK audio worth it?) is basically unanswerable. There will be people who can hear a definite difference and will gladly spend the $875. There will be those who can hear a difference but don't value it at $875. And then there will be those who cannot even detect a meaningful difference.

I would also not obsess about the nominal ratings of the amp. There is no single way to measure an amplifier output. The same amp can be easily described as a 600 watt amp by BMW and a 464 watt amp by Harman. If you put it on a bench and give it continuous load, I am reasonably sure that the amp would not provide even 464 watts of RMS power. It would overheat.

The best way to decide is test drive the car and hear for yourself, which is what you did. Trust your own judgment!

[clivem2]

I've got 3 expensive systems at home, I've been reviewing hifi since the late 80s in print magazines and notw webzines. Not that this means much as it's the audio system sounds to the individual that matters, but I do have a good internal reference in me.

I'd say the upgrade cost for HK is worth it but what we get for the money should be better. Fed with high-quality source material it does sound good but it is bass-light at anything less than high volume and this is after tweaking the DSP significantly.

[Alias1431]

Originally Posted by Datemike

does it still make sense to spend the extra money for it?

Boiling this down, I'll argue the answer is no. In fact, it never made sense. Is the HK system better? Absolutely. Is it good? Is it worth the money? No. I optioned the HK system when it was 600+ watts, and even then it was supremely disappointing. I've already put north of a grand into it replacing all the speakers, and soon I'll be spending that much again to upgrade the amplifier. Next will be a subwoofer. If you really care about quality car audio, you'll need to pay for third party upgrades, and the HK amp limits your options and wastes money. If I was going to custom order again, I would NOT get the HK system.

[JSY]

I'd say just get it. $875 seems a bit inconsequential for a $60k auto.. I know, I know, perhaps you can put that elsewhere, but your wallet isn't going to feel at lighter if you don't option it in my opinion. You'll get the piece of mind of having the "best" factory option available. I think the audio is fine considering the acoustics of the car. If you keep reading posts from folks that say the audio is bad, you'll start thinking it's bad too. The important thing is whether you'll enjoy it. If you do, it doesn't matter - but at least you get the "harmon kardon" badge on each speaker near the side mirrors.

Is the HK audio worse in my 2021 than it was in my 2018? I'd like to say that it does seem like I have a little difficulty in reproducing the dynamic and bass punch with the EQ in my 2021 that I had in my 2018 but this is me in a quiet garage testing out some music. That environment is like 5% of my car experience as I don't routinely go and sit in my car in the garage just to listen to music. Also - to be honest, I'm not sure if there really is a difference or if people made me think there is a difference. lol