Harmon Kardon audio system

[Funk Docta]

Hi guys,

This is my first post here. I am looking at buying a 328i '99 model and it has a Harmon Kardon audio system. After doing a bit of research on the net about this car, I noticed that quite a few people didn't have good things to say about the HK stereo.

Is it really that bad? I mean would the average person not like it, or is it just that it is not up to audiophile standards? I know people give BOSE a lot of flak but their systems don't sound bad from my experience.

[Manolito]

By modern near-luxury standards, the HK sound system in a BMW is probably about a C- or D+. My Brother-in-law swears the sound in his '04 Lexus is far superior to that in my wife's '04 330i. I don't hear that much difference.

If you are a listening to quality music on CDs, you will want to upgrade it someday. If you are listening to compressed music from your iPod, or if you are 55 years old and cannot hear anything above 15k Hertz like me, it is just fine.

I have two BMWs ('97 and '04) with HK, and one with a standard system. The HKs have more and heavier speakers, so they have better bass than the standard system.

The sound systems in both of my '97s are starting to go south. The little speakers in the doors don't work at all any more. Therefore, in a '99, you can expect to have an excuse to upgrade in a couple of years.

[BMA_70Y]

It depends what you want from your system. I have the HK audio in my car and i think its fantastic at the volume i listen to it.

If you are looking at blasting it at full pump so that everyone outside the car can hear you and feel your bass then you'd probably want to go down to your audio shop and ask them to install some subwoofers and speakers.

Otherwise windows up volume 3/4 up and it sounds fine.

[Manolito]

If/when you decide to upgrade audio, I just saw a post on the e36 Forum from someone who goes by the name CarStereoPro and is a forum sponsor. He could probably tell you all you want to know about sound.

He certainly knows a lot about engine performance goodies for his e36s!

When I was shopping for my first e36, I read a review, (think it was in Edmunds) that praised the car but ripped on the HK audio system. I believe the quote was something like "Last time I heard a cassette player that sounded like this, it said Fischer Price on the front." Magazine writers can be harsh.

[Funk Docta]

Originally Posted by BMA_70Y

It depends what you want from your system. I have the HK audio in my car and i think its fantastic at the volume i listen to it.

If you are looking at blasting it at full pump so that everyone outside the car can hear you and feel your bass then you'd probably want to go down to your audio shop and ask them to install some subwoofers and speakers.

Otherwise windows up volume 3/4 up and it sounds fine.

Thats pretty much what I thought. I don't intend to blast it so that everyone including myself goes deaf. I would be listening at moderate levels, and I'm sure that 300 watts would be good enough for the level of bass that I want. My previous car was only 140 watts with just 6x9s for bass and that was almost passable for me.

Anyway, Im buying the car this weekend. I can't wait. The original owner ticked just about every option box so it should be an awesome car to drive.

[BMA_70Y]

ahaha thats the same as my 330ci...

i estimated the guy would of payed over 100k for my car 5 years ago when stadard they are worth 92l...

He ticked the following:

m sports suspension
navigator/tv
bmw bodykit
sunroof
halogen(sp?) headlights
tinited windows
18inch bmw wheels
sports interior

and god knows what else!

But mate will you be loving life aftre you hop in one! the little things about the car make it what it is!

the fact that when your reversing the left hand side review mirrow tilts downwands to see the gutter absolutely kills me! i love it...

Happy driving!

Oh and leave esp on, you need it :P

[kamaqazi]

I think the HK system is actually really not that bad at all. I also have a 00 328i. IMHO i dont think its that bad at all.