Where is the center channel speaker in the 1 series Harmon Kardon system?

[BMWfan69]

So, I noticed that my 2008 5 series high end system has a center channel speaker and my 1 series HK system does not. This center channel speaker allows for the logic 7 technology to be fully implemented and really makes a huge difference in the sound of each of the high end audio systems IMO. I have also verified that my 2011 3 series with base audio even has the center speaker. This is frustrating in that the audio upgrades in each of the cars costs the same, yet the 1 series system gets less equipment.

This elimination of the center speaker is even documented in the following document:

[Technic]

Originally Posted by BMWfan69

So, I noticed that my 2008 5 series high end system has a center channel speaker and my 1 series HK system does not. This center channel speaker allows for the logic 7 technology to be fully implemented and really makes a huge difference in the sound of each of the high end audio systems IMO. I have also verified that my 2011 3 series with base audio even has the center speaker. This is frustrating in that the audio upgrades in each of the cars costs the same, yet the 1 series system gets less equipment.

This elimination of the center speaker is even documented in the following document:

The 1-Series never had a center speaker in its Logic7 system. There's no center speaker in any Stereo or HiFi system in the E9x in any model year up to now.

[BMWfan69]

Originally Posted by Technic

The 1-Series never had a center speaker in its Logic7 system. There's no center speaker in any Stereo or HiFi system in the E9x in any model year up to now.

Yes, that is what I said. There is no middle speaker in the 1 series. By "elimination" I meant from the 5 and/or 3 series down to the 1 series, not that the 1er had it before. I'm pretty sure that my 2011 E90 3 with base audio does have a center channel. May have been an addition for 2011. Based on your document looks like past model year 3 series haven't had it for the base system, but certainly have it for the Top Hi-Fi and Logic 7, which is what I was comparing here anyway.

This is kind of lame for the 1 in my opinion since the audio upgrades cost the same with or with out the center channel. Just another small missing detail that I am finding on the 1er vs my other BMW's, particularly my 528 which I am selling. Still love the 128, but it disapoints me when I find these corner cutting measures. I mean a speaker? C'mon! How much can that actually save? Especially when you are paying for the upgrade.

There are a lot of questions regarding the HK system, and there have been mixed reviews on the Logic 7/HK systems in the 1 all over the forum. This is another thing that makes the HK system in the 1 series just "okay" compared to other models. I didn't see a lot out there pointing to this particular item and in my opinion it is a major factor especially when using the Logic 7 processing. I am basing this on a direct comparison of the Logic 7 system in my 2008 528xi compared to the HK system in my 2011 128i.

[BMWfan69]

Originally Posted by Technic

There's no center speaker in any Stereo or HiFi system in the E9x in any model year up to now.

That is not correct. Did you mean E8x (1 series)? The E9x is the 3series. E9x have had a center speaker in the Top Hi-Fi and above for some time. Your document even shows this. For the record the 1 also loses the two rear door speakers.

Top Hi-Fi (Option 677) on E90
9 channels, 13 loudspeakers
• 1 mid-range loudspeaker, middle, 100 mm
• 2 treble loudspeakers, front 26 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, front 100 mm
• 2 bass loudspeakers, 217 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear door, 100 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear shelf, 100 mm
• 2 treble loudspeakers, rear shelf, 26 mm

[VP Electricity]

Calm down, he just mis-typed, dude. He knows what an E9x is.

[BMWfan69]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Calm down, he just mis-typed, dude. He knows what an E9x is.

Wasn't upset

[Technic]

Originally Posted by BMWfan69

That is not correct. Did you mean E8x (1 series)? The E9x is the 3series. E9x have had a center speaker in the Top Hi-Fi and above for some time. Your document even shows this. For the record the 1 also loses the two rear door speakers.

Top Hi-Fi (Option 677) on E90
9 channels, 13 loudspeakers
• 1 mid-range loudspeaker, middle, 100 mm
• 2 treble loudspeakers, front 26 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, front 100 mm
• 2 bass loudspeakers, 217 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear door, 100 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear shelf, 100 mm
• 2 treble loudspeakers, rear shelf, 26 mm

Read my post again, please.

[VP Electricity]

Originally Posted by Technic

There's no center speaker in any Stereo or HiFi system in the E9x in any model year up to now.

He didn't say Top HiFi.

[BMWfan69]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

He didn't say Top HiFi.

Hey guys, no disrespect meant. It's all good. I appreciate the info greatly. Thank you. Sorry if I came on a little strong, or was misunderstood. I understand now what you meant. It was just a little unclear and I asked for a clarification. I misunderstood, no harm done. On this end at least.

Thanks again for posting. Sorry for the confusion.

[BMWfan69]

Folks just keep in mind that this post is about the HK system in the 1 series, and the fact that there is a hardware difference in the 1 series Logic 7/HK systems to that of other BMW vehicles. Let me know your thoughts. I just want to make sure that we don't get hung up on the 3 series audio topic.

Thanks!

[rlinden]

This thread is very helpful. Just back from ED of 128 coupe with HK, and particularly struck by lack of high end volume and clarity. I could not appreciate the sharp, clear and distinct percussion sounds of bells, chimes, etc that I can easily hear in what I think is a base audio system in 2007 E90. I had used settings from a post re L7 equilization settings for a different model, and clearly this is not the optimal setting for 128 HK. Didn't have time to try L7 off, or other settings, and ears were not optimal driving up and down Sudtirol mountains (beautiful area !). Will be great help when someone works out settings to optimize the HK sound in 128, and for me, particularly if they can overcome the limits in terms of high frequency muffled sound.

[BMWfan69]

Originally Posted by rlinden

This thread is very helpful. Just back from ED of 128 coupe with HK, and particularly struck by lack of high end volume and clarity. I could not appreciate the sharp, clear and distinct percussion sounds of bells, chimes, etc that I can easily hear in what I think is a base audio system in 2007 E90. I had used settings from a post re L7 equilization settings for a different model, and clearly this is not the optimal setting for 128 HK. Didn't have time to try L7 off, or other settings, and ears were not optimal driving up and down Sudtirol mountains (beautiful area !). Will be great help when someone works out settings to optimize the HK sound in 128, and for me, particularly if they can overcome the limits in terms of high frequency muffled sound.

I completely agree it is terribly difficult to extract any clarity out of this system. It has obviously been configured to cater to a young listener who prefers bass filled dance music without a significant level of detail needed.

My 5 series Logic 7 system just seems to EQ itself no matter what the material is being played. That is just not the case with the 1 series HK system. Anyway here is how I have my 1 series set. This is so subjective and it seems to need to be adjusted any time I change the style of music. Tis is a major pain in my opinion, but these settings seem to give me the best all around EQ for clarity. Let me know what you think. I will most likely post this as a separate thread as well.

Main settings:

Bass: +5
Treble +10
balance >4
Fader ^2

EQ:
10Khz = max high
5Khz = 8 bars right past center
2Khz = 7 bars right past center
1 Khz = center
500Hz = 5 bars left of center
200Hz = center
80Hz = 5 right of center

[VP Electricity]

You have both 10k and Treble maxed? Either this system is horribler than I ever imagined, or you want to get that hearing tested.

Look, anyone in the Portland OR area who wants to have the system measured and tested with an acoustic analyzer for no cost, let me know. We will also provide the optimum tone control settings to get the best objective acoustic result.

[BMWfan69]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

You have both 10k and Treble maxed? Either this system is horribler than I ever imagined, or you want to get that hearing tested.

Look, anyone in the Portland OR area who wants to have the system measured and tested with an acoustic analyzer for no cost, let me know. We will also provide the optimum tone control settings to get the best objective acoustic result.

Yeah, well it's really a mediocre system at best. Even with the the 10K and Treble maxed there is still a muffled quality to the output. There is really very little detail from this system. It's very disapointing in my opinion. It seems to have been configured to just generate booming bass. My hearing is fine I am a musician and have a trained ear. Maybe my unit is bad, but I doubt it.