Harman Kardon vs standard sound system ...

[sacha101]

Any major difference between those two ? i find my 2011 135i's sound system is good but could use some extre bass...

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by sacha101

Any major difference between those two ? i find my 2011 135i's sound system is good but could use some extre bass...

To my ear, the H & K has more volume and definition than the BMW professional audio. It is a must in a vert when you have the top down.

For coupe owners, I am not sure since it is an enclosed listening environmnent.

[VP Electricity]

There are three systems in the 1-series:

Top HiFi (available in the USA all MY as Logic 7 or harman/kardon)

HiFi (available in the US in MY up to 2010, then again in late production MY 2011)

base Stereo (only available in the US in MY 2010 and early production 2011)

If you are interested, I can email you a PDF on the differences.

[Xsapper]

VP Electricity - Do any of the US options relate to the
Loudspeaker System BMW Business (UK) with 8 speakers?

[Focusedintntions]

The HK has alot more bass than the stock system....probably b/c i think it has either an 8" or 10" sub under each seat...

[homero89]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

There are three systems in the 1-series:

Top HiFi (available in the USA all MY as Logic 7 or harman/kardon)

HiFi (available in the US in MY up to 2010, then again in late production MY 2011)

base Stereo (only available in the US in MY 2010 and early production 2011)

If you are interested, I can email you a PDF on the differences.

Can you pm please?

[VP Electricity]

Can't pm attachments.

[FDM68]

I've got the HK and it definatly has a bigger kick in boost. It's amp is rated at 300 also. Bass speaker are under the front seats, 10" I believe. I like it.

[Raine]

It's actually pretty good, I get compliments on it. Very good clarity and definition, not so much volume.

[MAR]

Now that it appears you have to order BMW Assist in order to get HK is it worth it? BMW Assist adds $750 on top of HK.

[Zeros and ones]

has anyone noticed that when listening to the audio in the car is sounds fantastic but once you step out of the car the subs sound really distorted?

[tHegeRm]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

has anyone noticed that when listening to the audio in the car is sounds fantastic but once you step out of the car the subs sound really distorted?

Yes, the exterior sound is horrible! I agree after spending the week in a loaner that the HK system is MUCH better than the stock system.

[jmcphillips1]

I think I just might add the H/K system to my order!!!!!

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by MAR

Now that it appears you have to order BMW Assist in order to get HK is it worth it? BMW Assist adds $750 on top of HK.

yeah im noticing this also and I certainly dont want to get bluetooth for $750, wonder why they are both coming up at the same time

[jmcphillips1]

I did end up adding the H/K sound to my car when I finalized my order and let me tell you that for the money it is fantastic. Way better than I could do with aftermarket stuff for the price. I'm very happy I ordered it.

[wolfe]

I'm not an audio expert by any means, but I found that after adjusting some of the settings on the HK system it sounds a lot better to me. I think mainly I pushed the fader towards the rear a bit more. Now it sounds like the sound is coming from all around the car and not mostly from the front footwells.

I'd definitely recommend playing with the settings to see if it makes it even better.

[crbalch]

For 2012 135's we are getting the HiFi system? Also, even if I wanted to upgrade to the HK, it automatically adds the BMW Assist w/ bluetooth, bringing the upgrade up past $1500...

I love music and typically drive with the windows up when listening to music, so I think I will stick with HiFi, but any opinions would be appreciated

[gideonaf]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

has anyone noticed that when listening to the audio in the car is sounds fantastic but once you step out of the car the subs sound really distorted?

Agreed! It sounds great while inside. Not so hot from outside.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

not really an issue if it doesn't sound so good outside ??

I'm not sure which system I have, I think it's the Logic 7 as I have equaliser settings in my iDrive, but the tweeter covers on the sail panels aren't branded HK...

I find the Logic 7 system a bit average, the Logic 7 in my old E92 was a very good sounding system, I didn't feel the need to upgrade it at all, but in 135i, I dunno I've tried tweaking the settings and I just can't get it to sound good, I'll def be upgrading sometime in the future...

[Gravitron]

Sorry to make my first post on here a negative one, but the standard sound system is absolute rubbish. I just got a 2010 135i Convertible and everything was great until I tried to listen to some music with the top down. It sounds like someone is playing an 80s boombox underwater. The speakers are all positioned in strange locations and there is nothing that points up to head/ear level. The lack of tweeters on the A-pillar is baffling as well. Not sure how I'm going to get around this without running into some warranty issues.

[nato-main-man-5am]

I'm not an expert on warranty issues, so take this with a grain of salt. But I think if you *only* add tweeters in the a pillar, you will lose coverage for audio issues, but perhaps nothing else.

In any event, you are right about the system in the 2010s. It is really poor. I was thinking the same base system was what was current in the 2012s and I was panic-ed, thinking I must get the HK system. Turns out the middling system is now the stock US system again, and frankly while not quite as good as the HK system, still has drivers of equal size and number, and outboard amplification, and is close enough to the HK that I will spend the $1500 I save not getting the HK upgrade to beef up the so called "hi fi" stock system that is shipping in US 1 series these days.

There are three systems in the 1-series:

Top HiFi (available in the USA all MY as Logic 7 or harman/kardon)

HiFi (available in the US in MY up to 2010, then again in late production MY 2011)

base Stereo (only available in the US in MY 2010 and early production 2011)

[nato-main-man-5am]

All the details: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...63&postcount=3