2011 BMW 135i Harmon Kardon Review (Video) - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

11N55 · 12-14-2010, 05:49 PM

I have read many reviews about the Harman Kardon upgrade and many people said they were disappointed or not impressed...I am not sure if they changed something for 2011 but the system sounds amazing! I am comparing it to my fathers upgraded system in his E90 M3 which has a whopping 825 Watts! BE sure to watch the video in HD and turn it up.

(Please don't take offense to my video, I was hungover and was completely out of it)

UPDATE 5-9-11
Sorry for taking forever!

HK EQ Settings:

Bass +1
Treble +1
Bal 0
Fader 0

Logic 7 Settings:

80Hz +1
200Hz +3
500Hz +3
1kHz +2
2kHz +2
5kHz +1
10kHz +3

Raine · 12-14-2010, 06:29 PM

Wow, sounds good. Can I ask what your settings are?

11N55 · 12-14-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raine

Wow, sounds good. Can I ask what your settings are?

Thanks! Bass -1, Treble +1. As far as the frequency settings go I have it set up like a bell curve with the lowest and highest frequency at normal and the mid frequencies +3. Ill post the exact settings when I get a chance.

phelly · 12-15-2010, 10:31 AM

Well the video seems to be gone? However as my 1er is still on order, and I went for the HK upgrade without actually hearing it, it's good to know that someone likes the sound.....

I can't wait much longer, but 1 more month should pass fairly quickly.....

M135 · 12-15-2010, 11:17 AM

I don't doubt the system is nice regularly. When I placed my order last weekend we tried one with and without. I just couldn't justify the $875 for it since I am not a big radiohead. I like to listen sometimes but a lot I really like to cruise with the windows down and listen to the car. On the few occasions I do want to turn it up I am sure it is fine. Back in the day I used to be huge into car audio and couldn't stand a stock stereo but now just not as important.

kaigoss69 · 12-15-2010, 11:42 AM

Recording audio with an iPhone, then listening to it through computer speakers, is a little like watching a commercial for a HD tv set ... on a b/w tube tv.

phelly · 12-15-2010, 12:25 PM

The link is back. Hard to tell via an iPhone, but at least nothing back is coming through.

Blader · 12-15-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

With iDrive, one can contour the frequency response across ten bands or so!

The same is available on the BMW Professional head unit as well

taibanl · 12-15-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Recording audio with an iPhone, then listening to it through computer speakers, is a little like watching a commercial for a HD tv set ... on a b/w tube tv.

yup

Flyer4500 · 12-15-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blader

The same is available on the BMW Professional head unit as well

I have a 2011 135.
Is the professional head unit available as an up grade?

Technic · 12-16-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blader

The same is available on the BMW Professional head unit as well

It is not.

The 7-band EQ -and the Surround mode- is a feature of the Top HiFi OEM amp and not of the Professional HU.

CMSS2000 · 12-16-2010, 01:22 PM

If you like good sound and don't want to pull door panels and other panels off and take out seats to upgrade later...GET the HK system.
You would be hard pressed to upgrade the std HIFi for $875 and get the same sound. The speakers, subs and amp are better and the install fees to upgrade are already included.

If you plan on upgrading anyway, skip the HK and get the std HiFi. It has balanced outputs that are not EQ'ed, so it is easier to work with and you will have saved $875 to start your upgrading with.

Blader · 12-16-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technic

It is not.

The 7-band EQ -and the Surround mode- is a feature of the Top HiFi OEM amp and not of the Professional HU.

Context is everything and my reply was merely to indicate that the EQ function of the Harman Kardon amp was accessible via the BMW Professional Headunit which is standard with the 2011 Harman Kardon audio upgrade as well as via iDrive if you take that as an additional option.

I did not feel the need to point that out as the thread and the video is about the 2011 HK system in the first place. I could also point out that my car was built in April 2010 with the Harman Kardon system and not the Top Hi-Fi but I am not always that petty

Raine · 12-19-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11N55

Thanks! Bass -1, Treble +1. As far as the frequency settings go I have it set up like a bell curve with the lowest and highest frequency at normal and the mid frequencies +3. Ill post the exact settings when I get a chance.

Hi 11N55. I tried this configuration for my EQ and my speakers now sound great. Thanks!

11N55 · 12-21-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raine

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11N55

Thanks! Bass -1, Treble 1. As far as the frequency settings go I have it set up like a bell curve with the lowest and highest frequency at normal and the mid frequencies 3. Ill post the exact settings when I get a chance.

Hi 11N55. I tried this configuration for my EQ and my speakers now sound great. Thanks!

Awesome! I'm glad I could help!

BatBimmer · 12-25-2010, 10:53 PM

Note to anyone getting a 'vert ...the HK upgrade is a must have, so glad I pulled the trigger on it at order time.

.... sounds better with the coral interior

1on135_deal · 12-26-2010, 01:11 AM

nice clip yea got same package in both cars but sounds better in the 135 or maybe m3 moter music is louder lol

gmartan · 01-17-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1on135_deal

nice clip yea got same package in both cars but sounds better in the 135 or maybe m3 moter music is louder lol

I can't imagine what you are all hearing. The HK sound system in my 2011 135i vert is the poorest factory system I have owned and heard in the past 20 years. It sounds so anemic at normal levels and tweaking the equalization does not help. I'd love to find a way to get decent sound out of it but all retrofits proposed so far tie into the speaker connections and re-equalize and amplify from there. I'd like to hear from anyone who has managed to improve on it without losing some integrated function.

The Bose in my 350Z vert was great in comparison and, with the roof down, you could crank it yet is was never painful. HK should take a lesson and put some engineering into the sound quality in addition to the gadget integration.

tyorll · 01-21-2011, 12:17 AM

music playing?

Aries932 · 03-01-2011, 11:40 PM

what is the name of your song that you are playing?

Raine · 03-02-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmartan

I can't imagine what you are all hearing. The HK sound system in my 2011 135i vert is the poorest factory system I have owned and heard in the past 20 years. It sounds so anemic at normal levels and tweaking the equalization does not help. I'd love to find a way to get decent sound out of it but all retrofits proposed so far tie into the speaker connections and re-equalize and amplify from there. I'd like to hear from anyone who has managed to improve on it without losing some integrated function.

The Bose in my 350Z vert was great in comparison and, with the roof down, you could crank it yet is was never painful. HK should take a lesson and put some engineering into the sound quality in addition to the gadget integration.

One thing I've noticed about the HK sound system is it strives for clarity/voice over volume/bass, and well, combine that with a convertible and you have disastrous results.

FDM68 · 03-30-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

Regardless or time or place, I always prefer clarity (true fidelity) over booming over boosted (and invariably distorted) bass frequencies.

+1 really can't stand that extreme bass noise.

12-14-2010, 05:49 PM	#1
11N55 First Lieutenant Drives: AW 2011 135i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 379 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [0.00]	2011 BMW 135i Harman Kardon Review (Video) I have read many reviews about the Harman Kardon upgrade and many people said they were disappointed or not impressed...I am not sure if they changed something for 2011 but the system sounds amazing! I am comparing it to my fathers upgraded system in his E90 M3 which has a whopping 825 Watts! BE sure to watch the video in HD and turn it up. (Please don't take offense to my video, I was hungover and was completely out of it) UPDATE 5-9-11 Sorry for taking forever! HK EQ Settings: Bass +1 Treble +1 Bal 0 Fader 0 Logic 7 Settings: 80Hz +1 200Hz +3 500Hz +3 1kHz +2 2kHz +2 5kHz +1 10kHz +3 Last edited by 11N55; 07-09-2012 at 05:51 AM.
	Tweet

12-15-2010, 10:31 AM	#4
phelly New Member Drives: 120d Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK Posts: 21 iTrader: (0)	Well the video seems to be gone? However as my 1er is still on order, and I went for the HK upgrade without actually hearing it, it's good to know that someone likes the sound..... I can't wait much longer, but 1 more month should pass fairly quickly..... __________________ 120d Coupe Sedona Red, USB, Harman Kardon Audio, Bluetooth Voice Dial.

12-15-2010, 11:42 AM	#6
kaigoss69 Colonel Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SC Posts: 2,270 iTrader: (5)	Recording audio with an iPhone, then listening to it through computer speakers, is a little like watching a commercial for a HD tv set ... on a b/w tube tv. __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > JL Audio HD600/4 > (3) Hybrid Audio L3SE & (2) Rainbow Cal25; JL Audio HD900/5 > (2) Morel HCW-10 & (1) AE SBP15

12-15-2010, 12:25 PM	#7
phelly New Member Drives: 120d Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK Posts: 21 iTrader: (0)	The link is back. Hard to tell via an iPhone, but at least nothing back is coming through. __________________ 120d Coupe Sedona Red, USB, Harman Kardon Audio, Bluetooth Voice Dial.

12-16-2010, 01:22 PM	#12
CMSS2000 Private First Class Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE PA Posts: 136 iTrader: (0)	If you like good sound and don't want to pull door panels and other panels off and take out seats to upgrade later...GET the HK system. You would be hard pressed to upgrade the std HIFi for $875 and get the same sound. The speakers, subs and amp are better and the install fees to upgrade are already included. If you plan on upgrading anyway, skip the HK and get the std HiFi. It has balanced outputs that are not EQ'ed, so it is easier to work with and you will have saved $875 to start your upgrading with. Last edited by CMSS2000; 12-16-2010 at 05:30 PM.

12-14-2010, 06:29 PM	#2
Raine Captain Drives: '11 E82, '04 E60 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 843 iTrader: (3)	Wow, sounds good. Can I ask what your settings are?

12-15-2010, 11:17 AM	#5
M135 Professional Rookie Drives: 2011 135i and 2004 4Runner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 504 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [3.63]	I don't doubt the system is nice regularly. When I placed my order last weekend we tried one with and without. I just couldn't justify the $875 for it since I am not a big radiohead. I like to listen sometimes but a lot I really like to cruise with the windows down and listen to the car. On the few occasions I do want to turn it up I am sure it is fine. Back in the day I used to be huge into car audio and couldn't stand a stock stereo but now just not as important.

12-25-2010, 10:53 PM	#16
BatBimmer ///^o^\\\ Drives: '11 128i Vert -Space Gry/C.Red Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: West Palm Beach FLORIDA Posts: 18 iTrader: (0)	Note to anyone getting a 'vert ...the HK upgrade is a must have, so glad I pulled the trigger on it at order time. .... sounds better with the coral interior

12-26-2010, 01:11 AM	#17
1on135_deal First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 135i & 2011 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY Posts: 345 iTrader: (0)	nice clip yea got same package in both cars but sounds better in the 135 or maybe m3 moter music is louder lol

01-21-2011, 12:17 AM	#19
tyorll Private First Class Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 175 iTrader: (0)	music playing?

03-01-2011, 11:40 PM	#20
Aries932 Lieutenant Drives: AW 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 596 iTrader: (2)	what is the name of your song that you are playing?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search