Harman Kardon

[bishtelli]

Anyone got information on the Harman Kardon sound system? Some one mentioned that the system would only include improved speakers with no change to the head unit? What info have you guys got on that? Any news on when that will come out? The only reason I am waiting for that is that I don't want to give up my steering wheel controls. Been waiting forever to have these controls. Don't think there is another way around that. Thanks

[phattbam]

the only input i can offer is that they are supposedly to be introduced into production for dec 02. i'm waiting on that so i dont need to fiddle with the stereo. i agree with having the steering wheel controls. i have an 01 c320 and i have that and it's nice to use along with the navi(comand).

[snoopy]

H/K Spec as per info here and other web sites.

Speakers

8-speaker total in six positions around the car

new 5.25 woofer in the front doors also added mids and new tweeters to the current tweeter mounting location. New dual voice coil 6X9 in the STD location for the 6X9

Head unit

Must use a boost head unit, ie CD boost, MD boost or tape boost


Amp

Added an extnal amp located behind the RHS trim panel in the boot/truck area.

The amp has TEN channels (one to each speaker in the front doors ie woofer, mid and tweeter) the two channels to each 6X9 due to the fact they are dual voice coil speakers)

The amp will also have effects eg Festival, Instrumental, etc etc. (full list on the USA mini site). Also will have driver alignment feature as well. All of these effects are done using DSP technology. The amp will also take over the job of speed related volume from the head unit.

The power is 40W X10 channels not enough power to deafen or tell the whole world what you are listening to, but enough to over come the car and road noise. Remember the H/K is for low distortion and clarity not power.

If you do a search on here you will find some more info as I have only quoted the major points.

[phattbam]

thanks, thats some good information

[kgelner]

Does anyone know if there will be an option to retrofit the system into 2003 (or older) cars? I'm going ahead with my order as I figure it might get delayed again, but if the system is only speakers and an amp then it shouldn't be too hard to drop in!

I know it will cost more that way, but I was just wondering if it was possible now and will worry about practicality later.

[Wynn]

Kendall,

If you order now, will you really get a car before December build? I haven't any idea, so the question is sincere.

And, can you not specify the HK system anyway-- offer a spec that ensures that they'll hold the build until December? <shrug> It'll be nice when the day comes that I have more experience with the ordering process.

[paddlefoot]

I was told by my dealer that the HK can be retro-fitted. The labour cost is a bit steep though - 5 hours work apparently. Still - I'm willing to pay that so I can get the car in 3 weeks and get the HK fitted next year.

[Dom]

Quote:

Originally posted by snoopy

new 5.25 woofer in the front doors also added mids and new tweeters to the current tweeter mounting location.

Where do they fit the new mids into???

Dom

[snoopy]

Dom

I copied that information from a post in the vault. So I really don’t know, but reading between the lines the mids and tweeter are mounter together up in the current tweeter mounting position. The only mental picture I can get is a bit like a coaxial speaker setup i.e. one speaker mounted on top of the other.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by snoopy
Remember the H/K is for low distortion and clarity not power.

That's not for me. At home, I'm a bit of a novice audiophile. In the car, I want an entertaining system, not necessarily a very true, flat, reference system.

What's the point of ultra low distortion and perfect reproduction, if the MINI is a small, plasticky space, with engine and exhaust actually tuned to be noisy, and loads of tire and suspension noise.

As much as this goes against my preferences at home, I think a car system deserves to be loud, thumpy and fun. Just overcome the road noise, and overpower bad interior reflections and frequency loading, with sheer power.