Harman Kardon System again ...

[spod]

I have no problems with the system apart from it seems the speed related volume doesnt work as I think most peope have found out.

Anyway I was checking the description of the system as you can see in the attached image it states a 8 speaker system with 2 subwoofers mounted on the luggage compartment division, can someone please plainly point this location out to me so I know where they are.

Thanks.

[noopd]

the two extra speakers are located next to the rear seats under the speaker cover.. where the original rear speakers are. so it looks exactly the same with or without H/K

[Moogy]

'Luggage compartment division wall' is an utterly bizarre way to describe the trim panels on either side of the rear seats IMO. They're nowhere near the 'luggage compartment'.

It's been stated in other threads before but just to recap the HK speaker locations are as follows:

Lower front door - woofer
Upper front door - dual-concentric mid and tweeter
Rear side panel - 'subwoofer' (twin coil)

Giving four speakers with five driver coils.

Multiply by 2 for both sides of the car = 8 speakers and 10 driver coils, hence the 10-channel power amplifier.

As to speed-dependent controls, on mine at least there is no menu page to set or alter speed-sensitive volume - it appears not to exist. But - I'm fairly sure there is some kind of adjustment going on as speed increases, particularly in the bass end, which seems to get harder and louder Contrary to traditional 'hifi' loudness circuits which are meant to boost bass at *low* volumes to mimic our ear's response.

[GBMINI]

"Multiply by 2 for both sides of the car = 8 speakers and 10 driver coils, hence the 10-channel power amplifier"
Except that the mid & tweeter are driven from the same signal, so the amp has only 8 channels.

As with many MINI things, the official documentation is hard to acquire and not necessarily completely accurate.


As for the speed sensitive:
I had the HK amping my Kenwood HU for a couple of weeks; then I just made the mistake of having Tweeter install a Boston Acoustics amp and new speakers.
I *definitely* have to adjust the volume at speed now and I did not have to before - so I think my HK did not some subtle speed compensation; I did not notice it but it must have been doing it.
It was not enough to compensate with the windows open, but enough for when they are closed.



As for the HK itself:
Replacing it is a great way to discover just how clear it was!

[spod]

So the rear speakers are actually what they class as subwoofer?

[duncanbanana]

If you change the settings on the head unit you can get them to just be "normal" speakers . I cna tremeber off the top of my head what setting it is but i prefer eletronic

[Moogy]

Since we're on the HK I thought I'd scribe a few quick impressions one week into ownership:

It's still the best factory ICE I've heard. Makes the Bose system in my mate's Audi A2 sound like a Binatone.

The bass is a bit overbearing and boomy. I run it in MINI H/K mode with flat treble and bass at -3, sometimes -2 for older stuff. Even then the bass can swamp the sound. Has to be said this is very dependent on the source material though.

Similarly, the treble can get a bit harsh/uncomfortable. Some recordings which otherwise sound excellent can exhibit a painful sibilance which no amount of fooling with the treble control will quell. The Human League's 'Secrets' is an example.

As with all decent hifi systems it's ruthlessly revealing of the quality of the source material.

Sub-standard recordings or mastering jobs will be reproduced with their shortcomings revealed and possibly accentuated. Some material it just doesn’t get on with at all. I stuck Gary Numan’s ‘Pure’ in (yeah yeah, don’t bother – I’ve heard it all before ) and had to take it straight off because it was just a dreadful muddy mess. And it isn’t normally honestly!

The reverse is true of course, and well recorded stuff will sound fantastic. I do find though that there’s a frequent need to fiddle with the EQ to match it to the current material.

Much is made of the superior imaging the system imparts. I’ve got a great tip to make twice as good! Here it is: lean forward so your forehead touches the steering wheel! (Not while moving obviously ) Yes! Everything snaps into sharper focus, there's much more 'air' and sweetness to the sound, and basically, the speakers are firing towards the listener rather than across his/her bows… So why didn’t they mount the mids/tweeters so they are on-axis with the occupant’s ears in the first place?

I still need to play with it a bit to make my mind up, but it's certainly an enjoyable system, and the first I've ever had which can make itself heard at motorway speeds with the sunroof and windows wide open!

[MiniChick]

Decided not to purchase the HK system because the cost appeared expensive. Will take it to an ICE specialist to replace standard head unit and speakers, seemed cheaper and better quality. Having second thoughts based on what I've just read though.

[Shamster]

Quote:

Originally posted by iancull




As for the HK itself:
Replacing it is a great way to discover just how clear it was!

so are you saying that replacing it was actually a bad move?

[GBMINI]

shamster,
At the moment my car with Boston Acoustics amp and MB Quart speakers sounds much worse than the HK.

First, I have engine rev noise through the speakers. Background but annoying.

Second, significantly less bass than the HK.

Third, much less clear than the HK.

Fourth, the install experience so far has been a nightmare. Apart from the engine noise (which the first return visit has been unable to fix) they completed the install with high pass filters active (to ensure I had zero bass instead of just less than the HK) and reverse wired two of the four speakers (to ensure that what little bass I did have was muddy).

I had a long chat with the manager this evening; the MINI is going back while I am on vacation and I hope they get it to work well.
Times like this I really wish I had left it alone!


PS:
For the week or so I had the new HU with the HK amp I really noticed an improvement over the stock HU. So I got one bit right

[Shamster]

wow - I would've thought that set-up you've got would still be pretty good. Nonetheless it just goes to show that the HK is really a lot better than most 'non-believers' would like to think.

It's the best factory audio system I have had so far in any car I've owned. Previous best was a Lexus system.

[TREBALZ]

im confused so wot is the outcome then:

the normal mini cd boost system is better than the Harman Kardon System correct yes???

i wnat to upgrade my system in my mini i.e. chnage the speakers and head unit all in my car and maybe have an amp to increase wattage and place dat under my passenger seat any body recommend any good makes or head units to go with???

[GBMINI]

Trebalz,
In USA we do not have the "wave" option.
So our standard system is "boost" which is acceptable but nothing fancy.
The Harmon Kardon upgrade requires a "boost" head unit and replaces the speakers to give more bass and cleaner mid and treble, and adds a small DSP amp to increase the volume and "tune" (or "manipulate") the music to match the interior of the MINI.

In hindsight, the HK is excellent value for money and as much stereo as most people will need. The reasons to NOT do HK are:
1 - you want to replace the head unit.
The HK requires the "boost" head unit.
2 - you don't like "front sound stage"
The HK rigs the sound so mid & treble do not come from
the rear speakers
3 - you want LOTS AND LOTS OF LOUD NOISE
The HK is a good volume but if the windows are down
and the sunroof is open, you might struggle
And the HK does NOT make the unpleasant thumping
noise you here from far away when a heavily tricked
car comes down the street.

[TREBALZ]

oh i get ya- me aint got a mini yet but when i do i was hopeing to have sun roof and **** for the lovely summer days..have sun roof open, windows down and blareing music but me have to make sure i can hear the music pointless just barely hearin it..

i want a system which can play loud enuff when windows and sun roof are open and wont start makein crispi noises when the bass is thumping hard me like my bassline tracks..

i want the sound to be kept quality even if i have it low or full blast thats the reason im considering changeing all speakers in car and putting in some more powerful high quality speakers with new head unit and maybe run an amp and equaliser to keep the sound smooth..anyone done somethign similar to this????

peace

[adgrimes]

Dont forget that the H/K system isnt built for volume... Its built for sound quality...
If you want your music blaring out while you drive at motorway speeds with the windows down, then maybe the HK isnt for you...
You maybe better off putting in an after-market system... However to get something that sounds as good as the HK but at a much higher volume, you are looking to be spending £1000+ easily... A friend of mine spent £2700 on his system, but IMO still doesnt sound as clear and defined as the HK does... granted it does go louder, but dont forget its illegal to have your music that loud anyway...