[Roki_014]

I choose the Harman Kardon surround sound system option and I thought I would get the satellite radio but I guess I don't have it???

[webdither]

Satellite Radio comes with the Premium Package, not the HK System.

[justinnum1]

satelite is overrated and sounds like crap on the HK.

[DrivenByE30]

The only good thing about Satellite Radio is the choice you have/ the large selection on demand...

but the digital sound/music is not great compared to "traditional" over the air radio...
Satellite digital sounds is borderline annoying, imho, i dont like it... sounds "fake"

I have HK too.

HK speakers are far from being the best, but they are at least much better over the standard speakers...

I would advice anyone to select the HK option...
But again, dont expect heaven, it's just much better over the basic entry level speakers... (which are a joke to your ears)

[batislav]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

satelite is overrated and sounds like crap on the HK.

I'm not an audio snob, but I'm pretty happy with the sound on my satellite radio. I played with the settings and the stations I listen to are decent. Crap just seems strong--I've been in enough rentals to know what crap sounds like.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

Satellite digital sounds is borderline annoying, imho, i dont like it... sounds "fake"

The extreme data compression of satellite radio results in phasing, distorted frequency response, etc. It is akin to a low bit-rate eMPty3. It is unlistenable, even in a car.

My car came with satellite with a free subscription for a year. I signed up and was astounded to learn how dreadful it is.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by batislav

I'm not an audio snob, but I'm pretty happy with the sound on my satellite radio. I played with the settings and the stations I listen to are decent. Crap just seems strong--I've been in enough rentals to know what crap sounds like.

After listening to high quality MP3's @320kbps its had to go back to satellite.

[Cyberdemon]

I'm a bit worried about this myself...when I listened to the Sirius in a demo car, it sounded particularly terrible.

At the same time, I've been listening to XM in my Acura and my Wifes Nissan, and while the sound is not comparable to a lossless format, it was still very good and was what I listen to 80% of the time.

I'm hoping they just haven't crapped it up more than it actually is.

[E36toF30]

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

HK speakers are far from being the best, but they are at least much better over the standard speakers...

I would advice anyone to select the HK option...
But again, dont expect heaven, it's just much better over the basic entry level speakers... (which are a joke to your ears)

I have to disagree. I listened to the standard hi-fi system and the HK back to back at a dealership a few months ago. I'm not an audiophile, but I thought they both sounded good, with the HK being slightly better (not a lot). Both of them are better sounding than a lot of cars I've had. Not saying everyone will feel the same, but I think people should at least listen for themselves. Personally, I decided that $800 was not worth it for what seemed to me like a small improvement.

[justinnum1]

read the thread in the audio forum, there is a audio guy that basically said the HK is one of the best sounding systems he has heard.

[SPACEMANRICK]

I heard the HiFi and the HK and no doubt the HK sounds a few notches better but still it sounds no where close to how a nice home stereo sounds. I also have an Acura MDX with the upgraded 10 speaker ELS sound system which is supposed to be one of the better car systems but that also pales in comparison to my home system.

There are just too many limitations to a car stereo because of spatial, weight, and cost concerns. My home speakers weigh 180 pounds each and obviously you can't have speakers this size and weight in a car. The HK system is good for a car stereo system but it is no where near the experience of listening to a dedicated well set up home system.....

[JUSKIDN]

its only good because its free but don't think I will pay for it after the free subscription runs out

[AndDown]

The HK upgrade allows you to adjust the equilizer settings while the standard HiFi only gives you treble and bass adjustments. I adjusted mine according to settings in another thread and what a difference between flat and modified.

[Roki_014]

yea I dont have the the premium package and I dont really care about the satelite radio the only reason I asked is becasue I thought I saw in the configurator on the BMW website that when u choose the premium sound you get 1 year subscription to the satelite radio, and also I wanted to add that if anyone is wondering if they should get the HK you definitively should get it if you like loud music, the sound is very clear and VERY loud, everyone I showed the car to was amazed with the sound, I think HK should be standard option on BMWs

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

yea I dont have the the premium package and I dont really care about the satelite radio the only reason I asked is becasue I thought I saw in the configurator on the BMW website that when u choose the premium sound you get 1 year subscription to the satelite radio, and also I wanted to add that if anyone is wondering if they should get the HK you definitively should get it if you like loud music, the sound is very clear and VERY loud, everyone I showed the car to was amazed with the sound, I think HK should be standard option on BMWs

for 2013 you dont get satellite with the HK sound. just fyi

[singh17]

I have had my HK system for 2 weeks now and I must say that I am very happy with the sound. So for me the $1200 i paid here for it was well worth it.

I use a micro flash drive with high quality mp3's. I have not had to tweak the equalizer as yet.

My dad has got a bose system in his car we tested the two systems and he agrees the HK sounds better. note that the HK is also fairly newer.

[Nitz99]

Originally Posted by AndDown

The HK upgrade allows you to adjust the equilizer settings while the standard HiFi only gives you treble and bass adjustments. I adjusted mine according to settings in another thread and what a difference between flat and modified.

I've been looking for these settings but can't find any posts about this. Could you post the link to the thread you used here? Thanks!

[fshubert]

I love the HK sound system. I got XM more for the convenience of not losing stations. Sound is good and can't hear a downside to XM vs. CD but then I'm not a true audiofile.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by fshubert

. . . can't hear a downside to XM vs. CD but then I'm not a true audiofile.

Interesting. You do not hear the "sound from within a coffee can" and swirling noises (phasing) behind the sound, especially percussive sounds? It is even apparent on speech.

It's great for you if you don't hear the problems as you can just enjoy the stations. I am just surprised you don't hear the problems, especially with the engine off.

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by Nitz99

I've been looking for these settings but can't find any posts about this. Could you post the link to the thread you used here? Thanks!

Here you go:

OK, all settings are "clicks from center"... so center all your settings first and then try these;

Treb - +5
Bass - +3
Fader - -2

100 - +4
200 - +4
500 - +6
1K - +6
2k - +4
5k - +5
10K - +6

For me this gives me a really nice, rich sound that's distinctly driver-focused. You can then tweak the settings from there and see what works well for you.

[Nitz99]

Originally Posted by AndDown

Here you go:

OK, all settings are "clicks from center"... so center all your settings first and then try these;

Treb - +5
Bass - +3
Fader - -2

100 - +4
200 - +4
500 - +6
1K - +6
2k - +4
5k - +5
10K - +6

For me this gives me a really nice, rich sound that's distinctly driver-focused. You can then tweak the settings from there and see what works well for you.

Thank you! Looking forward to setting the system according to the tweaks here. Thanks again AndDown

[dmontic71]

I like the sat radio for the content, but it does sound crappy. XM sounds better for some reason...