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      08-28-2014, 04:36 PM   #67
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The cut-in frequency of the speakers is likely around 100Hz, which would explain the massive gain you are trying to put in to try and flatten the signal out (at least perceivably). The 200Hz is likely where the HK system is trying to get that big bass sound.

I happen to have a lot of sound level meters lying around (perks of the job ). I'll see if I can work out what gives the most flat response.
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      08-28-2014, 04:53 PM   #68
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The more I listen to my HK, the more I dislike it. The highs are just overly harsh and piercing, almost making me cringe at times. Bass response and midrange are decent, but overall I think this system is better suited as a no-cost option. For an "optional sound system," it's at or slightly below average.

I listen almost exclusively to progressive house, but on the rare occasion modern rock or top 40.

L7 on

Bass at 75%
Trebble just a click below

100Hz +5
200Hz +3
500Hz +2
1kHz flat
2kHz +1
5kHz +2
10kHz +2

I've generally found a U shape to be more to my liking but a little lighter on the highs.
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      08-28-2014, 06:48 PM   #69
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I understand and agree. Don't have the manual handy, but it seems to me that there is "speed adjustment" setting for the volume -- perhaps that may help a little when accelerating
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      08-28-2014, 08:28 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joz
The cut-in frequency of the speakers is likely around 100Hz, which would explain the massive gain you are trying to put in to try and flatten the signal out (at least perceivably). The 200Hz is likely where the HK system is trying to get that big bass sound.
Yup. The midrange drivers can't play low enough to mate better with the under-seat woofers. There is a compromise in the design of the system here.
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      01-06-2015, 01:58 PM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Yup. The midrange drivers can't play low enough to mate better with the under-seat woofers. There is a compromise in the design of the system here.
Going to try these settings on my new X1. Wonder if they'll work in a "larger" cabin with what I think is slightly different speaker placement.

Ever get a chance to get an RTA in the car?
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      01-06-2015, 06:52 PM   #72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GBX
Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Yup. The midrange drivers can't play low enough to mate better with the under-seat woofers. There is a compromise in the design of the system here.
Going to try these settings on my new X1. Wonder if they'll work in a "larger" cabin with what I think is slightly different speaker placement.

Ever get a chance to get an RTA in the car?
As I became more familiar with the HK system's performance an RTA measurement became less interesting. I'll try and get a session in once the weather gets warm again just to share with the forum.
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      01-22-2015, 10:02 PM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Would you believe I just realized the iPhone Music app's EQ presets are active over USB? Doh!

I did listen to Sirius a bit, but I guess you should take those adjustments I just made with a grain of salt.

:embarrassed:
I tried your first settings and I saw a big improvement. I agree with you on the non linear base. I also am an engineer and have done quite a bit of spectral audio stuff for medical (CT noise) and balanced a few home stereos. Interesting that I have balanced with test tones to get completely flat room response on home stereo and the sound is not necessarily to my taste but your starting point, in particular on the bass sounds good. I don't think anyone can get Sirius to sound good. It only has 39k of bandwidth and the compression gets in the way of the sound.

Looking forward to what you end up with. I'm on the fence on weather or not I prefer stereo or 7.1. Please let us know when you balance with the phone EQ flat

Thanks for sharing

Last edited by Tim F; 01-22-2015 at 10:05 PM.. Reason: spelling
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      01-30-2015, 01:35 PM   #74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBX
Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Yup. The midrange drivers can't play low enough to mate better with the under-seat woofers. There is a compromise in the design of the system here.
Going to try these settings on my new X1. Wonder if they'll work in a "larger" cabin with what I think is slightly different speaker placement.

Ever get a chance to get an RTA in the car?
As I became more familiar with the HK system's performance an RTA measurement became less interesting. I'll try and get a session in once the weather gets warm again just to share with the forum.
Tried your current set up.
Sounds great! Thanks.
Keep us posted on any news!
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      02-07-2015, 03:16 AM   #75
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Glenn, thank you soooooo much! it took me all the way from down to up

I kept playing with it, and I really recommend to try this setup:
Treble flat
Bass -1
Fader +2

L7 on

100Hz +5
200Hz -4
500Hz -1
1kHz -1
2kHz -2
5kHz -1
10kHz +2

It is the only setup which suits me for most genre of music without changing the bass.........

Enjoy

Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Still playing with this, but this is how it's set at the moment. Like I mentioned, I move the Bass control quite a bit to compensate for different listening material. I don't seem to move the EQ too often except for 100Hz...
I wouldn't be too against having 5kHz and 10kHz flat... The frequency response might be a bit smoother, but the distortion from the tweeters bothers me so I take them down a touch.

Still need to get an RTA in the car though. Someday!

Treble flat
Bass flat

L7 on

100Hz +5
200Hz -5
500Hz +1
1kHz flat
2kHz flat
5kHz -1
10kHz -1
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      02-07-2015, 11:33 AM   #76
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Glenn - thanks for your comments on this thread. Your settings have improved the sound of my HK quite a bit!
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      02-07-2015, 11:34 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avusm3
Glenn - thanks for your comments on this thread. Your settings have improved the sound of my HK quite a bit!
Awesome!
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      02-17-2015, 06:56 PM   #78
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Hey Glen-- Any updated settings??
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      02-18-2015, 09:26 AM   #79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steelers6891
Hey Glen-- Any updated settings??
Not too much. I might vary 100 Hz between +3 and +5; and flirt around with 200 Hz at -3, but usually I have those two bands set at +4 and -4 respectively. I pretty much decided I can't improve upon the other settings as described earlier in this thread.
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      03-11-2015, 06:03 PM   #80
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Hi there! I see some of you find the HK system to be harsh etc at times. What do you think a simple speaker swap would do to the system? Say you change them out to Gladen bmw speakers?
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      06-20-2015, 04:41 PM   #81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
FYI: any HK EQ tuning performed while the car is stopped will change the moment you start driving. That is the speed-dependent EQ and bass level feature in the OEM amp working.

Disabling Logic7 just disables the surround feature and not the Dynamic EQ and bass.
Do you know which of these systems are in use with the HK in the F3X cars?

Depending on the version, Harman Kardon sound systems are linked with the Dynamic Volume Control (DVC) or Speed-Sensitive Volume Adjustment (SSVA) to maximize comfort during driving.

The digital Dynamic Volume Control (DVC) ensures an optimum sound experience regardless of ambient noise. A well-placed microphone in the vehicle measures the signals from the sound system and any background noise. Rather than simply increasing the volume, only the affected frequencies are adjusted to adapt to the new noise situation. This ensures a pleasant, consistent music experience, even under difficult listening conditions.

The Speed-Sensitive Volume Adjustment (SSVA) ensures an optimum audio impression at any time, thanks to continuous adjustment of loudness in response to the speed of the car. Every change in speed is forwarded to the sound system by means of a speedometer signal so that the level is automatically adjusted accordingly. This gives passengers the impression that the sound level is the same at all times.

http://www.automotive.harmankardon.c...ns/dvcgal.aspx
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      06-20-2015, 04:52 PM   #82
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AFAIK, BMW do not use DVC via microphone in the Top HiFi system (HK, Logic7, Individual Audio, B&O) but by speed sensing. SSVA is common since the E46 days regardless of OEM sound system.

Quote:
Originally Posted by snj49er View Post
Do you know which of these systems are in use with the HK in the F3X cars?

Depending on the version, Harman Kardon sound systems are linked with the Dynamic Volume Control (DVC) or Speed-Sensitive Volume Adjustment (SSVA) to maximize comfort during driving.

The digital Dynamic Volume Control (DVC) ensures an optimum sound experience regardless of ambient noise. A well-placed microphone in the vehicle measures the signals from the sound system and any background noise. Rather than simply increasing the volume, only the affected frequencies are adjusted to adapt to the new noise situation. This ensures a pleasant, consistent music experience, even under difficult listening conditions.

The Speed-Sensitive Volume Adjustment (SSVA) ensures an optimum audio impression at any time, thanks to continuous adjustment of loudness in response to the speed of the car. Every change in speed is forwarded to the sound system by means of a speedometer signal so that the level is automatically adjusted accordingly. This gives passengers the impression that the sound level is the same at all times.

http://www.automotive.harmankardon.c...ns/dvcgal.aspx
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      06-20-2015, 05:12 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
AFAIK, BMW do not use DVC via microphone in the Top HiFi system (HK, Logic7, Individual Audio, B&O) but by speed sensing. SSVA is common since the E46 days regardless of OEM sound system.
Thx a million, T! How do you contend with this when you tune EQ in real life? Not sure whether the SSVA is linear or not...
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      06-20-2015, 05:15 PM   #84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snj49er View Post
Thx a million, T! How do you contend with this when you tune EQ in real life? Not sure whether the SSVA is linear or not...
The automatic adjustments are not radical but significant enough for those that keep asking for other forum members EQ settings.

Personally, I just normally remove the OEM amp by coding, install aftermarket DSP/amps and solve all these issues at the root.
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      06-20-2015, 05:29 PM   #85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
The automatic adjustments are not radical but significant enough for those that keep asking for other forum members EQ settings.

Personally, I just normally remove the OEM amp by coding, install aftermarket DSP/amps and solve all these issues at the root.
Got it. Appreciate your help!
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      06-20-2015, 06:58 PM   #86
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glennQNYC View Post
Still playing with this, but this is how it's set at the moment. Like I mentioned, I move the Bass control quite a bit to compensate for different listening material. I don't seem to move the EQ too often except for 100Hz...
I wouldn't be too against having 5kHz and 10kHz flat... The frequency response might be a bit smoother, but the distortion from the tweeters bothers me so I take them down a touch.

Still need to get an RTA in the car though. Someday!

Treble flat
Bass flat

L7 on

100Hz +5
200Hz -5
500Hz +1
1kHz flat
2kHz flat
5kHz -1
10kHz -1
This is what I have mine at currently and I feel it sounds pretty good. I increase or decrease the BASS on the main page as required between +1/0/-1 depending on the music. I play a lot of AIFF (CD quality or slightly better) files and I feel the HK does not sound too terribly bad. It is one of the better systems I have listened to in recent years in cars.
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      06-21-2015, 12:10 PM   #87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AGONXF30 View Post
This is what I have mine at currently and I feel it sounds pretty good. I increase or decrease the BASS on the main page as required between +1/0/-1 depending on the music. I play a lot of AIFF (CD quality or slightly better) files and I feel the HK does not sound too terribly bad. It is one of the better systems I have listened to in recent years in cars.
+1
GlennQNYC'S Equalizer settings are terrific; just like you when I play iPod music, the settings are right on target; when I listen to SiriusXM, however, I do have to plus up either end (100 & 10K Hz) a little because their sound is no where near as good
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      06-21-2015, 02:13 PM   #88
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Are you running the stock HK speakers glennQNYC ?
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