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      01-10-2021, 01:09 PM   #1
Jon TDI
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Disappointing sound quality from music on iPhone

I have the HK sound system in my F31 & am disappointed on the sound quality when playing music from my iPhone via Bluetooth.
It sounds like it’s playing through a paper bag!
It’s no where near as good as the quality of sound when switching over to DAB radio.
Volume on my phone is around half way with no other settings adjusted.

Is this normal? Do I need to do anything in the settings or just live with it?
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      01-10-2021, 01:13 PM   #2
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Whats the quality of the source you are streaming? I know the HK setup shows up poor quality files really obviously
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      01-10-2021, 01:26 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speedski View Post
Whats the quality of the source you are streaming? I know the HK setup shows up poor quality files really obviously
Just normal download quality from Apple.
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      01-10-2021, 01:27 PM   #4
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Turn the volume on your phone right up when using Bluetooth audio - sounds much better!!
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      01-10-2021, 01:46 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Malone View Post
Turn the volume on your phone right up when using Bluetooth audio - sounds much better!!
This....

Part of the start up car ritual. Make sure phone player on max
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      01-11-2021, 02:54 AM   #6
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As previous posters have said, iPhone volume to Max and then start tweaking the HK Eq and Surround 7 settings to suit your ears.
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      01-11-2021, 04:14 AM   #7
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Alternatively to get the best quality plug it in. I always found Bluetooth audio to be a bit ropey on both F3x that I've had. Either using a wired connection or CarPlay over WiFi yields better results in my experience.
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      01-11-2021, 05:10 AM   #8
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There also seems to be a massive difference between HK implementations in different models. I've had it in four cars (335d GT, 335d Touring, 530d saloon and 640i GT) and it's been radically different in all four. The 640i has been the best, but that may be because there's larger cavities behind the speakers due to the size of the car (or maybe just more speakers and wattage!!).
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      01-11-2021, 05:17 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Malone View Post
Turn the volume on your phone right up when using Bluetooth audio - sounds much better!!
Exactly this. Wait until it's connected & playing music first. Then turn the phone volume to maximum.
The phone should then "remember" the volume setting when connected to your car as a bluetooth source. Only after software updates should it need doing again.
And in your phones music settings, turn the equaliser OFF.
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      02-06-2021, 02:49 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronstein View Post
As previous posters have said, iPhone volume to Max and then start tweaking the HK Eq and Surround 7 settings to suit your ears.
Did exactly this tonight & now sounds awesome!
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      02-06-2021, 04:56 PM   #11
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I get great sound from mine either via sun or Bluetooth streaming...I have my HK amp coded to Bang & Olufsen and the following equaliser settings...I'm no sound expert but this sits me.

Harmon/Kardon B&O Settings:
Treble +1, Bass 0, Fader 0, B&O Expanded
100Hz -1
200Hz -6
500Hz -2
1kHz +1
2kHz 0
5kHz +1
10kHz +2
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      02-07-2021, 04:02 AM   #12
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copy pasted from another thread
I use the 3d settings and it made a good degree of difference from default settings

There is an existing thread on this topic where I shared my F15 settings that I have not yet tested on the G05:

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=26

F15 Harman Kardor Equalizer
Hey Guys, i found below setting from China Dealer and it is quite good for ME. Just want to happy share!

a. Super Bass mode:
100Hz +5
200Hz +4
500Hz +3
1KHz +1
2kHz -1
5kHz -4
10kHz-5

b 3D mode (I am currently using it, you can hear the difference from the 7 logic mode and the normal mode.)
100Hz +4
200Hz -3
500Hz +8
1kHz +9
2kHz -6
5kHz +8
10kHz +4


c Classic music
100Hz ;0
200Hz ;0
500Hz 0
1kHz 0
2kHz 0
5kHz -5
10kHz -6

d Pop Music (Second Choice)
100Hz +4
200Hz +3
500Hz -3
1kHz ;-2
2kHz +1
5kHz ;+3
10kHz +6
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      02-07-2021, 05:27 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronstein View Post
There also seems to be a massive difference between HK implementations in different models. I've had it in four cars (335d GT, 335d Touring, 530d saloon and 640i GT) and it's been radically different in all four.
That's correct, even within the F3x range of models, the HK can sound quite different. While the speakers seem to be the same all the time, the differences in the cabin of the model, placement and type of the speakers, along with the possible versions of the amp make a big difference. Something I've discovered recently and surprised me again is the HU version influence it, too.
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      02-07-2021, 06:32 AM   #14
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I have an iphone 11 pro max i always plug it via usb because the sound quality is way better than Bluetooth, so next time try plug in via usb and youll see a huge difference
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      02-07-2021, 11:45 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roopsy1992 View Post
I have an iphone 11 pro max i always plug it via usb because the sound quality is way better than Bluetooth, so next time try plug in via usb and youll see a huge difference
Probably cos your phone volume isn't at maximum. When it is, there shouldn't be any difference
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      02-08-2021, 04:27 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon TDI View Post
Did exactly this tonight & now sounds awesome!
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      02-08-2021, 05:12 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t5pilot View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by roopsy1992 View Post
I have an iphone 11 pro max i always plug it via usb because the sound quality is way better than Bluetooth, so next time try plug in via usb and youll see a huge difference
Probably cos your phone volume isn't at maximum. When it is, there shouldn't be any difference
When the phone is plugged in the usb the volume is at full max on my phone. Then i control the volume from the car
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