Harmon Kardon Sound System

[Jumpy]

So for those of you with the premium audio system, how are those under-seat subs? Do they make your ass vibrate?

 

[Kia Stinger]

So for those of you with the premium audio system, how are those under-seat subs? Do they make your ass vibrate?

I've lost track but somebody around here mentioned the bass feels really good...

 

[bucktown]

Oh man Kia used to use Polk?? That's sick... I wish.

My bad, I meant to say Infinity. In my view, both similar and great speakers. Have Polks all over my house. Always thought highly of Klipsch too. Know sound is a personal preference but I always liked a clean, clear, and bright experience with my sound. Efficient too. All three of these speakers do it for me. Jury is out on the Stinger set up.

 

[CrisX]

Completely agree on having a equalizer. I'm going to pull out my dB meter this weekend if I have time, to find out where the dip is in frequency response. I'm now even thinking that the woofers, those on the doors that are in front of the door pockets, not the sub under the front seats, may not be working or wired out of phase. Will share my findings.

 

[Taimaishoo]

Ok. Having heard bluetooth audio, SAT radio and over-the-air radio on this car, they all SUCK! Snuck in a personal USB 320Kbps thumb drive and it sounds way better, IMO. Personally, I would still like a little more lower frequency response but all in all, I like the system over all.

 

[hej]

I'm a bit surprised to see the upgraded stereo be given the thumbs down. The Harmon Kardon stereo on my BMW was excellent and I had high hopes that the Stinger's stereo would be more than just HK selling out their branding rights to Kia.

 

[Taimaishoo]

It's not bad, really. I like it. Just that with my friend bluetoothing his phone, the audio was rather low, I guess he might have needed to turn up the volume on his side a little bit. Never really did like SAT radio, it sounds 'okay' but has so many issues; like going out while driving under the awning at a local pharmacy drive-through and of the 100's of channels, I'd only choose like 4 of them and that's including the Holiday one. hehe

I use (2) 128GB USB thumb drives and most of my music is on them as 320Kbps MP3s and they sound much better.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Isn't there a break-in time for the stereo system where the speakers will sound better over time? If I'm not mistaken, I see a lot of this online. I've never noticed myself but I don't play music loud anymore as I pretty much always have passengers. When it comes to Bluetooth, yes I have definitely seen it where the volume on the playing device is low - so it's also low on the device airing the music...

 

[BIGRED]

My 2011 Optima SX has the Infinity sound system which I've been very pleased with. I hope the Harmon Kardon system won't be a step down from this...

 

[CoconutRob]

Just watched a stinger review on YouTube last night. Said the system sounded awsome!

 

[westcoastGT]

My 16 year old ,audio obsessed ,son sat in the car for an hour playing with all the sound options and proclaimed it .... Dope !................... which I believe means really good ! So there !

 

[Kia Stinger]

My 16 year old ,audio obsessed ,son sat in the car for an hour playing with all the sound options and proclaimed it .... Dope !................... which I believe means really good ! So there !

Hahaha! I think your sound system just got the official seal of approval!

 

[westcoastGT]

Hahaha! I think your sound system just got the official seal of approval!

Ya I think . and he wont let me adjust any settings !

 

[Kia Stinger]

Ya I think . and he wont let me adjust any settings !

The youngens know best.

 

[BIGRED]

I'll have my 14-year old have a swing at it too when I get mine in February!

 

[Jesse]

The system has sounded better given some time. The hissing at the 10k-16k frequency range has softened a little bit, and the unity of the spectrum seems more solid. I suppose people, myself included, are just looking for a 10 thousand dollar stereo sound, which is completely unreasonable of course haha. It sounds pretty good! Definitely. Just big money if someone ever wants to upgrade, but that's any new car nowadays.

 

[Kia Stinger]

The system has sounded better given some time. The hissing at the 10k-16k frequency range has softened a little bit, and the unity of the spectrum seems more solid. I suppose people, myself included, are just looking for a 10 thousand dollar stereo sound, which is completely unreasonable of course haha. It sounds pretty good! Definitely. Just big money if someone ever wants to upgrade, but that's any new car nowadays.

Thank you very much for the update. It's good to know the audio system is sounding better and better as it breaks in...

 

[Kazz]

I've not read all the posts in this thread. But it was immediately, screamingly obvious to me that Sirius/XM and FM radio quality is awful. Spotify sounds much better. I've not looked into downloaded audio files yet. But yes, I was very concerned at first. One of the settings changes whether the sound profile is that of being on stage or in the audience. Try playing with that if you're not enjoying your sound currently.

 

[Gdank]

On my test drive I wouldn't turn the volume to max ... got about 3/4 and stopped ... because I was afraid my ears would bleed.

Anyone who needs more volume must be deaf! ;-)

As for quality ... I have no idea, as I'm old and used to 80's pop music!

 

[Kia Stinger]

On my test drive I wouldn't turn the volume to max ... got about 3/4 and stopped ... because I was afraid my ears would bleed.

Anyone who needs more volume must be deaf! ;-)

As for quality ... I have no idea, as I'm old and used to 80's pop music!

Some people like to FEEL their music!

80s, huh? Are you a member of the 80s Exchange?