Harmon Kardon Sound System

[RVance]

The eq on some XM channels is horrible . Way too much bass, no clarity in mids and highs.

We've been discussing the horrible audio quality on Sirius/XM channels for some time. I kept my subscription for $6/mo. to listen to news and some baseball on long trips, but I'm cancelling soon. Just not worth it. I am surprised how good the Clari-Fi DSP works on Amazon Prime Music files off my Samsung phone on Bluetooth. I prefer my iPod Classic 160gb with Lossless. Much more consistent quality.

 

[itguy61]

It seems as if some channels on XM are worse than others. Not sure if they eq them different or allot bandwidth/compression by popularity.

 

[RVance]

It seems as if some channels on XM are worse than others. Not sure if they eq them different or allot bandwidth/compression by popularity.

EQ also changes from song to song on the Classic Vinyl channel. Sometimes bass completely overwhelms, which is not the fault of the HK. Spoiler Alert: No actual vinyl is played on the Classic Vinyl station, lol. Additional gripes: ALL these canned formats have the same modus operandi; play the same 50 groups within each genre and play the same 2 Top 40 "Hits" from each group. Over and over. Ad nauseum. I've taken LONG road trips and heard the same song repeated between stops. Unforgivable.

 

[itguy61]

EQ also changes from song to song on the Classic Vinyl channel. Sometimes bass completely overwhelms, which is not the fault of the HK. Spoiler Alert: No actual vinyl is played on the Classic Vinyl station, lol. Additional gripes: ALL these canned formats have the same modus operandi; play the same 50 groups within each genre and play the same 2 Top 40 "Hits" from each group. Over and over. Ad nauseum. I've taken LONG road trips and heard the same song repeated between stops. Unforgivable.

27 Deep Cuts

 

[RVance]

27 Deep Cuts

I have played this channel before. How do you think it sounds, quality wise?

 

[Chark]

27 Deep Cuts

And for what's supposed to be commercial-free music, they sure do remind you that you're listening to SiriusXM in between every song. I have cancelled my subscription and am enjoying my shuffled tracks through iTunes Music.

 

[itguy61]

I have played this channel before. How do you think it sounds, quality wise?

fair at best but better than some of the other channels.

 

[Ozstung]

EQ also changes from song to song on the Classic Vinyl channel. Sometimes bass completely overwhelms, which is not the fault of the HK. Spoiler Alert: No actual vinyl is played on the Classic Vinyl station, lol. Additional gripes: ALL these canned formats have the same modus operandi; play the same 50 groups within each genre and play the same 2 Top 40 "Hits" from each group. Over and over. Ad nauseum. I've taken LONG road trips and heard the same song repeated between stops. Unforgivable.

And that's why I can't listen to FM radio anymore, it's the same songs over and over again.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

And that's why I can't listen to FM radio anymore, it's the same songs over and over again.

Try smoothfm 95.3 even better in DAB

 

[Yujiza]

On the note of bass overkill from SiriusXM; I'm glad this was brought up.

When I read people put their bass EQ levels to +7 or higher, I was surprised. There's already so much bass. Honestly, if it wasn't for the talk show channels (Faction Talk), I wouldn't have a Sirius XM subscription.

I wish there was a way I can create separate EQ profiles for each "input". I definitely find the bass under powered sometimes when I stream music via bluetooth or Android Auto.

 

[Secondchance]

The 15 speaker HK system in the stinger GT is much, MUCH better than the Bang and Olufsen I had in the S4, the Fender I had in the golf R, and the 19 speaker alpine/bose I had in my Durango. The clarity and full sound it produces when set up properly in phenomenal.

After playing with it some, I discovered like most factory systems with tweeters and a sub(s) that lowering the mid in direct relation to bass and treble helps a tone. I.E. if you have treble on +6, put mid on +3.

Also completely depends on what you're using for playback both in terms of the device ( which phone, what brand ) and the software you're using/ its using inside the software ( itunes, google music, spotify and what EQ you are or are not using inside of said program )

I also keep the surround sound option off, I find with it on the sound comes out almost confused sometimes.

 

[RVance]

[QUOTE="I also keep the surround sound option off, I find with it on the sound comes out almost confused sometimes.[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure, like most non-discrete surround formats, HK uses a DSP that synthesizes some kind of approximation of a true surround, which extracts signal from the stereo source and uses delay and spatial cues to fool the ear. Some distortion is inevitable. Gone are the days when companies like Acura had true Dolby Digital systems capable of playing DVD-A hi-res discs. Media is now "obsolete." But having been spoiled by my home systems for 40 years, I was pleasantly surprised how nicely the HK plays Apple Lossless and lower resolution Bluetooth streams. I prefer the punchy, tight bass- I can loosen screws with tools if I have to.

 

[andrew tay]

Flacc on USB HDD >> android auto with google play music >> google play music on bluetooth >> radio....in sound quality

 

[itguy61]

I do wish they had eq settings per input. You get the sound right for high quality files on your phone and switch to XM and it all Bass!!!

 

[LegacyGTv2.0]

Additional gripes: ALL these canned formats have the same modus operandi; play the same 50 groups within each genre and play the same 2 Top 40 "Hits" from each group. Over and over. Ad nauseum. I've taken LONG road trips and heard the same song repeated between stops. Unforgivable.

And for what's supposed to be commercial-free music, they sure do remind you that you're listening to SiriusXM in between every song. I have cancelled my subscription and am enjoying my shuffled tracks through iTunes Music.

Those are the exact reasons I cancelled mine. For however many channels, there's surprisingly little variety....

 

[Dr_jitsu]

The HK 15 speaker system is decent. The Lexicon system on my 2011 Equus was better.

 

[RVance]

The HK 15 speaker system is decent. The Lexicon system on my 2011 Equus was better.

The Equus was a flagship. Lexicon is high end.

 

[Dr_jitsu]

Yes, awesome car. I liked that system. It got flooded, insurance raped me on reimbursement and here I am. Been very pleased with the Stinger.

 

[KayT77]

I picked up a GT Limited earlier this week, which contains the 15 speaker surround sound system. I broke the speakers in at low volume for a few hours, and have been trialing it at different volumes and tones. Currently, the bass is +3, mid at +6, and treble at +5, with Clarify and On-stage options selected. Mostly, I listen to rock, alternative, and pop.

It's a little lackluster.

While it is no Bang and Olufsen or Bowers and Wilkens system, I was hoping for a little higher sound levels and quality.

I'm now looking into replacing the lows and tweeters in each door, and perhaps the subwoofers (I don't believe the mids or center speaker are feasibly replaceable). Either Hertz Mille or some sort of JL speakers are at the top of my list for aftermarkets.

I've never replaced stock speakers in a brand new car like this, and I'm a little lost as to a starting point. Is the amplifier hidden somewhere, or is each speaker individually and locally amplified? Are component wires, coaxial cables, or fibre optic cables run to each speaker? If the speakers are replaced, would this void the basic and extended warranty on the infotainment system?

If anyone has dug up some detailed info regarding the specifications of the sound system, or if you have comments on the sound systems installed in the Stinger, please drop a reply!

The sound system available for this vehicle as an upgraded package is Harmon/Kardon quantum logic one that highly outperforms bose or any other system I have heard. I can make this statement because my husband and I are audiophiles when it comes to cars and home theaters. Hopping in my husbands truck (bose) after driving with my Harmon kardon is like going from HD to am radio.
The makers of the car had the sound system custom made for this car so you will not find sound like it anywhere else. They spent countless hours listening and adjusting the sound until it was deemed perfect. One of the special features you will not find in stock sound systems are the dual subwoofers installed under the driver seat; the makers new that a sub was imperative for quality sound however in order to achieve the sound they wanted they needed a large sub with plenty of space to "knock" but the stinger lacked the space needed for such a large setup, they overcame this obstical by installing 2 subs, far superior to anything I have hears in any car (we test drive a lot). This is just one example of the time and effort put into to just the sound system alone. So for anyone thinking about modifying the sound system Don't! You would destroying an amazing custom tailored sound unmatched by any that would only result in a downgraded sound installed by less than experts, which would decrease the resale value of the car. To me it seems like you did not opt for this sound system upgrade, for which I have to say "sorry for your loss"

 

[westcoastGT]

The sound system available for this vehicle as an upgraded package is Harmon/Kardon quantum logic one that highly outperforms bose or any other system I have heard. I can make this statement because my husband and I are audiophiles when it comes to cars and home theaters. Hopping in my husbands truck (bose) after driving with my Harmon kardon is like going from HD to am radio.
The makers of the car had the sound system custom made for this car so you will not find sound like it anywhere else. They spent countless hours listening and adjusting the sound until it was deemed perfect. One of the special features you will not find in stock sound systems are the dual subwoofers installed under the driver seat; the makers new that a sub was imperative for quality sound however in order to achieve the sound they wanted they needed a large sub with plenty of space to "knock" but the stinger lacked the space needed for such a large setup, they overcame this obstical by installing 2 subs, far superior to anything I have hears in any car (we test drive a lot). This is just one example of the time and effort put into to just the sound system alone. So for anyone thinking about modifying the sound system Don't! You would destroying an amazing custom tailored sound unmatched by any that would only result in a downgraded sound installed by less than experts, which would decrease the resale value of the car. To me it seems like you did not opt for this sound system upgrade, for which I have to say "sorry for your loss"

thats your opinion