Harmon Kardon Sound System

[RVance]

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"

A lot of the disses on this system seem to be based on the fact that the subwoofers won't loosen dental fillings (I hate subterranean tremors unless I'm watching a movie on my Marantz/Wharfedale 7.2 surround system at home). Another factor is the horrible, execrable, unforgivably shitty lack of quality from the Sirius stream. Apparently, they are compressing and equalizing a ridiculously low bit rate band width signal with all the emphasis on bloated, muddy bass, which completely destroys the mids and highs. Almost as if their target audience is using a cheap dash radio. Don't they listen to their product? It sucks. I'm unable to enjoy any music programming from their myriad stations. Just news shows occasionally. My iPod Classic Lossless files play very nicely, and even most Amazon music Bluetooth from my Samsung 7 phone has surprised me with its listenability. The JL Audio/Alpine amp 6 speaker, 4 channel system in my 1989 Mustang GT pales in comparison to the Stinger's. The smaller dual subs are much faster and tighter than a big sub in a box would be. Perfect for music.

 

[edgarciadesign]

thats your opinion

Isn't everyone's opinion their own?

 

[SteveCo]

Lossless FLAC files I've ripped from CDs sound amazing when played through native USB or Android Auto - and yes, that's my opinion. Bluetooth streaming is of decent quality if the source recording is good, though can't touch lossless.

I think I listened to about 10 minutes of SXM total on my 'free trial' before abandoning it as not worth the time.

 

[westcoastGT]

Isn't everyone's opinion their own?

wow ...........no

 

[terrylharris]

Isn't everyone's opinion their own?

Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one.

 

[RVance]

Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one.

Yea, but some are pink and rosy, and others are gross and stinky.

 

[Ozstung]

Rose petals or chocolate starfish?

 

[Michael_Z32]

Love the sound setup on our cars. I have 2 stingers and I literally just got in my car (sound config: Bass +4, Mid +1, Treb +2, Clari-fi enabled, Quantum on stage mode)
The sound was not emitting from speakers at all. Reset my whole car and it worked. Reconfigured my sound and it stopped working. Noticed Quantum doesn’t work on any mode. Warning to those wondering if it happens to them. Guessing it’ll be fixed in an update

 

[MerlintheMad]

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"

Hi, Kay. We satisfied ourselves that the MY18 GT had a factory nine speaker system which included the two subs under the front seats. The HK is just that much better!

Of course, what 2020 brings with four instead of five trims is anybody's guess. We know that the GT-Line has six speakers; the GT has nine, and the GT1 and GT2 have 15 speakers via HK. Positioning of the nine and six speakers systems remains to be seen: but I do not anticipate the GT losing the two under-seat subs.

 

[me&stinger]

The HK audio is ok in my humble opinion, but not great. It's fine though as I wasn't expecting anything stellar. I just wanted an audio system that could play off of a USB with seek and I have just that. Can't complain. If I wanted high-end I'd do it myself...But I'm too complacent these days to put in the effort. Besides, I mostly listen while I'm on the road driving. Or shall I clarify, that I listen to the music, not listen to the sound system itself. True tales from an audiophile.

 

[Ozstung]

The HK audio is ok in my humble opinion, but not great. It's fine though as I wasn't expecting anything stellar. I just wanted an audio system that could play off of a USB with seek and I have just that. Can't complain. If I wanted high-end I'd do it myself...But I'm too complacent these days to put in the effort. Besides, I mostly listen while I'm on the road driving. Or shall I clarify, that I listen to the music, not listen to the sound system itself. True tales from an audiophile.

There's been volumes written on here about the sound system it's strengths and weaknesses . Some very knowledge people have contributed a wealth of knowledge in some threads. It may pay to use the search button In the top Lh corner to search thread titled regarding info on the system and people's upgrades. Worth a read.

 

[Ty Davis]

The HK audio is ok in my humble opinion, but not great. It's fine though as I wasn't expecting anything stellar. I just wanted an audio system that could play off of a USB with seek and I have just that. Can't complain. If I wanted high-end I'd do it myself...But I'm too complacent these days to put in the effort. Besides, I mostly listen while I'm on the road driving. Or shall I clarify, that I listen to the music, not listen to the sound system itself. True tales from an audiophile.

I suspect the HK system will improve significantly with better speakers replacing some (if not all) of the stock locations. Haven’t got around to it yet, but it’s on my todo list. Nothing crazy, just wanna throw in some quality units. I suspect it’s gonna be tough to find a drop in replacement for the subs though.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

The HK audio is ok in my humble opinion, but not great. It's fine though as I wasn't expecting anything stellar. I just wanted an audio system that could play off of a USB with seek and I have just that. Can't complain. If I wanted high-end I'd do it myself...But I'm too complacent these days to put in the effort. Besides, I mostly listen while I'm on the road driving. Or shall I clarify, that I listen to the music, not listen to the sound system itself. True tales from an audiophile.

Many people thought it was “just OK” until updating the settings and tuning it properly.

Its one of the better stock systems available and is on par or almost as good as the luxury brands stereos like Burmester, Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, etc. It’s very detail oriented and minor adjustments make a huge difference in sound quality. Just make sure Clarify is off and Quantum is set to “on stage”. Also the HK system is naturally very bright and needs the lows to be boosted for best overall sound. I and a few other have found that Bass +8, Mids +5 & highs +3 works great for a wide variety of music types.

Lastly, make sure to always use the highest quality sources like lossless audio files etc. or the sound reproduction will suffer dramatically.

 

[Vladec]

Many people thought it was “just OK” until updating the settings and tuning it properly.

Its one of the better stock systems available and is on par or almost as good as the luxury brands stereos like Burmester, Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, etc. It’s very detail oriented and minor adjustments make a huge difference in sound quality. Just make sure Clarify is off and Quantum is set to “on stage”. Also the HK system is naturally very bright and needs the lows to be boosted for best overall sound. I and a few other have found that Bass +8, Mids +5 & highs +3 works great for a wide variety of music types.

Lastly, make sure to always use the highest quality sources like lossless audio files etc. or the sound reproduction will suffer dramatically.

I think the hk sound system is great. From a guy that was in the car audio scene I'm curious what people are knocking on it? You cant be heard from a 1/4 mile away?

 

[me&stinger]

Thank you guys for lifting my spirits!

In all honesty, I've always had high-end sound systems. In every car I've owned. I come from an era of the Alpine 7909's, Nakamichi's, MB-Quart, Boston Acoustics, Soundstream, and yes, Harmon Kardon. I've owned them all and then some. Currently I have Focal speakers and Zapco amps in their original packaging waiting for a chance to shine. I'm just lazy to do anything about it.

There's been volumes written on here about the sound system it's strengths and weaknesses . Some very knowledge people have contributed a wealth of knowledge in some threads. It may pay to use the search button In the top Lh corner to search thread titled regarding info on the system and people's upgrades. Worth a read.

Thank you! I will certainly do that.

I suspect the HK system will improve significantly with better speakers replacing some (if not all) of the stock locations. Haven’t got around to it yet, but it’s on my todo list. Nothing crazy, just wanna throw in some quality units. I suspect it’s gonna be tough to find a drop in replacement for the subs though.

If I were to begin, I'd look for areas to improve the sound quality within the car...Before speaker replacements. Small things like filling in the gaps around the speakers and dampening helps tremendously.

Many people thought it was “just OK” until updating the settings and tuning it properly.

Its one of the better stock systems available and is on par or almost as good as the luxury brands stereos like Burmester, Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, etc. It’s very detail oriented and minor adjustments make a huge difference in sound quality. Just make sure Clarify is off and Quantum is set to “on stage”. Also the HK system is naturally very bright and needs the lows to be boosted for best overall sound. I and a few other have found that Bass +8, Mids +5 & highs +3 works great for a wide variety of music types.

Lastly, make sure to always use the highest quality sources like lossless audio files etc. or the sound reproduction will suffer dramatically.

Car sound systems generally lack rich and full mid-bass. I currently have my bass +4 and mids +3. I also set my highs between -2 and -3. I turned off any processing. "On Stage" brings up the front stage decently but my audio has turned off now 2 times with it on so I have it off. To compensate I've moved "Position" up 2 notches from center. I haven't spent a great deal playing with the settings though.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Many people thought it was “just OK” until updating the settings and tuning it properly.

Its one of the better stock systems available and is on par or almost as good as the luxury brands stereos like Burmester, Bang & Olufsen, Bowers & Wilkins, etc. It’s very detail oriented and minor adjustments make a huge difference in sound quality. Just make sure Clarify is off and Quantum is set to “on stage”. Also the HK system is naturally very bright and needs the lows to be boosted for best overall sound. I and a few other have found that Bass +8, Mids +5 & highs +3 works great for a wide variety of music types.

Lastly, make sure to always use the highest quality sources like lossless audio files etc. or the sound reproduction will suffer dramatically.

My settings are almost identical to yours, however I have Clari-fi on, what’s the difference between having this on or off.

 

[Gargamel]

Isn't everyone's opinion their own?

If you want to take the thread a political turn.. Lets just settle with "no".

 

[Scott Curry]

Most of the time a stereo system just needs good bass and the rest of it will sound much better what are people doing for subwoofers on this are they replacing them can they be replaced and replaced with what?

 

[Bigbikes]

I personally love the sound system in my car, it's got plenty of adjustment to how (I LIKE IT)....Sound varies to everyone's tastes and what they actually can hear. Some of us may be more deaf to certain frequencies than others ie with age ...Some will drive with windows down others not, for me it's more than enough and again what we play on radio will also be different. I sometimes use Spotify, then i will bluetooth, also just plain talk back radio, so it's hard to have perfect environment so for me it's a BIG THUMBS UP...

 

[StungBlueGT2]

My settings are almost identical to yours, however I have Clari-fi on, what’s the difference between having this on or off.

I’ve found that clari-fi over boosts certain frequency and sounds artificial. Sometimes this isnt very noticeable but other times it distorts the sound so I just turned it off.