[DFW1980]

Originally Posted by Duncs1961

I opted for the HK upgrade and I'm very pleased with it. The bass is superb; clean and plenty of depth, even at high volume. The mids and highs are very clear too. I don't know what the total wattage is, but it's certainly loud enough for me, to the point where it is uncomfortably loud when you wind the volume up to full.

For those wondering, the total speaker count is 11. Tweeter and midrange units in each door, a centre speaker on top of the dash and a woofer under each front seat.

Finally, my advice would be to switch off the 'enhanced' mode - stereo separation and clarity is far better with this mode off.
My only disappointment is there is no graphic equaliser, just bass and treble sliders. That said, a neutral treble setting and one notch positive on the bass setting gives me an ideal balanced sound for most genres of music, so the lack of this feature is probably moot.

during my test drive of the X1, I connected my phone via CarPlay and played the usual piece that I use when test driving German cars... played very loud. seems only appropriate, no? anyway, the Harmon Kardon system sounded pretty good!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=AXPRH3qr6PI
Preußens Gloria, Berliner Pavillon Orchester

[Duncs1961]

Originally Posted by DFW1980

during my test drive of the X1, I connected my phone via CarPlay and played the usual piece that I use when test driving German cars... played very loud. seems only appropriate, no? anyway, the Harmon Kardon system sounded pretty good!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=AXPRH3qr6PI
Preußens Gloria, Berliner Pavillon Orchester

That's a good choice, but how about the last movement of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture with full cannons and church bells!

[DFW1980]

Originally Posted by Duncs1961

That's a good choice, but how about the last movement of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture with full cannons and church bells!

will try again with this piece when my X1 gets delivered soon. I have the actual CD and the uncompressed audio file on my phone.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=3i...&feature=share

[hawaiiguy]

the BEST tier with them is in the 'S' range, followed by 'A', 'B' down to the lowest/low quality sound being in the 'E' range.

[Gaffer_H]

Is it just me or is Bass hard to come by on this system?

Tweaked and tweaked and cannot seem to get an acceptable level of bass, I don’t want to it shake the car to pieces but some bass definition would be nice.

There’s no setting to turn the sub woofer up or down which I find strange.

Any ideas, or is it a case of that’s just how it is?

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by Gaffer_H

Is it just me or is Bass hard to come by on this system?

Tweaked and tweaked and cannot seem to get an acceptable level of bass, I don’t want to it shake the car to pieces but some bass definition would be nice.

There’s no setting to turn the sub woofer up or down which I find strange.

Any ideas, or is it a case of that’s just how it is?

I've had 4 BMW's with the HK systems and none of them have had a separate control for the subwoofer.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

I've had 4 BMW's with the HK systems and none of them have had a separate control for the subwoofer.

Thanks for confirming, sounds like I’ve done all I can then in terms of tweaking.

[MontyB1]

I've just turned the base up and left the treble in the controls, don't think it needs to be any brighter.

[DestinationMoon!]

You could run a source that has an EQ

[Petroleum]

Originally Posted by DestinationMoon!

You could run a source that has an EQ

alternatively, one can also do what I do.... which is to take a flash drive(USB C) and ONLY put music files that sound great inside the X1's Harmon Kardon system I have over 50gb of such music.... the ones that didn't sound great in the HK system got deleted.

(or just make playlist of such music in whatever streaming music app you prefer)

[Tazz]

I put an 400w Audison as2 sub in the back of my car, which causes the air to vibrate (bass feeling) where the american spare would go, (au get a tyre repair kit and a automatic pump). It makes it so much the sound objectively better than most cars without sounding too bassy. (at 10 it vibrates the air, at 2 is relatively nuetral). Its on par with our x7 B/W diamond surround sound. Audiophiles tend to dislike the bass general consumers like, which is why the x1 sounds good to an audiophile but not their target market.

My only regret is it may cause a tiny amount of rattling from somthing in the trunk (i dont know what but it only happens for songs with phonk, but songs like exes by tate or sunflower from spiderman sound amazing)

[Petroleum]

Originally Posted by Tazz

I put an 400w Audison as2 sub in the back of my car, which causes the air to vibrate (bass feeling) where the american spare would go, (au get a tyre repair kit and a automatic pump). It makes it so much the sound objectively better than most cars without sounding too bassy. (at 10 it vibrates the air, at 2 is relatively nuetral). Its on par with our x7 B/W diamond surround sound. Audiophiles tend to dislike the bass general consumers like, which is why the x1 sounds good to an audiophile but not their target market.

My only regret is it may cause a tiny amount of rattling from somthing in the trunk (i dont know what but it only happens for songs with phonk, but songs like exes by tate or sunflower from spiderman sound amazing)

I don't know how to change a flat tire and I always call roadside assistance and let them change it. However, just in case they don't show up for 2 hours, I want to get a flat tyre repair kit. can you take a picture of the kit or give me the part number displayed on the kit? I'd really appreciate it!

[X1-CT]

I chose to load up my x1 with literally everything but the HK sound. Now I’m kinda disappointed. The sound is fine. Just not great with the standard. Get the HK.
I really just didn’t like the chrome grills on the door speakers.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by X1-CT

I chose to load up my x1 with literally everything but the HK sound. Now I’m kinda disappointed. The sound is fine. Just not great with the standard. Get the HK.
I really just didn’t like the chrome grills on the door speakers.

They’re not chrome, they’re matte (and actually metal!)

And of course it’s a personal preference, but I think they give a much better look than the default black plastic

[Petroleum]

Originally Posted by FZI89

They’re not chrome, they’re matte (and actually metal!)

And of course it’s a personal preference, but I think they give a much better look than the default black plastic

thanks for that. I thought they were just plastic with metal color paint. will look closer when I get into the car later. had no idea that those things were metal.