[X1-CT]

So… I’m not sure if I made a mistake or not. When I built my x1 I chose almost every option except I went with the technology package w/ all the driver assistance add-ons instead of the premium package. I did this partially because I didn’t like the way the HK chrome grill covers looked.

That said. Does anyone know if the stock sound is decent? Should I be planning on aftermarket speaker upgrades?

[MontyB1]

It’s only OK, the HK system far better but itself not outstanding, but good.

[hawaiiguy]

Originally Posted by X1-CT

So… I’m not sure if I made a mistake or not. When I built my x1 I chose almost every option except I went with the technology package w/ all the driver assistance add-ons instead of the premium package. I did this partially because I didn’t like the way the HK chrome grill covers looked.

That said. Does anyone know if the stock sound is decent? Should I be planning on aftermarket speaker upgrades?

Their rating is in the 'B' category, A would be higher and 'S' would be Superior/Top Banana ranking... their recommendation is to remove the 'enhanced sound' when listening.

[DestinationMoon!]

I took my car off the lot. It has metal paint and the base audio system. I wish it was the other way round. The HK is decidedly better. The base is ok, after a while it's less of a disappointment. If your someone that listens to music, can discern one speaker from another then you probably want the HK - especially if your pushing the cost to the higher end. My car has a MSRP of USD 44500 - which seems like a very nice car for the money after owning it for a month

[Yorksdales66]

The HK on the u11 X1 doesnt have the power that my 2018 F48 X1 had where you could feel the bass on your trouser leg. Id say the U11 HK is still good and im glad I specced it. Not as good as the HK on my friends 2016 3 series though.

Its personal choice but I really like the metal HK speaker grilles with illuminated Harmonkardon too and I also would rather have HK than metallic paint.

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by Yorksdales66

I really like the metal HK speaker grilles with illuminated Harmonkardon

Anyone have a photo of the illuminated HK? I saw something in the lighting settings but didn't see any illumination on the speakers.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by COOLGREANY

Anyone have a photo of the illuminated HK? I saw something in the lighting settings but didn't see any illumination on the speakers.

was just wondering about that... I have never seen the front door speaker HK logo light up on the X1.

[MontyB1]

The logo lights up on the tweeter at the top of the door not in the door mid-bass speaker. If you leave it by default its white, if you actually say don't light up or change the setting it actually changes to whatever colour the scene is set to so blue, pink, red etc. instead of white.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

The logo lights up on the tweeter at the top of the door not in the door mid-bass speaker. If you leave it by default its white, if you actually say don't light up or change the setting it actually changes to whatever colour the scene is set to so blue, pink, red etc. instead of white.

I've been trying this for over 30 minutes last night. There was no setting that I couln change. Even with all the ambient or interior lightning turned on, the "Harmon Kardon" label or the metal tweeter speaker grills didn't light up. Is there something else that I can do to light them up? Like I said, I've never see them light up over the last 9 months.

Thanks!

[MontyB1]

Well that is odd - the link below shows the words lit up in white as an example, if you actually toggle the light off what happens is it turns into the current colour set. So my wife has hers blue and the logo shows up in blue.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Well that is odd - the link below shows the words lit up in white as an example, if you actually toggle the light off what happens is it turns into the current colour set. So my wife has hers blue and the logo shows up in blue.

edit: after a hard reset, the lights finally came on for the first time. however, the settings menu says that the speaker "Harmon & Kardon" lights(front and rear) only come on as white light.

How does this X1(U11) in Germany from July 2022(nearly two years ago) have those lights in orange, matching the ambient lights? Screenshots below:

[IAmSpeed]

As someone who has driven Mercedes, I can assure you that BMW stock stereo is far behind. Audio can be subjective but I believe majority won't be satisfied with the stock audio system.

[spmcewen]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

edit: after a hard reset, the lights finally came on for the first time. however, the settings menu says that the speaker "Harmon & Kardon" lights(front and rear) only come on as white light.

How does this X1(U11) in Germany from July 2022(nearly two years ago) have those lights in orange, matching the ambient lights? Screenshots below:

This is interesting. I just checked mine and my HK tweeter logos only light up white when I unlock and first enter the car. It seems part of the white lighting and dash animation that runs. I don't see any options to set or change the HK light behavior in the menus.

[Yorksdales66]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

edit: after a hard reset, the lights finally came on for the first time. however, the settings menu says that the speaker "Harmon & Kardon" lights(front and rear) only come on as white light.

:

My HK speaker grilles only light up in white which is fine by me.

My X1 is December 2023 build

[MontyB1]

Originally Posted by Yorksdales66

My HK speaker grilles only light up in white which is fine by me.

My X1 is December 2023 build

If you select the option to not light them in the ambient menu I think it is they actually default to the colour of the car and don’t turn off. So you can choose white or the colour the car currently is.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

If you select the option to not light them in the ambient menu I think it is they actually default to the colour of the car and don’t turn off. So you can choose white or the colour the car currently is.

Thanks!

Just gave that a try. Turned off the speaker light option and it did indeed turn off the white light.... and just copied whatever color the ambient color was set to. (in this case, green)

[MontyB1]

To me that seems better and cooler than the white but at least we get the option I guess so people can choose.

[spmcewen]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

Thanks!

Just gave that a try. Turned off the speaker light option and it did indeed turn off the white light.... and just copied whatever color the ambient color was set to. (in this case, green)

Ah ha, that's how my Oct 2023 X1 is as well. If I turn off the speaker option it will become the color of my ambient lighting. I thought they only lit up white when unlocking the car but now at night I see they are a very faint white when the lighting option is on.

[nishalp]

Originally Posted by IAmSpeed

As someone who has driven Mercedes, I can assure you that BMW stock stereo is far behind. Audio can be subjective but I believe majority won't be satisfied with the stock audio system.

I agree. There is no comparison. Both have the upgraded audio.

[shawntech]

The hk audio is very poor. Bass increases until 50% volume level then highs increase and it blends into a clock radio.

[KingSize.Hamster]

I think the HK system is "ok"; it's not something to lose sleep over if you don't have it. Question is how picky you are and whether you wanna venture into aftermarket setups.

[hawaiiguy]

try removing the 'enhanced sound' check box... you may like it better (or worse)...