harman kardon is nothing than a bag of trash

[river rat]

Wow...I can't have a conversation above 12 without raising my voice. At 20, we'd be deaf after 15 hours!

(Note: I did have the amp TSB update back in late '18 / early '19. That boosted system volume significantly.)

Same here, guessing my 2020 had the tsb. Don't think I've ever been over 20.

 

[Sascwatch]

I won’t lie, it is loud above 20 and I’d never turn it that high with passengers onboard or your have a screaming match just to talk about your day. I enjoy loud music at times and before I ordered my truck I took multiple test drives in trucks with both the alpine and HK systems and found the HK to be far superior in quality and volume when compared to the alpine system.

The only thing I can think of making the HK system sound bad is a garbage source, SiriusXM and radio aren’t anywhere near the quality of uncompressed music streamed via CarPlay.

 

[Timeless]

I think the avatar says it all... XM... no system sounds good if it's streaming Sirius XM.

Sirius/XM is truly garbage...music quality and customer support both. I see why people find it convenient in low internet bandwidth areas but every streaming service is so much better.

 

[Diamondback]

I enjoy mine especially after performing an update and adding the 2nd subwoofer to the rear .. depends on the source and music type in regards to the EQ sounding like crap.

 

[BigEarl62]

My 1500 HK is not as good as my HK in a 2000 BMW 3 series. But it's close. But, I can't haul a boat with a BMW.

I know if you place anything on the dash like a dash cover, it kills the highs. I am going to cut speaker holes in my cover because right now it sits in a box.

I love the noise canceling though.

I know of no other stock audio that makes a pickup sound this good. I tested GMC, Chevy, Ford.

My wifes Grand Cherokee has the alpine system and while that is very OK, it is about 80% of HK truck system. That and the alpine has to be debased -2 setting so it doesn't boom like a low rider. And I have to be sure my left knee is not against the door or I lose half the speakers.

I am a long term audiophile, Audio Research and Klipsch at home.

If you think yours sounds bad, I wager a speaker or two are not connected correctly, take it in.

Also, what is your source? I get huge variance with siriusXM, and I always prefer regular FM over satellite. I hate mpeg reproduction as it misses so much of the sound. More than a few FM stations over boost their base so even that sound s crappy.

Agreed. I find that the sound varies by source. From worst to best: Bluetooth, SiriusXM, AM/FM, CarPlay. It’s subjective and I’m sure others will disagree. Also have no experience with Android Auto or use of flash drive media.

 

[LaxDfns15]

So I'm late to the party, but I didn't see this skimming through the posts.

This is not a system built by Harmon Kardon. Just like you don't get Bose speakers and amps in Bose systems, or Alpine, etc. This is "designed" by those brands and built by Ram. The speakers are cheap. The components are cheap. They sell it on the name. If you want great sound go spend the money on a good system, but that's a ton of work.

Having said that, a lot of you are comparing vehicle A to vehicle B and sound system A to sound system B. I had the "Rockford Fosgate" system in my Titan, and my brother had THE SAME system in his Xterra. His Xterra sounded so much better because of the sub and speaker location, as well as the overall volume and resonance of the cabin. The fact that the sub is on the back wall instead of the floor of the truck is going to make a HUGE difference to how it sounds.

I constantly run my HK sub at max, and I will probably add 1-2 subs on top of it because I want a little more thump. It is very similar to other systems where it's boomy and hits the higher frequencies, but it fails on the lower frequencies where you get the frame-shaking bass. I never put my volume over 22 when plugged into my phone on AA, and it's really only above 15 if the windows are down. Granted, I am in my thirties and haven't destroyed my ears. I can easily hear it at 6-9 during normal driving.

Lastly, if you play your music through AA/Carplay you should be able to use equalizers on your phone plus what's in the truck. It's still not as good as a true equalizer in the truck, but you'll get better sound than just FM/AM/XM.

 

[LaxDfns15]

Just for reference, here is a comparison of the dash speakers and the cheap Kicker 46C speaker I replaced them with. HUGE difference in quality.

 

[2020Larrie]

Sirius/XM is truly garbage...music quality and customer support both. I see why people find it convenient in low internet bandwidth areas but every streaming service is so much better.

Totally agree. I only re upped my sirius because I live remote in the mountains, no FM, no cell service. No streaming.

 

[Reverse]

I agree with the OP. The boomy bass overpowers everything else. It's worst on SiriusXM, and best on Android Auto. Still, I like the no-name system in my 2014 Big Horn better than this mess. Even the puny speakers in our barebones 2012 Black Express were not as annoying. Sure, HK is louder but not better.

The only good thing about is that every time I read 'HK' I am reminded of the HK I own that I _do_ like

 

[Sal731]

Why pay for an upgrade if you felt you need to replace the whole stereo. Drop a stealth box and an amplifier in your truck and you will think your at a live concert. Makes the whole system sound five times louder!!! Just expensive

 

[Sal731]

JL STEALTH BOX fits perfectly under your seat. You just lose under seat storage which I don’t use anyway. Trust me you won’t be disappointed

 

[Timeless]

Totally agree. I only re upped my sirius because I live remote in the mountains, no FM, no cell service. No streaming.

I'd feel bad for you other than those mountains you get to enjoy....

 

[Rmazzei]

Just for reference, here is a comparison of the dash speakers and the cheap Kicker 46C speaker I replaced them with. HUGE difference in quality.

what ohms are the HK speakers? Im looking to change the speakers but wanted to keep the stock amp for now. did you go with Kicker CS all around?

 

[LaxDfns15]

what ohms are the HK speakers? Im looking to change the speakers but wanted to keep the stock amp for now. did you go with Kicker CS all around?

I think it's 2 ohm, but I'm not 100% sure. I've only done the dash, but I might do the rear headliner too. I'm overall pretty happy with the HK system. It's makes the right amount of noise I want for the most part.

 

[Walstib52]

I've got a 21 Ram 2500 4WD Cummins Big Horn with the HK system. IMO it's the best sounding system in any vehicle I've heard. My wife noticed it too. Seems to be somewhat Bass biased, but overall it sounds great.

 

[Desert Snow]

The HK system is definitely a decent factory system, with a few caveats I’ll explain:

First about me. My previous truck was a Tacoma that I installed a full-on custom sound system — full sound deadening, head unit, amps, component speakers, sub. It was the best audio system I’ve ever heard in a vehicle. I knew I’d sacrifice going to the HK system, but didn’t want to spend the time and money doing another full custom system.

I got my truck two months ago and was immediately very disappointed with the HK system. The main problem — I was listening to Sirius radio. Once I figured out the source was the primary issue, I loaded up a thumb drive with my entire music collection. Instantly much better. It was louder, more clear, and more detailed, but it still lacked high frequency detail and imaging.

A number of posts recommended replacing the two corner dash speakers with 3.5” Infinity 3032CFX. I did that today, and the difference is night and day. Most of the highs I had been missing were suddenly back. The improvement really surprised me.

I’ve read conflicting recommendations on whether or not to replace the center Dash speaker with the Infinity. I didn’t, primarily because I figured imaging would be better with crisp highs separated on the dash in the corners. Based on what I heard today I think that was the right call.

I won’t put this in the same category as the custom system in my Tacoma, but for a factory system with $70 worth of speaker swap, it’s entirely serviceable. And a lot cheaper. Now that the highs are back I noticed the low end is a bit muddy, and if you’re into hip-hop the sub won’t satisfy you. But for rock, jazz, and instrumental, it meets my needs. I might some day swap out some other speakers, but right now I don’t feel the need.

The speaker swap was very easy. Probably 45 minutes start to finish. Happy to give any installation advice. Bought it all on Amazon, speakers ($50) and wire adapters ($15).

 

[Rmazzei]

The HK system is definitely a decent factory system, with a few caveats I’ll explain:

First about me. My previous truck was a Tacoma that I installed a full-on custom sound system — full sound deadening, head unit, amps, component speakers, sub. It was the best audio system I’ve ever heard in a vehicle. I knew I’d sacrifice going to the HK system, but didn’t want to spend the time and money doing another full custom system.

I got my truck two months ago and was immediately very disappointed with the HK system. The main problem — I was listening to Sirius radio. Once I figured out the source was the primary issue, I loaded up a thumb drive with my entire music collection. Instantly much better. It was louder, more clear, and more detailed, but it still lacked high frequency detail and imaging.

A number of posts recommended replacing the two corner dash speakers with 3.5” Infinity 3032CFX. I did that today, and the difference is night and day. Most of the highs I had been missing were suddenly back. The improvement really surprised me.

I’ve read conflicting recommendations on whether or not to replace the center Dash speaker with the Infinity. I didn’t, primarily because I figured imaging would be better with crisp highs separated on the dash in the corners. Based on what I heard today I think that was the right call.

I won’t put this in the same category as the custom system in my Tacoma, but for a factory system with $70 worth of speaker swap, it’s entirely serviceable. And a lot cheaper. Now that the highs are back I noticed the low end is a bit muddy, and if you’re into hip-hop the sub won’t satisfy you. But for rock, jazz, and instrumental, it meets my needs. I might some day swap out some other speakers, but right now I don’t feel the need.

The speaker swap was very easy. Probably 45 minutes start to finish. Happy to give any installation advice. Bought it all on Amazon, speakers ($50) and wire adapters ($15).

Thanks for the info on the dash corner speakers. What is the ohms? I thought factory dash were 2 ohm and the infinity are 4. I am thinking of going this route as well just want to keep the ohms the same. Also thinking the doors need to be changed. Here is the issue, I see many people change the door speaker to a shallow 6x9 but nobody mentions the upper door speaker do they leave it stock or is it another 3.5"? I hear a lot of sound coming from the stock speaker but nobody seems to address it.

 

[Desert Snow]

Thanks for the info on the dash corner speakers. What is the ohms? I thought factory dash were 2 ohm and the infinity are 4. I am thinking of going this route as well just want to keep the ohms the same. Also thinking the doors need to be changed. Here is the issue, I see many people change the door speaker to a shallow 6x9 but nobody mentions the upper door speaker do they leave it stock or is it another 3.5"? I hear a lot of sound coming from the stock speaker but nobody seems to address it.

The Infinity dash replacements are 3 ohm. In my experience there was no decrease in volume, I assume because these speakers are more efficient than the factory, though others reported a slight drop.

I too considered replacing the front door speakers, but will not do it for now. If you swap multiple speakers at the same time and don't get the results you want you won't know where the problem lies. It's my understanding the lower speaker is a woofer only with a tweeter in the top spot. If I replace them I will probably get a two way component 6x9 set and put them in their respective spots without using the crossover (assume the speakers are currently receiving the correct frequencies). Also assume I'd need to make a custom mount for the tweeter since I doubt the current door tweeter is of conventional size (factory "tweeters" are usually much larger). You could also replace just the woofer and leave the factory tweeter. If you go that way you can get a 2 way coaxial 6x9 that's cheaper than a component set, it just won't play anything through the tweeter since it's not receiving any frequencies high enough.

If you end up replacing your door speakers let me know how it goes.

 

[Buz]

The HK 19 speaker system in the RAM was 'sound engineered' and approved by a bunch of monkey's.
Total oversaturation of the lowest frequencies (Sub)
Disconnect the Sub and you have a garbage system become a pretty good system.

 

[SkittleRam]

I have not experienced the HK system, as I have the Alpine. For the most part I find it acceptable.

I have owned several Chrysler products over the years with various factory systems. From Best to worst

1. 2009 Dodge Journey - Infinity System this was the best-balanced system I have experienced from Chrysler, clean sound and not overly boomy. Loved that factory system
2. 2013 Chrysler 200 with the Boston Acoustics - pretty good, but bass must be turned down
3. 2014 Ram with Alpine system - this was also a good overall system, but mids lacked
4. 2020 Ram with Alpine system - my biggest peeve is how different sources respond, so there is always some adjusting
5. 1997 Chrysler Cirrus with Infinity system- this car sounded so amazing for the time, but with limited EQ tuning it could be a bit boomy
6. 2002 Chrysler Sebring - Infinity system - total trash, there was nothing good from that system.
7. 2012 & 2016 Chrysler Town n Country(s) - total trash, the sound was horrifying lucky for me it was used mostly for kid movies and it still sounded bad.
8. Mitsubishi Raider with Alpine(or Infinity) system I remember it sounded ok, but the interior was so plastic that everything rattled and squeaked so it was not a joy to listen.

Non Chrysler

2016 GMC Sierra - Bose System - very good balance overall, but the bass response could be better. Great mids.
2021 GMC Yukon - Bose System still getting acquainted with this truck, but so far I seem to be always adjusting the EQ.

Again sound is very objective to the listener, run our sound system for Church and other events and what will sounds good to me will sound bad to others.

Bottom line(as mentioned) for the best experience a custom system with quality speakers is going to be the only way to satifiy.