2021 Rebel w/ Harman Kardon Stereo!

[milks669]

Hi guys, I'm new to 5th Gen Rams and I'm hoping someone here will be able to help shed some light on what needs to be done to fix my problem. I'll start with my truck it's a 2021 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab with the big screen equipped with the Harman Kardon system. As most guys here I've owned 4th gen Rams with the Alpine. Yes there is a huge difference in sound between the two. The Alpine is more of a heavy bass deep sound. You definitely feel it when you have the sound jacked up. The Harman Kardon is a complete different ball game. The sound is loud but it's for sure lacking bass compared to the Alpine stereo. If I did my research I would have found all this and most likely would've just stuck with the Alpine stereo. To me it sounds way better as a stock system. So now I'm stuck with this Ram for a bit, I'm looking to add another Sub Woofer under one of the back seats. My question is what would I need to complete this job myself? Do I need to purchase an amp to run the aftermarket Sub? Are there preamp subs where you just have to plug them in? I'm looking for a easy solution to add more base if it's possible. I've read a bit about some Rams having noise canceling modules that need to be bypassed. I'm not sure what Rams have them. Anyone who could shed some light, would be appreciated.

 

[mikeru82]

Is your sub working? Have you tried adjusting the equalizer controls? I'm wondering if there's an issue with yours. The HK system in our Limited sounds much more rich than the Alpine system in our Laramie. It sounds a lot better than the Alpine system to me. Deeper clearer bass, crisp highs. Maybe try taking it in and have it checked.

 

[phillipcgp]

Everything I've read, everyone hates the HK system

 

[securityguy]

Everything I've read, everyone hates the HK system

Not here...was very happy with my 2019 HK and don't feel any different with my 2021 HK. My sub sounds great and the music is crisp and clear and, in my younger days, I used to be an audiophile

 

[milks669]

Is your sub working? Have you tried adjusting the equalizer controls? I'm wondering if there's an issue with yours. The HK system in our Limited sounds much more rich than the Alpine system in our Laramie. It sounds a lot better than the Alpine system to me. Deeper clearer bass, crisp highs. Maybe try taking it in and have it checked.

Yes the sub is working and yes I've played with the controls, I wouldn't go as far as to call it a equalizer. It should have a separate Sub control if you ask me, but that's just an opinion. Again I've owned both systems and I can appreciate when you say it's more of a crisp sound than the Alpine, but it's missing bass. If you have been in both vehicles, you'd know what I'm talking about. When I owned the Alpine, I never once thought, dam I need to replace this. The stereo works, the bass works, it's just not enough for me. Some recordings sound better than others is also what I'd say. But my over all report on this Harman Kardon system would be stick to the Alpine.

 

[krd820]

Yes the sub is working and yes I've played with the controls, I wouldn't go as far as to call it a equalizer. It should have a separate Sub control if you ask me, but that's just an opinion. Again I've owned both systems and I can appreciate when you say it's more of a crisp sound than the Alpine, but it's missing bass. If you have been in both vehicles, you'd know what I'm talking about. When I owned the Alpine, I never once thought, dam I need to replace this. The stereo works, the bass works, it's just not enough for me. Some recordings sound better than others is also what I'd say. But my over all report on this Harman Kardon system would be stick to the Alpine.

You may want to try turning on the surround sound setting. I have a 2021 Rebel too and mine sounds better with it turned on in my opinion.

 

[milks669]

I'm looking for answers on what I need to do to throw another little Sub under one of the rear seats. Do I need to by pass the noise cancelling module? If it's even equipped. I'd like to tackle it myself, but most likely will have to take it to a car stereo guy.

 

[milks669]

Everything I've read, everyone hates the HK system

Me too

You may want to try turning on the surround sound setting. I have a 2021 Rebel too and mine sounds better with it turned on in my opinion.

In my opinion it sounds worse. It's crazy how everyone has different onions to this stereo. Does the taste of music matter possibly?

 

[HAL9001]

Most people are complaining that the HK subwoofer is too loud and are trying to make it less boomy.

Be sure to check all of your speakers. On my 2021 Limited, the left door speaker was dead, and the right door speaker was severely distorting. The dealer replaced both and it now sounds better.

 

[Sascwatch]

I had a chance to listen to both the alpine and HK systems before building my truck and I prefer the HK over the Alpine. While the alpine did have a lot more bass, I found the HK system was much clearer and sounds good at all levels.

It also depends what type of music you listen to, for my music taste (rock, hair metal and heavy metal) the HK is great. The sub is strong enough to make the mirrors shake a small amount even.

The 3 band equalizer is a bit of a let down and would be nice if it had 10 or more adjustments available along with a sub, even cheap aftermarket head units offer better equalizers.

I can’t remember off the top of my head what my equalizer settings are but I know for sure the surround is off and the positional settings are untouched from factory. Every passenger in my truck thinks it sounds amazing as well, at times the bass is a bit to much.

 

[HeliPilot]

Maybe go in a see if you need an update. My brothers ram has the Alpine, I have the HK, and mine sounds WAY better than his.

 

[Sascwatch]

Maybe go in a see if you need an update. My brothers ram has the Alpine, I have the HK, and mine sounds WAY better than his.

Definitely sounds like something is wrong, on this forum I’ve seen reports of software updates improving the sound, bad amplifiers, bad speakers and much more. It seems like there is a lot of issues, but the online forums only represent a small fraction of the market share.

I will try and get a pic of my eq settings tomorrow so the OP can give them a try, I know most recommend turning the bass level way down but I think mine is at +3 or +4.

 

[HeliPilot]

Definitely sounds like something is wrong, on this forum I’ve seen reports of software updates improving the sound, bad amplifiers, bad speakers and much more. It seems like there is a lot of issues, but the online forums only represent a small fraction of the market share.

I will try and get a pic of my eq settings tomorrow so the OP can give them a try, I know most recommend turning the bass level way down but I think mine is at +3 or +4.

Mine is at +3 as well, with -2 on Mid and +3 or 4 on Highs.

 

[milks669]

Mine is at +3 as well, with -2 on Mid and +3 or 4 on Highs.

Definitely sounds like something is wrong, on this forum I’ve seen reports of software updates improving the sound, bad amplifiers, bad speakers and much more. It seems like there is a lot of issues, but the online forums only represent a small fraction of the market share.

I will try and get a pic of my eq settings tomorrow so the OP can give them a try, I know most recommend turning the bass level way down but I think mine is at +3 or +4.

I completely agree with you when you say something is wrong on this forum. There's an array of opinions on the Harmon Kardon stereo. I've read all the other posts you've read. I think a lot into these opinions. From how old is the guy who's complaining about the sound? what kind of music do they like? how loud do you like your music? What kind of recordings are you listening to? and most definitely what settings are you using? I've read about the updates, if you look at those posts that was around 2018. I'm in a 2021 and I'm sure it's updated by now. When I throw my v.i.n. in there's zero updates for it so far. So I'm one who's complaining about the Harmon Kardon's bass. I'm not complaining about how loud it goes, I'm not complaining how crisp it is. I'm complaining about the bass. That's it. If I had more bass this would be perfect for me. I'm 42. Listen to rock mainly. Some hip hop. I like my music loud. I mean volume setting to 28 and up. That's how I listen to music. I mainly listen to music I've downloaded to my iphone at 320mbps minimum. If you guys provided that info it might shed some light on the difference of opinions.

 

[milks669]

I had a chance to listen to both the alpine and HK systems before building my truck and I prefer the HK over the Alpine. While the alpine did have a lot more bass, I found the HK system was much clearer and sounds good at all levels.

It also depends what type of music you listen to, for my music taste (rock, hair metal and heavy metal) the HK is great. The sub is strong enough to make the mirrors shake a small amount even.

The 3 band equalizer is a bit of a let down and would be nice if it had 10 or more adjustments available along with a sub, even cheap aftermarket head units offer better equalizers.

I can’t remember off the top of my head what my equalizer settings are but I know for sure the surround is off and the positional settings are untouched from factory. Every passenger in my truck thinks it sounds amazing as well, at times the bass is a

Mine is at +3 as well, with -2 on Mid and +3 or 4 on Highs.

I'll try your settings out and will report back. Is your surround sound on or off. So far I believe it's better with it off.

 

[securityguy]

I completely agree with you when you say something is wrong on this forum. There's an array of opinions on the Harmon Kardon stereo. I've read all the other posts you've read. I think a lot into these opinions. From how old is the guy who's complaining about the sound? what kind of music do they like? how loud do you like your music? What kind of recordings are you listening to? and most definitely what settings are you using? I've read about the updates, if you look at those posts that was around 2018. I'm in a 2021 and I'm sure it's updated by now. When I throw my v.i.n. in there's zero updates for it so far. So I'm one who's complaining about the Harmon Kardon's bass. I'm not complaining about how loud it goes, I'm not complaining how crisp it is. I'm complaining about the bass. That's it. If I had more bass this would be perfect for me. I'm 42. Listen to rock mainly. Some hip hop. I like my music loud. I mean volume setting to 28 and up. That's how I listen to music. I mainly listen to music I've downloaded to my iphone at 320mbps minimum. If you guys provided that info it might shed some light on the difference of opinions.

Don't disagree with anything you stated above. However, I am 58, listen to some Rock, 80's and Country based on my mood. My hearing is just fine, so I listen at a level of 12-15 on the high end. I get a ton of nice bass from my sub and don't have any want for more. My 21 has all of the latest software as well so we are apples to apples on the head unit.

 

[milks669]

Don't disagree with anything you stated above. However, I am 58, listen to some Rock, 80's and Country based on my mood. My hearing is just fine, so I listen at a level of 12-15 on the high end. I get a ton of nice bass from my sub and don't have any want for more. My 21 has all of the latest software as well so we are apples to apples on the head unit.

lol maybe I need to take my volume down a notch haha. I truly love my music loud. I listen to hard rock, metal, and like I said earlier some hip hop. My volume is usually high at 28 and above and maybe this system isn't built for that. See I believe if you all add a little more info to your opinion I think it would make much more sense as to what kind of person this system was built for. I believe the Alpine was built for a younger generation and the HK an older just based on your reply. I'd love to see some more what you all listen to and how loud you like your music.

 

[RebelWraith]

Something is definitely wrong with your system. You shouldn't need to crank the system that high to get loud music. I'm your age and listen to nearly identical music. Normal listening on the HK system I have the volume set at 7-10 and that is rather potent. Cranked is in the mid teens and I can't even hear my exhaust with the valve open and flooring it. The system in my truck is clear, loud, and the bass from the doors and sub hit nicely.

I'm still under the impression that amp programming is being missed during installation as even new trucks are still getting amp programming updates. Had a customer with a 2020 that had 24 miles on the ODO and had to have a stereo update as his system sounded terrible compared to my 2019 Rebel. Now it sounds the same.

 

[securityguy]

Something is definitely wrong with your system. You shouldn't need to crank the system that high to get loud music. I'm your age and listen to nearly identical music. Normal listening on the HK system I have the volume set at 7-10 and that is rather potent. Cranked is in the mid teens and I can't even hear my exhaust with the valve open and flooring it. The system in my truck is clear, loud, and the bass from the doors and sub hit nicely.

My sweet spot for volume is either 9-10 and I'll go up to 12-15 if I hear a song I like and wish to "crank" it up a bit

 

[milks669]

Something is definitely wrong with your system. You shouldn't need to crank the system that high to get loud music. I'm your age and listen to nearly identical music. Normal listening on the HK system I have the volume set at 7-10 and that is rather potent. Cranked is in the mid teens and I can't even hear my exhaust with the valve open and flooring it. The system in my truck is clear, loud, and the bass from the doors and sub hit nicely.

I'm still under the impression that amp programming is being missed during installation as even new trucks are still getting amp programming updates. Had a customer with a 2020 that had 24 miles on the ODO and had to have a stereo update as his system sounded terrible compared to my 2019 Rebel. Now it sounds the same.

Okay, but when you speak with dodge specialist all they do is throw your v.i.n. in and if it says yay there's an update they'll do it. If it says nay. Well they just say your system is perfect. It's ridiculous to think they are sending these trucks out not tuned. Ridiculous if what you're saying is true. At 7-10 on my system it's definitely not loud. You can hear it, but it ain't loud by any means. Could you give me your settings including surround sound the speed setting. Everything please. How would you deal with the dealership also when they say everything is up to date on your 2021 system. Because I'm dealing with idiots who say it's perfectly fine and ignoring what I'm complaining about.