harman kardon is nothing than a bag of trash

[Schnaawj]

It wouldn't be very difficult for them to provide a software 11 band eq. but I won't hold my breath for it to happen.

Sound is very subjective, but after having spent some time with a calibrated mic and software I've been able to use a music app with built in parametric eq to tweak the streaming from my phone to my liking, but I don't stream everything I listen to, nor do I use the same app on my phone to stream everything.

Something like a Fosgate DSR1 would be perfect for my needs, but I'm going to need to spend some time and figure out how to build a cable so that its output will feed back into the stock amp.

I feel the same way. Can you explain how you calibrated the mic (type) and software you used? Also what music app do you use for the EQ? I'm also disappointed with the sound as the 3 band EQ is not specific enough. When I listen to tech and dance music it sounds really good (sometimes too boomy but overall ok) but when i play like seventies rock the guitars hurt your ears and sometime brass instruments do as well.

 

[AlabamaRebel]

I have a 2020 Rebel that I purchased new in August 2020. I have not had any issues with my HK system. I think bass output is probably about right for a shallow mount OEM subwoofer that has no tuning parameters. To my knowledge, I haven't had any updates to the system. I wonder if some of you without any bass got a truck with covid build issues. I have been pretty pleased with my system. It jams pretty good with volume over 30.

 

[CSPCRX]

Found this discussion to be interesting as a new 2024 1500 Limted owner. I have always been a bit of a sound enthusIast, from car to home. My initial impression was my 16 year old self would love this thing, lots of muddy boom that makes things rattle. So I decided to test it and make some adjustments, knowing that the three band EQ will do very little. Here is my test and findings.

truck on accessory with no fans on in my garage. Placed a Dayton Audio mic on a small tripod sitting on the center console at ear level. Mic plugged into iPhone collecting RTA data through Sound Tools app on 1/3 scale. Plugged iPad into input one playing a pink noise file. Audio settings were centered on EQ, surround sound on and balance set to center. Here is initial reading.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

Not surprised and confirms the over bass in this system. 200hz and below blowing everything else out. Dropped bass to -9, Mid to +9, and Treb to +9 and got this slightly improved curve but still way strong down low. Also adding to spikes at 600 to 800 and 4k-10k.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

one last change was to move balance from centered to slightly forward with the same EQ settings. Like this.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

this actual pulled the bass down and kept the rest of the curve about the same. I’m going to leave it like this for a while and see how I feel about it on various sources. But the data says this is as good as it gets with what we can adjust, but tune to your liking.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

hope this helps some others.

 

[SkittleRam]

Found this discussion to be interesting as a new 2024 1500 Limted owner. I have always been a bit of a sound enthusIast, from car to home. My initial impression was my 16 year old self would love this thing, lots of muddy boom that makes things rattle. So I decided to test it and make some adjustments, knowing that the three band EQ will do very little. Here is my test and findings.

truck on accessory with no fans on in my garage. Placed a Dayton Audio mic on a small tripod sitting on the center console at ear level. Mic plugged into iPhone collecting RTA data through Sound Tools app on 1/3 scale. Plugged iPad into input one playing a pink noise file. Audio settings were centered on EQ, surround sound on and balance set to center. Here is initial reading.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

Not surprised and confirms the over bass in this system. 200hz and below blowing everything else out. Dropped bass to -9, Mid to +9, and Treb to +9 and got this slightly improved curve but still way strong down low. Also adding to spikes at 600 to 800 and 4k-10k.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

one last change was to move balance from centered to slightly forward with the same EQ settings. Like this.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

this actual pulled the bass down and kept the rest of the curve about the same. I’m going to leave it like this for a while and see how I feel about it on various sources. But the data says this is as good as it gets with what we can adjust, but tune to your liking.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

hope this helps some others.

These measurements are very interesting and helpful!

 

[dajogejr]

Very interesting… I’ve found, it’s all about source.
When I play built in Sirius XM or HD FM stations, it’s fairly equal, but not overall as good sound.
When stream music via Car Play, lossless…it’s cleaner, albeit with much more bass…

I’ve had no issues, rarely listen to it past 10…but do get to 20’s now and then.
It is better without a doubt then the system I had in my 15 limited…but with lossless audio via Car Play, I will say… a little too much bass in 75% of what I listen to, typically rock music.

 

[CSPCRX]

After listen to FM today and a sat radio I pulled the balance back just a little to the rear and bump the bass up to -8. this Is where tuning to your ear comes into play.

 

[akaTheDude]

They must have fixed the issue because in my 2024 it BANGS! So much better than Ford's B&O imo

 

[Bubba1120]

Regarding the 19 speaker HK, and comparing it to my previous Ram's with just the 6 speaker sound system, it ROCKS. I am very happy with it, have it set to surround mode, and agree with other, apple music and Pandora sound better than Sirrius XM. The sound stage is so much better!

 

[CoZo6]

Found this discussion to be interesting as a new 2024 1500 Limted owner. I have always been a bit of a sound enthusIast, from car to home. My initial impression was my 16 year old self would love this thing, lots of muddy boom that makes things rattle. So I decided to test it and make some adjustments, knowing that the three band EQ will do very little. Here is my test and findings.

truck on accessory with no fans on in my garage. Placed a Dayton Audio mic on a small tripod sitting on the center console at ear level. Mic plugged into iPhone collecting RTA data through Sound Tools app on 1/3 scale. Plugged iPad into input one playing a pink noise file. Audio settings were centered on EQ, surround sound on and balance set to center. Here is initial reading.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

Not surprised and confirms the over bass in this system. 200hz and below blowing everything else out. Dropped bass to -9, Mid to +9, and Treb to +9 and got this slightly improved curve but still way strong down low. Also adding to spikes at 600 to 800 and 4k-10k.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

one last change was to move balance from centered to slightly forward with the same EQ settings. Like this.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

this actual pulled the bass down and kept the rest of the curve about the same. I’m going to leave it like this for a while and see how I feel about it on various sources. But the data says this is as good as it gets with what we can adjust, but tune to your liking.

Untitled by Victor M, on Flickr

hope this helps some others.

Is the sub still plugged in.

 

[CSPCRX]

Nothing was modified or unplugged in my testing. I just adjusted the the settings like i show in the photo.

 

[Nukldragger]

I have the HK in both my Ram and my Charger. Comparing apples to apples (okay, kinda like comparing Granny Smith apples to Fuji apples), sounds much better in my Charger. Now if I could just get the rear deck cover to stop rattling at certain frequencies.....

Either way it's an upgrade over the Alpine system in my 07.5 Mega.

 

[rick619]

For an OEM system, it's pretty good. My wife has the B&O system in her Expedition and that sounds pretty good as well.

I bought my '23 new 4 months ago. I was looking at deals on the leftover '23's in the area. Had to choose between one with the Alpine system and no tow package, or one with tow package, but base 6 system. I got the one with the tow package figuring it's easy to change out the audio and can't really install the tow package.

I just figure I've never heard an OEM sound system that can even compare to a $2500 aftermarket system. So told my wife that's what I was going to do. I've already replaced the 6 speakers with Infinity Reference (currently still 6 speakers). It already sounds more than twice as good. Next will be an amp and sub. With 7 speakers (might do 9 if I change to component in front) it will sound better than the HK.

Anything more than ~10 speakers in truck is essentially pointless. The cab is not that large. So if you do components front and rear, an amp and aftermarket sub, it's going to blow away any OEM system. Even then, components in the rear are pointless unless you want it to sound good for people in the back seat.

I do realize many don't keep their trucks that long so just want the best OEM system they can get. I don't have a long commute, so plan to keep mine for 5 - 10 years. I'm holding onto the OEM garbage and will reinstall it before trading in or selling.

 

[HemiDude]

They must have fixed the issue because in my 2024 it BANGS! So much better than Ford's B&O imo

Its interesting you say that. The B&O in my wife's Explorer sounded really good, better then the HK in my Ram

 

[CalvinC]

Its interesting you say that. The B&O in my wife's Explorer sounded really good, better then the HK in my Ram

Ford offers multiple tiers of B&O systems in their vehicles, AND overhauls them every couple of years too. So comparisons are very difficult.

For instance I’ve heard the B&O Unleashed in the 21-23 F150 is outstanding. But their Middle tier is also a B&O system (“Leashed” I presume?) and is very meh.
Likewise their top tier B&O on the 15-20 F150 was also very meh.
Now they’ve gone and redesigned the Unleashed tier for the 24 F150 so who the heck knows.


Back in the day, each brand carried a fairly standard reputation and sound signature.

Now it’s all over the board, mixing branding and price point targets. For instance Bose makes some of the best (performance series line for Infiniti vehicles) and worst (GM & Honda vehicles) “premium” car audio systems available today.

You literally just have to listen to the specific system in the specific vehicle you want to buy.

 

[rick619]

Ford offers multiple tiers of B&O systems in their vehicles, AND overhauls them every couple of years too. So comparisons are very difficult.

For instance I’ve heard the B&O Unleashed in the 21-23 F150 is outstanding. But their Middle tier is also a B&O system (“Leashed” I presume?) and is very meh.
Likewise their top tier B&O on the 15-20 F150 was also very meh.
Now they’ve gone and redesigned the Unleashed tier for the 24 F150 so who the heck knows.


Back in the day, each brand carried a fairly standard reputation and sound signature.

Now it’s all over the board, mixing branding and price point targets. For instance Bose makes some of the best (performance series line for Infiniti vehicles) and worst (GM & Honda vehicles) “premium” car audio systems available today.

You literally just have to listen to the specific system in the specific vehicle you want to buy.

The B&O system in my wife's 2019 Expedition is actually pretty nice. Best OEM audio system I've ever heard. If my Ram sounded like that, don't think I'd replace it with aftermarket. One thing that I've always found interesting: B&O, Bose, HK and many of the others don't make aftermarket car audio. So they're really just trying to go for name recognition.

 

[Genxeration]

So I’ve always been somewhat of an amateur audiophile and I don’t understand the hate on these HK systems. Unplug the sub and add a decent amp, 10” sub, and minor adjustments and it’s a damn good system. My wife has the HK in her Jeep GC and it sounds great too. The B&O Ultimate in my f-150 was a complete POS. Same with the Bose in my High Country. I certainly think the HK is better than the JBL in the Tundra. I think it tops all the truck audio systems, even though I haven’t heard the Tungsten yet.