2010 Harman Kardon system rocks!

[MotorMouth]

I got to hear the new 2010 Harmon Kardon system today and it ROCKS!

MUCH MUCH better than the HiFi system and even better than the original 1st gen Harmon Kardon systems. It reminds me of the old Digital Sound Module upgrade you used to be able to get.

If I had this I wouldn't be bothered with putting in an aftermarket system.

It's REALLY good for $750.

[richardsperry]

Hell, it's less than that. It's part of the premium package now... or $500 as a stand alone.

[rkw]

Originally Posted by richardsperry

... or $500 as a stand alone.

It's $750.

[richardsperry]

Wow, so it is. I guess they changed the price. I ordered my Mini 9-15, got it 11-4 and at that time they had just, and I mean JUST released pricing. IIRC it was $500 then. It's very possible I'm wrong, or they raised the price.

At any rate, I'll toss out my impressions.

It still has some issues. The positioning of the Volume knob is stupid. I know this isn't a HK issue, but it's still stupid...lol

For most listening there is too much bass emphasis, and not enough treble. I have to turn the bass down 2 clicks and the treb up 2. It could also be that this is the first time I'm using my Iphone as a music source. Perhaps something is lost in translation.

I'm going to have my friend (he's an USACi, (United States Autosound Competition) judge, bring his stuff and see what he thinks...

Anyway, it's still way better than the old Hi Fi and not nearly as good as the Bose system in the Audi the Mini replaced. Although I think it has more to do with the volume of the car's interior. The Bose system had a hidden 5 band equalizer that you could use to help tune the system.

[Elwood09]

Just curious. Does anyone know the differences between an 09 HiFi and a 10 HiFI? Although my 09 isn't perfect, it seems to be a LOT better than a lot of folks seem to think. Especially when I keep being told that improvement would run over $4K by the time I added an amp, sub, and new speakers. I am just wondering if there was additional improvement to the system.

[MotorMouth]

Originally Posted by Elwood09

Just curious. Does anyone know the differences between an 09 HiFi and a 10 HiFI? Although my 09 isn't perfect, it seems to be a LOT better than a lot of folks seem to think. Especially when I keep being told that improvement would run over $4K by the time I added an amp, sub, and new speakers. I am just wondering if there was additional improvement to the system.

completely different amp and speakers. there is a world of difference.

$4k is grossly overstated. I spent ~2500 and had a very kickass system.

[MotorMouth]

The HK I heard a few days ago was in a convertible. I listened to one in regular hardtop today. Even more impressive. It's easily one of the best stock stereos I've heard in any car.
Highs, lows, mids, it has it all. Goes loud without distortion.

It is seriously very good.

[rduke222]

I have a 2010 MCS with the new H-K system. It is the best sounding car stereo I have have ever heard. The CD player also plays disks with MP3s. It would be a bargain at three times the price.
After you live with this car, the stereo controls begin to make sense. The volume control is exactly where it should be. The channel/function knob is also well positioned.

[david in germany]

I compared my 09 with HiFi (speakers upgraded to MB Quart and a custom sub) to my buddy's 2010 JCW with the HK and of course my upgrades sounded better than his but the HK does sound great for what it is. Stock against stock his HK would kick the HiFi's A55!

[Ron Avery]

I love the HK in my 2010 JCW. I have had a lot of cars in my 52 years,and this is one of the best for a stock system.
Ron

[richardsperry]

Hey Ron,
1.) It's not stock... It's extra..lol

2.) What cars? It's certainly not better than the Bose system in my old Audi A6. It's not better than the Logic7 system in BMW's... It is better than a Prius, but that's not saying a lot, and it is better than the old Hifi was.


Anyway,

Merry Christmas to all...

[RadioFlyer]

the Dynaudio system in my Volvo S60 kicked ass. Full Dolby and 12 speakers. it was the best stereo in a car I ever had. Haven't heard the H/K yet, but I'm betting it's not as good.

[Ron Avery]

Originally Posted by richardsperry

Hey Ron,
1.) It's not stock... It's extra..lol

2.) What cars? It's certainly not better than the Bose system in my old Audi A6. It's not better than the Logic7 system in BMW's... It is better than a Prius, but that's not saying a lot, and it is better than the old Hifi was.


Anyway,

Merry Christmas to all...

Mereceds SLK 230 Bose 1999 5.spd (sold)
Mercedes ML320 Bose 2002 Wife's car (sold)
Infifnti coupe 2003 Bose 6.spd. (sold)
Infiniti FX35 2003 Bose Wife's car
Maserati 4200 coupe 2003 Auto Drom 6.spd (sold)
Mercedes C230 sport coupe 2002 Bose 6.spd daughter's car
Ford Mustang 2001 5.spd (sold)
ECT___
All of these cars have or had the best (top end) stereo avalible at the time.
Ron

[glangford]

Originally Posted by rduke222

After you live with this car, the stereo controls begin to make sense. The volume control is exactly where it should be. The channel/function knob is also well positioned.

Yes they do. Although they were panned unmercifully when the R56 was introduced. I've found the controls to be very intuitive and convenient. So much so that I rarely, if ever, use the steering wheel MFSW controls for the stereo.

[jewitcher]

Does anybody know who makes the new cd player?
The old one was made by Alpine...Still having problems with
cd player in 08 clubman. Trying to play audio cd's///
It eats them...Dealer replace cd player still eats them..

[MotorMouth]

pretty sure it's still alpine. problems with the cd player aren't common. sure it can happen but it's rare.

[DDoggJCW]

i'm so pissed off. I thought the HI-FI was nice until I helped my friend buy a 96 328is, which happen to have the HK sound system. OMG, his sound system is sooooo nice. I love hearing the boom of the bass, which isn't present in my car. What the hell, a car that's 14 years older has a better sound system than my car!?!?!?!?!?

[brulz]

I've a JCW '09 with the HK upgrade, can I change the old HK amp with the 2010 version?

[MotorMouth]

Originally Posted by brulz

I've a JCW '09 with the HK upgrade, can I change the old HK amp with the 2010 version?

without really KNOWING, I'm gonna guess that there is no way at all.

[joseaprieto]

I guess I got ripped off when I bought my wife's 2006 R52 with HK system. The '06 system STINKS!

[Robin Casady]

Originally Posted by brulz

I've a JCW '09 with the HK upgrade, can I change the old HK amp with the 2010 version?

HK upgrade? Do you mean HIFI upgrade?

[Darryl_J]

The standard stereo in my 2010 Clubman is *so* much better than the system in my old '99 Maxima, that I'm as happy as the proverbial pig.

I rarely listen to radio when I'm driving long distance, but I have over 7,000 tunes on my Cowan PMP which I plug into the AUX jack. I love the quality of the sound, which isn't as good as my Q-Jay headphones, but damned close.

--
Darryl

[adude007]

I currently have a loaner from my dealer with the new HK in it. I was amazed when I heard it. Wish I could have gotten it on my 09.

[orangecrush]

You guys suck.... Now what am I going to have to do? Trade my '09 in on an '10?

I've been disappointed with the stock system since I got it.

Oh well, 5 minis in less than 2 years won't be too bad.




Mark

[MrTIer]

It's sure nice to actually hear good comments about the Mini's sound system!