Navigation & Audio H/K Audio - EQ?
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Seattle, WA
H/K Audio - EQ?
Hey...
I'm an audio fanatic and currently love my parametric EQ Pioneer deck and full complement of Infinity speakers.
I'm very excited about the H/K system as they are essentially the same manufacturer as Infinity so I know the speaker quality will be very good. Also, the external amp is a nice bonus.
HOWEVER... I'm concerned about how it uses the stock head unit. I understand there are various DSP modes with the H/K, but can I customize the eq curves of these any more than just the standard "bass" and "treble"? For example, dialing in a 60hz boost or a 15khz boost, instead of the usual 250hz hump that bass ***** usually give?
Just trying to decide if my $550 is worth it!
Thanks!
I'm an audio fanatic and currently love my parametric EQ Pioneer deck and full complement of Infinity speakers.
I'm very excited about the H/K system as they are essentially the same manufacturer as Infinity so I know the speaker quality will be very good. Also, the external amp is a nice bonus.
HOWEVER... I'm concerned about how it uses the stock head unit. I understand there are various DSP modes with the H/K, but can I customize the eq curves of these any more than just the standard "bass" and "treble"? For example, dialing in a 60hz boost or a 15khz boost, instead of the usual 250hz hump that bass ***** usually give?
Just trying to decide if my $550 is worth it!
Thanks!
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
No.
For lots more H/K info, see my weblog entry here and especially follow the link to this write-up
For lots more H/K info, see my weblog entry here and especially follow the link to this write-up
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 701
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From: Ellicott City, MD
you know without reading thru all that info GBMINI posted yet, I must say the one thing I hate about the HK is the fact that the music is (mostly) coming from the front..I feel like i'm listing to a boombox. I like my music to surround me..and when I adjust the fader to reflect more rear sound..All i'm doing is turning down the fronts and ultimately loosing volume overall - then I can't turn it up loud enough to enjoy.
Damn I'm raggin on my car a lot tonight. 
Damn I'm raggin on my car a lot tonight.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by saakey
you know without reading thru all that info GBMINI posted yet, I must say the one thing I hate about the HK is the fact that the music is (mostly) coming from the front..I feel like i'm listing to a boombox. I like my music to surround me..and when I adjust the fader to reflect more rear sound..All i'm doing is turning down the fronts and ultimately loosing volume overall - then I can't turn it up loud enough to enjoy. Damn I'm raggin on my car a lot tonight.
Damn I'm raggin on my car a lot tonight.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
saakey,
That was always my biggest complaint with H/K too - people will tell you how the "front sound stage" is more like being at a concert, but honestly sitting in a car isn't much like a concert is it!?
The "spatial" mode does push the sound a little further towards the back - but the rear speakers have no mid/tweeter so they can't do higher frequencies anyway (turn the fade to full rear and you'll head only a muddy/muffled sound due to loss of higher frequencies)
That was always my biggest complaint with H/K too - people will tell you how the "front sound stage" is more like being at a concert, but honestly sitting in a car isn't much like a concert is it!?
The "spatial" mode does push the sound a little further towards the back - but the rear speakers have no mid/tweeter so they can't do higher frequencies anyway (turn the fade to full rear and you'll head only a muddy/muffled sound due to loss of higher frequencies)
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 701
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From: Ellicott City, MD
Originally Posted by GBMINI
saakey,
That was always my biggest complaint with H/K too - people will tell you how the "front sound stage" is more like being at a concert, but honestly sitting in a car isn't much like a concert is it!?
The "spatial" mode does push the sound a little further towards the back - but the rear speakers have no mid/tweeter so they can't do higher frequencies anyway (turn the fade to full rear and you'll head only a muddy/muffled sound due to loss of higher frequencies)
That was always my biggest complaint with H/K too - people will tell you how the "front sound stage" is more like being at a concert, but honestly sitting in a car isn't much like a concert is it!?
The "spatial" mode does push the sound a little further towards the back - but the rear speakers have no mid/tweeter so they can't do higher frequencies anyway (turn the fade to full rear and you'll head only a muddy/muffled sound due to loss of higher frequencies)
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Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 306
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From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by saakey
Right...Now i'm wondering if it could get by with just a swap of better speakers in the rear - think that would help?
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 266
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You guys just aren't driving fast enough. If you drive the speed of sound, obviously you can offset the front/back balance and equalize a perfect sound............................................
Just kidding!
...
I'm more of a Mach 2 person myself.
Just kidding!
...
I'm more of a Mach 2 person myself.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by GBMINI
saakey,
That was always my biggest complaint with H/K too - people will tell you how the "front sound stage" is more like being at a concert, but honestly sitting in a car isn't much like a concert is it!?
The "spatial" mode does push the sound a little further towards the back - but the rear speakers have no mid/tweeter so they can't do higher frequencies anyway (turn the fade to full rear and you'll head only a muddy/muffled sound due to loss of higher frequencies)
That was always my biggest complaint with H/K too - people will tell you how the "front sound stage" is more like being at a concert, but honestly sitting in a car isn't much like a concert is it!?
The "spatial" mode does push the sound a little further towards the back - but the rear speakers have no mid/tweeter so they can't do higher frequencies anyway (turn the fade to full rear and you'll head only a muddy/muffled sound due to loss of higher frequencies)
That's rediculous... arg.. wish i had known that before i dropped $550 into my '06 order...
In my current car I have 3-way infinity kappas with the EMIT-R tweeter in back and love them. They are 6x9's... maybe I could drop them in?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,459
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Originally Posted by o-ron
no tweeters in back??
That's rediculous... arg.. wish i had known that before i dropped $550 into my '06 order...
In my current car I have 3-way infinity kappas with the EMIT-R tweeter in back and love them. They are 6x9's... maybe I could drop them in?
That's rediculous... arg.. wish i had known that before i dropped $550 into my '06 order...
In my current car I have 3-way infinity kappas with the EMIT-R tweeter in back and love them. They are 6x9's... maybe I could drop them in?
If the rears don't have mids then what are the rear mid-range wires running to from the amp?
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 319
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From: Hillsboro, OR
The rears on the HK system are duel voice coils for bass. You can't simply replace any of the speakers either as they run at a funky impedance, so regular aftermarket speakers may give strange results.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 319
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From: Hillsboro, OR
Ian's (GBMINI's) link above has photos of the different parts of the HK system. I don't know what the wattage is, but it's really not important. Since it's a set system, what really matters is what your ears tell you about it.
The stock system is called Boost (headunit is made by Alpine, but I could be wrong there). If you aren't happy with the way HK sounds, definately get this as it's much easier to upgrade with aftermarket components.
The stock system is called Boost (headunit is made by Alpine, but I could be wrong there). If you aren't happy with the way HK sounds, definately get this as it's much easier to upgrade with aftermarket components.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
The H/K is generally reported as 320W - but there is very little detail.
Confirmation to ShankRabbit - the two sets of wires to each rear speaker are just to two voice coils on the one (woofer) unit. Possibly the reference to "woofer" and "midrange" in the wiring is because the two signals inside the H/K amp are different - or maybe it's just a leftover reference from use of the same amp in other vehicles.
The stock system has no amp (just the internal amp of the head unit), less powerful speakers, just a bass & tweeter in each door (no midrange) and again only a low frequency unit in the rear.
On the stock system you can gain sound improvements by replacing the speakers.
Confirmation to ShankRabbit - the two sets of wires to each rear speaker are just to two voice coils on the one (woofer) unit. Possibly the reference to "woofer" and "midrange" in the wiring is because the two signals inside the H/K amp are different - or maybe it's just a leftover reference from use of the same amp in other vehicles.
The stock system has no amp (just the internal amp of the head unit), less powerful speakers, just a bass & tweeter in each door (no midrange) and again only a low frequency unit in the rear.
On the stock system you can gain sound improvements by replacing the speakers.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally Posted by GBMINI
The H/K is generally reported as 320W - but there is very little detail.
Confirmation to ShankRabbit - the two sets of wires to each rear speaker are just to two voice coils on the one (woofer) unit. Possibly the reference to "woofer" and "midrange" in the wiring is because the two signals inside the H/K amp are different - or maybe it's just a leftover reference from use of the same amp in other vehicles.
The stock system has no amp (just the internal amp of the head unit), less powerful speakers, just a bass & tweeter in each door (no midrange) and again only a low frequency unit in the rear.
On the stock system you can gain sound improvements by replacing the speakers.
Confirmation to ShankRabbit - the two sets of wires to each rear speaker are just to two voice coils on the one (woofer) unit. Possibly the reference to "woofer" and "midrange" in the wiring is because the two signals inside the H/K amp are different - or maybe it's just a leftover reference from use of the same amp in other vehicles.
The stock system has no amp (just the internal amp of the head unit), less powerful speakers, just a bass & tweeter in each door (no midrange) and again only a low frequency unit in the rear.
On the stock system you can gain sound improvements by replacing the speakers.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Seattle, WA
Does anyone know the ohm/wattage of the speakers in the H/K system? I went and auditioned the H/K sound system today and was quite impressed. It didn't blow me away, but it was quite impressive for a non-aftermarket system.
I'm wondering, though, since I have a pair of really nice 6x9 3-way infinity kappas, that I might be able to use them for a little added "oomph" in the back of the car - more bass and definitely more treble - without really doing other mods to the system. I like the H/K DSP system and the front tweeters/mids sound nice to me.
If I knew what the ohm/wattage ratings are then I might be able to figure that out. What about the dual voice coil, is that an issue?
(btw, my kappas have outboard crossover units with them)
I'm wondering, though, since I have a pair of really nice 6x9 3-way infinity kappas, that I might be able to use them for a little added "oomph" in the back of the car - more bass and definitely more treble - without really doing other mods to the system. I like the H/K DSP system and the front tweeters/mids sound nice to me.
If I knew what the ohm/wattage ratings are then I might be able to figure that out. What about the dual voice coil, is that an issue?
(btw, my kappas have outboard crossover units with them)
Originally Posted by o-ron
Does anyone know the ohm/wattage of the speakers in the H/K system?
Take a look at GBMINI's photo gallery.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Seattle, WA
thanks.
my kappas are 4om
It may work, but I'm concerned that since the H/K DSP treats the rears essentially as subs, that it might filter out all higher frequency sounds (although, maybe this is different for different modes?).
The new kappa 6x9's (693.7) are 2ohm, which is interesting..
my kappas are 4om
It may work, but I'm concerned that since the H/K DSP treats the rears essentially as subs, that it might filter out all higher frequency sounds (although, maybe this is different for different modes?).
The new kappa 6x9's (693.7) are 2ohm, which is interesting..
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Seattle, WA
So here's my aftermarket alternative:
Pioneer DEH-P5800 - 3 band parametric eq, orange/red color - $200 street / $150 ebay
Pioneer GM-6200F - 4 channel 600watt amp - $180 street / $120 ebay
Infinity Kappa 50.7CS 5-1/4" + tweeter component system - $300 street / $150 ebay
Infinity Kappa 623.5i 6x9 3-way multielement - Free (they're in my current car)
MFSW adapter for Pioneer - $50
Misc. cables & wires - $50
Wiring harness adapter - $50
That's roughly $550 uninstalled. I could probably do the install myself.
It'd be a pretty nice sounding setup for roughly the same price as the H/K and with more EQ capability. But it would lack the "stock" visual quality and cleanliness and require a full day of install work.
hhmmm...
Hey, does anybody know what the wiring is back to the H/K amp? Is it an rca line plus something else?
It seems like I could just get the H/K system and a couple years down the road if I just need more I can dump the whole system and use the wiring / setup for the aftermarket system...??
Pioneer DEH-P5800 - 3 band parametric eq, orange/red color - $200 street / $150 ebay
Pioneer GM-6200F - 4 channel 600watt amp - $180 street / $120 ebay
Infinity Kappa 50.7CS 5-1/4" + tweeter component system - $300 street / $150 ebay
Infinity Kappa 623.5i 6x9 3-way multielement - Free (they're in my current car)
MFSW adapter for Pioneer - $50
Misc. cables & wires - $50
Wiring harness adapter - $50
That's roughly $550 uninstalled. I could probably do the install myself.
It'd be a pretty nice sounding setup for roughly the same price as the H/K and with more EQ capability. But it would lack the "stock" visual quality and cleanliness and require a full day of install work.
hhmmm...
Hey, does anybody know what the wiring is back to the H/K amp? Is it an rca line plus something else?
It seems like I could just get the H/K system and a couple years down the road if I just need more I can dump the whole system and use the wiring / setup for the aftermarket system...??
Originally Posted by o-ron
Hey, does anybody know what the wiring is back to the H/K amp? Is it an rca line plus something else?
Take a look here and here for some pix of the wire bundle.
If you're going to dump the h/k at some point and replace everything, I'd imagine that you'd want to want to replace the factory speaker wires with something better anyways. And also run new wires from the head unit back to the amp.
Good luck.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
If you want to do a full aftermarket install from an H/K equipped car, there actually are a couple of advantages:
The H/K install has better quality speaker wire runs, and they are twisted pair which helps to eliminate any possible noise pickup.
There are also two pairs of wires to each door instead of one, so you can more easily install two unit components with the crossover near the amp instead of in the door.
Also, of course, the speaker wires all go from the H/K amp position which is in the trunk - probably near to where you would mount any aftermarket amp.
The main downside is that the $550(?) upgrade cost of the H/K is basically junked if you replace everything.
The H/K install has better quality speaker wire runs, and they are twisted pair which helps to eliminate any possible noise pickup.
There are also two pairs of wires to each door instead of one, so you can more easily install two unit components with the crossover near the amp instead of in the door.
Also, of course, the speaker wires all go from the H/K amp position which is in the trunk - probably near to where you would mount any aftermarket amp.
The main downside is that the $550(?) upgrade cost of the H/K is basically junked if you replace everything.
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