On a recent trip from Dallas to Austin (3 hrs) I was driving top down the whole way. With the top down, to hear the H/K system, I set it on "driver" and had it turned up to max power. At that level, I could hear the music well, but it didn't seem loud in comparison to wind/road noise. I was happy with it, but from time to time, it seemed like it would lower the volume on it's own.

Does anyone have any experience with the H/K amp overheating and lowering the output to allow it to cool off?? I ran into this about 10 years back when I had a big time aftermarket system in my VW, so I was just wondering if that's what's going on here.

 

I don't believe that the system monitors heat to the point where it will lower volume, but I do know that the H/K will limit maximum volume if you turn the bass & treble above dead center... which is why I recommend leaving those two settings ON dead center.

 

The maximum volume is also reduced as you increase in speed, so that bass can be kept at a higher level to compensate for road noise.

 

I'll have to try that...I've got the bass on center, but the treble up...thanks!

 

Interesting, I've always heard the opposite, with volume dropping as you lower speed (e.g. when coming to a traffic light). I know that the Boost system allows you to adjust how much this takes effect, but the H/K doesn't allow you to adjust (although it still does it).

Never heard of decreased maximum volume at higher speeds before...

 

I haven't heard that either... It seems backwards to me, and I've had experience with speed volume control.

 

You're reading it wrong. The volume drops with speed, yes. But the maximum you can turn it up to is highest when you're stopped. It essentially turns up the bass as you increase in speed. That's why when stopped or in the showroom the HK is impressively loud but on the highway it seems you can never get it loud enough to some people.

 

Mine overheated and burnt out once...THE only thing I took the Mini in for warranty service...I've since bore six 1.5" holes into the access panel to keep things cool...

 

DEfinitely keep the bass and treble below halfway. You can actually hear the volume drop when you go over half. If, like me, teh midbass seems too much and you want to keep it balanced, just keep teh treble at half, drop the bass a touch and fade to the front a few clicks, which should up the apparent treble output.

 

Gotcha...makes sense now. Thanks for clearing that up