Harmon Kardon Amps - Page 2

Schotten · 10th February 2010, 18:14

I upgraded to HK amp and sub last year, as for loudness yes that is improved(?) But the distortion is as well. The sub in the saloon is a 'neat' job but the loss of space is a pain, can't get two suitcases in the boot now!!! Mrs hasn't noticed yet (

) just thinks that the boot 'isn't the biggest is it?'. I'm upgrading to the BM24 dual tuner so I'll be interested to hear the diff. Worth selling the old tuner?

StevenWilliams · 10th February 2010, 19:11

I've still got an amp fro sale in teh for sale section if you are intersted.

I'm asking £30 inc delivery

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=39527

billcoleman · 10th February 2010, 22:09

This is interesting feedback. Currently I have a VDO MS4400 navigation radio fitted (this replaced the original radio CD very well and even fits into the original facia). In order to power the sub that I bought from Les I fitted a cheap (but powerfull) amp bought from Ebay.

In addition I have replaced all the speakers with some very nice Infinities.

The volume I now get is great, but I am not very happy with the quality of the sound and I am pretty sure that the cheap amp "hisses" at me.

So provided the quality of the HK amp is good, it may be worth fitting to replace the cheap item, but will I get much improved volume?

Does anyone know how many watts the amp is rated at, does anyone have a connection diagram and where can I get a set of connectors from to make a loom?

Jezzer 1 · 11th February 2010, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcoleman

Can anyone who has fitted a Harm Kardon AMplifier tell me if they have been happy with the sound quality and is it worth fitting one?

If so, is there a connection sheet available and are the connectors available to make-up a loom?

Why has the tourer got a different part number to he saloon (xqk100320 vs xqk100190)?

Where does the amp live in the tourer?

Connectors are available from RS Components.
See here:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...uctNum=3629086

For variants with Hi-Line Nav you need:

RS531-4590 18 way multilock plug 1 off
RS362-9086 12 way multilock plug 1 off
RS362-9367 Pins 20-16swg 30 off

For non-hiline nav amps the number of ways on each connector MAY be different - you need to check.

I'm looking at making up an add-in loom, but only at a very early stage. I believe member Pedro has already done it.

EXMSRalph · 11th February 2010, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcoleman

Does anyone know how many watts the amp is rated at, does anyone have a connection diagram and where can I get a set of connectors from to make a loom?

Connection diagram is in my ebay listing

EXMSRalph · 11th February 2010, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jezzer 1

Connectors are available from RS Components.
See here:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...uctNum=3629086

For variants with Hi-Line Nav you need:

RS531-4590 18 way multilock plug 1 off
RS362-9086 12 way multilock plug 1 off
RS362-9367 Pins 20-16swg 30 off

For non-hiline nav amps the number of ways on each connector MAY be different - you need to check.

I'm looking at making up an add-in loom, but only at a very early stage. I believe member Pedro has already done it.

All 4 types of HK amps use the same connectors.

terryware · 14th February 2010, 14:16

I had my ICE upgraded to the HK system when I bought my 75 saloon in 2001. My disatisfaction with the base unit led to a series of emails and phone calls to HK who initially were very helpful and keen to resolve the problem. However, the communications petered out and eventually I got a refund from the dealer for the upgrade cost. I removed the base unit from the boot because of the valuable space it used. It doesn't sound as if HK ever resolved the problem. Sound system aside, this is the best car I've ever owned with an almost unblemished history.

JohnDotCom · 14th February 2010, 14:45

The reason for the "poor" Bass sound quality (and distorted at times) is because of the poor design in as much as input to Sub Woofer Amp is from output of Speakers than than from a Purer Pre amp feed.

SD1too · 14th February 2010, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

The reason for the "poor" Bass sound quality (and distorted at times) is because of the poor design in as much as input to Sub Woofer Amp is from output of Speakers than than from a Purer Pre amp feed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billcoleman

So provided the quality of the HK amp is good ... but will I get much improved volume?

You'll get plenty of thumping bass but, as has been said, increased distortion. When considering non-MGR aftermarket equipment, bear in mind that the HK's inputs are not designed to take the output from a low distortion pre-amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

If you have a Hi Line system just upgrading to the BMW BM24 Radio/amplifier will improve the sound immensely and the output and bass too.

John, a question. Would this upgrade involve any changes to the graphic display on the Bordmonitor? I'm thinking of BMW logos and other such undesirable paraphernalia.

Simon.

JohnDotCom · 14th February 2010, 17:38

The BMW BM24 will not alter anything on your display, The Graphics are fed from TV Tuner unit and/or the Sat Nav Computer, so no BMW logos will appear, these are normally on the Software update discs,
but will give you permanent TMC as it has dual Tuners.
The sound quality is much better (some say better then the BM54 unit) bass improved, higher RMS output and cleaner with lower distortion.

10th February 2010, 18:14	#11
Schotten Loves to post 75 Saloon Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glasgow Posts: 334 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts	I upgraded to HK amp and sub last year, as for loudness yes that is improved(?) But the distortion is as well. The sub in the saloon is a 'neat' job but the loss of space is a pain, can't get two suitcases in the boot now!!! Mrs hasn't noticed yet () just thinks that the boot 'isn't the biggest is it?'. I'm upgrading to the BM24 dual tuner so I'll be interested to hear the diff. Worth selling the old tuner?

10th February 2010, 19:11	#12
StevenWilliams This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 British Racing Green. 81,000 miles and counting Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Crawley, West Sussex Posts: 6,183 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I've still got an amp fro sale in teh for sale section if you are intersted. I'm asking £30 inc delivery http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=39527 __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

14th February 2010, 14:16	#17
terryware Newbie Rover 75 CDT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Harmon Karnden ICE I had my ICE upgraded to the HK system when I bought my 75 saloon in 2001. My disatisfaction with the base unit led to a series of emails and phone calls to HK who initially were very helpful and keen to resolve the problem. However, the communications petered out and eventually I got a refund from the dealer for the upgrade cost. I removed the base unit from the boot because of the valuable space it used. It doesn't sound as if HK ever resolved the problem. Sound system aside, this is the best car I've ever owned with an almost unblemished history.

14th February 2010, 17:38	#20
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	The BMW BM24 will not alter anything on your display, The Graphics are fed from TV Tuner unit and/or the Sat Nav Computer, so no BMW logos will appear, these are normally on the Software update discs, but will give you permanent TMC as it has dual Tuners. The sound quality is much better (some say better then the BM54 unit) bass improved, higher RMS output and cleaner with lower distortion. Last edited by JohnDotCom; 14th February 2010 at 22:12.. Reason: wrote un by mistake. thats what happens when talking to staff.

10th February 2010, 22:09	#13
billcoleman Gets stuck in MGZT-T Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 578 Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 24 Posts	This is interesting feedback. Currently I have a VDO MS4400 navigation radio fitted (this replaced the original radio CD very well and even fits into the original facia). In order to power the sub that I bought from Les I fitted a cheap (but powerfull) amp bought from Ebay. In addition I have replaced all the speakers with some very nice Infinities. The volume I now get is great, but I am not very happy with the quality of the sound and I am pretty sure that the cheap amp "hisses" at me. So provided the quality of the HK amp is good, it may be worth fitting to replace the cheap item, but will I get much improved volume? Does anyone know how many watts the amp is rated at, does anyone have a connection diagram and where can I get a set of connectors from to make a loom?

14th February 2010, 14:45	#18
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	The reason for the "poor" Bass sound quality (and distorted at times) is because of the poor design in as much as input to Sub Woofer Amp is from output of Speakers than than from a Purer Pre amp feed.