E46 M3 std stereo vs harmon kardon

[b16a2_VTi]

Afternoon,

Just out of interest how much better is the Harmon Kardon stereo, is it worth getting a E46 with or without. I do like my music but though spending £300 / 400 on current range speakers will be better than 5/6 Harmon Kardon setup's?

Anyone who had both will be a real help.

Many thanks in advance peps.

Edited by b16a2_VTi on Tuesday 27th January 12:47

[deano23]

I've got the 'Business' single CD player/audio system, and its ok to be honest. Much better than what i thought it would be like.

Sorry I can't comment on HK.

[b16a2_VTi]

cheers for the input deano nice to know there std system is at a good level.

[gizlaroc]

I think the standard stereo is terrible! One of the worst car systems I have heard.

The HK is OK, the fact it is quite warm sounding is good enough for me in an M3. Don't get me wrong £500 on aftermarket gear will destroy it, but it is liveable.

You can add a Blaupunkt plug'n'play amp to the standard stereo with new speakers up front for around £350 all in for a nice sound.

[Deutscher]

HK is a must-have option, if you ask me.

[M3RMS]

gizlaroc said:

I think the standard stereo is terrible! One of the worst car systems I have heard.

I'll 2nd that. Truly st.

[ih8thisname]

Deutscher said:

HK is a must-have option, if you ask me.

Indeed, assuming you enjoy your music the difference is massive IMO.

[baz1985]

Its known as Harmon Krapdon on a E46- utter sh!te....a car without it is much easier to upgrade. A set of JL ZR components and JL 300/2 amp for less than £500 should suffice if you're into your music.

[Deutscher]

baz1985 said:

Its known as Harmon Krapdon on a E46- utter sh!te....

No, it's not.

[baz1985]

Deutscher said:

baz1985 said:

Its known as Harmon Krapdon on a E46- utter sh!te....

No, it's not.

well not on the factory spec sheet anyway.......

[Windymiller]

HK is better than stock, no doubt about that. Obviously going aftermarket is better again, but only if you can be bothered to removed doorcards and trim, or can factor in the cost of giving the car to your local ICE people to sort. Not sure what a simple replacement job would cost though...

[gizlaroc]

baz1985 said:

Its known as Harmon Krapdon on a E46- utter sh!te....a car without it is much easier to upgrade. A set of JL ZR components and JL 300/2 amp for less than £500 should suffice if you're into your music.

I think that's a bit unfair, yeah you can put a better system in, but it is warm sounding and has some decent mid bass if not sub bass.

Personally I can't stand the JL ZR speakers, far to bright for me, Morel or DLS is more my thing, I guess it depends what sort of sound you like.

[LC23]

I've had an E46 with both the normal and HK set up. If you can find one with with HK, then get it. It makes a big difference IMO. As others have said, if you can be bothered to get some sort of good after market system, then this will be better again. I personally didn't want to go down this route as I like to leave my cars standard (ie, with only factory upgrades).

[ed3785]

hi i've just managed at long last to find myself a clean maunal E46 M3 cs absolutley over the moon with the car but... it is missing some optional extras and i like my cars speced to the roof but only with factory options anyone know how easy it would be to put the harmon kardon system in, where i should go, also theres another button missing other an the loud spaeker one i think its rear electric blinds anyone got answers on that to?

[gaz1234]

very strange. my old 330 (standard unit) was not bad when compared to the m3 (standard unit) and that is absolute st. compare the 330 standard to any other stereo and its st too.
HK.

[thehos]

hk is better than std, ive had both, but if you into your music, buy one without and upgrade, its easier to upgrade without hk, at best hk is ok

[nrick]

I don't have the HK system, but the last owner did fit focal 2 ways with Dynamat. Seems pretty good to me, and I have had a few systems over the years. It is a widescreen std unit.

[nottyash]

Ive had both, HK is better.
Mine has standard now, which is OK for me as I listen to the engine more than the stereo

[0836whimper]

LC23 said:

I've had an E46 with both the normal and HK set up. If you can find one with with HK, then get it. It makes a big difference IMO. As others have said, if you can be bothered to get some sort of good after market system, then this will be better again. I personally didn't want to go down this route as I like to leave my cars standard (ie, with only factory upgrades).

Me too. I had the standard stereo in my e46 330d, it was so bad it depressed me every time I got in the car. So I put in a Blaupunkt P&P amp and this massively improved it to barely adequate.
So for the M3, HK was second on the list of options I was most interested in, behind a sun-roof for the noise and spring/summer air.

[Bolognese]

I have the HK in mine, its not bad. I have always had aftermarket hifi's in my cars but the HK will do. The system in my old e46 318ci was awful and I changed it.

The HK would be better if the bass was a bit deeper and the treble can be a bit ear piercing at times.

6.5 out of 10 - passable