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Harmon Kardon vs standard radio
- Thread author Audioi
- Start date
TellurideCoug
Active member
I'm just now getting around to reading this thread, which started over 4 years ago!
We can agree we're all different, and therefore, actually hear different....so if the SX Harmon "Premium Radio" sounds good to you, than great. I'm glad you're happy with the factory system.
For me, as an audiophile enthusiast with a dedicated room, the SX Prestige Factory System is a horrible disappointment. It's really bad.
It's not surprising, though. Manufacturer's simply don't install after market systems in their production line, regardless of the "big brand" name. They actually "spec out" their factory system according to price not quality. Their engineering diagrams are confidential, and not released to the public or to the after market car audio retail industry.
The head units have amps integrated inside, and simply cannot compete with the quality of a separate after market amp. Their speakers are the cheapest paper quality, equivalent to a Radio Shack speaker from the 1970's. Because they need to keep their costs and prices down, this business model is unable to provide a high quality factory audio system.
If fact the "big brand" name often confuses or misleads the buyer, thinking that if it's a Harmon Kardon, a JBL, Bose, Infinity, JVC, or Burmester, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sanyo and Sony, than my system should sound great, right? Wrong.
There are a few exceptions. Once in a while a factory system does sound good. For instance today, the factory radio in the base model of the Volkswagen Atlas (their 3rd row SUV) is an exception. Next time you drive by a Volkswagen dealership, pull in and check out the Atlas's factory system.
For the Telly, simply put...the Harmon Kardon system is C-R-A-P.
The audio system sounds bad, and I mean really bad, regardless of which "setting" you customize it.
Quantom Logos is really not a standout, it's a gimmick. The best audio experience I can obtain on this factory head unit and factory speakers is via wireless bluetooth.
By the way, the speakers are paper crap....very cheap, and certainly not premium.
Here's the thing. Most people just don't care. That's fine. It's not a priority for most. For the 5 to 10% that do care, where audio is a priority....there of course is a solution.
The good news is you can have a system that will blow you away.
The not so good news, is that it will be an expense. A fun project, though, but an expense.
Changing out the factory speakers alone won't do it. (The speakers are factory paper crap, even though they say HK on it. Kia speced it out. They deceived you. They're calling it a "Premium System", and it's anything but "Premium". Think about it. If they truly were premium....the price of the car would be going up, and not by a few hundred dollars. It's a Kia. They're priority is keeping it "price competitive" against the competition, right?!
Don't get me wrong. Even though "it's a Kia", it's still one of the most stylish SUV, "head-turners" on the road today. An exterior standout.
Back to audio. If you haven't explored or researched this....here you go:
You'll need a good 8 Channel Amp. A Line Output Converter (LOC). (4) 6 ½" Speakers, (4) Tweeters, (Component Integration), and an 8" Shallow Sub. While you're at it...consider adding Accoustical Treatment Sound-Dampening in all the four doors. If you do this, you then will be satisfied and absolutely be BLOWN AWAY.
If interested, here's the component details:
BTW, I agree with everyone that Sirius/XM sounds awful. Agreed. And that's satellite. But, there is a Sirius/XM alternative....
If you haven't already done so....download the Sirius/XM app on your phone. Stream their channels using wireless bluetooth.
They have a hundred extra channels, called Sirius/XM Extras on the app, save your favorite stations....and believe it or not, it sounds as good as Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and even Tidal.
We can agree we're all different, and therefore, actually hear different....so if the SX Harmon "Premium Radio" sounds good to you, than great. I'm glad you're happy with the factory system.
For me, as an audiophile enthusiast with a dedicated room, the SX Prestige Factory System is a horrible disappointment. It's really bad.
It's not surprising, though. Manufacturer's simply don't install after market systems in their production line, regardless of the "big brand" name. They actually "spec out" their factory system according to price not quality. Their engineering diagrams are confidential, and not released to the public or to the after market car audio retail industry.
The head units have amps integrated inside, and simply cannot compete with the quality of a separate after market amp. Their speakers are the cheapest paper quality, equivalent to a Radio Shack speaker from the 1970's. Because they need to keep their costs and prices down, this business model is unable to provide a high quality factory audio system.
If fact the "big brand" name often confuses or misleads the buyer, thinking that if it's a Harmon Kardon, a JBL, Bose, Infinity, JVC, or Burmester, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sanyo and Sony, than my system should sound great, right? Wrong.
There are a few exceptions. Once in a while a factory system does sound good. For instance today, the factory radio in the base model of the Volkswagen Atlas (their 3rd row SUV) is an exception. Next time you drive by a Volkswagen dealership, pull in and check out the Atlas's factory system.
For the Telly, simply put...the Harmon Kardon system is C-R-A-P.
The audio system sounds bad, and I mean really bad, regardless of which "setting" you customize it.
Quantom Logos is really not a standout, it's a gimmick. The best audio experience I can obtain on this factory head unit and factory speakers is via wireless bluetooth.
By the way, the speakers are paper crap....very cheap, and certainly not premium.
Here's the thing. Most people just don't care. That's fine. It's not a priority for most. For the 5 to 10% that do care, where audio is a priority....there of course is a solution.
The good news is you can have a system that will blow you away.
The not so good news, is that it will be an expense. A fun project, though, but an expense.
Changing out the factory speakers alone won't do it. (The speakers are factory paper crap, even though they say HK on it. Kia speced it out. They deceived you. They're calling it a "Premium System", and it's anything but "Premium". Think about it. If they truly were premium....the price of the car would be going up, and not by a few hundred dollars. It's a Kia. They're priority is keeping it "price competitive" against the competition, right?!
Don't get me wrong. Even though "it's a Kia", it's still one of the most stylish SUV, "head-turners" on the road today. An exterior standout.
Back to audio. If you haven't explored or researched this....here you go:
You'll need a good 8 Channel Amp. A Line Output Converter (LOC). (4) 6 ½" Speakers, (4) Tweeters, (Component Integration), and an 8" Shallow Sub. While you're at it...consider adding Accoustical Treatment Sound-Dampening in all the four doors. If you do this, you then will be satisfied and absolutely be BLOWN AWAY.
If interested, here's the component details:
- JL Audio XDM800/8 Channel amp.
- Wavtech Link8 (LOC) Line Output Converter/Processor.
- Focal 165AS component integrated speakers (pair) for front doors, (woofer and tweeter).
- Focal 165AS component integrated speakers (pair) for rear doors, (woofer and tweeter).
- Focal P 20 FSE 8” Shallow Sub.
- JL Audio HD-RLC, HD Amp Remote Level Control and Cable.
- SoundShield Car Sound Deadening Door Kit Mats - 4 Rolls. This covers all four doors.
- Blackhole High Efficiency Accoustical Absorption Tiles ~ 40 pack of Foam Tiles. This covers all four doors.
- Wire Bundle Kit for amp with Fuses.
- 4-gauge dual amplifier wiring kit — includes power wiring.
- Wiring Kit for Processors and Low-Current Devices, which includes 18-gauge power and ground wires (25-foot), fuse holders, and fuses.
- QTY 2 EA: American International HKSB110 (= 4 total Speaker Adapter Brackets).
- QTY 2 EA: Metra 72-7302 Speaker Wiring Harnesses (=4 total Speaker Harnesses).
BTW, I agree with everyone that Sirius/XM sounds awful. Agreed. And that's satellite. But, there is a Sirius/XM alternative....
If you haven't already done so....download the Sirius/XM app on your phone. Stream their channels using wireless bluetooth.
They have a hundred extra channels, called Sirius/XM Extras on the app, save your favorite stations....and believe it or not, it sounds as good as Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and even Tidal.
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