Harmon Kardon vs standard radio

[Audioi]

Has anyone been able to compare the two sound systems for sonics?

 

[Audioi]

OK so how good/bad is the radio in the EX trim level?

 

[syadasti]

Cars.com notes it’s an inaccurate pseudo premium audio system. That’s typically for OEM:

“If you like it loud, a Harman Kardon 10-speaker premium audio system is standard on the SX trim, but I found it to be unimpressive and muddled at any volume level.”

 

[Audioi]

Not concerned so much about the SPL but more the quality of what's there.

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[Razorback]

To accurately test this would you not need raw uncompressed audio files? I have been impressed with the system but I will say that its not the same system as listening to ELX system in the new Acura RDX, which I believe appeals to folks who are more audiophiles than myself. Overall, I believe the system sounds good but certainly not an expert.

 

[Andymoney]

Cars.com notes it’s an inaccurate pseudo premium audio system. That’s typically for OEM:

“If you like it loud, a Harman Kardon 10-speaker premium audio system is standard on the SX trim, but I found it to be unimpressive and muddled at any volume level.”

So I thought the same thing until I discovered the “Advanced setting” within the “Sound Settings”

Go to Setup- sound settings- advanced - and check the Quantim Logic and Bass Boost boxes. The sound is night and day difference, believe you me. Super happy with the SX audio package now.

 

[syadasti]

Processing features like bass boost make the sound more artificial and worse rather than more accurate though...

 

[freddyvince]

In my SX canadian Telluride the Harman Kardon sound system is a 12 speaker system not 10, and the sound was amazing.
1 speaker on the dash, 2 in each front door, 2 in each second row door, 2 speaker on third row ans one subwoofer in the rear.

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[392DCGC]

So I thought the same thing until I discovered the “Advanced setting” within the “Sound Settings”

Go to Setup- sound settings- advanced - and check the Quantim Logic and Bass Boost boxes. The sound is night and day difference, believe you me. Super happy with the SX audio package now.

Interesting find! Apparently I didn't scour the menu enough. I wondered why the sound was like a concert hall/a bit of echo... this is probably why.

I think the SX sound system is pretty good overall. Could use better bass, but I'm happy with it. It does sound like there is a speaker in the dash as well, so advertised 10 speakers doesn't add up. Seems like 11 speakers + subwoofer - a pitifully small one.

 

[emj123]

I had a HK system in my Legacy that I traded in for my Telluride EX. While I'm a little bummed that the EX doesn't have a "premium" audio system, for a stock radio, it sounds pretty good. Better than most.

 

[Solbin]

Any idea of the audio codec it uses for bluetooth? SBC? APTX? APTX HD? AAC?

 

[392DCGC]

Any idea of the audio codec it uses for bluetooth? SBC? APTX? APTX HD? AAC?

If anyone here has a Google Pixel device, they can view the Bluetooth codec in use by viewing the Bluetooth settings for the car when it's connected.

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[itschris]

The SX system is okay-ish. If you’re used to high end audio it’ll leave you a bit disappointed. It’s getting more difficult to upgrade new vehicles it seems. It’s my understanding that it’s not always possible just to swap speaker anymore. There’s all sort of relays or stuff like that that work with the head unit I guess so there’s some effort required.

I definitely want to replace some speakers and add a quality 8 and/or 10 inch sub with real power behind it. I think the hidden cargo department in back is perfect for amps, capacitors and what not. I’m anxious for a few brave pioneers to figure it all out.

 

[drizzt]

The SX system is okay-ish. If you’re used to high end audio it’ll leave you a bit disappointed. It’s getting more difficult to upgrade new vehicles it seems. It’s my understanding that it’s not always possible just to swap speaker anymore. There’s all sort of relays or stuff like that that work with the head unit I guess so there’s some effort required.

I definitely want to replace some speakers and add a quality 8 and/or 10 inch sub with real power behind it. I think the hidden cargo department in back is perfect for amps, capacitors and what not. I’m anxious for a few brave pioneers to figure it all out.

Have you tried the quantum logic and bass boost function in hidden menu that andymoney mentioned? My wife’s Rav4 Limited hybrid’s premium audio system is known to sound worse than the speakers in lesser trim models according to many users. I’m no audiophile so the sound is good enough.

 

[BPM]

I have the HK system in another KIA and after tweaking all of the different settings (there are a ton), I think it sounds pretty good. Definitely an upgrade from the standard radio.

 

[FireMartZ]

Also a huge upgrade from the Honda Pilot premium system in their high end trims.

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[Vietvet]

Aging myself I guess but does ANYONE remember Quadio??. I remember it sounded pretty good in the 70s .. It seems a bit like the Quantum Logic... Speakers over top and surround... Here was one set up we had... 4 large Sansui Speakers in fishnets suspended at each corner of the room with the speakers pointing to a couch in the center of the room. I think the SX Harmon Kardon will suit my ears just fine with Steppenwolf, Led Zep...,Stones or AC-DC

 

[Konstantin]

Have you tried the quantum logic and bass boost function in hidden menu that andymoney mentioned? My wife’s Rav4 Limited hybrid’s premium audio system is known to sound worse than the speakers in lesser trim models according to many users. I’m no audiophile so the sound is good enough.

Sounds is a personal preference so everyone will have slightly different opinions. Kia's HK sound in my SX is not bad but any means but it's actually slightly worse compared to what im used to in my 2010 Volkswagen CC. Bass booster made it sound fake to me like a cheap Subwoofer, the Logic surround (or whatever it was called) just spaced the sound all over losing the details and making it more like you are in a tin can.
Good quality HD radio stations sound good, music over CarPLay from the phone sounds good but Satellite radio sounds pretty shitty to me.

 

[drizzt]

Sounds is a personal preference so everyone will have slightly different opinions. Kia's HK sound in my SX is not bad but any means but it's actually slightly worse compared to what im used to in my 2010 Volkswagen CC. Bass booster made it sound fake to me like a cheap Subwoofer, the Logic surround (or whatever it was called) just spaced the sound all over losing the details and making it more like you are in a tin can.
Good quality HD radio stations sound good, music over CarPLay from the phone sounds good but Satellite radio sounds pretty shitty to me.

For that reason, I didn't even bother signing up for satellite radio. I did trial in my wife's Rav4 and I was not very impressed. At least I didn't have to manually call in to cancel subscription, but did it automatically.

 

[Buckeye-TRide]

Coming from a Bose system in a Buick to the 6 speaker in the Telluride I would say the sound quality is on par but I am missing the 11” sub as the base is pretty weak. Not as bad as I was expecting and I will be fine with it but I would trade half of the saftey tech in the EX for the high end system of the SX.