[BigBart33]

Not sure if there’s any discussion on this yet but curious how good the HK speakers sound in the G87. The system in the F87 was pretty lackluster. I believe it used a worse system than the F80’s. Wonder if the G87 is now on par with the G80?

[DomMuc]

get to the dealer and sit in a g42 with hk.. the system ist exact the same.....

[752002]

What?

Sorry

I’ve been using my AirPod pros in my other two vehicles so I’m happy with the system. I have faded the sound to the rear a bit. Have not done anything to the equalizer yet. Easy to control from several different locations and it plays with my phone very nicely.

[M-2'ned]

From an ex-car audio guy, I have to say I'm happy with the new HK system. I have after market subs and amps sitting in my garage but I won't bother modifying the stock system.

[KevinC]

[Mike_H_]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Same reviewer rated the H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M240ix an "A tier" system and wrote this:

DM Sound Feb 18, 2022:
2022 BMW 2-series – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound System Review - "We were not expecting this entry BMW to have such a good stereo! Maybe BMW made some tweaks for 2022, but this M240i has a great audio system."

Then they reviewed the identical H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M2 and wrote this:

DM Sound Apr 2, 2023:
2023 BMW M2 – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound Review - "The updates BMW M2 still packs a 14-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon. And it's still not very good."

[M-2'ned]

Maybe he just doesn't know how to set it up properly... maybe he is just after YT views... Granted I didn't have super high expectations, and 14 speakers would be better described as 7 channel (since I don't need the upsell), but I will reiterate, I could easily swap out speakers, upgrade amps, rewire... but I am choosing not to even though I do my own labor and have the parts readily available in my garage.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by Mike_H_

Same reviewer rated the H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M240ix an "A tier" system and wrote this:

DM Sound Feb 18, 2022:
2022 BMW 2-series – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound System Review - "We were not expecting this entry BMW to have such a good stereo! Maybe BMW made some tweaks for 2022, but this M240i has a great audio system."

Then they reviewed the identical H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M2 and wrote this:

DM Sound Apr 2, 2023:
2023 BMW M2 – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound Review - "The updates BMW M2 still packs a 14-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon. And it's still not very good."

It's hard to take reviewers like that seriously. In fact, I cannot.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Mike_H_

Same reviewer rated the H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M240ix an "A tier" system and wrote this:

DM Sound Feb 18, 2022:
2022 BMW 2-series – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound System Review - "We were not expecting this entry BMW to have such a good stereo! Maybe BMW made some tweaks for 2022, but this M240i has a great audio system."

Then they reviewed the identical H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M2 and wrote this:

DM Sound Apr 2, 2023:
2023 BMW M2 – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound Review - "The updates BMW M2 still packs a 14-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon. And it's still not very good."

I was confused by that as well when I saw it a few weeks ago. For some dumb reason I even did some digging on this guy and couldn’t even find an explanation of his tier system which doesn’t seem to follow any logical grading. I further watched and read some of his reviews on my other cars sound system and found he’s full of shit. A solid F tier.

[Mike_H_]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

I was confused by that as well when I saw it a few weeks ago. For some dumb reason I even did some digging on this guy and couldn’t even find an explanation of his tier system which doesn’t seem to follow any logical grading. I further watched and read some of his reviews on my other cars sound system and found he’s full of shit. A solid F tier.

I saw the review of the H&K 14 speaker sound system before purchasing my 2022 M240ix, so when I saw the one on the M2 it was such a contrast that I initially wondered if BMW de-contented the stereo in the M2, but they didn't, it's the same system.

Maybe they should team up with TH and test the stereo while doing the 1000rpm 4th-gear-lug-the-engine challenge.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by Mike_H_

I saw the review of the H&K 14 speaker sound system before purchasing my 2022 M240ix, so when I saw the one on the M2 it was such a contrast that I initially wondered if BMW de-contented the stereo in the M2, but they didn't, it's the same system.

Maybe they should team up with TH and test the stereo while doing the 1000rpm 4th-gear-lug-the-engine challenge.

Ha, amen. I’m already mentally preparing my video for when my car finally arrives.

[zero21]

Originally Posted by Mike_H_

Same reviewer rated the H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M240ix an "A tier" system and wrote this:

DM Sound Feb 18, 2022:
2022 BMW 2-series – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound System Review - "We were not expecting this entry BMW to have such a good stereo! Maybe BMW made some tweaks for 2022, but this M240i has a great audio system."

Then they reviewed the identical H&K 14 speaker audio system in the M2 and wrote this:

DM Sound Apr 2, 2023:
2023 BMW M2 – Harman Kardon 14-speaker Sound Review - "The updates BMW M2 still packs a 14-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon. And it's still not very good."

Exactly. He must be an "audiophile" the way he contradicts himself and muddies the water of audio equipment. The last thing anyone needed was more confusion in the audio space.

The sound system is good. Is it as good my Polk R200's pointed at my face?, no. Center channels don't work well in cars because no one sits in the center. But it is a good quality system and not under powered. It has adequate frequency response from low bass and up. You will not get sub-bass from this system (nor do you probably want it).

You get volume and meat in the sound from about 25% power and up. That's solid in my book.

[zero21]

Originally Posted by M2withACC

G87 HK sounds better than F87 HK, that is for sure. F87's HK sounds pretty average. Your ears will get used to it after all the sounds from the engine, exhaust, road noise, tire noise, interior rattles, and wind noise. If you don't mind adding weight or making it look unattractive and weird. This is my F87. It sounds amazing!

Focal?

[M2withACC]

Originally Posted by zero21

Focal?

I still have some focal speakers from my previous F80s. This is a different league, and it is just wow. I wouldn't mind saving up for their flagship. The installation, build, and calibration are crucial.

[BigBart33]

Yeah the F87's stock HK was pretty bad lol. Probably worst audio system I've heard in a luxury car. Glad to hear G87 is better. Upgrading is always an option but there's so much post-processing and everything on cars nowadays designed to work with the OE speakers. If it was a forever car I might send it to that guy who makes Resonix.

[Tuxon_Speed]

FWIW the sound system in the G87 sounds much better than it does in my G80

[spademonkey]

Honestly my only main complaint with the current HK in the M's, and in my new M2, is the bass is severely lacking. But the audio other than that is very good quality.

[BMW DIY Guy]

I plan on doing a complete tear out of the HKs on my G87, and replace with Bimmertech Alpha Ones including subs, (and amp if available). I have that setup in my F87 and the difference is night and day for sure.

If budget contrained (not saying I am not so.. man toys are expensive) then at least start with the A1 subs and pull the HK subs. They really are terrible.

[LCDRJohn]

I used to be a car-stereo installer back in the day too, and hoped that the HK system would not need to be touched. I feel pretty confident in the feedback of the forum members who are satisfied.

I can't wait for Savagegeese to run his waterfall plots and RTA!

Funny side story: Back in the 1990's, we sold tons of Polk Audio car stereo gear, and installed quite a bit as well. We were in awe of the fact that they tried to engineer just for car applications, and not re-purpose home audio stuff. I even had that famous poster of Matt Polk in his lab coat in our dorm room.. Here is the funny part, I've been racing SCCA for over a decade or so, and at one of the races, some guy shunts me from behind and crashes out my car. He comes over to apologize and he looks sorta familiar. I wind up on his racing team for a while and some other guys said, "hey, I brought my speakers in for him to autograph". I had no idea why so I said, "Why would you want Matt to sign your speakers, he works in aerospace?". He then tells me that he is the founder of Polk Audio. I burst out laughing. I'd been racing with the guy who was in my dorm poster for 4 years and never made the connection..LOL! Small world!

[heelsmj]

Just to add a point. It is crazy how much the EQ and sound level settings make a difference in this car. It sounds like shit from the factory tweak the EQ and you can dial in a pretty good sound. I also found that sliding the fader slightly to the rear gives a more balanced sound. Is it amazing? No, but well worth the $875 for the G42 and it’s included in the M2 anyways so.

[JustinHEMI]

Originally Posted by heelsmj

Just to add a point. It is hacking how much the EQ and sound level settings make a difference in this car. It sounds liek shit from the factory tweak the EQ and you cna dial in a pretty good sound. I also found that sliding the fader slightly to the rear gives a more balanced sound. Is is amazing? No but well worth the $875 for the G42 and it’s included in the M2 anyways so.

Agreed, it's weak in stock settings. I messed with EQ and I really like it now. Went for a "rounded" "V" shape and it's much better than my other vehicles.

[Squidget]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Went for a "rounded" "V" shape

You mean a "U" ? /snark