Welcome to the forum! I suspect that it will be a waste of time and money. But it is just my suspicion...

 

On the one hand, speakers represent a much more important aspect of sound quality than just about any other gear. On the other hand, a car interior represents significant barriers to optimal sound quality, more so than most rooms in a dwelling.

Moreover, sound preferences (as opposed to measurable objective characteristics) are highly variable and subjective—only you can determine the value of any changes. I have the stock audio system (no more H/K systems available on SMLR by the time I bought mine) and I do find it mediocre. And, on occasion, I think about swapping out the speakers (that’s as far as I would go though—gone are the days of a simple install of a Blaupunkt or Alpine cassette head unit in my cars 25+ years ago). But I think I’ll give it some more time. I’ve been tweaking the audio settings and approaching something adequate.

If you do make changes, good luck.

 

So I have the stock system also with the long range and with much tweaking I got it halfway decent but I continue to tweak. I hace drove a P2 with HK and found it lacking.

But if your going to replace speakers they are usually only as good as the room they are put in. Many will do room sound improvements before making a speaker upgrade.

Maybe getting an estimate to do some sound insulation in the doors etc. Most car places can advise. I don't do cars so can't help with absorbing vs deadening but saw some threads.

If it's cost effective I would start with that first. I understand it isn't that hard if your handy.

Then I would reevaluate.

I am sure there are mod sites of people adding speakers etc and maybe some suggestions.

Polestar also uses B&W for the 3 or/ and 4. I think I read those are pretty good.

 

Something to consider trying before spending the money to replace the HK speakers is to calibrate your car's sound system with a basic phone app. Since the car has a pretty full spectrum EQ, calibrating and tuning each frequency band can yield pretty significant sound quality improvement. I got a free frequency analyzer app on my iPhone and did some tuning a few weeks ago. I was shocked at how far off the reference "Harman" curve my car was. (Ironic since it's a Harman/Kardon system...)

After tuning the speakers with the car's built in EQ control to match the reference curve as best as I could, my car's sound system is sounding much better. Even my wife has noticed a difference and music just sounds much more enjoyable.

 

What did you use to do this.

 

I used this free app called HouseCurve. There’s probably a lot of other similar apps out there.

Is that specifically for iOS? Can't find it on the play store...

 

Is that specifically for iOS? Can't find it on the play store...

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HouseCurve is an iOS app for tuning audio systems. Use it for room correction, adjusting equalizers, setting subwoofer phase, choosing crossovers and more.

housecurve.com

I might try it with an iPad. I am planning on getting a USB external mic so I can use the sound file for it. I was going to use REW but it's tougher to learn.

 

This is a good mic for this to be just a bit more accurate.

Dayton Audio iMM-6C Calibrated USB-C Measurement Microphone for Apple/ Android

Dayton Audio iMM-6C Calibrated USB-C Measurement Microphone for Apple/ Android Dayton Audio IMM-6C USB-C Measurement Microphone for Tablets IPhone IPad and Android Turn any phone or tablet with a USB-C jack into a laboratory grade audio measurement device with Dayton Audio's iMM-6C USB-C...

www.parts-express.com

 

I'm assuming you don't connect it - you use the app to 'listen' and it will show you what it's picking up, then you adjust the car EQ until what's being detected is closer to the reference curve.

Might be easier to just ask P2pppnv to share their post-calibration settings though 🤣

 

I am not sure who I asked but I like to fiddle around and do something this stuff. I just changed mine by ear and I really like the settings but always adjusting. The sound is almost as important then the ride to some degree. I will also ask. Someone else did something similar and my eq was almost exact. Lol. I also have a dedicated home theater! Music room and I want to redo that rooms acoustics anyway and just a reason to buy stuff and mess around with all of this. 🎶

 

Would be great if someone could share their EQ settings for the 5 band equalizer, would be a great starting point for anyone that wants to tailor the sounds to their liking.

 

 

I guess if I am asking also should share where I am at now.I used to increase the treble above much more and increase the 100 up to make a U curve. I think I get tighter bass on jazz and rock now. Like the midrange also but constantly playing around with it.

 

I use Holly Cole Train Song

Holly Cole - I can see clearly now

Fareed Haque - Duende

Fareed Haque - ain't no sunshine (Bill Withers)

The Manressa album from Fareed Haque is fantastic and really good production. Each song has great bass extension. Plus with Holly you get great midrange. With Fareed on duende there is really nice attack and cymbal splash with bass kick.

I have others and used these when doing speaker evaluation in another life. Fareed still plays in Chicago and around and is in Spotify list. He plays like every style and have seen him live many times

 

Sorry this should be Train Song. By Holly Cole. Concentrate on the bass and drum sticks and of courses her voice.

 

Would be good to see your reference settings - I've had a go with house curve on my iPad and can't seem to get much change on what it's picking up, even when I go from one extreme to the other on the EQ..

 

So I just used my ears as reference. I didn't run any software yet.

I put everything to flat and bass /treble to 0. My only reference is the sound bar being 2 clicks to the left of center. People will raise and lower the sound bar but that also has an influence on the sound. It's a trick when you go to listen to speakers the sales people will always make it louder. Your mind thinks louder is better and you hear more bass.

Then will everything flat just listened to the music I provided. Started on the left side and tweaked each control a bit. Listened more then the next slider and so on. Now I am just driving around forgetting about it seeing if I like it. My wife was in my car yesterday and she commented that she liked the sound. She didn't know that I did anything.

I am playing different material also. Hard rock sounds decent. Some Tori Amos I am not sure about but could just be her production.

I am going to order that other mic since it's cheap and has great reviews. It will be an improvement over the iPad. Then will play with the software. Either House Curve or REW. Lots of people use REW but it's not as easy to learn as others. I want to tweak my home system also, so it's an excuse to do the car.

I left reference music. I am just curious what others think? Even if you feel it sucks with my adjustments.. When I do get the software etc I will probably make a dedicated thread to just that. Curious what music people use to evaluate.

 

You might look back at other threads in here relating to "audio quality" or "sound system". There was one a while back in which three of us who have had long experience with high-end stereo equipment weighed in. Two conclusions: the HK system is well above average quality for car audio; and, the major impediment for most people is they are using mediocre (at best) source material. A major red flag for me in this strand is that not a single person has mentioned this. The operative expression: garbage in, garbage out. Before doing any of these things, especially those that cost money, it would be wise to use high quality hardware and source material. I would ask all those who are posting here, what are you using?

 

Absolutely. Source material is always the first step. I'm using Tidal in my car with the HK system. And it really sounds pretty fantastic especially after some calibration. Much better than some of the systems I've had in previous cars.

 

Good point! I use Amazon music as it offers HD/ultra HD options.

 

No question. Amazon HD. I am more curious with the adjustments but probably start a different thread since I don't have the HK version