[Dude]

Not just plenty of other people. There are too many threads to list on this forum of complaints about the audio system.

Really? So that's the metric here? Number of threads?

Out of curiosity, how many threads? Maybe if there are a "lot" of threads on this topic, the MODS should combine to reflect the different opinions in a single location? Or more likely, it's just from the same (pick your number) people, repeating themselves, over and over again?

Then there's the pragmatic issue that many people don't have a clue. Case in point...I remember on one one of these threads you allude to, a couple of posters complaining about the HK...only to find out several posts laters, the source material they were evaluating was heavily compressed...so they were rating the HK as poor, yet, had no idea that their source material was crap, from the get go.

Fact: garbage in, garbage out. No system will undo that.

 

[stevelup]

Not just plenty of other people. There are too many threads to list on this forum of complaints about the audio system.

That is a very blinkered point of view as there are -many- people who think it's excellent as well. Any internet forum, the people who are unhappy are the loudest.

I've said this -so- many times now, I genuinely think there is something wrong with the systems in some people's cars. The closest I ever got to solving this mystery was when there was someone relatively close to me who was insistent it was the worst thing they'd ever heard, that the stock system in a VW Polo was better, blah blah. I offered to meet up so we could get to the bottom of it, and then they clammed up.

The offer stands. Anyone who is not happy with their HK system and is basically anywhere on the M4 between J10 and J17, I'd be happy to meet. We can do some objective testing and measurement and work out if something is broken or not.

There is no way on earth this all comes down to perception. It's simply impossible.

I'm an audio professional - my day to day job, all day every day, is audio. And I say this system is excellent - the best OEM system I've ever heard without spending thousands on an upgrade. The fact that it is obviously extremely sub par for some people needs further investigation, but I've drawn a blank at trying to arrange anything. I don't know what more I can do!

I don't know whether or not to be amused or insulted that you think I've been bought by marketing. It's such a preposterous suggestion that I have no choice other than to be amused by it...

 

[dave]

@TrevorC after all that effort, what do you like listening to?

 

[Dude]

The closest I ever got to solving this mystery was when there was someone relatively close to me who was insistent it was the worst thing they'd ever heard, that the stock system in a VW Polo was better, blah blah. I offered to meet up so we could get to the bottom of it, and then they clammed up.

The offer stands. Anyone who is not happy with their HK system and is basically anywhere on the M4 between J10 and J17, I'd be happy to meet. We can do some objective testing and measurement and work out if something is broken or not.

Well said. Bet all you hear is crickets.

One thing I hear from my gf, who is NOT an audiophile, is that she wishes the HK had better "surround sound". She likes her movie experience.

I try to explain to her that is artificial. When we go to the symphony, or a jazz club....I said it would be unnatural to have music coming from all directions/behind you. The best any good audio system can do is to make it sound like you are listening to the performers, live, in a studio.

 

[TrevorC]

My initial intent with this thread was to share my knowledge of the HK system. I don't think that there will ever be agreement on what sounds good and bad. Everyone has their own take on it. In reality my hearing is quite poor (Mostly a hereditary thing that hit me earlier than most of my family), anything above 4kHz and my hearing falls off quite quickly. I have not heard crickets for a good decade, however this doesn't mean that I don't appreciate quality.

To answer two questions that were put to me.
The components in the my system have cost about £2500. (@stevelup , if we meet up at the weekend, probably best not mention that to my wife)
My music taste, well that's questionable. Dance, R&B and things with a heavy baseline. My wife's music taste, Rush, Genesis, Led Zeppelin and Folk. Her music justifies my effort's, my music not so much.

 

[JRRF]

Really? So that's the metric here? Number of threads?

What makes it so good in the first place? Lots of people hate it and lots of people love it. Who's right??
Then again, if I read that marketing material a few more times, I might be convinced to love it too

 

[JRRF]

I don't know whether or not to be amused or insulted that you think I've been bought by marketing. It's such a preposterous suggestion that I have no choice other than to be amused by it...

You haven't been "bought" per say, but there's a reason marketing folks make lots of money, and it's because they are really good at what they do. And many marketing folks these days come from the psychology field. They are actually playing with your mind

 

[Witchcraftz]

One thing I hear from my gf, who is NOT an audiophile, is that she wishes the HK had better "surround sound". She likes her movie experience.

I'm assuming you already tried turning "surround" on in the settings for her? I'm personally not sure I like it as much in that mode though it does give a surround like experience.

Interesting to read that the audio was calibrated to the vehicle

The audio system is precalibrated using digital signal processing. This calibration takes into account speakers, amplifiers, passenger compartment acoustics, listener location, etc. There is also a dynamic calibration that takes into account the volume control's position and the vehicle's speed.

 

[JRRF]

The best any good audio system can do is to make it sound like you are listening to the performers, live, in a studio.

Well, live vs. in a studio where they are mixing the tracks are two totally different experiences.

 

[JRRF]

Polestar said:
The audio system is precalibrated using digital signal processing. This calibration takes into account speakers, amplifiers, passenger compartment acoustics, listener location, etc. There is also a dynamic calibration that takes into account the volume control's position and the vehicle's speed.

This is a great example of good marketing. I have no doubt they did what they say they did, but this could have been something that was done in about 30 minutes with minimal equipment, even though it sounds like an elaborate procedure. As for the speed calibration, that hasn't worked in a long time.

 

[Sargnarg the Hardgeharg]

Then again, if I read that marketing material a few more times, I might be convinced to love it too

I think your rejection of marketing content and natural contrarianism has convinced you it's bad. Maybe if I take an automatic contrary opinion to the marketing materiel I might be convinced to hate it too.

 

[Dude]

Well, live vs. in a studio where they are mixing the tracks are two totally different experiences.

Agree. Meant live in a venue, not in a recording studio....where different tracks are mixed, etc.

 

[Dude]

JRRF - Normally I find your posts to be pretty well reasoned, but in this case, you seem to think that those of us that like the HK system, are NOT basing our opinions on actual comparative analysis of the system in question....but instead, have been swayed by marketing hoopla. As mentioned by the MOD, that's rather insulting....and especially to those of us that have spent decades honing our audiophile tradecraft.

In my case, at least, to suggest that I have been swayed by marketing hype, is rubbish. To this day, I have not seen nor heard of any Polestar marketing material on this subject. In fact, I never even looked at any of the independent reviews on this topic until I saw a few posts to contrary, saying the HK system is horrible. As I pointed out, some of these posters had no clue what they were talking about, when they blamed the HK for poor quality, when in fact, they were listening to highly compress material.

One reason why I formulate my own opinions on anything subjective. Forums can be useful, but mostly, full of misinformation and/ or erroneous opinions. Same can be said from any non-factual information coming from a manufacturer.

 

[JRRF]

I think your rejection of marketing content and natural contrarianism has convinced you it's bad. Maybe if I take an automatic contrary opinion to the marketing materiel I might be convinced to hate it too.

I'm always skeptical, but I know too many high level marketing folks to not also embrace what they do. Good marketing can also be very beneficial . You can be selling the best thing since sliced bread and if it's not marketed properly you may not make a nickel.

 

[JRRF]

JRRF - Normally I find your posts to be pretty well reasoned, but in this case, you seem to think that those of us that like the HK system, are NOT basing our opinions on actual comparative analysis of the system in question. Instead, have been swayed by marketing. As mentioned by the MOD, that's rather insulting....and especially to those of us that have spent decades honing our audiophile tradecraft.

No insult intended. I have no doubt about your experiences, or professional opinions. My arguments were definitely generalized in nature, and the marketing material can still be hyperbole without impacting that at all.

I considered myself an amateur audiophile going back 40+ years, and although my ears have gotten worse, and I spend a lot less time listening to music on my reference system, I'm just not that impressed with the HK system. I've had previous cars where I wanted to sit in the car and keep listening even when I pulled in the garage. That just doesn't happen with this car. Might just be old age 🤷‍♂️

 

[Sargnarg the Hardgeharg]

I considered myself an amateur audiophile

Riiight, but you know better than stevelup who is a literal professional? I think this argument has run its course.

 

[JRRF]

Riiight, but you know better than stevelup who is a literal professional? I think this argument has run its course.

I never suggested such.

 

[Sargnarg the Hardgeharg]

I never suggested such.

Except here where you said marketing folks are playing with his mind and he "hasn't been bought per say [sic]" implying that he has been manipulated.

 

[JRRF]

Except here where you said marketing folks are playing with his mind and he "hasn't been bought per say [sic]" implying that he has been manipulated.
View attachment 24981

No matter who you are, or what your expertise is, marketing is absolutely playing with your mind. That's their job, and they are as good at it as you are at yours. And much as I might try, I can't fully exclude myself from that manipulation also. We are all subject to it every day in so many ways.

 

[Genex]

I don't have my Polestar yet, but looking forward to how it sounds. I went from a custom Focal system in a Galaxy to the HK in a BMW i3, which was genuinely dreadful. So much so that Radio 4 became the default. Focal oem replacement drivers went in a few months ago and immediately started listening to music again.

Trevor, cheers for the incredible detail. As I'm having a lease, anything you'd suggest that could be done simply and then removed in 3 years? Would have to be Focal as I work for the group (and doubt they'd have seen a Polestar)