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Sub for HK system

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Sawyerd3

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I know there are a couple other threads about the sound systems. But has anyone added an aftermarket sub to the HK system? Not looking for anything crazy but I would like to be able to feel some bass. You have to turn this system up to get any bass out of it...
 
There should be an update for the HK system soon but with what’s going on in the world I think they are slow to release it.


Any one have more information than I do?
 
Yep, there is some chatter on the grapevine re a S/W update to the HK system. With one exception, I've been generally underwhelmed with the performance of the HK stuff. That exception is when i plug one of my 30+ year old CDs into the player (extinct on the 20s) and crank up the volume. Talk about some window bending bass! The OTA stuff (FM/SiriusXM) doesn't come close.
 
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I don’t know if I just have low standards, but my 6 speaker system with the uconnect 3.0 has surprisingly good bass once you play with the equalizer.
 
I have read through some of these threads as well. I have a 2019 2500 limited with HK system. I have a sub and amp from my old truck I want to replace the sub with. I am trying to figure out the easiest way to wire in the amp, assuming off the harness to the factory sub. I'm hoping someone can share what wires to use for this.
 
SQUATCH said:
I don’t know if I just have low standards, but my 6 speaker system with the uconnect 3.0 has surprisingly good bass once you play with the equalizer.
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The Uconnect has an exceptionally impressive 3-band EQ.

No preset programs, etc.

I guess like everything else, they dumbed it down for us plebes.
 
If it's any consolation regarding the H/K system being sub-par, I'm seeing the same thing with Ford's B&O system which is quite surprising. Of all companies one would think B&O would kill it with their system.
 
I have the B&O in 3 of my Audis and for car audio they're superb. That's a shame it doesn't translate to the Fords. I sprung for the HK after playing with one at the dealership and dialing in some pretty decent settings with my own source material, hopefully I get the same experience when I finally get my truck. But yeah, I haven't found a factory system with copious low end yet, I can understand the desire for aftermarket subs.
 
Zeroday said:
I have the B&O in 3 of my Audis and for car audio they're superb. That's a shame it doesn't translate to the Fords. I sprung for the HK after playing with one at the dealership and dialing in some pretty decent settings with my own source material, hopefully I get the same experience when I finally get my truck. But yeah, I haven't found a factory system with copious low end yet, I can understand the desire for aftermarket subs.
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Yes I tend to agree that it's probably relegated to the Ford line. I heard the B&Os in the high-end European cars are really nice.
 
The B&O in my S4 was outstanding, wonder what went wrong with ford.
 
The other day I was driving down the road and decided to see what pandora sounded like through the speakers and the bass was actually there. I was surprised. Maybe SiriusXM just needs to step their game up lol
 
agreed. SiriusXM always sounds worse than other sources. yet another reason why i don't subscribe past the free period any more.
 
geektoad said:
agreed. SiriusXM always sounds worse than other sources. yet another reason why i don't subscribe past the free period any more.
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I agree regarding SiriusXM audio quality. The HD channels on FM blow it away. I used a thumb drive in the USB port anyway so I'll probably never use the free SiriusXM myself.
 
Zeroday said:
I have the B&O in 3 of my Audis and for car audio they're superb. That's a shame it doesn't translate to the Fords. I sprung for the HK after playing with one at the dealership and dialing in some pretty decent settings with my own source material, hopefully I get the same experience when I finally get my truck. But yeah, I haven't found a factory system with copious low end yet, I can understand the desire for aftermarket subs.
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I've had a chance to adjust the surround audio with the H/K system and quite frankly I don't think it's that bad at all. HD FM sounds pretty good and my MP4/FLAC files on the USB actually sound pretty good and the bass is definitely noticeable. I think I'm going to be ok with system. Believe me, I've had worse. I did have to fade the sound to the back area of the truck quite a bit to try and center the surround sound effect. I can't stand hearing all the music from the dash and front door speakers. Fading the sound enhanced the sub-woofer presence too.
 
lovegolf44 said:
I've had a chance to adjust the surround audio with the H/K system and quite frankly I don't think it's that bad at all. HD FM sounds pretty good and my MP4/FLAC files on the USB actually sound pretty good and the bass is definitely noticeable. I think I'm going to be ok with system. Believe me, I've had worse. I did have to fade the sound to the back area of the truck quite a bit to try and center the surround sound effect. I can't stand hearing all the music from the dash and front door speakers. Fading the sound enhanced the sub-woofer presence too.
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Interesting. If you follow the concepts of audiophiles, you want a front "stage"... or when you close your eyes and hear your music, it should give the audible feeling that there is a concert stage up ahead of you. The rear is supposed to be nothing but "rear fill" sound. It sounds like your system was tuned by HK to deliver the desired stage effect, and you adjusted it back away.
 
SiriusXM compresses their signal too much, it's definitely noticeable compared to bringing your own music. HD radio also adds a lot of processing to boost the bass among other things, so it's not an apples/apples comparison with any of those sources.
 
Lary0071 said:
Interesting. If you follow the concepts of audiophiles, you want a front "stage"... or when you close your eyes and hear your music, it should give the audible feeling that there is a concert stage up ahead of you. The rear is supposed to be nothing but "rear fill" sound. It sounds like your system was tuned by HK to deliver the desired stage effect, and you adjusted it back away.
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Not me, if I'm going to listen to "surround" effects, why would I want the music dominating from the front. Otherwise for more of a stereo/concert effect then yes I agree with the front "stage" concept.
 
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