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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK Harmen kardon vs no Harmon kardon

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      07-12-2021, 10:38 AM   #1
Carbon dude
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Harmen kardon vs no Harmon kardon

As the title suggest folks, does anyone have any input on the sound difference? Looks like the only way I can be guaranteed to get it is if I buy the tech pack. I'm not paying nearly 2k for that as I can do without the HUD etc.

I'm not a massive sound buff when driving, pretty much have the radio on and that's it.
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      07-12-2021, 10:59 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary1985 View Post
As the title suggest folks, does anyone have any input on the sound difference? Looks like the only way I can be guaranteed to get it is if I buy the tech pack. I'm not paying nearly 2k for that as I can do without the HUD etc.

I'm not a massive sound buff when driving, pretty much have the radio on and that's it.
According to the website, HK isn't available even with the tech pack
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      07-12-2021, 12:21 PM   #3
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Unless you are getting an m340 unlikely you will get HK due to chip shortages.
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      07-12-2021, 12:47 PM   #4
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It's a m340i but I've been told that if I want HK then I need to get the tech pack. No option for HK for stand alone
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      07-12-2021, 02:04 PM   #5
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If all you listen to is the radio then no you don't need it.
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      07-12-2021, 02:26 PM   #6
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Agree if listening to talk radio HK isn't necessary.

I'd be more worried about speccing a G20/1 without HUD couldn't live without it myself
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      07-12-2021, 07:31 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary1985 View Post
It's a m340i but I've been told that if I want HK then I need to get the tech pack. No option for HK for stand alone
There is, I specced it on its own.

No interest in the HUD at all.
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      07-13-2021, 12:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sussex_G20 View Post
Agree if listening to talk radio HK isn't necessary.

I'd be more worried about speccing a G20/1 without HUD couldn't live without it myself
Really. You couldn't live without it?
Come on, it's a car first and foremost. You might really like it and be able and willing to pay for it but come on.
If someone offered you a Ferrari for the same money, "but sorry sir it doesn't come with HUD" you'd say no thanks, I can't live without HUD.
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      07-13-2021, 02:02 AM   #9
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I have both HUD and HK, and if I was ordering the car again, out of the two, only the HUD would be on the "must have" list.
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      07-13-2021, 02:24 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willougs View Post
I have both HUD and HK, and if I was ordering the car again, only the HUD would be on the "must have" list.
Each to his own. In my case I ticked all the boxes except the HUD. Would have liked it but not compared to the other stuff and like most people was on a limited budget.
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      07-13-2021, 02:36 AM   #11
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I have both but too would choose HUD over HK if push came to shove. I've had a G20 with the hi-fi and the G21 with HK - It's better but not that great.
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      07-13-2021, 04:11 AM   #12
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I couldn't live without a HUD. Had one on my various cars for over 15 years now.
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      07-13-2021, 04:18 AM   #13
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Personally, I'd have the HK. It's a fairly big jump over the basic. That said, if radio is your main form of ICE, then it's an easy call to leave it out. However, if it is, then it makes a big difference, especially when you configure it just the way you like it.

I had a HUD in my f30 but not in my G20. I miss it for sure but not as much as I thought I might. The digital console displays so much more good info it's a reasonable compromise. So for me HK first, then HUD. I'm a music guy so it's an easy one for me to live with.
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      07-13-2021, 04:20 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by philmots View Post
There is, I specced it on its own.

No interest in the HUD at all.
Sorry, I should have worded that better. What I meant was there is a stand alone option for it but due to the chip shortages, if I want it then I will need to choose the full tech pack, I can't get it on its own. Just a way for bmw to claw some more money I guess.
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      07-13-2021, 04:41 AM   #15
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I have both, but HUD over HK if I had to choose. I had HUD on a Mini JCW, but it was displayed on a popup screen rather than the windscreen - the windscreen display is so much better and natural. Before I had both, I would have said HK over HUD - but speed, navigation etc in your field of view is excellent and seamless. As others have said each to their own.
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      07-13-2021, 07:13 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sussex_G20 View Post
Agree if listening to talk radio HK isn't necessary.
Yep, just a massive Mute button is sufficient!
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      07-13-2021, 10:27 AM   #17
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Having moved from a G20 with no HK or HUD to one with both, I'd have to prioritise the Head Up facility if I were forced to sacrifice one or other option. Yes, I could live without such in-view assistance, as others here evidently could; but boy, is it useful when you're heading down a convoluted B-road system with multiple junctions, delivery van drivers on your rear bumper, limited room for indecision, and tight roundabout exits that you're unfamiliar with. (Incidentally, when I'm doing that kind of navigation, I tend to have the music firmly off anyway..!) But if you like cranking up the bass or love an elaborate symphony, then of course HK speakers undoubtedly come into their own.
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      07-13-2021, 03:36 PM   #18
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Agree with the majority, I would choose HUD over HK any day. First time I am driving a car with HUD and BMWs implementation is fantastic. I don't think I could buy another car without it. The instrument cluster becomes almost completely redundant.

On the HK, I have it and its good, but not great by any means. It all depends how much you love your music and how picky you are about sound quality.
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      07-13-2021, 04:59 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary1985 View Post
Sorry, I should have worded that better. What I meant was there is a stand alone option for it but due to the chip shortages, if I want it then I will need to choose the full tech pack, I can't get it on its own. Just a way for bmw to claw some more money I guess.
I understood I think.

I managed to get it on its own though with the chip shortages, and without the tech pack.
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      07-14-2021, 03:42 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goodbyalfa View Post
Really. You couldn't live without it?
Come on, it's a car first and foremost. You might really like it and be able and willing to pay for it but come on.
If someone offered you a Ferrari for the same money, "but sorry sir it doesn't come with HUD" you'd say no thanks, I can't live without HUD.
Yes. I had a break from HUDs for 18 months with an Audi TTS, it had the virtual cockpit loaded with information but when driving I prefer to look outside than down behind the wheel, just didn't feel natural.

For those that haven't tried living with the HUD would definitely recommend trying a test drive with one. I had an X2 Hybrid loaner w/o HUD for a couple of days a couple of weeks back and found my eyes wandering inside and down rather than up and out at the road ahead.

Of course the lack of tactile qualities and feedback on the console mounted drive mode switches is a bit of an own goal given the good work with the HUD......

Driven a Ferrari, Lamborgini, Ariel Atom etc on track days and no I couldn't live with one as a daily driver. An Ariel Atom perhaps would not take up too much space in the garage for sunny weekends.............
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      07-14-2021, 03:52 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giorgoXXI View Post
Agree with the majority, I would choose HUD over HK any day. First time I am driving a car with HUD and BMWs implementation is fantastic. I don't think I could buy another car without it. The instrument cluster becomes almost completely redundant.

On the HK, I have it and its good, but not great by any means. It all depends how much you love your music and how picky you are about sound quality.
I agree.

I have HK and granted it's not broken in. But I've dealt with the logic 7 adjusted the equaliser.

But it's not great at all. Having come from a B&O system in an Audi. The HK is a massive let down in terms of base and more.

But the HUD is amazing. I love. This is my first car with it and I don't ever want to go back!
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      07-16-2021, 08:18 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sussex_G20 View Post
Agree if listening to talk radio HK isn't necessary.

I'd be more worried about speccing a G20/1 without HUD couldn't live without it myself
I only switched on my HUD once and found it so annoying and distracting I’ve never bothered since!
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