Harmon Kardon option discontinued for a while

Woolly · 02-28-2021, 08:41 PM

Hi all, I have just installed the stage 1 upgrade (speakers and subs) into a 2020 G05 that had the Hi-Fi option. Very happy to report that it sounds awesome - far more clarity and depth of sound. Not really surprising when you see the speakers that BMW had supplied. Not that you should have to do this in a new car but I believe this option provides superior sound to the HK option by quite a big distance. Just a possible solution if people aren't happy with the sound from their system and/or if HK not available.

jcottonfieldx5 · 02-28-2021, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gqgambler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luminor513

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwillbimmer

I wouldn't be surprised if the other manufacturers aren't having supply issues and either cutting back production or dropping options too.

Can anyone confirm if other manufacturers are having these same supply issues? Seems strange how many features BMW is removing from the X5.

Yes, other manufacturer are experiencing these issues. Ford stated they anticipate at least a 20% drop in production. Tesla has halted some production. GM shut down 3 plants and reduced production at others. Jumping ship to another brand isn't the easily solution this is a globally issue, each manufacturer will be affected different depending on their supplier, model, and existing stock. MB has already had a lengthy wait on custom builds, 6+ months for some models, so their issues may not be as readily know since people have to wait so long for custom builds. Blame this on just in time manufacturering, when auto demand slowed last year semiconductor product for the Auto industry slowed and switched over to healthcare, Telecom, computers, etc. They can't just readily flip back over to the Auto industry. Remember the BMW SAV are built in the US, but production of many of these components does not occur in the US; this could exacerbate the problem on these specific models because of the need to import the parts. SAV account for about 20-25% of BMW production and the X5 is the highest production vehicle of those; they are going to have to make some tough decisions if they want to keep production volumes up. Us enthusiast are a small group, average customers aren't debating these shortages the way we are.

That is a thoughtful response. Agree. Shouldn't blame BMW... just another first world problem due to an unprecedented 12 months. I opted to move forward with my build sans HK as this is my first build ever and don't want to lose that opportunity. It's pretty damn cool we can be upset about audio wattage and fewer speakers on our $80k vehicles.

jcottonfieldx5 · 02-28-2021, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolly

Hi all, I have just installed the stage 1 upgrade (speakers and subs) into a 2020 G05 that had the Hi-Fi option. Very happy to report that it sounds awesome - far more clarity and depth of sound. Not really surprising when you see the speakers that BMW had supplied. Not that you should have to do this in a new car but I believe this option provides superior sound to the HK option by quite a big distance. Just a possible solution if people aren't happy with the sound from their system and/or if HK not available.

Great to hear! Thank you for a positive note on this.

Go FasTA · 02-28-2021, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolly

Hi all, I have just installed the stage 1 upgrade (speakers and subs) into a 2020 G05 that had the Hi-Fi option. Very happy to report that it sounds awesome - far more clarity and depth of sound. Not really surprising when you see the speakers that BMW had supplied. Not that you should have to do this in a new car but I believe this option provides superior sound to the HK option by quite a big distance. Just a possible solution if people aren't happy with the sound from their system and/or if HK not available.

Bavsound?

kkratochvil · 02-28-2021, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go FasTA

Bavsound?

https://www.bavsound.com

Go FasTA · 02-28-2021, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkratochvil

https://www.bavsound.com

When I’ve looked I only see a speaker upgrade but no option for the subs. Am I not seeing all of the options for the HiFi system?

kkratochvil · 02-28-2021, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go FasTA

When I’ve looked I only see a speaker upgrade but no option for the subs. Am I not seeing all of the options for the HiFi system?

Honestly, I'm not sure...I hadn't looked at Bavsound since I was looking to improve the basic system in my E70.

I did note this: https://www.bavsound.com/pages/bmw-subwoofers. Doesn't look like it's available yet for the G05/G06.

cellarrat · 03-01-2021, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolly

Hi all, I have just installed the stage 1 upgrade (speakers and subs) into a 2020 G05 that had the Hi-Fi option. Very happy to report that it sounds awesome - far more clarity and depth of sound. Not really surprising when you see the speakers that BMW had supplied. Not that you should have to do this in a new car but I believe this option provides superior sound to the HK option by quite a big distance. Just a possible solution if people aren't happy with the sound from their system and/or if HK not available.

Sorry, which brand system did you install?

evodz · 03-01-2021, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

My guess is they were looking at the M50i where it is standard.

Still holding out hope for the 45e. HK is listed for me in standard features but along with other standard features, it also lists eDrive so I know it's not the M50i

TurtleBoy · 03-02-2021, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evodz

Still holding out hope for the 45e. HK is listed for me in standard features but along with other standard features, it also lists eDrive so I know it's not the M50i

For the US at least, HK is not a standard feature on the 45e. It is/was in the Premium and Executive packages. The HiFi is standard. Can you post a link to what you are looking at?

Drothgeb · 03-02-2021, 04:59 AM

Bavsound and some other suppliers have speakers but, good luck finding an amp. BMW used to use a separate amp that was easy to replace. Mid 2019 they went to and combined tuner/amp that can not be replaced, can only be supplemented. Partially due to chip shortage, none of the normal suppliers such Bavsound, BimmerTech and etc have a replacement yet. I did find one that supposedly works. But it needs adapter cables and card, in addition to the adding the additional amp. Really pricey!!! It requires a separate laptop to make some of the adjustments too. Not really an option for me.

Better speakers will help. But they won’t make up for a lack of DSP and equalizer, lower S/N, and 6 fewer speakers.

I really want the X5. But a $75k car with a sound system that doesn’t sound as good as our old $30k Santa Fe is a no go for me. I’ll wait for a while before I move on.

evodz · 03-02-2021, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

For the US at least, HK is not a standard feature on the 45e. It is/was in the Premium and Executive packages. The HiFi is standard. Can you post a link to what you are looking at?

I see, I was referring to the options list on the order tracker:

Name: Screen Shot 2021-02-25 at 8.57.21 AM.png
Views: 881
Size: 177.4 KB

TurtleBoy · 03-02-2021, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evodz

I see, I was referring to the options list on the order tracker:

Interesting, likely a mistake on the order tracker since HK is not a standard feature unless something recently changed and nothing else was updated.

Marty in NY · 03-02-2021, 09:45 AM

This is what you will see on the USA build site right now.. ..

.

TurtleBoy · 03-02-2021, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

This is what you will see on the USA build site right now.. ..

He is referring to the 45e but it also has the HiFi shown as standard.

Marty in NY · 03-02-2021, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

He is referring to the 45e but it also has the HiFi shown as standard.

D'oh!

.

TREKER · 03-02-2021, 10:55 AM

I ordered mine 2/11/21. Still shows HK on my build. I have a production week of 14. This applies to orders made after 3/2 or builds after 3/2?

TurtleBoy · 03-02-2021, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TREKER

I ordered mine 2/11/21. Still shows HK on my build. I have a production week of 14. This applies to orders made after 3/2 or builds after 3/2?

As far as we can tell, any order that was accepted and scheduled for production with HK will get the HK. It is only for fairly recent new orders.

TREKER · 03-02-2021, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

As far as we can tell, any order that was accepted and scheduled for production with HK will get the HK. It is only for fairly recent new orders.

Thank you sir! Good to know. I have been waiting to production to begin for about a month already. Didn't want anything holding it up or changing.

Grumpy311 · 03-02-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

As far as we can tell, any order that was accepted and scheduled for production with HK will get the HK. It is only for fairly recent new orders.

Ordered 2/19. Assumed that it was WITH the HK, but didn't specifically check for it (didn't know stuff would magically disappear from the Premium package). Mine will NOT have it though.

evodz · 03-02-2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy311

Ordered 2/19. Assumed that it was WITH the HK, but didn't specifically check for it (didn't know stuff would magically disappear from the Premium package). Mine will NOT have it though.

Are you saying it doesn't get listed on your tracking page?

Dwillbimmer · 03-02-2021, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy311

Ordered 2/19. Assumed that it was WITH the HK, but didn't specifically check for it (didn't know stuff would magically disappear from the Premium package). Mine will NOT have it though.

If you ordered premium, and you aren’t getting the HK system, the price should have dropped on the premium package.

02-28-2021, 08:41 PM	#89
Woolly Woolly 24 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW X5 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	Bavsound Upgrade Hi all, I have just installed the stage 1 upgrade (speakers and subs) into a 2020 G05 that had the Hi-Fi option. Very happy to report that it sounds awesome - far more clarity and depth of sound. Not really surprising when you see the speakers that BMW had supplied. Not that you should have to do this in a new car but I believe this option provides superior sound to the HK option by quite a big distance. Just a possible solution if people aren't happy with the sound from their system and/or if HK not available.
	Appreciate 4 jcottonfieldx527.00 volodp196.50 clbeerguy7.50 beegee22736.50 Quote

03-02-2021, 04:59 AM	#99
Drothgeb Private 65 Rep 95 Posts Drives: M3, M40i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Monrovia, MD iTrader: (0)	Bavsound and some other suppliers have speakers but, good luck finding an amp. BMW used to use a separate amp that was easy to replace. Mid 2019 they went to and combined tuner/amp that can not be replaced, can only be supplemented. Partially due to chip shortage, none of the normal suppliers such Bavsound, BimmerTech and etc have a replacement yet. I did find one that supposedly works. But it needs adapter cables and card, in addition to the adding the additional amp. Really pricey!!! It requires a separate laptop to make some of the adjustments too. Not really an option for me. Better speakers will help. But they won’t make up for a lack of DSP and equalizer, lower S/N, and 6 fewer speakers. I really want the X5. But a $75k car with a sound system that doesn’t sound as good as our old $30k Santa Fe is a no go for me. I’ll wait for a while before I move on.
	Appreciate 3 MystroX56283.50 jcottonfieldx527.00 volodp196.50 Quote

03-02-2021, 09:45 AM	#102
Marty in NY Brigadier General 2697 Rep 4,315 Posts Drives: 21 X5 40i, 18 GTi, Snowblower Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	This is what you will see on the USA build site right now.. .. . Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-02-2021, 10:55 AM	#105
TREKER Private First Class 65 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW X5 X40i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I ordered mine 2/11/21. Still shows HK on my build. I have a production week of 14. This applies to orders made after 3/2 or builds after 3/2?
	Appreciate 0 Quote