Bose and Harmon Kardon

[vibesg]

I've often wondered what the difference is beween both systems. They're clearly supposedly better than ordinary MB Systems.

Why are they better and what components do they have? Is it just the speakers or are the Comand head units any different?

 

[fuzzer]

I've often wondered what the difference is beween both systems. They're clearly supposedly better than ordinary MB Systems.

Why are they better and what components do they have? Is it just the speakers or are the Comand head units any different?

The head units as far as im aware are just the same. The upgrade is for the amp and the speakers.

 

[grober]

General opinion seems to favour HK as the real deal with Bose characterised as "mid range" + good marketing. That said there are bound to be certain amp/ speaker combinations in individual vehicle installations better than others whatever the make.

 

[jaymanek]

I really cannot tell the difference with Bose systems compared to standard.. maybe just a little more base..

 

[Koolvin]

its not only the components that are much higher quality - The wiring loom for the speakers is also of a higher guage with better connectors etc.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

There's an sub with BOSE, and I forget what it's called but there's the option of spatial effects, ie focus the sound on centre of car, driver, etc.

 

[Silver CL55]

I hear the system to have is B&W (Bowers & Wilkins), installed in Aston Martin and others.
The CL has Bose and it is pretty good.
C.

 

[trando]

HK in my C55 and I think it's much better that the BOSE system I had in previous Audis. The Logic Pro7 system is pretty good. On the other hand, I have BOSE in my house and I love that...

 

[puffsorted]

I have Bose in my CLK55 and Hamon Kardon Logic 7 in my LR Discovery. The Bose is nothing special but the HK.... well thats just stunning, fabulous.

 

[saorbust]

Bose is marketing more than anything else. Good, better than the standard, but not great. HK is superb - can't believe the diff.

Of course it also matters what you are playing through it - try a DVD and get the 5+1 effect - unreal in the HK cars. I've also found DAB Radio is a much better sound than FM.

 

[fuzzer]

the HK System in my W204 ist he best ive heard in a car. Makes going anywhere a complete pleasure alone with the volume cranked.

Turning the logic 7 trickery on and off makes a remarkable difference too.

Well worth the extra from the factory.

 

[C240Sport97]

I hear the system to have is B&W (Bowers & Wilkins), installed in Aston Martin and others.
The CL has Bose and it is pretty good.
C.

B&W is in Jaguar ..

Aston Martin now has Bang & Olufsen at the top end.

 

[C240Sport97]

the HK System in my W204 ist he best ive heard in a car. Makes going anywhere a complete pleasure alone with the volume cranked.

Turning the logic 7 trickery on and off makes a remarkable difference too.

Well worth the extra from the factory.

Does HK on the 204 need COMAND for full Logic 7 experience?

 

[vibesg]

Opinions appear to show that HK is perhaps better than Bose but owners with Bose are generally happy with their speakers. I haven't listened to either so don't have first hand experience but forum members views have been very helpful. I had toyed a few times with changing my stock speakers for something from Infinity as I tried this in my old MR2 with good playback.

I must say the best I have heard in a car is Mark Levinson in a Lexus. Would I have to go in a corner and repeat several Hail Marys for mentioning that here?

 

[SilverSaloon]

i had Logic 7 in the 7 Series. It was fantastic, and as previously mentioned, you can play DVD movies and get the full proper surround sound experience. audio was also fantastic. 10 speakers in the 7 series.

The Alfa has BOSE and is also very good (shame about the car!)

 

[prc]

There's an sub with BOSE, and I forget what it's called but there's the option of spatial effects, ie focus the sound on centre of car, driver, etc.

Have the normal audio 20, but guessing the sub you mention gpes under the left rear parcel shelf on the w203. Seems to be a pre-cut place for an 8-10" sub/speaker there.

 

[fuzzer]

Does HK on the 204 need COMAND for full Logic 7 experience?

Id imagine so. IVe just got the 6 disk changer in mine , so no DVD capability. Ive not tried any multi channel cd's in it.

I tend to just fill the changer with MP3's and just 2ch stereo which works for me. Might give the multi channel a go.

 

[st13phil]

I've also found DAB Radio is a much better sound than FM.

Are you sure???? DAB radio audio quality is seriously compromised by the limited bitrate used so will always sound quite poor compared to a good FM receiver broadcasting the same material - unless, of course, the broadcaster is rubbish or the FM receiver is compromised in some way.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Have the normal audio 20, but guessing the sub you mention gpes under the left rear parcel shelf on the w203. Seems to be a pre-cut place for an 8-10" sub/speaker there.

I posted a link a while ago which shows the BOSE set-up in more detail, but can't find it.

The (small) sub does indeed go under the rear shelf. There may be a centre fill speaker in the dash too, but can't be sure.

 

[Tan]

There's an sub with BOSE, and I forget what it's called but there's the option of spatial effects, ie focus the sound on centre of car, driver, etc.

I have HK in the E500 and this also used to have these optional effects, the best being the one that focused the sound to the drivers seat, however since the system was updated when I got the latest navigation disk the settings all changed and now only have the standard surround effects.

The new Jaguar XJ has B&W, but it has been labelled Bowers & Wilkins rather than just B&W, so it does not get confused with BMW.