[Dan_]

I’m finding the bass quite underwhelming from the Harmon Kardon system, I’m used to Audi Bose or B&O with subs in the boot well.
Has anyone added a sub yet? I’m considering getting one of those slim ‘under the seat’ jobbies but not sure how good they are so may just get something under the boot floor.
While I think of it, does anyone know if adding a sub would cause issues with the 7 year Warranty?

 

[JamJar]

I’m finding the bass quite underwhelming from the Harmon Kardon system, I’m used to Audi Bose or B&O with subs in the boot well.
Has anyone added a sub yet? I’m considering getting one of those slim ‘under the seat’ jobbies but not sure how good they are so may just get something under the boot floor.
While I think of it, does anyone know if adding a sub would cause issues with the 7 year Warranty?

Ditto. It would seem to be quite underwhelming. Although I did notice when playing tracks from my iPhone the bass response was better. 🤔

 

[Dan_]

Ditto. It would seem to be quite underwhelming. Although I did notice when playing tracks from my iPhone the bass response was better. 🤔

I noticed it improved through CarPlay as well, maybe it’s another software thing..
The lack of options due to the equaliser being so basic cant help either, didn’t expect that on a Harmon Kardon system to be honest 😕
I’m going to drop into my local Road Radio later today and speak to the chaps there.

 

[JamJar]

I noticed it improved through CarPlay as well, maybe it’s another software thing..
The lack of options due to the equaliser being so basic cant help either, didn’t expect that on a Harmon Kardon system to be honest 😕
I’m going to drop into my local Road Radio later today and speak to the chaps there.

Bose and B&O I’ve had in Audis knock this HK system out of the park. Let me know how you get on 🙂

 

[Aln114]

I'll just add on a lesser scale. My Ceed has the JBL sub setup, and like said above. Playing audio through Android auto or Bluetooth from Spotify is pretty decent sounding but unfortunately the radio lacks this bass.

 

[Indalo]

I’m used to Audi Bose or B&O with subs in the boot well.
Has anyone added a sub yet?

You'll have to help me out here; is it the case that HK systems in KIA models are not all born equal?

Your post suggests to me that the system in your Sportage is lacking a subwoofer which I find strange. In my Optima, there is a huge subwoofer located in the space where a spare wheel would have been located in the 'good old days',and I imagined that all KIAs equipped with a HK sound system would have a similar set-up.

I have owned a lot of vehicles over the last 6 decades and the Optima set-up using HK components is the best that I can recall. If I adjust the bass output much over the mid-scale, the effect can be felt right through my body, so I have no complaints, given the system's adjustability.

 

[Dan_]

I think they went cheap in the Sportage system, its only 8 speakers (400watt). The HK website confirms this unfortunately.

 

[dhb]

I was quite excited to hear (no pun intended!) that my chosen Sportage model had a HK sound setup on it, but I'm now not so sure!

My current car, a Volvo V90 has the standard sound system but even that is 300watts with no sub. I had hoped the Sportage would improve on that but I guess it might not with the comments on this thread.

 

[JamJar]

I was quite excited to hear (no pun intended!) that my chosen Sportage model had a HK sound setup on it, but I'm now not so sure!

My current car, a Volvo V90 has the standard sound system but even that is 300watts with no sub. I had hoped the Sportage would improve on that but I guess it might not with the comments on this thread.

Prepare to be underwhelmed!

 

[Edey94]

Has anyone upgraded the subwoofer ? I really would like to add or replace mine

 

[Dan_]

I’m getting a Pioneer ts-wx400da fitted on Thursday. It’ll fit nicely in one of the foam trays under the rear boot floor. It’s designed as a under seat sub and does fit under the passenger seat, slightly restricts that seat from being dropped to it lowest setting though. Having heard it in store and was advised by the guys there that fitting it in the boot won’t make any noticeable difference. Can post some pics of it fitted if that helps.

 

[Edey94]

I’m getting a Pioneer ts-wx400da fitted on Thursday. It’ll fit nicely in one of the foam trays under the rear boot floor. It’s designed as a under seat sub and does fit under the passenger seat, slightly restricts that seat from being dropped to it lowest setting though. Having heard it in store and was advised by the guys there that fitting it in the boot won’t make any noticeable difference. Can post some pics of it fitted if that helps.

That will be amazing if you could take some pic

 

[al_kaholik]

I didn't think much of my stock Ceed system, am surprised that the JBL sounds so bad and really glad that I've ploughed my own way. No reason you can't dump the HK system all together

synopsis Does your sound system suck? Mine does and here is a...

 

[Sam121]

I was quite excited to hear (no pun intended!) that my chosen Sportage model had a HK sound setup on it, but I'm now not so sure!

My current car, a Volvo V90 has the standard sound system but even that is 300watts with no sub. I had hoped the Sportage would improve on that but I guess it might not with the comments on this thread.

+1 wish I had tested the system before purchase...

 

[al_kaholik]

What does the wattage of the system have to do with anything? You are confusing power with loudness and clarity...

 

[dhb]

What does the wattage of the system have to do with anything? You are confusing power with loudness and clarity...

I understand what you are saying and while i did state the wattage only it was simply laziesness on my part. I simply used the fact that, in general, when it comes to car sound systems the higher the wattage then generally you should be getting a better system.

I know this is a gross simplification, and indeed the Sportage Harmon Kardon system is a case in point.

 

[dhb]

To try and better explain.

The Volvo I currently have has 10 speakers and 330w power, but no seperate subwoofer.

It is quite simply the cleanest, more revealing car sound system i have ever listened to. The bass is lacking, but the detail present in the music is fantastic. The car does have an advantage that it has a native Spotify app, and you have control over the streaming quality so you can ensure that the source is high quality too.

I will miss the Spotify app built in, and indeed it looks like i might miss the sound quality as well.

 

[al_kaholik]

I have am XC40 with the HK airwoofer system, and native spotify.

Spotify over AA/Carplay is just as good but you have to plug your phone in (Ceed). I would suggest that you can have the desired sound you are looking for simply.

If you just want bass, its easy enough to fit up any sub, the Pioneer mentioned earlier is great because it is powered, and hook it up in the boot using a rapid fit kit. Either use the fuse as is running from the internal fuse compartment and ground in the rear else use the rear auxiliary socket as a tap for power as it'll handle as much as you need


The connectors for the rapidfit are simple once you locate the correct wiring in the bottom of the A-pillar.

RAPAWK5M: Critical Link 5m Rapid Fit Amp Wiring Kit - Vibe

5m Rapid Fit Amp Wiring Kit

vibeaudio.co.uk

 

[devopuk]

2023 Kia Sportage – Harman Kardon 8-speaker Sound System Review | Apple CarPlay & Android Auto - YouTube

Just been posted up. I know USA spec but still states 8 speakers

 

[xtrailman]

Sounds good to me.