Comments on: The Harman Kardon Stereo System Reviewed

By: Kaz-03

Kaz-03 — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:42:00 +0000

I would like to by one for my mini where do I by one from and how much are they thanks kaz

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:35:43 +0000

I saw a used HK DSP amp on EBay recently.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:45:28 +0000

Hi there i have a 2004 mini one d with the upgraded HK sound system and the amp has decided to break, does anyone know where i can get a new HK DSP amp?? and how much the cost? ive been quoted Â£700 from the main dealer!!:(

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:10:35 +0000

Im losing my mind! I have a 2004 mini factor radio. It’s suppose to be Sirius ready. I went to XM to have it activated and subscribe but they need the SID#. Tech support told me where to find it in the MODE but its not there. I called two Mini dealers and they have no clue either. I don’t know if I don’t have a receiver or tuner or what I need. I can’t find any info on this and really want to hook up Sirius. I don’t want a portable device, I want it to run through my radio. I’m so annoyed that this info isn’t out there anywhere and that the dealers don’t even have a clue. I am wondering if 888-askmini would know.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:22:29 +0000

Will,

I am so glad to hear you share my frustration that Mini and HK designed the amp so you can't use an aftermarket head unit. I have an '03 Mini S and do not share the enthusiasm of others on this board for the sound quality, and I really need an iPod jack so need a new head unit. The fact that I need to totally rewire the car to do this simple thing is incredibly irritating. I just convinced a neighbor not to buy a Mini for this reason and because the service quality at Manhattan Mini is criminally bad. I love the car otherwise but it's been in the shop about ten times since I bought it and the stupid stereo thing is just the last straw. Bad for customer loyalty for sure.

By: betsy

betsy — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:48:31 +0000

I have a 2004 Mini with the HK system. The radio lights up but no sound out of the speakers. Do you think this is a problem with the amp? If so, can I fix the amp? Model HS 3897 Help!

By: DaveyB

DaveyB — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:09:52 +0000

Bayan,

I never had stock systems in cars, but tonight I've just bought a 2003 very well spec'd cooper with the HK system.

From experience, it can be various issues.

A clip has dropped down near the speaker and is causing resonance.
The speaker has blown
There is a scuff/tear in the excursion material
Your door card/rear card isn't fixed properly

Now a question for anyone

I would like to add an aftermarket sub and amp but keep the fronts going thru the DSP and the front component and was wondering if I got an amp with Hi-level inputs is this do-able either

a. by bypassing/splicing the inputs to dsp to new amp

b. to run 2 sets of wire from head unit to dsp and new amp

Many Thanks

Dave

By: Bayan

Bayan — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:01:20 +0000

Hey! So i've been having problems with my convertable Cooper 2007 speakers.. it seems that it's been rattling alot, the bass is just beginning to suck! and i was really concidering replacing my speakers with something else which i have No idea what,, but anything better than the harman kardon ones! When i took it to the dealer they said that the "seatbelt was rattling so they clipped it" which isn't true cuz i sat in the back of my car next to the bad speaker with my seatbelt on and it wasn't the problem!! Can anyone help me out with this?? anyone know better speaker? Or any ideas how to fix it or what i can do??

Please HELP i'm so desperate and tired of these speakers!

p.s. I listen to alota Trance music and alota base n i like my music loud anyway... i practically lost hope in ever finding someone that could explain this to me and help me out... but if someone here knows what im talkin about help plz!

By: Will

Will — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:27:28 +0000

I have no problem with the sound of the MINI h/k system. My only issue is that the system has been designed to preclude the use of any after-market head. I'm irritated beyond measure that I have to rewire the car or spend a significant amount of additional money to buy the "HK Enabler." It would have been perfectly easy to design the amp to be compatible with most after-market heads; there was no need to be exclusive.

Were I to advise someone who was thinking of buying a MINI, I'd suggest that they get the standard sound system, simply to leave open the option of an after-market head of their choice.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:41:50 +0000

oh, also, my ’04 boost manual comes with some pages marked with “if your vehicle is equipped with the optional H/K premium stereo” so harman kardon didnt include their own manual, but the regular boost manual does mention some of the HK features.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:40:32 +0000

here's my dilemma. i bought an '04 cooper used, and i love it, but it didn't come with the HK stereo. i'm thinking about pulling out my boost stereo for the '05/'06 boost stereo, so i can get MP3 CDs and skip-proof playback. while i have my dash ripped apart, is there any way i can buy the HK kit and have it installed alongside the MP3-compatible boost unit?

i mean, the stock stereo is plenty loud, and i don't have any real problems with clarity, but everyone's ranting and raving abut it, and my karman kardon desk speakers are an absolute joy to listen to music on, so i figured why not put a set in the car too.

By: Nikolaos

Nikolaos — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:14:54 +0000

I just purchased a used 2005 Mini S Works with the H/K sound system. Surprisingly, the volume is not loud like I was expecting it to be. I have had other cars with Bose and H/K sound systems before, and they played nice and loud. Albeit the clarity of the sound, the volume is just not there, as it is not loud enough. Don’t get me wrong, I am not expecting it to make me deaf; all I am saying is that when I have it at MAX vol, I don’t need to “yell” for the person next to me to hear me. Maybe something’s wrong? Should I take it to a dalership for a check? I’d appreciate any guidance! Thank you!

By: french boy

french boy — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:15:25 +0000

Hi, please do anybody knows where I can find the manual the connections for the amplifier Harman Kardon HS3897 of my MINI Cooper S from 2003??? Big thanks, anthony

By: victor

victor — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:16:46 +0000

I have a 2006 mini cooper Park Lane with the harmon kardon system and it seems that the audio will cut in and out at times. Took it to the dealer to replace a new head unit a month ago but the problem has started again? Does anyone know or have had any problems like this? And where is the HK amplifier located?

By: J da Funk

J da Funk — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:03:30 +0000

OH MY GOD!! i managed to blow my HK front speakers. Someone please help me to locate some new onez! i’m desperate!! Thanks

By: Frenchy

Frenchy — Thu, 03 May 2007 03:35:03 +0000

I just bought a 2007 MINI convertible with the iPod adapter. Since it’s not the Harman/Kardon stereo, I can tune the Speed Volume Control. My question is: what is the difference between “Speed Vol 1″ through “Speed Vol 6″. The manually doesn’t say what the difference is. Also, does the Speed Volume Control work with the iPod or is it just radio and CDs? Thank you so much!

By: Hector

Hector — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:40:26 +0000

I have a Question? I purchased a Harman/Kardon Drive and Play iPod system. What exactly do i have to do to install into my 06 Mini Cooper. Is it difficult to install? Any Help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

By: FLAussen

FLAussen — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:42:47 +0000

To the April ’06 post: I wouldn’t think that a dealer would be required to fix some kind of overload/clipping issue. That’s clearly an issue of misuse. That’s kinda like saying a dealer should be required to repair any damage caused by constantly running the car at 80mph in 2nd gear. Just because it goes to 11 (to paraphrase Spinal Tap), doesn’t mean it should be able to operate at 11 for an extended period of time. It’s common sense.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:32:30 +0000

Hey folks, I have an MCS with the HK system installed. Problem is the previous owner took the HK amplifier! Does anybody input on where to look for a used HK amp so I can restore the system? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

/Chris.

By: EBS

EBS — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:35:53 +0000

With HK sysyem are back speakers connected?