[AndrewC1989]

Hey all,

Poochie recently directed me to a thread on the 2 series forum that discusses various HK Amp EQ settings:

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1723637

Long story short:

Bimmercode -> Amplifier -> Expert Mode -> EQ

After playing around with it and doing some reading the F45 setting seems to be the clear winner. I went with that and changed the tone settings to: Bass +2 Treble +3 and Fader +1 Rear.

What a huge improvement! I was thinking about eventually going with aftermarket speakers & an amp due to the lackluster sound, but after this discovery I'm now perfectly content with the stock system and will be leaving it as is. And the best part is that if you already have bimmercode, it's free!

Edit:

I've since switched to F22 new and set the iDrive EQ to +5 Bass/Treble

[Poochie]

Another great write up

I hear a tremendous amount more bass now, when blasting my gangster rap music

I love this adjustment, just wish I had discovered it sooner..

I have a theory that BMW didn't originally adjust the bass and heights, like they did in the F45 setting, to avoid blowing out the subs and tweeters - but whatever, they sound perfect now

[nearwater4me]

As I wrote in that original thread, the F45 settings are way too overboosted in the bass, making it unbearable for anyone with an aftermarket sub.
For a completely stock system, I can see the appeal. But do not use it after adding any aftermarket sub/amp. It’ll muddy the whole sound.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Another great write up

I hear a tremendous amount more bass now, when blasting my gangster rap music

I love this adjustment, just wish I had discovered it sooner..

I have a theory that BMW didn't originally adjust the bass and heights, like they did in the F45 setting, to avoid blowing out the subs and tweeters - but whatever, they sound perfect now

F45 chassis p/n's
1) HK Amp: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=65_2671

All of them except 1 p/n was also used in the m2, but since they are all interchangeable they should all be able to supply the same power ratings so this coding shouldn't mess with the amp too much.

2) HK tweeter: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139226357

Same as the one in the m2, m3, m4 so we should be ok here as well


3) mid rang door speaker with HK pack: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139364956

Same as in the m2, m3, m4 so we should be ok on the front too

4) The rear door speaker: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139364956

It shows as present on the m2, m3, m4 because the p/n is the same as the mid range door speaker. I acannot remember if the rear of the m2 has this speaker in the side panel but it is the same if present.


5) Rear door tweeter: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139226357

Same for the m2, m3, m4 if we have rear door tweeters in the m2 wherever it would be relocated.


6) a) Left sub:https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139256349

b) right sub: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139256350

Not the same as the m2, and not reallt shared on any 2 series outside of the f45 and f46. We may see a problem here, I am not sure if it is different because of the size and shape or if it is a component with different power specs too. If it is the later we may have a problem if bass is cranked too high.


7) Center speaker: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...&q=65139368383

Same on the m2, m3, m4 so no issues here




So yeah overall I think the only factor we have to worry about is the subs, so just be gentle if you code this with how much extra bass you add in the idrive.

[PLF69]

Holy smokes, I just did this, huge improvement !!!

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by F87source

overall I think the only factor we have to worry about is the subs, so just be gentle if you code this with how much extra bass you add in the idrive.

Good to know, thanks for the research!

I don't DD my car and won't be setting the bass super high so I'm not too concerned with sub longevity, but if they do ever blow out I'll be probably be throwing in some bavsound/bimmertech woofers.

[MikeF87LCI]

Did mine this evening, definitely seems to have more noticeable bass

[artbrunson]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

Hey all,

Poochie recently directed me to a thread on the 2 series forum that discusses various HK Amp EQ settings:

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1723637

Long story short:

Bimmercode -> Amplifier -> Expert Mode -> EQ

After playing around with it and doing some reading the F45 setting seems to be the clear winner. I went with that and changed the tone settings to: Bass +2 Treble +3 and Fader +1 Rear.

What a huge improvement! I was thinking about eventually going with aftermarket speakers & an amp due to the lackluster sound, but after this discovery I'm now perfectly content with the stock system and will be leaving it as is. And the best part is that if you already have bimmercode, it's free!

Interesting. I've been running that exact setting (but +2 rear bias) on my F87 since the beginning. Agree thats the best setting.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by artbrunson

Interesting. I've been running that exact setting (but +2 rear bias) on my F87 since the beginning. Agree thats the best setting.

Just to be clear, the tone settings and the EQ coding are two different things. Running both in tandem is what makes the sound change so significant.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I hear a tremendous amount more bass now, when blasting my gangster rap music

Not sure if this is because I was parked with the engine off when I was testing but It feels like I don't have to have my volume turned up as high anymore to get the same noise levels I like. Before there was a huge dead zone and I'd have to have my volume above 80% just to hear anything and now it feels like i can actually have it set to 50%. I'll have to go for a drive to confirm but it seems like another added benefit.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

Not sure if this is because I was parked with the engine off when I was testing but It feels like I don't have to have my volume turned up as high anymore to get the same noise levels I like. Before there was a huge dead zone and I'd have to have my volume above 80% just to hear anything and now it feels like i can actually have it set to 50%. I'll have to go for a drive to confirm but it seems like another added benefit.

The volume is now higher, including the bass, for certain.

How I know this is because I have dash cam that records audio also, so was playing back a recording last night and I can hear the difference in heighten sound, from my prior recordings - which I wasn't even looking for but it was interesting to discover.

If you have something that records decent audio, you can try it, to and fro, to decipher the difference.

Not sure what voodoo magic the new EQ setting is creating but the stock HK system does sound much better now.

When I get a chance, I want to also try out the other model's EQ coding and see if they sound subjectively better.

Not that it's necessary but you know, why not

[Marlbombs]

What is the advantage of this over just adjusting the tone settings?

[prompt]

I just tried this,there is a noticeable improvement

[nearwater4me]

Originally Posted by Marlbombs

What is the advantage of this over just adjusting the tone settings?

The overall EQ curve is vastly different.
As for the bass, F87 EQ with bass set at MAX would be roughly equivalent to +2 for F45 EQ.
I feel like the F87 (new F22) has more clarity.

[F87source]

I'm going to give this a try at some point, but with the bass dialed way back because I am not a bass guy.

[MR RIZK]

Where is the coding stored? In the amp or the head unit ie: if you have replaced the amp does this setting have any affect?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by MR RIZK

Where is the coding stored? In the amp or the head unit ie: if you have replaced the amp does this setting have any affect?

amplifier module under expert mode for bimmer code, not sure about ESYS but likely very similar.


It won't work if you do not have a Karmon kardon amp from bmw because you are accessing the amp itself. If you have an aftermarket amp it will not work or won't do anything.

[gphung]

Thanks for posting this. I'm thinking of doing this soon, should I leave my center speakers disconnected? I think the answer is yes, just curious what others are doing.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by gphung

Thanks for posting this. I'm thinking of doing this soon, should I leave my center speakers disconnected? I think the answer is yes, just curious what others are doing.

You can leave it disconnected if you want, it's personal preference. I left mine connected.

[m20e3087]

Is this for M2C or M2? Will check it out on my C this evening.

[prompt]

Originally Posted by m20e3087

Is this for M2C or M2? Will check it out on my C this evening.

mine is a 2019 M2C With Harman Kardon and it works

You guys know if there is any chance to have Spotify as Idrive app?

I felt that using spotify trough the smartphone with this new settings the audio quality drops massively compared to DAB radio station

[m20e3087]

Originally Posted by prompt

mine is a 2019 M2C With Harman Kardon and it works

You guys know if there is any chance to have Spotify as Idrive app?

I felt that using spotify trough the smartphone with this new settings the audio quality drops massively compared to DAB radio station

Great! I think you may have re-set the sound setting in idrive for you phone.