Subaru Harman Kardon Review

Adding aftermarket amplifiers will often require a higher output alternator. They are available for our cars (I had a 240 Amp unit I bought and installed in my 2008 Outback XT Limited).

You can adjust the tweeter frequencies by replacing the capacitors. Lower farard = playback at lower frequencies. Higher farad at playback will only occur at higher frequencies. If you can find the crossivers for the wooders a lower milihenry inductor will increase the frequency range and a higher milihenry inductor will decrese the frequency at which it cannot play sounds.

It's funny they list your's as having more speakers than it does. On my 2011 Outback 2.5i CVT Limited it claims 6 speaker even though it has most of the same drivers in the same locations as your's (woofers front doors, tweeters [in the dumbest possible place which reflects right off the glass and at you face/ears, drowning out the other sides tweeter)] in the dash at the base of the A pillars, 2 way speakers with microscopic woofers in the 2nd row doors, a subwoofer and a center channel). I've just experienced an overwhelmingly common problem with the Harmon Kardon unit: The amplifiers go screwy and for a time no sound plays no matter which input you're set to (navigation, Bluetooth phone, Bluetooth audio, AM/FM/Satellite radios, CD and auxiliary [phono/headphone] input plug) no sound will play. So you shut the system off and a few days later the amplifier turns on with the stereo and all other parts off and it destroys your eardrums with 92-95 decibel static. It f*cking hurts like CRAZY! It's almost equal to being in an indoor shooting range and your hearing protection falls off when someone fires a .454 casull - it hurts like nothing you've ever felt before and the pain goes on for days.
Extreme caution is due if your 2010+ Outback/Legacy has the Harmon Kardon system!

I bought the upgrade in my 2023 WRX for the better interior and hoping the Harmon Kardon would be good enough to keep me from going after market right away.

Thank you for this

Thanks for the comprehensive evaluation. Very well done video.

BOSE SE ESCUCHA MEJOR QUE HARMAN KARDON

The HK system in my 2020 Ascent sounds like crap - so shrill and little depth or quality to the sound.

are the harman kardon speakers plug and play for the STI? found someone selling the hk speakers for a good price and wanted to know if id be able to just remove my old speakers and put in the hk speakers.

basically go for the upgraded system for contentment. or gut the base system for something significantly better for less money but inconvenience and effort. simple haha

words cannot explain how MUCH BETTER this HK is compared to the base sound system. its literally a night a day difference. if you enjoy music, PLEASSE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, get the HK update. I promise you it's worth it.

Direct and to the point . Just the way I like it .

Also note, if you decide to go the aftermarket route, you better hope the installer at the shop isn't having a bad day. I used a reputable shop for three vehicles, and the last one they did was an absolute butcher job that could have voided my whole warranty. I had the owner of the shop and his head installer carefully remove it and bring it back to stock as soon as the issue began that week. Even after that, there were some issues and I ended up getting rid of the vehicle after a very short amount of time. It was bad enough, that I can't get myself to ever consider aftermarket audio again.

for the price they charge to have the "Upgraded" sound system, you'd think they install quality speakers. They ones in the doors are cheap crap with a fancy head unit.

I have a Wilderness Outback. We weren't even given ANY choice for audio upgrade. SO we have just the stock headunit, the 11.6 one. And there are no amp pre-outs, and it is not recommended to put an aftermarket stereo in this car since the infotainment system controls so many car functions. So I am left with speaker level outs, but eventually I want a boxed woofer, Amps, and fully upgraded component speakers. Honestly I am looking at about 4K not including labor for the particular items, brands, and quality I am looking for. I'll likely have the best sounding Wilderness in the Country when I'm done. Databyter

I have a HARDON/KARMON in my 2013 Subaru Forester XT premium its super load no distortion factory i intend to put soundmat on the doors to cut down vibration only downfall is the satnav only covers upto 2013

Bose is anything but premium

Thanks for this video. I just bought the 2022 Ascent and I realized that the front door speakers only make muffled sounds. As if they only played very low frequency sound (like a woofer). Is this by design? Pls advise since I’m not sure if it’s defective or just they way it’s supposed to be. Great video BTW.

Just bought my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited today. Could've gotten the Navigation + HK system package but just got the Moonroof package. I listened to the regular speaker system on the way home but kind of wonder if I should've gotten the HK system...However, just didn't think it was worth the extra $1395 in addition to the Moonroof package. The regular Subaru speaker system isn't too bad. Maybe I just need to change the EQ settings as I've noticed the sound only comes from the middle of the car.

OMG，thank you so much！This is like pure gold information!

I know this stuff. I couldn't get the HK system unless I got the package, which included a sunroof that I didn't want. The non-HK system sounds horrible. Then, to upgrade to aftermarket, Subaru said it would void any electrical repairs done under warranty. Also, Subaru calls it, "500 watt equivalent." Huh? It's either 500w or its not. This is for a 2022 WRX.

So, I have owned my 2019 STI since new. I have had to replace the passenger front door speaker twice under warranty, and now the drivers door speaker is shot. I listen to a wide variety of music, from classical to country to EDM. Volume is usually at 20-22 , and never go above 30. Next week I'm having the entire speaker system replaced, as I am sick of the HK system. In my opinion, it is a total waste of money - other than you can't get the other features of the sport tech model without it! Previously, I had a 2018 WRX base model, and I put in the dealer offered KICKER speaker system. This system by far outperformed the HK system, and in the 18 months I had it I never had a single issue. I know the current owner and they haven't had an issue with it either. To sum it up, the HK system "upgrade" is garbage, and if it is the only reason you are going with the premium models, you are better off saving your money, getting the base model and either getting the Kicker system or a different aftermarket system. I am so disappointed with HK that I won't ever buy ANYTHING Harman Kardon ever

14 xt here with the h/k nav unit sounds pretty basic equalizer sucks sirus xm is the loudest there no sub in my trunk

you know you’re right but if you want to buy aftermarket speakers amplifier wires and your time to put them in if you know what you’re doing it’s fine but I like harman kardon that came with it to me if I could sounds great 👍

Do you heard about OEM Audio plus??? they have system PnP as rockford and Harman K.

I have a 2021 sti with the HK system, it's absolutely garbage, no bass at all, road noise cancels out all bass while driving, the sub is weak, the amp is weak and the head unit is junk

I drive a 2018 Chevy Silverado LT trim truck. I hate the sound system. We are about to purchase the Subaru Outback Limited XT. I was impressed with the sound. Now I have two reasons to take the wife’s car: fuel savings and sound. Thanks for this review.

Worst thing about this system is the AMP won't kick over with aftermarket head unit.

I'm going through dramas now trying to swap to new Android Kenwood wireless and the AMP won't turn in with the harnesses from Aero Pro.

Good review of the HK audio have in my 17 Forester touring. Supposed 440 watt amp is a joke when RMS is only real reveal that makes any sense. There is no sub woofer but the bass seems adequate. May upgrade by having one installed. I'm confused in what speakers are used? What is the Fosgate upgrade all about? Does the HK in the Forester use those speakers or HK speakers that came with the package? Like that there is a CD player wish it had a 6 disk changer like the Lincoln

as far as I'm concerned,, harman kardon is GARBAGE >> local subaru dealer just installed FIFTH harman kardon radio into my 2018 crosstrek on Sept 02-2021 >> BY Sept 04-2021,, this latest installed piece of crap was already acting up

Excellent review

Great review. Very detailed and honest. Well done.

So the kit can’t be sold afterwards and installed by Subaru?

We are disappointed at the lack of bass and found the equalizer adjustment has minimal impact. We are on a quest to get more bass. This video was very informative.

mercedes c class 2016 burmester surround system only 800€ extra and believe it, it has 2 8inch subs in front of your feats , loud and pure sound, but i want to hear the volvo B&W soundsystem 1450watts !!!!!!

Great Video. I just traded my 2019 Ascent Limited in for a 2021 Touring with Harman Kardon. In my Limited I added all new speakers and a 12 in sub. It was powered by an Alpine amp at first it didn't sound that great with the stock head unit. I added the LCI 7I and it worked great with a head unit. I hated having a big box in the back and am very happy with the 8in inserted one that came on my touring. I'm going to give it a few weeks to see how I like it. From what I've heard so fair I want more bass not a ton but a bit more would be good. Do you think just adding a LCI 7I to the current set up would help? I'm thinking if the LCI 71 doesn't help to change out the amp and sub. Please let me know your thoughts or if you have ever made any changes to your touring system.

Great video. Thanks for this.

First thing I did on our WRX was rip out the system, it's terribly cheap (dash 2" paper tweeters as you show are embarrassing) but Subaru almost expects an owner to go aftermarket and makes component/head unit exchange simple. I actually kept the stock 'tweeters' as is and passband as midranges instead then adding silk dome tweeters in doors. After changing out drivers, head unit and adding single sealed 10" with bass management (similar to what you did) the difference was Clock Radio to Head Bobbing Bliss. Great work on your STI, will watch after this.
Next purchase is the Ascent which is why I am here.. but again looks mediocre.. did you mention coaxial in the doors instead of housing tweeters in pillars? If so, credit loss to Harmon Kardon and opportunity lost; coaxials with tweeters shooting at ankles is not ideal losing all the imaging and high frequency advantage. Very much appreciate this review but lost my purchase excitement, may have to take your suggested route of base to custom. The 792 watt statement was very well indulged, great explanation, probably half that power in RMS.

Great video. I have the Harmon Kardon system in my 2020 Forester but it doesn't have enough bass in my opinion. Is there a way to add an after market item to the system to increase bass? Recommendations? Thank you! Also, does soundproofing the car doors help?

Amazing video, so in depth and lots of real life visuals.

Hey man. Is there a site I can order 1 speaker or do I have to order from dealership? I drive a 2016 wrx/sti limited and I have order the kicker but didn't fit.

i like the balanced sound of it in my impreza. never needed to change the settings. amount of bass is just right imo.

Very polished, succinct presentation. Viewed this video after I made a Subaru purchase and wanted more information on what the HK upgrade really consisted of. Again, very well done - thank you.

I had this in my 335 it was trash

Thanks for the video ... So if the finance interest rate is only 0.5%.. should I upgrade it?

Idk if i should get a Harmon for a wrx or just buy and install an after market one. Idc about the time it takes to upgrade btw.

Nice video!! Very thorough 👍

I have a '11 legacy and a '17 outback and honestly the legacy sounds 10x better and they are both Harmon Kardon systems. The legacy is able to be more fine tuned were the outback just has general presets. Honestly if i was to buy a subaru again i would just get a base xt outback or legacy and just do it myself. I would go panasonic or bose and upgrade the sound deadening in the doors and trunks to keep the sound clear and keep rattles down. Its a win win, i get a custom set of speaker for less and the quality will be better because I could spend more on perfecting the quality.

Great pack of knowledge and reflexion. Was testing out 2013's Outback with some Daft Punk and was pretty impressed and now decided to invest into Suburu & Harmon Kardon audio system. Althought im consider audiophile and like great high to low end bass and your video teach new way how to improve the overall system in general. Thanks for it :)

I have a 2020 Subaru Impreza sport I want to upgrade all the speakers even the tweeters. I know that kickers make special tweeters that mount on but when I look these up it shows it doesn’t fit my vehicle only WRX or STI do you have any idea or any clue what kind of tweezers I can actually fit or the ones that they recommend for the STI or WRX well it actually fit my sedan sport and with the 6 x 9‘s in 6 1/2 on the doors Do I even really need any brackets if they’re the same size speakers that are currently on them