Harman Kardon vs Standard Equipment

[Don76]

Where is the black box controlling the audio, tuner etc located? Is it easy to get at?

I've no idea!?  I didn't know there was such a thing.
The guys at the shop advised me to let the kit bed in for 12hrs or so of playing time and then return where they'll help me set it up to my liking.

One word of caution - they originally disconnected the centre speaker in the dash.  The car doesn't like this and throws an error on the dash which is linked to the SOS call system.

I'll post some pics later

[fredgroves]

The centre speaker is used for things like nav announcements etc. Expect that's why it had a melt down.

[Don76]

[Sootchucker]

Don't know about on the MK8, but on the MK7 (7.5) and a number of other VW's the Dynaudio or Harmon Kardon amp and control unit lives under the passenger seat with a cover over it, with the sub in the spare wheel.

[fredgroves]

The sub is definitely in the boot, not sure about any amp. Suspect it probably is under the seat though, not looked.

What Exonian is looking for though is where the "stereo" unit is in the car, to see if it has a port for a sub to plug into and if its the same interface as the Mk7 to connect a Helix plug and play sub into it.

[Don76]

I'll ask the shop next week when I return to have it fine tuned.

So far though, it's so loud that you cannot hear a passenger speak. You can't see in the rear view mirror for the vibrations and it makes your face tickle.

I like to think I'm an audio lover.  I enjoy DJ'ing in my spare time and have some fairly decent kit.
Normally I always spec the audio upgrade when ordering a new car, but this one was on a cheap lease from stock.
Having had Alpine aftermarket, B&O in an Audi and HK in the BMW - this Audison set up is different gravy.
It's warm, rich and crystal clear.

[fredgroves]

I think third party audio upgrades will always be better than the OEM premium audio option.

The third party guys have a lot more skin in the game to get it right - their business is audio not cars.

Its funny, with the advent of infotainment systems being more than just a stereo in the car (they are actually the controls for a lot of car functions, even before the Mk8) the car audio shops largely went bust.

Its a very specialist game these days.

[Exonian]

What Exonian is looking for though is where the "stereo" unit is in the car, to see if it has a port for a sub to plug into and if its the same interface as the Mk7 to connect a Helix plug and play sub into it.

Nail on head 

[theminty1]

I installed some Audison kit in my new GTD yesterday.
Front mids and tweeters, a 10” sub that fits neatly in the spare wheel well and a 5 channel amp powering the new stuff as well as the std rear speakers.

Having just come from a 2020 BMW 320 with HK upgrade there’s no comparison.
The Audison really sounds impressive.
All for around the same price as the factory option.

Well done Don. You must be one of the first to install aftermarket stuff. Aftermarket every time.
 Sound deadening in cars is also crucial to keep the sound in the car.
Also interesting about the centre speaker causing trouble. So could you not get aftermarket for that one?

[fredgroves]

I've had another play around with the hk setup today. I've even gone to the extent of getting some lossless versions of my fave tunes.

It's a bit better but I can't seem to find a workable balance between a lot of bass and tinny sounding trebles. If you need to hear the treble it always sounds tinny. It's very dependent on the actual album you are listening too though, i do have some things that sound amazing...others not at all. These same tracks sounded really good in my mk7.5 and even better in my mates mk7 with dynaudio... Still disappointed with hk.