HK vs Std

[flipflops]

Has anyone heard both the HK and std speakers and compared them at all? I've DA in my MK7 which does sound great so was thinking HK would be a must going forwards

[Carlosfandango]

The HK system in my 8.5 is much better than the standard setup in my previous Mk8. The standard system wasn’t particularly bad sounding, but the HK is a great improvement. I cannot comment on how either compare to the Dynaudio in your current car though.

[fredgroves]

I test drove the Mk8 when it came out. The car I tested didn't have HK. My mk7.5 didn't have dynaudio either.

I felt the sound was not great on the Mk8... The main problem if I remember was the weird centre speaker.

HK is much better but still has the same centre speaker believe it or not. The bass is of course much better with the HK sub. If that's your thing. Doesn't make much difference to radio 4 

I must get round to buying the upgraded one the chap on here sells.

[GE90]

I test drove the Mk8 when it came out. The car I tested didn't have HK. My mk7.5 didn't have dynaudio either.

I felt the sound was not great on the Mk8... The main problem if I remember was the weird centre speaker.

HK is much better but still has the same centre speaker believe it or not. The bass is of course much better with the HK sub. If that's your thing. Doesn't make much difference to radio 4 

I must get round to buying the upgraded one the chap on here sells.

Hi, I'm here!

Just drop me a message if you would like one sent out. Really positive feedback from those with HK too - as it should have come the factory being often said. Completes the centre stage - as you say, how can the HK setup speaker be the same as that in the standard system!

Any questions just ask away.

Thanks.

[JoeGTI]

I had a MK8 with the standard system and now an 8.5 with HK. Honestly, I expected to be more wow'd by it. It's a little underwhelming! Definitely a bit lacking in the bass / ooomphhhh department. However I did fit one of GE90's centre speakers a few weeks ago and its definitely made a noticeable improvement. Sound seems much fuller now.

[flipflops]

Thanks, that's great feedback. Trying to tick all the boxes seems to be a nightmare so I'm trying to work out which I can do without. I do listen to a lot of music so am used to my Dynaudio, if it's not a huge loss to go std vs HK then I can relax a little and opt for one without.

[Carlosfandango]

Thanks, that's great feedback. Trying to tick all the boxes seems to be a nightmare so I'm trying to work out which I can do without. I do listen to a lot of music so am used to my Dynaudio, if it's not a huge loss to go std vs HK then I can relax a little and opt for one without.

I’d say you’d be disappointed if you choose the standard system after having had dynaudio. The HK in the 8.5 is not bad, it greatly benefits from setting it up well however! When I took delivery of the car I was like others ‘underwhelmed’, but having fiddled with all the settings I find it sounds great, not as good as the HK system in my old 2020 M135i, but in my opinion way better than the standard system I had in my previous Mk8 GTI.

[flipflops]

Thanks Carlos!!!

[Dogman12]

Standard system is completely alright in the 8.5. I tested both HK & Std. The difference is there, but only about 20-25%. Standard is NOT bad at all.

[sipj]

I agree with Carlos.  I was disappointed initially with HK, but now, after changing settings, I find it really quite good.  I have also upgraded the centre speaker.