Harmon Kardon subwoofers - or lack of

ufoldfirst · Apr 23, 2015

I have read the threads regarding sound quality issues with the Harmon Kardon sound system.

What I have not seen is a discussion about the Charger not having dual subwoofers in the trunk like the Challenger does.

Has anyone come across a reasoning for this?
Are we to assume one subwoofer in the rear deck will be better than a Beats Audio system with one rear deck sub AND a second trunk sub?

I am questioning the fact that my '13 300S with Beats Audio has the standard rear deck sub AND trunk mounted sub, but when my '15 Charger SRT 392 arrives with the Harmon Kardon system it will NOT have a trunk mounted subwoofer. But the Challenger with HK has two?

Has this been explained?

Themip · Apr 23, 2015

I would like to know this as well. It wasnt a cheap upgrade for me as i had to squeeze pennys for the car already but i really wish there was more boom for a 2k upgrade. . . . I also didnt realize that it was only a single sub unlike the chally.

dodgeboy · Apr 23, 2015

I was told by a Chrysler rep that this system was not designed to "blow your eardrums." (this was a result of me comparing its lack of volume as compared to the Kicker system in my 2006 300C SRT8). Apparently they went for sound quality vs volume. Some may say they missed the mark on that as well. I think the real reason behind the lack of trunk subs is trying to save money.

I personally feel like I get more bass out of the front doors than I do out of the rear deck sub, and mine has had the HK audio fix (the one from the upcoming TSB). I do not have a complaint of lack of bass with this system. I feel like the bass is too "boomy" rather than the tight bass I got from the Kicker system (and likely from the trunk subs in the Challenger).

AvsBest · Apr 23, 2015

Still waiting for the car but my buddy came from a 13 SRT to a hellcat and said they HK on the hellcat is slightly worst than the 13 SRT.

Brampton Builder · Apr 24, 2015

I also was stunned when I first opened the trunk on a charger and looked for the subwoofer box and couldn't find it. The challenger guys got the better setup for sure.

NinjaChicken · Apr 24, 2015

The speakers are located behind the back seat

Brampton Builder · Apr 24, 2015

Oh I know where they are now.they are mounted on what we call the parcel shelf

Colorado Hellcat · Apr 24, 2015

Brampton Builder said:
I also was stunned when I first opened the trunk on a charger and looked for the subwoofer box and couldn't find it. The challenger guys got the better setup for sure.

Yea!!! & they didn't have to pay extra for it!

noboost4you · Apr 24, 2015

This is from a conversation I had with Mr. Gilles last November re: HK in the Challenger and Charger;

"The Challenger has a very different layout sub has to be in the trunk. The challenger is also louder cabin wise so the HK is a must. The Chargers layout has a better base system plus it has more sound deadener. So the base system an Alpine isn't so bad. The charger is also more expensive to build so by making the HK optional it make it a little more obtainable."

Misterdhdt · Apr 25, 2015

I would agree that the base alpine system isn't that bad. HK system was the only option my 392 SRT is missing. For $1900.00 savings. I can add more and still have change left over.

Trentster · May 22, 2015

Ohh, that's the answer to one of my questions. I skipped the HK as well. My car is on order. Does it say Alpine anywhere?

Trentster

Misterdhdt · May 22, 2015

Yes. When you open the doors behind the rear view mirror section

Trentster · May 22, 2015

Awesome, thanks!

So HK head unit, Alpine speakers in six locations, and a 276 watt amp from Alpine? I'm guessing these are at least two-way speakers? So in consideration of the HK advertisement at least a 12 speaker system- lol.

Any chance of posting a quick picture?

Where are the speaker locations?

Misterdhdt · May 23, 2015

Speakers are in front doors dash and rear deck lid.

Trentster · May 23, 2015

Perfect! Thanks! I will be visiting with my local stereo shop about an amp and sub. Thinking about just putting the sub in the deck so I don't have to give up any trunk space. Or maybe a sub solution that goes in the storage area like the challengers.

c_u_in_hell · May 23, 2015

My charger hellcat bumps and sounds awesome. No complaints here.

Trentster · May 23, 2015

HK or Alpine?

ufoldfirst · May 23, 2015

Now that I have the car (aka "BAM-BAM"), the stereo system sounds fine for what it is.
As with other systems, Satellite radio isn't very good... compressed audio etc.
Using my phone for an audio source does wake it up, and has plenty of sound quality, including bass.
I still would be happier with the dual subwoofer setup in the trunk well! For the same price as the Challenger SRT HK system, they should have included the speakers in the box in the spare tire area.
That is my only complaint.

Nycsrt · May 24, 2015

ufoldfirst said:
Now that I have the car (aka "BAM-BAM"), the stereo system sounds fine for what it is.
As with other systems, Satellite radio isn't very good... compressed audio etc.
Using my phone for an audio source does wake it up, and has plenty of sound quality, including bass.
I still would be happier with the dual subwoofer setup in the trunk well! For the same price as the Challenger SRT HK system, they should have included the speakers in the box in the spare tire area.
That is my only complaint.

This is bam bam my little man

Mikenice23 · Mar 1, 2016

So I just got my charger and I was looking for the subwoofers in the but I couldn't find them! So they don't come with that? The woofers are behind the back seat?

Harmon Kardon subwoofers - or lack of

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