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Is the Harman Kardon Option Worth the Money

7437 Views 120 Replies 70 Participants Last post by  GlockandRoll, 
gnnut
I ordered a 2023 Challenger on 11/16/22 and did not order the HK option. Is the Harman Kardon a must-have or is the stock audio system adequate? TIA
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CBRTurbo
Unholy707 said:
You guys are nuts. The HK sound system is the best factory sound system I’ve ever had
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Ignorance is bliss. Don't mean that as an insult! Just don't listen to any other cars and your audio experience will remain perfect!
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gnnut
TRCM said:
WTF ? there is no 3.92 rear unless you are talking trucks, and the only gear choices are 2.62 or 3.09.
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TRCM said:
WTF ? there is no 3.92 rear unless you are talking trucks, and the only gear choices are 2.62 or 3.09.
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I'm sure high five meant 3.09;)
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GlockandRoll
Speaking as a former professional car stereo installer through college and then working for one of the most prestigious stereo shops in the nation in DFW in the 90s, who is a wanna-be musician/ half-ass recording engineer with a still pretty decent ear save some tinnitus - I'm sorry to disappoint anyone who recommends it. I find it offensively underwhelming for the price.

Seriously, the stock system could be made to sound better with a pair of nice tweeters angle mounted in the A-pillars at the top of the door and a powered sub in the trunk.
Just two good tweeters and passive crossovers here and then a powered sub in the trunk and you are set for a fraction of what the HK system costs.
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TRCM
gnnut said:
I'm sure high five meant 3.09;)
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Adding the '2' is what made it look really odd....3.90 vice 3.09 ok,,,,swapped 2 numbers.......but 3.92 is what's in my Ram......
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thedynoguy
GlockandRoll said:
Seriously, the stock system could be made to sound better with a pair of nice tweeters angle mounted in the A-pillars at the top of the door and a powered sub in the trunk.
Just two good tweeters and passive crossovers here and then a powered sub in the trunk and you are set for a fraction of what the HK system costs.
View attachment 609220
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HA! That pic is of my car:cool:
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PurpleCat16
Yes for me it is.
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PurrKitty
If my HC was a daily driver then absolute must have for me. I have the HK currently and rarely use it because when I'm driving the Cat on weekends, it is for the sake of driving the Cat. I ordered it on the 23 but am honestly second guessing it. I may cancel it and spend the 2k on another option. Alcantara to Laguna or just the hood paint to full up and over. What Ill probably do is keep it and spend more on options any way. It is the thing that Pi55es me off the most about the ADM. I feel like it has to come out of the car. Im probably not the only one that limited some options to cover ADM and Dodge loses $$
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F
for any Durango potential owners the HK is definitely a better quality sound than the beats system was in my 18 SRT..
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VancityCat
WickedHEMI said:
This is the wrong advices
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…I read that in Arnold’s voice 😆
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Sarna March
No one goes aftermarket? The sound quality-to-price ratio is far higher. I understand that modifying or cutting/drilling into what is going to be a collector's car (or is already) is not a route many would want to take, though.
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F
many of the owner demographic for these cars have diminished hearing so the audio aspects are not on the mod list
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thedynoguy
frictioncircle said:
many of the owner demographic for these cars have diminished hearing so the audio aspects are not on the mod list
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I'm sure there is a lot of truth in that. My hearing is shot from running an engine dyno for 33+ years, but that's one of the reasons I did an aftermarket system so I can hear it. These cars are loud inside, and if you have the windows open even louder. It takes a really good audio system to overcome that noise floor. Sadly, The HK doesn't do it IMHO...
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S
Sarna March said:
No one goes aftermarket? The sound quality-to-price ratio is far higher. I understand that modifying or cutting/drilling into what is going to be a collector's car (or is already) is not a route many would want to take, though.
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The modifications required to fit high-end speakers is definitely an impediment. The 6 x 9 location in the doors will require modifications to install the good stuff. Most of the speakers in the car are 3.5” speakers, which is a size that doesn’t have a lot of options as far as quality audio manufacturers go. The rear shelf is just about the only place you have free rein without needing to modify anything, but those are also probably the least important speakers in the car.
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SloWhite
have both on my 14 and 19, total crap as my 2014 BMW blows them away with no name BMW quality.

Just NOT worth the money, just like SUN roofs !! Added cost with ZERO gain makes zero sense to me............
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GlockandRoll
thedynoguy said:
HA! That pic is of my car:cool:
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No shit, well, you done good!
I found it on the googlelol
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GlockandRoll
smith5879 said:
The modifications required to fit high-end speakers is definitely an impediment. The 6 x 9 location in the doors will require modifications to install the good stuff. Most of the speakers in the car are 3.5” speakers, which is a size that doesn’t have a lot of options as far as quality audio manufacturers go. The rear shelf is just about the only place you have free rein without needing to modify anything, but those are also probably the least important speakers in the car.
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You really don't have to go to that much trouble with this car, honestly.
It's not that great of an audio platform, to begin with due to the shape of the cabin and dash and center console.
And, it's a very loud car.

I've had cars with factory sound systems that were absolutely fantastic by comparison, and well worth the money like the Logic7 sound system my M5 had or the Bowers & Wilkins system my sister has in her Volvo.

I'm telling you, honestly, a really great pair of tweeters in the right location and a powered sub will do wonders, even with the base audio system.
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Trizzle
HK is the nicest sounding system ive had in a vehicle. For the average listener, it will be more than adequate.
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Jagdtiger
In my Challengers Two + 2015 SRT 392's. A 2016 HC and a 2019 HC Redeye. They all had the, HK system. And my wife's 2017 Challenger GT Awd. Which has the Alpine Sound group II. With the 506 Watt 9 speaker, with subwoofer system. Her's sounds just as good. If not better, and is louder. Than my HK in my other Challengers. Now my 20121 Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn. With the 19 speaker HK system. Sounds way better than the HK in the Challengers.
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J
Jagdtiger said:
In my Challengers Two + 2015 SRT 392's. A 2016 HC and a 2019 HC Redeye. They all had the, HK system. And my wife's 2017 Challenger GT Awd. Which has the Alpine Sound group II. With the 506 Watt 9 speaker, with subwoofer system. Her's sounds just as good. If not better, and is louder. Than my HK in my other Challengers. Now my 20121 Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn. With the 19 speaker HK system. Sounds way better than the HK in the Challengers.
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I think the Ram may sound better because the sun is in the cabin with you. Opposed to the Challenger where the subs are in the trunk. My 2020 Ram just has the Alpine ,but I think it has a louder fuller sound then my Redeye with the HK.
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R
Absolutely Positively worth every Cent!!!
Like being on stage with the Band!!!
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