Changing head unit on HK system, same quality?

WesleyVocino · 09-01-2010, 03:12 PM

Hey guys, i have a 2001 330ci, which i just repainted astro black. I will have to post some pics. I wanted to be able to listen to my iPhone in my bimmer so I went out and bought an isimple. I installed it and listened to a song from the isimple then listened to the same song from a cd. I found out that the cd was a much better quality. I returned the isimple and decided to get an alpine head unit. The sales guy at futureshop told me that I would not lose out on the quality by changing my hk head unit, and sold me the wiring harness etc.
I went back to futureshop today because the USB port on the alpine I bought does not work directly with the iPhone. Now I am interested in a pioneer head unit with a 3 inch display that works directly through USB with the iPhone.
I told the sales guy I had a hk system and he said by changing the head unit I will lose out on quality. So now I do not know if I should get the pioneer with the 3 inch display or rebut the isimple.
My question is, do you guys think that changing my head unit from a hk system will make the quality worse? On the original head unit it does not say hk anywhere just sais BMW business unit.
Would you guys change the original head unit or buy an isimple.
I want what ever gives best qualtu!
Thx in advance!!!

**Mystikal** · 09-01-2010, 04:00 PM

Didn't look up what the isimple is, but this is all you need: http://www.gromaudio.com/store/ipod_...interface.html

Sound quality should be as good as compressed MP3s can get. It will never be CD quality off an iPod, btw.

WesleyVocino · 09-01-2010, 04:58 PM

Any other opinions? Is the grom superior quality than the isimple? If I remember correctly the isimple plugs into the radio antenna.
To get back to the original question, would changing the hk head unit reduce sound quality

dbworld4k · 09-01-2010, 05:40 PM

No it does not. In fact, most aftermarket head units might give you slightly BETTER sound quality. My old Pioneer flip out had better clarity and vocals than my OEM MP3-capable head unit does; but I'm still satisfied.

WesleyVocino · 09-01-2010, 05:53 PM

Thx for the info

Randy · 09-02-2010, 12:43 AM

pioneer head unit *installed properly* will give u great sound quality - i stress the installation because the guys i bought my car from had it all wrong, and it sounded like crap.

**Mystikal** · 09-02-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesleyVocino

If I remember correctly the isimple plugs into the radio antenna.

That would be why the sound quality sucks.

nachos23 · 09-07-2010, 09:50 PM

I have the JVC KD-R810 and run my iPod through the rear USB (moved bluetooth to front panel) and it works great. What's the issue you're experiencing? I'd try the JVC for compatability. Better than comparable Alpine specs and includes front panel CD and I can easily remove faceplate; something that can't be done with Alpine (or any for that matter) head units with fold-down faceplates. The JVC head unit sounds FAR SUPERIOR to the stock HK headunit. Even the wife (who does have an ear) said that although she knew I'd only changed the head unit, it sounded like the entire system was upgraded; and I would definitely agree!!

another nice feature; only very marginally affected buying decision (but definite bonus) is JVCs unlimited colour selection, so my deck is matched to our orange displays.....

B6T · 09-09-2010, 12:25 PM

I went to a big-box store recently to purchase the accessories I would need to install my Alpine MP3 deck, which was the face-plate, the antenna adaptor, and the wiring harness. My 330 has the factory HK stereo, so I knew going in there that I needed the specific wiring harness made for a BMW with factory (Harmon Kardon) amplifiers from research I had done prior.

The know-it-all installation professional at the desk who has been doing this for a million years insisted on selling me the all-purpose BMW wiring harness, and stated that he could install it and "make it work" for $50. I'm not a professional installer, but I know that usually means he is going cut wires in my BMW, or some short cut is going to be taken. Wiring harnesses I have purchased for past vehicles with OEM amplifiers (Audi) have had RCA inputs that go to the back of the aftermarket deck which feed signal to the amps, and the picture of the proper BMW harness showed these as well.

I would expect a good installer to use the proper wiring harness, not what he has on the shelf. Just a word of caution if you have a shop do the install.

nachos23 · 09-09-2010, 02:05 PM

I normally would do this myself, but I was able to work a discount on the deck and free installation, so the local Best Buy did the installation. They joined (crimped) 2 connectors (one for the JVC and the other to the stock BMW harness). Wires were even colour coded, so perfect install; factory wiring still intact. Could remove and replace with stock HK (if I still had LOL) with no issue. Coodoo's to the Best Buy @ Bramalea City centre. They also programmed my steering wheel controls as well for no charge!! Ask for Alden if you happen to use them....