Joined
·
95 Posts
Is the standard radio any good or do you need to order the Harmen Kardon stereo.
I totally agree - the standard radio is fine - remember you are driving in a car and are not sitting in a concert hall listening for the slightest tonal changes.....Haven't heard the HK but I would say the standard radio is adequate for the average person. Obviously this forum is for enthusiasts however and not the average owners so most will want an upgrade.
Having had visual boost in my R56 and still have the standard radio in my wifes R60 Countryman, in terms of use the standard F56 falls between the two. If you have a multi function steering wheel the standard F56 stereo is almost as convenient to use as visual boost especially as the F56 steering wheel controls are bigger and better to use than on the previous R56.
With the standard stereo and multifunction wheel controls you also get the radio station displayed when in the speedo display in front of the driver as well as the central display when changing channels as well as being able to scroll through the last 20 phone numbers in the speedo display.
Soundwise the standard stereo could do with a bit more volume and treble and lacks rear speakers. I understand that the visual boost is now part of the chilli pack.
That's what I concluded too. When I did my test drive, I specified that I wanted to hear the standard radio. It was all right. I've got the Nav XL etc. etc. on the one I ordered, so I'm thinking I'm going to be sufficiently happy with that better system. I'd, of course, like the HK earblaster, but I put that cash into other toys I wanted more. Just couldn't afford the whole enchilada.Visual boost with 6 speakers sounded pretty good to me but not sure about the basic system I love my hk though it's superb.
About to place my order for the 2015 JCW with standard radio. I'm old school, enjoy my music, but I'm not even sure what to do without popping in a CD!....and I understand that neither the std radio nor the HK sound system even has a CD player!!! To get streaming with the radio it will cost $500 extra. I have no clue, but I'm for keeping things simple and driving the car!...so I'm probably alright with the standard radio.
Any advice welcome! I may have to sit in a couple cars this upcoming week to compare prior to ordering just to be safe. I'll report back when I can, but like I said any further advice on this is appreciated. I'm all set with my order except for the sound system.
Thanks,
John
Do you know what the difference in the "look" is? (Std vs adding VB) Same pod design, etc.In the UK I believe Visual Boost is now standard on both the pepper and chilli packs. I have the standard radio which is OK but I would much prefer the Visual Boost, the display is much better and there are speakers in the rear side panels so well worth paying the extra to me.
Correct - in the US, HK is a stand-alone ($750) option you have to add separately. Same with the CD player - it's a single choice option ($500) that isn't part of any package. The 6 changer is factory installed into the glove compartment if you select this option.Do you know what the difference in the "look" is? (Std vs adding VB) Same pod design, etc.
So, the Visual Boost has nothing to do with adding the Karmon-Hardon stereo option correct?
The configurator in the US isn't all that helpful, honestly...it assumes the buyer knows alot to begin with..which I don't! :-( MY current cars have cd players....I still love my Blaupunkt AM/FM CD Players in my cars, so this is brand new territory to me.
I think that's probably true all around the world. The HK consists of a seperate amp and a specific set of speakers and therefore can be combined with any of the user interfaces that Tiger mentioned (Orange, Visual Boost, Media XL), if the local configurator allows is.Correct - in the US, HK is a stand-alone ($750) option you have to add separately.