HK Radio for 07/08 Owners

Okay my guess is that the 09 HK radio should be a direct swap with the exception of speakers into 07/08 cars. Now has anyone attempted this yet?

the 2009 radio's output didn't cut it for the new HK speakers so it now outputs to an amplifier under the passenger seat IIRC

So on all new 09' models it runs to an amp first then speakers?

Yup -deck to amp then to speakers. Subwoofer was relocated to rear deck

So would that mean that the new HK radio head unit outputs line level outputs rather than speaker level outputs?? This means that if one were to install the HK head unit you could take the outputs and feed them to an amp and avoid any LOCs, correct??

Possibly. Its also possible that there are speaker level inputs on the H-K amps.

Most of the factory amplified systems i've seen use speaker level inputs - it makes more since to me because it involves less change between 08-09 radios, and change = money...we won't know until someone with one looks at it closer.

My understanding was that the good of the HK system is the speakers; the HU is essentially the same.

The HK unit is 385 watts. The 07-08 is a mere 100w.

The HK unit is 385 watts. The 07-08 is a mere 100w.

 

Wouldn't the difference be coming from the external amp though?

It's exclusively the amp - the deck in 2009s powers no speakers. The amp also powers the rear deck sub, another ~140-160 watts.

 

Keep in mind the Headunit is still manufactured by panasonic, and the amp is by HK (navigation by Kenwood for your gee wizz collection)

So the question is, does the headunit do any equalization/amplification or does it output a flat, pre-amp signal to the HK amp?

The panasonic HU still takes care of the treble, bass, balance, etc and sends that signal to the amplifier

Yes, but does it apply the equalization curves that the '08- does (i.e. pull out bass as volume increases) or does it output a nice flat signal across all volume levels? I know that the Bose system in my Infiniti did this, all equalization was done in the amp.

It's the same radio, and uses the same line level outputs that the rest of ours use. (so the limited bass at higher volumes would still exist unless the amplifier can some how boost those frequencies after receiving them.) We've got a guy with an 09 2.5i limited coming into an audio shop I frequent, so i'll see if I can sneak a peak when they're working on it.

It's the same radio, and uses the same line level outputs that the rest of ours use. (so the limited bass at higher volumes would still exist unless the amplifier can some how boost those frequencies after receiving them.) We've got a guy with an 09 2.5i limited coming into an audio shop I frequent, so i'll see if I can sneak a peak when they're working on it.

 

That would be sick. If all wee need is the HK amp then were set. Minus the HK speakers. So the head unit i have no has an internal amp?

all of the headunits have an internal amplifier...it's rated at 100 watts (so says Panasonic) but when i replaced my speakers, I tested mine to be at 14 watts rms per channel. The 09 is the same, but instead of powering speakers from the internal amp, it uses it to send a signal to another amplifier.

hmm, that is too bad. It would be nice if the new unit had the pre-amp outs or at least moved the equalization offboard to the amp. We could then use the new headunit as a driver for aftermarket amps. Oh well.

So the new HK speakers arent a direct swap for the 08's?

In terms of speaker size, the fronts will fit, but the rears on 05-08 are a single 6.5" woofer and the speakers on the '09 rears are a tweeter/woofer combo (woofer being 4")

 

In all honesty, you would be better off not only in price, but in quality to get some 6.5" speakers and a 4 channel amp

On my '09 it looks to be speaker level outputs.. theres 3 plugs going into the amp under the passenger seat.

Does the 09 increase the volume as the speed increases?

Does the 09 increase the volume as the speed increases?

 

yes

In terms of speaker size, the fronts will fit, but the rears on 05-08 are a single 6.5" woofer and the speakers on the '09 rears are a tweeter/woofer combo (woofer being 4")

 

In all honesty, you would be better off not only in price, but in quality to get some 6.5" speakers and a 4 channel amp

 

Any recommendations for decent but not too spendy setup that would work with 05-06 headunit without cleansweep, etc?

Subwoofer was relocated to rear deck

 

Does anyone have more information on this? specifically:

 

1.) Is it a passive sub (i.e. non-powered)? By reading this thread it sounds like all the amplification in this HK system comes from an amp under the seat, so I would assume it's a non-powered sub box.

 

2.) What size is the driver? What size is the airspace in the enclosure?

 

3.) How does it sound?

 

4.) How low does it hang from the rear deck? Pictures anyone?

 

5.) Is the sub available separately? if so, what's the part number?

 

I'm curious because I've toyed with the idea of trying to fit a sub up under the rear deck. If I could just go out and buy one, that might work too...