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SRT Stock Radio vs HK

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540Oak

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi folks,
I did a search but could not find a concrete answer. I like good music and good sound (with some bass) but I am not an audiofile by an stretch. I have never installed a sub in my cars. Though in my BMW I have a HK system.

What criteria are you using to justify the upgrade in the SRT? Is the SRT stock unit decent or completely garbage that requires the HK upgrade?

thanks for your comments and opinions..
 
#2 ·
I have the beats...it is lacking in bass...but I have no inclination to change it. If you go back in this forum we have some good threads about the beats vs the HK on the 19 and ups...
 
#3 ·
www.dodgedurango.net

2018 Durango Audio Build

So I bought my Durango about 6 months ago and unfortunately I’ve been dealing with the “premium” Beats audio system this whole time. It’s literally been just eating away at me. This is my first brand new car and with it being so sophisticated I was a little scared to just rip it apart! I didn’t...
www.dodgedurango.net www.dodgedurango.net
 
#4 ·
frictioncircle said:
I have the beats...it is lacking in bass...but I have no inclination to change it. If you go back in this forum we have some good threads about the beats vs the HK on the 19 and ups...
Click to expand...
I test drove the Beats system in an R/T and was thoroughly disappointed by the bass response. The R/T we bought has no badges as to what system it is but it is by far the best system I've ever had in a vehicle. Can be played at full volume and full bass setting on the EQ with no distortion besides the look on people faces as i drive by!! Hahaha. I had 2010 3500 ram mega cab diesel with the Infinity system and it was similar. Not as loud as the Durango bit it could also be turned to full volume with no distortion and huge Bass. Currently driving 2019 ram limited with 19 speaker Harmon Kardon system and its awfull. Cant go anywhere near full volume even if adjust the EQ down, even lower then the middle. The sub rattles itself and rattles something behind the rear panel and of course the dealership keeps telling me it ok. Worst stereo ever had.
 
#5 ·
frictioncircle said:
I have the beats...it is lacking in bass...but I have no inclination to change it. If you go back in this forum we have some good threads about the beats vs the HK on the 19 and ups...
Click to expand...
Stuff the sub with Polyfill and it artificially increases its thumping power. I have no bass complaints and listen to modern music’ courtesy of my 14yr old son.

Ohhh and I have the beats in my ‘18 DDSRT


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
frictioncircle said:
I have the beats...it is lacking in bass...but I have no inclination to change it. If you go back in this forum we have some good threads about the beats vs the HK on the 19 and ups...
Click to expand...
frictioncircle said:
www.dodgedurango.net

2018 Durango Audio Build

So I bought my Durango about 6 months ago and unfortunately I’ve been dealing with the “premium” Beats audio system this whole time. It’s literally been just eating away at me. This is my first brand new car and with it being so sophisticated I was a little scared to just rip it apart! I didn’t...
www.dodgedurango.net www.dodgedurango.net
Click to expand...
Stimpreny said:
I test drove the Beats system in an R/T and was thoroughly disappointed by the bass response. The R/T we bought has no badges as to what system it is but it is by far the best system I've ever had in a vehicle. Can be played at full volume and full bass setting on the EQ with no distortion besides the look on people faces as i drive by!! Hahaha. I had 2010 3500 ram mega cab diesel with the Infinity system and it was similar. Not as loud as the Durango bit it could also be turned to full volume with no distortion and huge Bass. Currently driving 2019 ram limited with 19 speaker Harmon Kardon system and its awfull. Cant go anywhere near full volume even if adjust the EQ down, even lower then the middle. The sub rattles itself and rattles something behind the rear panel and of course the dealership keeps telling me it ok. Worst stereo ever had.
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone for your feedback!
 
#7 ·
I have the HK system in my '19. I listened to the stock system in a similar SRT after I bought mine, and am glad I opted for the HK upgrade. I'm not an audiophile by any means, but the HK system is honestly fantastic. Not a complete dealbreaker, but definitely something I'd miss if I ever trade in.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
DDSRT0311 said:
I have the HK system in my '19. I listened to the stock system in a similar SRT after I bought mine, and am glad I opted for the HK upgrade. I'm not an audiophile by any means, but the HK system is honestly fantastic. Not a complete dealbreaker, but definitely something I'd miss if I ever trade in.
Click to expand...
thank you, thats good info!
 
#9 ·
rchwallace said:
Stuff the sub with Polyfill and it artificially increases its thumping power. I have no bass complaints and listen to modern music’ courtesy of my 14yr old son.

Ohhh and I have the beats in my ‘18 DDSRT


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Does this need to be done by a plastic surgeon?:unsure:
 
#10 ·
Stimpreny said:
I test drove the Beats system in an R/T and was thoroughly disappointed by the bass response. The R/T we bought has no badges as to what system it is but it is by far the best system I've ever had in a vehicle. Can be played at full volume and full bass setting on the EQ with no distortion besides the look on people faces as i drive by!! Hahaha. I had 2010 3500 ram mega cab diesel with the Infinity system and it was similar. Not as loud as the Durango bit it could also be turned to full volume with no distortion and huge Bass. Currently driving 2019 ram limited with 19 speaker Harmon Kardon system and its awfull. Cant go anywhere near full volume even if adjust the EQ down, even lower then the middle. The sub rattles itself and rattles something behind the rear panel and of course the dealership keeps telling me it ok. Worst stereo ever had.
Click to expand...
Your r/t without the badges is the alpine system. They went back to alpine after beats if you didn’t go with the HK. I love my stock alpine stereo, great bass and clarity.
 
#11 ·
540Oak said:
Hi folks,
I did a search but could not find a concrete answer. I like good music and good sound (with some bass) but I am not an audiofile by an stretch. I have never installed a sub in my cars. Though in my BMW I have a HK system.

What criteria are you using to justify the upgrade in the SRT? Is the SRT stock unit decent or completely garbage that requires the HK upgrade?

thanks for your comments and opinions..
Click to expand...
If you were up in NY, I'd send you to my guy so he can give you the business he gave me. I took that transistor radio sounding Beats crap out and laced my RT with JL Audio. Enough said,you can pretty much do what you want with your sounds if you have the right people doing it for you. Mines was a bit costly, but it sounds great and I love it. The JL C7's are on the money and worth every penny! The truck holds great sound, but you have to spend in order to get there!
 
#12 ·
frictioncircle said:
Does this need to be done by a plastic surgeon?:unsure:
Click to expand...
No if you google it there are or were so guides on it. Beats sub is in a crappy plastic housing by the tire... you pop off the tail guard and then get the rear section out to access the sub.... simple bolts after that to take it out of the vehicle and then take it apart and stuff it. Think the poly cost me about 2$... dunno. Honestly the Alpine I had in my ‘14 Citadel is better but this makes it bearable.

Found it...

www.dodgedurango.net

Improvement to the Beats subwoofer

Just a heads up. I had some leftover polyfill from another project & had some spare time the other day. I removed the sub & added polyfill to the ends of the enclosure. It made a night & day difference. On another note, does anyone know how much power Dodge claims goes to each sub channel?
www.dodgedurango.net www.dodgedurango.net

Go here and look for post with pics about 1/3 down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#16 ·
540Oak said:
Hi folks,
I did a search but could not find a concrete answer. I like good music and good sound (with some bass) but I am not an audiofile by an stretch. I have never installed a sub in my cars. Though in my BMW I have a HK system.

What criteria are you using to justify the upgrade in the SRT? Is the SRT stock unit decent or completely garbage that requires the HK upgrade?

thanks for your comments and opinions..
Click to expand...
I just got a 2020 RT blacktop and I Love the HK! The bass is way better than my beats I had in my 2015 charger!
 
#17 ·
So I went thru this extensively myself, back and forth for months. Keep in mind I used to be an Audio Engineer too.

I had the Alpine in my charger, it was ok but was missing the body of the sound(which in most cases is the bass) I currently have the HK in my Durango SRT.

Justifying the price of it is never enough for Dodge. I have installed countless systems over the years and yes, there are better out there for much less than the $9xx est. they charge.
I think the best way to test these is to compare the sound at 90mph with all windows down on a humid day. The humidity will suck the life out of a good system and the wind cuts like a knife.
Overall, the HK dodge offers is only slightly better than the Alpine but still, HK is better in my professional opinion.
Could you get a better system for less than $9xx, maybe but keep in mind the factory install is much better than the half-asx job most places do minus the upcharge of parts.
Most drivers do not have tuned ears and can barely tell the difference. So to your OP, I would say you are paying for the install and slightly better parts.
 
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rchwallace
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