Possible to get Logic7 in the i8?

cvn-e2 · 02-13-2017, 10:48 AM

Not sure about others, but most of the i8's I've seen (including mine), don't have the Logic7 surround system option checkbox in the Settings. Music sounds noticeably different (worse?) than my other cars that have Harman Kardon with Logic7.

I'm trying to see if there's any way to get Logic7 on an i8 either via coding or some sort of kit? It already has the Harman Kardon speakers...

skinrock · 02-13-2017, 12:15 PM

Interestingly, RealOEM lists a HiFi and Top HiFi amp. I thought Top HiFi used to be the name for Logic7, but maybe they changed it. This car only has one audio code: S674A (yes or no). What I heard from others (particularly UK or early model folks) was that it's just a non-HK system that kinda sucks if you don't have that code. Mine has that designation, but I know it doesn't have Logic7.

Does anyone know if the 2 series has it? Because apparently we share the "Top HiFi" amp with it.

SteveB_UK · 02-13-2017, 04:50 PM

I suspect the Logic 7 and equaliser options are part of the head unit.

They were in the M4 loaner i had a fortnight ago - HK speakers fitted. Once I adjusted the equalisation to my taste it sounded way better than my HK i8 setup. Although I've not installed the door car HK speakers yet. However the M4 sounded better than I remember the HK equipped i8 demonstrator I had for a day.

So I'm hoping the equaliser is a coding available option but I bet it's not as the head unit in the i8 doesn't support it.

skinrock · 02-13-2017, 06:30 PM

It's the amp, it would be a specifically branded "Logic 7 DSP" amp from HK.

cvn-e2 · 02-14-2017, 10:42 AM

Interesting, so Logic7 requires a different physical amp that the i8 lacks?

I wonder if it's possible to at least get the equalizer settings if not full Logic7. All we can change right now is Bass and Treble...

Edit: did some research, and found out on the HK site itself. Apparently, i series get 300W with "Class D Tech" vs. regular Bimmers that get 600W with Logic 7. It is the physical Amp. Basically what I had suspected: electrical power savings.

http://www.harmankardon.com/bmw-5-series-sedan.html
http://www.harmankardon.com/bmw-i3.html (click i8 towards the middle)

(Scroll towards the bottom for a view of quick specs and car speaker schematics).

I wonder now if it's possible to switch out the 300W HK Amp for the 600W HK Amp (Harman Kardon® Logic 7® DSP amplifier in Class-D technology with a total output of 600 watts). I don't really care for trading sound for battery electrical range.

skinrock · 02-14-2017, 12:45 PM

The pictures seem to indicate it's twice as long. I assume you will have fitment issues. On the same topic of extra draw from the battery, you may have to consider the wire gauge and fuses...it may not be able to handle twice the power.

Given the price of the amp and the modifications required anyways, I'm not sure it's worth it in this case compared to a DSP like the MS-8.

02-13-2017, 10:48 AM	#1
cvn-e2 Enlisted Member 63 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2016 i8, 2017 540i (G30) Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Possible to get Logic7 in the i8? Not sure about others, but most of the i8's I've seen (including mine), don't have the Logic7 surround system option checkbox in the Settings. Music sounds noticeably different (worse?) than my other cars that have Harman Kardon with Logic7. I'm trying to see if there's any way to get Logic7 on an i8 either via coding or some sort of kit? It already has the Harman Kardon speakers...
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02-13-2017, 12:15 PM	#2
skinrock Agent Smith 270 Rep 3,344 Posts Drives: 2016 i8 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: The Matrix iTrader: (9) Garage List 2016 BMW i8 [10.00]	Interestingly, RealOEM lists a HiFi and Top HiFi amp. I thought Top HiFi used to be the name for Logic7, but maybe they changed it. This car only has one audio code: S674A (yes or no). What I heard from others (particularly UK or early model folks) was that it's just a non-HK system that kinda sucks if you don't have that code. Mine has that designation, but I know it doesn't have Logic7. Does anyone know if the 2 series has it? Because apparently we share the "Top HiFi" amp with it.
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02-13-2017, 04:50 PM	#3
SteveB_UK Private First Class 23 Rep 137 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Abingdon, Oxon, UK iTrader: (0)	I suspect the Logic 7 and equaliser options are part of the head unit. They were in the M4 loaner i had a fortnight ago - HK speakers fitted. Once I adjusted the equalisation to my taste it sounded way better than my HK i8 setup. Although I've not installed the door car HK speakers yet. However the M4 sounded better than I remember the HK equipped i8 demonstrator I had for a day. So I'm hoping the equaliser is a coding available option but I bet it's not as the head unit in the i8 doesn't support it.
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02-13-2017, 06:30 PM	#4
skinrock Agent Smith 270 Rep 3,344 Posts Drives: 2016 i8 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: The Matrix iTrader: (9) Garage List 2016 BMW i8 [10.00]	It's the amp, it would be a specifically branded "Logic 7 DSP" amp from HK.
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02-14-2017, 10:42 AM	#5
cvn-e2 Enlisted Member 63 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2016 i8, 2017 540i (G30) Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Interesting, so Logic7 requires a different physical amp that the i8 lacks? I wonder if it's possible to at least get the equalizer settings if not full Logic7. All we can change right now is Bass and Treble... Edit: did some research, and found out on the HK site itself. Apparently, i series get 300W with "Class D Tech" vs. regular Bimmers that get 600W with Logic 7. It is the physical Amp. Basically what I had suspected: electrical power savings. http://www.harmankardon.com/bmw-5-series-sedan.html http://www.harmankardon.com/bmw-i3.html (click i8 towards the middle) (Scroll towards the bottom for a view of quick specs and car speaker schematics). I wonder now if it's possible to switch out the 300W HK Amp for the 600W HK Amp (Harman Kardon® Logic 7® DSP amplifier in Class-D technology with a total output of 600 watts). I don't really care for trading sound for battery electrical range. Last edited by cvn-e2; 02-14-2017 at 10:50 AM..
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02-14-2017, 12:45 PM	#6
skinrock Agent Smith 270 Rep 3,344 Posts Drives: 2016 i8 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: The Matrix iTrader: (9) Garage List 2016 BMW i8 [10.00]	The pictures seem to indicate it's twice as long. I assume you will have fitment issues. On the same topic of extra draw from the battery, you may have to consider the wire gauge and fuses...it may not be able to handle twice the power. Given the price of the amp and the modifications required anyways, I'm not sure it's worth it in this case compared to a DSP like the MS-8.
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