Sound System Issue

snewbyt07 said:
Well, the dealer flashed the latest software update to my stereo, and its unchanged. Dealer told me that I was the first complaint of this issue to GM. This just ruins the car.
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I thought I saw a post about someone contacting HK directly and HK resolved the issue with a flash of their own. It might have been on the buickforums.com...
 
Go to the HK website and email customer service.

http://www.harmankardon.com/EN-US/Support/Pages/SupportEmailUsInquiry.aspx

I just sent them this message, if everyone else does, MAYBE GM will decide there is a problem 😡

Subject : Technical Support Question - 2011 Buick Regal HK Sound System
Question or Comment for Support : I have a 2011 Buick Regal with the HK sound system in it and there is a very annoying volume issue. The sound level will randomly lower and raise itself during playback from any input. The car has speed compensation as an option, but I have turned that function off and the volume still fluctuates, almost inverse of what you would think. Like slowing to a stop the levels rise. GM is clueless in regards to this. I thought I found a post somewhere that HK have the latest firmware to resolve this issue. Please help me out resolving this issue. The service guys only look to see if it works, as in does it play... Here are a couple of links to threads about the issue http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22517 http://www.buickforums.com/forums/buick-regal-general-discussion/1531-radio-problems.html http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22057&highlight=volume Thanks for any assistance with this issue!
 
richmusch said:
Email lead nowhere. They said to contact the dealer.
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This is exactly what has me so pissed off. We the customers, are out here pounding the pavement and trying to find a solution while Buick Customer Service and GM could care less. What are they doing........nothing! I cant wait to shove this car up their * ss, even if it costs me money
 
Reply from HK Customer Support???

Here was my responce from HK...
__________________________________________________________
"HCG Customer Support 3 <HCGcustomersupport3@harman.com> to "bpwilmoth@gmail.com" <bpwilmoth@gmail.com>


Hi Bryan,

Thank you for your inquiry.

You have reached the website for the aftermarket car audio division. Unfortunately I have no information regarding your original equipment audio system in your vehicle. These questions can be best answered by contacting your local vehicle dealership, as we are not able to support these products being that they are made by the OEM division.

On Your factory system:
The OEM division produces only the upgraded amplifier and speakers for your factory system. The source unit is produced by another company. To this end, your dealership will be your only avenue for obtaining information on this unit as we do not have any information on these products.

If your system requires service:
Should your factory installed audio system require service please contact your dealership. Any warranty service and/or the replacement of any factory installed components should be handled by your dealership.
Thanks & regards,
mail

Sandeep Sutar
Harman Consumer Group
Email: hcgcustomersupport3@harman.com
Web: www.harman.com
PS: If replying to this email, please include all previous correspondence. It is the only way I can keep up with your situation. Thank you."
_____________________________________________________________

So I replied to them...
______________________________________________________________






bpwilmoth@gmail.com to HCG Customer Support 3 <HCGcustomersupport3@harman.com>



From what I understand, the "Radio" in my car is the interface and all of the software is in the amplifier module in the trunk.

Here is a quote from a GM Engineer from the first forum link

"Legendaryjarl
Full Member
Automobile(s): Buick Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 20
Rep Power: 0


Re: Sound System Issue

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi guys, I'm spoke to the Harman engineers in the GM tech center last week. We root caused the problem being the software that is in the amplifier. They've ordered me a new amp and will install it next week. If the problem if fixed, I will convey the message to all of you. Thank you."

Unfortunately the dealership guys don't see the problem. They turn it on, it plays music, speakers sound good and they say "No problem found, cannot replicate", and this is Very frustrating.

Thanks for any assistance with this...
_____________________________________________________________

Shall we hold our collective breaths??? 😡



 
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Let's see what your reply is and then, depending on what they say, I will formulate a new email and try a different route.
 
snewbyt07 said:
So where's this rumored fix? Maybe GM should stick with BOSE, never had a problem with any of my BOSE equipped cars. Maybe HK has realized it might cost too much.
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I personally love the HK system in my car and would consider it tied as the best I have ever had - tied with the Dynaudio system in my B6 Passat and that was a $1,000 option! I would rate it even higher than the aftermarket systems I have had as well. I also like their home audio equipment.

As far as BOSE goes, it really depends on the application. For example, the BOSE system in my brother's C5 was horrible. Also, the BOSE in the 2010 STS I rented wasn't very good either.
 
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No highs, no lows, it must be a BOSE. The sound of the HK system is light years ahead of what BOSE produces.
 
The Bose in my wife's Acadia is actually very nice and gives very good sound.

I like the sound of the HK but the the sound variation is getting more annoying as time goes on. It not only happens with the stereo but my Bluetooth as well.
 
richmusch said:
The Bose in my wife's Acadia is actually very nice and gives very good sound.

I like the sound of the HK but the the sound variation is getting more annoying as time goes on. It not only happens with the stereo but my Bluetooth as well.
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My wife have the Acadia with the Bose system. I too have always said "No highs, no lows, gotta be Bose", but it does sound pretty good.

The HK system sounds great, especially after adding a woofer :headbang:
Since I added the sub, I've lowered the bass levels (-2 to +2) depending on the music and the volume variation "Seems" to be Less noticable, but it still does. I wonder if higher bass levels combined with volume >20 is when the variations occur the most?

I'm a bit past purple holding my breath and have not gotten another response from HK. STILL Holding :blink:
 
I have this issue as well and it is unbelievable GM does not have a fix yet. Anytime I have a CD playing and the volume goes above 20 the volume gets louder in parts of a song to the point I have to turn it down because it is blasting me out of the car. This pisses me off so much I never play cds in the car. I don't seem to notice it as much on XM because of the poor sound quality of satellite radio. I will have to say this is the first GM I have bought and the last. I have owned many different brands of cars that include Volvo, Land Rover, Honda, Toyota, Saab and Nissan and this car is the most poorly built car right behind the at the time GM owned Saab 9-5. I thought GM had brought their quality standards up but this car is a far cry even from my Toyota FJ Cruiser I traded in on the Buick.
 
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BayouBuick said:
No highs, no lows, it must be a BOSE. The sound of the HK system is light years ahead of what BOSE produces.
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But at least the Bose volume stays where you put it. Hell, I've had rental Cobalts that had perfect volume control, so why not my near luxury Buick?
 
snewbyt07 said:
But at least the Bose volume stays where you put it. Hell, I've had rental Cobalts that had perfect volume control, so why not my near luxury Buick?
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Because no one at GM with the power to do anything about it cares if the radio works right or not. :blink:
 
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Stereodude said:
Because no one at GM with the power to do anything about it cares if the radio works right or not. :blink:
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I couldnt have said it better myself!
 
Stereo is still disfunctional GM.......do you care?
 
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