TRX HK vs RHO HK stereos

[RHOfan]

Ok…the moment you’ve been waiting for (or not)…

Finally got to hear the HK stereo in my neighbor’s TRX.

1st…no need to use the “surround sound” function. Stereo imaging was better with it off.

2nd…treble was more pronounced and natural.

3rd…it actually had sub bass that thumped…there was solid mid-bass from the doors and a semi-solid subwoofer thump from behind the seats.

Would the TRX fare well in a competition vs the best aftermarket? No, it wouldn’t. Was it more dynamic and cleaner than RHO HK? Yes.

Of all the OEM I’ve heard, Porsche Boxster being the worst (0), Tesla Model S being best (10), TRX HK ranked a solid 7. RHO HK, with surround active, a solid 4. They are NOT the same sound system!

 

[scottn]

I agree with this. When I went from my GEN2 to TRX, I was blown away by the improved sound quality. There was a software upgrade done to the GEN3 that made sound quality very good and comparable to TRX. I've only had the RHO a few days, but the sound system does not seem as good as the GEN3 or TRX.

 

[yoda33073]

I agree with this. When I went from my GEN2 to TRX, I was blown away by the improved sound quality. There was a software upgrade done to the GEN3 that made sound quality very good and comparable to TRX. I've only had the RHO a few days, but the sound system does not seem as good as the GEN3 or TRX.

The sad thing is I think they just changed a connection harness in the RHO. Sucks.

 

[RHOfan]

The sad thing is I think they just changed a connection harness in the RHO. Sucks.

That may be the case, but I’ve read part#s are different on some of the components (I have not personally verified this).

The two systems sound nothing alike.

 

[Cautionary Tale]

Ok…the moment you’ve been waiting for (or not)…

Finally got to hear the HK stereo in my neighbor’s TRX.

1st…no need to use the “surround sound” function. Stereo imaging was better with it off.

2nd…treble was more pronounced and natural.

3rd…it actually had sub bass that thumped…there was solid mid-bass from the doors and a semi-solid subwoofer thump from behind the seats.

Would the TRX fare well in a competition vs the best aftermarket? No, it wouldn’t. Was it more dynamic and cleaner than RHO HK? Yes.

Of all the OEM I’ve heard, Porsche Cayman being the worst (0), Tesla Model S being best (10), TRX HK ranked a solid 7. RHO HK, with surround active, a solid 4. They are NOT the same sound system!

Great write up, thanks! So then, the BIG question is what aftermarket changes would you upgrade to yield the biggest benefits?

 

[RHOfan]

Great write up, thanks! So then, the BIG question is what aftermarket changes would you upgrade to yield the biggest benefits?

Under rear seat subs (nothing bigger than 10” x 2) with a good adjustable crossover, parametric EQ with adjustable sub bass volume.

 

[yoda33073]

That may be the case, but I’ve read part#s are different on some of the components (I have not personally verified this).

The two systems sound nothing alike.

It sucks because I have the Alpine in my Built to Serve edition and I love it. Hope it's at least as good as that. Bass is set on +1 only, it's so nice!!!

 

[RHOfan]

It sucks because I have the Alpine in my Built to Serve edition and I love it. Hope it's at least as good as that. Bass is set on +1 only, it's so nice!!!

I really liked the Alpine system in my 2015 R/T. Certainly better than the RHO HK.

 

[OldSchool]

Ok…the moment you’ve been waiting for (or not)…

Finally got to hear the HK stereo in my neighbor’s TRX.

1st…no need to use the “surround sound” function. Stereo imaging was better with it off.

2nd…treble was more pronounced and natural.

3rd…it actually had sub bass that thumped…there was solid mid-bass from the doors and a semi-solid subwoofer thump from behind the seats.

Would the TRX fare well in a competition vs the best aftermarket? No, it wouldn’t. Was it more dynamic and cleaner than RHO HK? Yes.

Of all the OEM I’ve heard, Porsche Cayman being the worst (0), Tesla Model S being best (10), TRX HK ranked a solid 7. RHO HK, with surround active, a solid 4. They are NOT the same sound system!

Maybe they will figure out what is jacked up and it is software related and 'fixable', or we can do a deep dive into the part numbers for the speakers, etc. to see if they actually changed to inferior pieces of equipment. Then I guess it's time for people to start writing checks if they want high quality sound.

 

[Westsoccer18]

100% agree. I just sold my 22 trx for the rho and the system sounds completely different. I can’t make it sound right.

 

[Ctech-Review]

coming from my Raptor this RHO sounds pretty good! Seems to be way louder and more range.

 

[TheBarBack]

I agree with this. When I went from my GEN2 to TRX, I was blown away by the improved sound quality. There was a software upgrade done to the GEN3 that made sound quality very good and comparable to TRX. I've only had the RHO a few days, but the sound system does not seem as good as the GEN3 or TRX.

My gen 3 did get much better after the update.... however I also think my RHO sounds better!

 

[ZL1Ragtop]

Sound system not nearly the quality of the HK in my '20 Limited.

 

[cdy2179]

I came from a 2020 Ram Limited with the HK system. Day one the RHO didn't sound as full. Also some features like the exterior ground lighting and auto bed lights didn't work. I connected to my home wifi that night and the next day the ground lights were turned on and the auto bed lights worked. I don't know if the truck got some updates or what but I also noticed the sound system sounds much much better and fuller now. I also found it sounds better with surround on vs off.

 

[RHO_Tres]

The Alpine in my 2019 Power Wagon was awesome. Just picked up the RHO yesterday from MD and drove it 4 hours home and the HK didn't sound as loud or have as much bass as the alpine system. The Alpine system did have a sub, which took up half of the back storage area though.

 

[tbolts10]

Funny, the alpine in my 2019 Rebel was better than the HK in my 22 Limited, which was better than the HK in my RHO. Cost cutting I guess!

 

[kubauer]

It sucks because I have the Alpine in my Built to Serve edition and I love it. Hope it's at least as good as that. Bass is set on +1 only, it's so nice!!!

The Alpine system in my 2019 Laramie was better than the HK in my RHO.