regarding 1997 xk8 sound systems I see
Alpine
Harmon Kardon
base
premium
etc

Can someone please explain all of this? What was base? What was premium? How does Alpine and Harmon Kardon fit in?

Thanks

 

Premium has "super tweeters" in the triangle shaped area called a sail, front lower window corner. I forget if non premium has amp in trunk, but premium does.

from what I recall jaguar started the line selling Harmon Kardin head units then moved to alpine.

I forget the differences to look for but if you ever find the video of the jaguar introduction video given to new car buyers in 1996 and 1997 It shows the Harmon Kardin unit.

John

Zoom in on alpine unit

 

As above.

If you look at the photograoph, the head unit has the display in the centre. That's an Alpine head unit. The Harmon Karden head unit has the LCD display over to the right, and has a sort-of "joystick" button to change tracks or radio stations.like this :




If you have the little "tweeters" on the doors, you have the "Premium" system,.

There are significant differences between Alpine and Harmon Karden installations so none of the bits are interchangeable.

 

Ok one thing solved thank you
I have the Harmon Kardon
next question
what speakers came with the "base" system?
(why do I ask? I think first owner did some after market stuff)

 

sThey will be branded "Jaguar" but probably made by somebody else. The "standard" (i.e. Poverty) spec is 4 speakers - 2 in each door, and 2 in each quarter panel.
The good new is that the quarter panel speakers have "proper" enclosures - not just a flimsy panel with the drive unit screwed on the back.

 

Ok, thanks; I conclude
1st owner bought Harmon Kardon base system with CD changer (trunk)
then did after market shuffle adding two dash tweeters
why did he/she not buy premium system? will never know
thanks a bunch for the info; am grateful

 

I don't know, but I think it more than likely that the wiring looms which would work with both "poverty" and "luxury" spec are in your car. The head unit and CD changer are the same for both.
There are many ways to "upgrade" to a Bluetooth / aux-in / different head-unit set-up, but it would be fairly straightforward to just go from "standard" to "premium" at little cost.