R56 speaker replacement how-to

[euells]

Originally Posted by veg1515

I think the only reason this person is considering the Infinity speakers is because if you read through this forum it appears to be the only speaker along with the Focals that will fit.
I know you are one of the main people making the Infinity recommendation so I understand why you want to attack me. I am not here to prove you wrong , I am here to open up people eyes despite if YOU feel I am turning people off with my attitude.
If there is anything I am guilty of it is being passionate about audio and Mini's.

You recommended the Infinity speakers so you are guilty of this as well.
I really don't need to know anyones financial situation to make a recomendation when they are about the same price.
Type of music ;I will give you credit ,that would sway my decision a little bit but still would never make the recomendation you did regardless of music taste.

I am sorry we don't see eye to eye on this matter and I am even more sorry you could not take this as friendy advice, and you needed to turn this into something it is not.

If you would like to discuss this further please PM me so we don't clog up this thread

Veg1515,

If you carefully read my previous posts, you can see that I did not ever recommend the Infinitys. I only described what I used, said they fit, and that I thought they sounded great, which are all facts based on empirical data. On several occasions, I am careful to offer other alternatives and never imply that what I have done is the right thing for everyone. I never attack anyone's choices, or degrade any particular manufacturer (other than the OEM equipment). I believe that if you re-read your posts you will see the difference I speak of. That's what ticked me off. I really could give a shite whether you like Infinity or not, all I care about is that whether I am happy with my setup.

Also - you are making comparisons of a $4000 setup to a $400 setup. I sure hope it sounds at least 10X better, or you have wasted your money. Once you actually have purchased a MINI and installed your system, I'd love to hear it - I'd expect it to sound awesome.

For me personally, I'd never invest $4000 in a system to listen to compressed music like MP3's and AAC's - which is what I listen to in my car. Maybe you don't listen to MP3's, maybe you plan on installing an optical drive of some type or only listen to CD's. But either way, I would not publicly question your choices - because I have no data to form an opinion on.

Originally Posted by veg1515

If you would like to discuss this further please PM me so we don't clog up this thread

I'll leave it at that, and I promise that if I have any more to say to you that it will be via a private message.

[bmwproboi05]

Yeah. People who are planning to do sound systems in your car. Just remember sound quality changes from person to person. An audiophile are not people who just like one sort of music. It's people who are enthusist to audio it self, and try to meet their likeing via buying Boston, focals, infinity, kenwood, pioneer, and etc. Just try them out before you buy, and see what you like. If you can't find it in stores; then just ask some people on this forum. m sure there are some members on here that have those brands, and willing to let you listen.


So just enjoy your sound your way :D

[fishbert]

Ok you two... I thought a page or two back you both said you were stepping off your soap boxes.

Edit: Yup, I was right.

Originally Posted by euells

Hey, to each his own. I'm not gonna get into audiophile smack talk, I'm more than happy with what I've done and I think my MINI has the best. I am merely sharing what I did (as I was ASKED to do) and my opinion of the result. My MINI sounds better than yours does right now...Get a MINI and set it up the way YOU want it.

Same here.

[fishbert]

Ok, for those (like me) who have desired pictures of the A-pillar removal and MINI's hi-fi tweeter...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fishber...7617116639868/

[toolazyforalogin]

fishbert looks good...especially the new Escort 9500...I still got the 8500 X50 until it dies..... Did you choose fuse 30 for power?

[fishbert]

Originally Posted by toolazyforalogin

fishbert looks good...especially the new Escort 9500...I still got the 8500 X50 until it dies..... Did you choose fuse 30 for power?

I haven't finished it yet... it was getting dark that day, so I am waiting until this weekend when I have some time to pull off that kick panel around the fuse box and tap onto a proper ground within reach of the ground wire I have. Besides, I can hide all the other bits behind that kick panel as well and make it a very clean install. I plan on using an add-a-circuit at whatever fuse is assigned to the park distance function (30? 32? ... something like that).

[t0ad]

Thanks to the wealth of information in this thread, I swapped out my old door speakers the other day for a set of JL TR400 and 650 CXi's, and I couldn't be happier with the improved sound quality. My mirror switch popped off, but it honestly wasn't that difficult to get back together at all after you see it in person. I think the hardest part of the entire project was prying those door panels off and popping them back on, those clips are numerous and unforgiving!

It did definitely point out just how bad the rear 6x9's are though, I've practically faded them out completely now. I think I'll just leave them alone and add an SSL Soundstorm USS8 in the near future. Adding a sufficient amount of bass to the front speakers just sounds goofy past a certain volume level, so I'll need a real sub for sure. Not looking forward to running 4 wires all the way back from the X9331 to the rear for it though!

(Just so I'm reading correctly on this, on the standard stereo, you need to run the wiring from the RF and LF speakers to the 6-pin high level input on the USS8, right?)

[joshK]

Well, I don't really have anything new to add, just another success story thanks to this thread. I'm extremely pleased with my new Infinitys and am now looking into a USS8. Thanks again NAM!

[coreygo]

I've got an 09 MCS with the HiFi system and am thinking of replacing the front set of speakers and tweeters for now. I was hoping to grab some Bostons (open to others, just know that I love my Boston VR3's) and do it myself but I'm a little confused since there seems to be mixed info here for non-HiFi and HiFi systems. Ideally I'd like to just replace the speakers and such without modding anything else.

From what I gather I should try and find 4 ohm speakers and get stuff without built in crossovers? What are the exact sizes I'm looking for for everything? Are there tweeters that fit perfectly?

[schatzy62]

Originally Posted by coreygo

I've got an 09 MCS with the HiFi system and am thinking of replacing the front set of speakers and tweeters for now. I was hoping to grab some Bostons (open to others, just know that I love my Boston VR3's) and do it myself but I'm a little confused since there seems to be mixed info here for non-HiFi and HiFi systems. Ideally I'd like to just replace the speakers and such without modding anything else.

From what I gather I should try and find 4 ohm speakers and get stuff without built in crossovers? What are the exact sizes I'm looking for for everything? Are there tweeters that fit perfectly?

The first post of this thread tells you every thing you need to know about sizes for the door speakers. The tweeters are 1" as toolazyforalogin said.

There is also a lot of other good info in this thread about makes and models.

Search is your friend.

[toolazyforalogin]

HiFi you can do 2 ohm speakers.

Both 4" and 6.5" should work on the door. The tweeters are 1" and needed a little bit of manipulation since mine were 1.5"....I cut the OEM mounting bracket and used a small wire tie as well. I think there's a pic of the back of the A-pillar (tweeter) in my gallery.

[Rambo]

Hello,

First post here:

I read up 22 pages of this thread and some say you can run Infinity 2 Ohm coaxials for both the lower door 6.5" and the upper door 4" speaker locations with no issues with non-HIFI stereo. I also read that the stock non-HIFI speakers are rated at 4 Ohms and it is not advisable to to run both pair of 2 Ohms coaxial speakers. Is it safe to run the Infinity 6022i and 3022i speakers in non-HIFI stereo?

[euells]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Hello,

First post here:

I read up 22 pages of this thread and some say you can run Infinity 2 Ohm coaxials for both the lower door 6.5" and the upper door 4" speaker locations with no issues with non-HIFI stereo. I also read that the stock non-HIFI speakers are rated at 4 Ohms and it is not advisable to to run both pair of 2 Ohms coaxial speakers. Is it safe to run the Infinity 6022i and 3022i speakers in non-HIFI stereo?

The Infinity's you list a perfectly safe to use with the non-HiFi. Here is a quote direct from the Infinity Reference website :

True Four Ohms— All Reference speakers feature two ohm voice coils. Original factory-installed speaker wiring in many cars is 18-22 gauge. This wire, and heating in the voice coil when power is applied, increase the impedance “seen” by the amplifier or head unit. The impedance of Reference Speakers has been adjusted to compensate for this increase and can be safely driven by any head unit

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by euells

The Infinity's you list a perfectly safe to use with the non-HiFi. Here is a quote direct from the Infinity Reference website :

True Four Ohms— All Reference speakers feature two ohm voice coils. Original factory-installed speaker wiring in many cars is 18-22 gauge. This wire, and heating in the voice coil when power is applied, increase the impedance “seen” by the amplifier or head unit. The impedance of Reference Speakers has been adjusted to compensate for this increase and can be safely driven by any head unit

Thanks Euells for your knowledge, I read all of your posts from this thread (22 pages) and it did answer my question. I believe future non-HIFI frugal owners will follow your lead and convert to the Infinity coaxials.

My next question is the front 2 channels delivers in full range and the rear channel is cut off at 100 HZ with less wattage, and if I replace the front door speakers (3.5" and 6.5") with aftermarket speakers and leave the rear OEM (6x9) speakers alone, then I should not bother the doing the X99931 swap? The aftermarket speakers 6.5" would benefit more than the rear stock 6X9s in reproducing the low frequencies. Is that right?

[euells]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Thanks Euells for your knowledge, I read all of your posts from this thread (22 pages) and it did answer my question. I believe future non-HIFI frugal owners will follow your lead and convert to the Infinity coaxials.

My next question is the front 2 channels delivers in full range and the rear channel is cut off at 100 HZ with less wattage, and if I replace the front door speakers (3.5" and 6.5") with aftermarket speakers and leave the rear OEM (6x9) speakers alone, then I should not bother the doing the X99931 swap? The aftermarket speakers 6.5" would benefit more than the rear stock 6X9s in reproducing the low frequencies. Is that right?

This is the exact plan I followed, but all it did was point out how bad the originals in the rears sound. I then decided to fade everything to the front. It helped, but I still wasn't happy. I predict you won't be pleased either, and within a week or two - you'll be replacing the rears.

However - to answer your question - I would definitely NOT do the swap until you have replaced the rears.

[Robin Casady]

Are you sure they weren't talking about the HIFI when they said it is OK to use 2 ohm speakers? I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read, using 2 ohm on a 4 ohm system can overheat the amp.

For 2 ohms to be OK for the standard system it would have to mean that MINI was using an amp that could handle 2 ohm speakers. It would seem odd for them to use 4 ohm speakers for the standard when they install 2 ohm speakers for the HIFI.

If I were you, I'd stick with 4 ohm speakers.

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by Robin Casady

Are you sure they weren't talking about the HIFI when they said it is OK to use 2 ohm speakers? I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read, using 2 ohm on a 4 ohm system can overheat the amp.

For 2 ohms to be OK for the standard system it would have to mean that MINI was using an amp that could handle 2 ohm speakers. It would seem odd for them to use 4 ohm speakers for the standard when they install 2 ohm speakers for the HIFI.

If I were you, I'd stick with 4 ohm speakers.

I am refering to the non-HIFI systems and Infinity 2 Ohms coaxial speakers for the front door speaker locations.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...6-post457.html

I think there was another post refering to the same set of speakers.

After researching more, I believe Infinity Reference 2 Ohms speakers makes the exceptance for the 4 Ohms head units and amps.

Referred from:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1083032...ml?tp=96&avf=N

"True Four Ohm Impedance technology: speaker's 2.7-ohm impedance combines with speaker wire resistance for true 4-ohm load"

[Rambo]

That was my orginal plan but it is my wife's car and it is less than a month old so I am sneaking around her.

[euells]

Originally Posted by Rambo

That was my orginal plan but it is my wife's car and it is less than a month old so I am sneaking around her.

Believe me - I know how you feel. I replaced the rears when mine was 3 months old. I kept coming up with valid reasons not to do so, but then a few NAM members convinced me that although it was a lot of work, you only have to do it once.

[Rambo]

I guess that would be stage 2 after I sell her on the front replacements. I been looking around and the 3.5" Infinity Kappas is only a few dollars more than the 3.5" Infinity References. Would you suggest purchasing Kappas for the front upper door locations?
Kappas:
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=15370
References:
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=21899

[toolazyforalogin]

don't buy from onlinecarstereo - they are a scam.

I love my kappas in both my upper and lower spots

I have HiFi.

[lxjose9xl]

Don't know about onlinecarstereo being a scam. I've made about 10-12 orders with them and never had a problem. Going back to 3 weeks ago and received the order with no problems.

[toolazyforalogin]

Ok if they came through for you cool

Euells and I both had issues with them.

[Rambo]

Thanks everyone for your inputs.

[mdrums]

This is a great thread...some confusing info though. I just got a 09 Cooper S with the stock stereo and will be taking it to a hi end car audio place in a week for a upgrade to the speakers. I am still trying to figure out if there is a way to have a sub with out a huge sub box in the back.

I will post info later on what I end up doing. Thanks in advance for any info and tips!
Mike