R56 speaker replacement how-to - Page 25

JohnJohn · #**601** 08-24-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Casady

My iData 3 records have:
Front Right Woofer (6 1/2")
39 - Yellow/Purple (+)
40 - Yellow/Gray (-)

Black and white stripes seem to be positive. Gray and brown stripes seem to be negative.

Any further confirmation on + vs - color? I just replaced the front uppers and lowers on my Clubman with Boost only stereo. They sound a little better, but not much. I used (4) Infinity Kappas with boost blockers on the uppers.

I am beginning to wonder if I got the +/- correct. Replacing the rears in a few days, so lower, upper and rear + colors would be a huge help.

Thanks,

coreygo · #**602** 08-26-2009, 02:33 PM

Seems right on my system with HiFi.

But honestly, after living with the entire thing done for the week (minus the 6x9's) I'm still unimpressed. It's clearer, but it's not OMG wow clear. Combine that with the fact the car rattles constantly and it ruins it. Maybe I'm just hoping for more.

fraying · #**603** 09-01-2009, 01:16 AM

Hey. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I just wanted to thank everyone on this thread for everything they've posted. Today I upgraded the front door speakers in my non-hifi 2009 Mini Cooper S. I chose the Infinity Reference speakers based on the recommendations here, and they sound just fantastic. Now, of course, I'm eyeing the rear speakers.

Anyway. Thanks. If I could send each of you cookies in the mail, I would.

toolazyforalogin · #**604** 09-01-2009, 03:45 AM

A statement like that is just asking for a response. Don't be surprised if you get pm's with addresses.

k6rtm · #**605** 09-01-2009, 08:17 AM

remember, even though the rear speakers look like a PITA, you only have to do it once!

have fun!

JohnJohn · #**606** 09-01-2009, 08:25 AM

It's true, Browns are Negative with Boost deck too.

I had the right lower wrong. I switched the +/- and it sounds better. I think it's because that's the speaker that hits the driver the most.

I got one of the 6x9s in the back of the Clubman this weekend. Glad I got a Clubby, the third door speaker was cake...easier than the fronts. This weekend I am tackling left side. Anyone have any pictures/instructions of a Clubman left rear removal?

The one 6x9 made a huge difference. I used the Infinity Kappas there too. Great sound makes me super excited to get the right side rear in.

bssiesmth · #**607** 09-01-2009, 04:48 PM

I just replaced the fronts with Kappa 60.9cs. Tweeters on the 4" holes, woofers on the usual place, x-overs (partially disassembled and dremel'ed) on the armrests.

Count me as unimpressed. Yes, they are clearer, but they are not "bright" - but something worse. They are "shouty". Something is definitely wrong in the upper midrange that makes them hurt your ears after a couple of minuts at high levels.

Yesterday I took my RTA and did some quick measurements. The highs are good - pretty good, actually - flat and nice. So, the speakers are not "bright". They have a rising upper midrange response, peaking at around 2 KHz - the point where our hearing is most sensitive. When you raise the volume, that's the first thing that's going to bother you, and you'll hear it as "brightness". I can imagine the problem comes (surprisingly enough) from the woofer, and not the tweeter. It's only a hunch, I'll have to take some MLS measurements to confirm them.

I'll be working on an updated crossover that better takes into consideration the acoustical space of the Mini and the response of teh 60.9cs, aiming not for flatness, but for something with a slight BBC dip, so as to avoid listening fatigue as much as possible.

(I'll probably create a new thread, too!)

k6rtm · #**608** 09-01-2009, 05:25 PM

yup, that's what happens when you're "inside" the speaker enclosure! electrically flat from the front end to the speaker gets thrown all out of whack when the environment has a lot of funny lumps in it.

Contemplated a clean sweep t one point, but I'm still at the "good enough" stage.

keep us informed, and have fun!

veg1515 · #**609** 09-01-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

I'll be working on an updated crossover that better takes into consideration the acoustical space of the Mini and the response of teh 60.9cs, aiming not for flatness, but for something with a slight BBC dip, so as to avoid listening fatigue as much as possible.

Why not sell them and go diy if your into tinkering (which it sounds like you are)

I would love to see the new crossover when finished

bssiesmth · #**610** 09-01-2009, 08:46 PM

I have measured everything on the Kappas, so I'm starting a new thread.

Hint: Things aren't pretty.

rlairdjr · #**611** 09-02-2009, 06:23 PM

I just purchased a 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman from our local dealer over the weekend and can not remember having so much fun driving a car. Sure beats the Toyota Camry Hybrid which drives like a sofa.

Anyway, the only thing that I can not stand in the car is the stereo system. After much thought, I purchased the Clubman with the standard 6 speaker system. I read that most people on this site do not think that the $500 system upgrade to 10 speakers was worth the price.

I went to our local Best Buy store hoping to get some information about better sounding spearkers that could be installed in place of the Factory OEM. I did not recieve much help from the salesman who could not tell me what size speakers are in the car.

After some much appreciated advice from another N.A.M. reader, I was directed to the proper thread regarding speaker size. Does anyone know the accurate size of the 2 front speakers located on an each door panel (is the smaller upper speaker a mid-range) and the size of the rear speakers.

I would appreciate any specific recommendations as to what type of speakers readers would recommend. I am not looking to spend a huge fortune, but want to upgrade the 6 speakers to a set that will make it enjoyable to listen to music in the car.

We do not have a Crutchfield in our area, but I understand that they have a great inventory of speakers and that you can purchase an "Installcard" for $49 that will include the removal and installation of 1 set of speakers. I read that they have a network of trained installers throughout the US and this may be a good alternative to what is available at Best Buy. I assume that since there are 3 pairs of speakers, the total cost of installation would be $147. As I am mechanically challanged with regards to R/R auto speakers, I do not know if this is a fair price.

Many thanks for your help. I look foward to reading the posts!

MotorMouth · #**612** 09-02-2009, 06:40 PM

Hello rlairdjr,

While I could go back and look it up, everything posted in this thread about speakers apply to your clubman regarding sizes, ohms, and even recommendations.

The thread is quite long but it is full of very good info. I recommend you spend some time and read the whole thing before even thinking about putting down money for anything stereo related. It will answer any question you could possibly come up with.

rlairdjr · #**613** 09-02-2009, 06:47 PM

Thanks. I appreciate the advice. I have found the correct sizes for the R56.

tito h · #**614** 09-11-2009, 11:23 AM

thank you so much for the info i just install a jl 650csi in my mini front door i love i jus missing to do the swapping cables

JohnJohn · #**615** 09-11-2009, 12:07 PM

I just ordered the front A-pillar replacements so I can add the tweeter up there. i am hoping that will throw the sound better and not require me to turn up the volume so much. That might releave some of the distortion I get.

Most of CD's were ripped in 128 too. Guess I was trying to save disc space back in the days of 20mb drivers. Dang it!

JohnJohn · #**616** 09-17-2009, 08:08 PM

Question for you thread followers here. I got those tweeters...mention above. I also got a harness that acts and a go between. An chance the wire I need to run an Amp through is run through this "go between" cable. I'll post a picture of the harness a little later.

JohnJohn · #**617** 09-18-2009, 07:26 AM

Anyone have any links to the amp addition thread? I want to know if it's easier to add a amp feed to this harness. i want to do it while plugging in the harness for my new a-pillar tweeters.

Here is the harness.

cheapdanny · #**618** 09-18-2009, 10:17 PM

Hey JohnJohn.. I too ordered a set of A-pillar replacements with tweeters for my non-hifi 2009 Mini Cooper S. Do you know if this is a simple plug and play or will I need an additional harness? Thanks.

JohnJohn · #**619** 09-18-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapdanny

Hey JohnJohn.. I too ordered a set of A-pillar replacements with tweeters for my non-hifi 2009 Mini Cooper S. Do you know if this is a simple plug and play or will I need an additional harness? Thanks.

I started a new thread for the A-pillar - amp question

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ml#post2876688

mikeb8134 · #**620** 09-23-2009, 10:11 PM

What is the best way to get my speaker level inputs. Steal them right before the door/in the door, the x9331 idea, or buy a headunit plug?

MCS '09 USA boost

Robin Casady · #**621** 09-23-2009, 10:39 PM

X9331 is easier to get at.

IIRC, access to the head unit requires a major disassembly of the dash. I'm not sure, does the HU even have a place to plug into?

Flyinace2000 · #**622** 09-27-2009, 07:06 PM

@Fraying - I am thinking of doing the same. What model did you buy? Did you replace the "upper" door also?

k6rtm · #**623** 09-27-2009, 08:34 PM

I've thought of replacing the a-pillars and adding tweeters. I'd go through X9331 (my good friend) rather than rip the whole front interior of the car apart to get to the head unit connectors. As much as I've said "it's a PITA but you only do it once" for replacing the rear speakers, I'm NOT interested in the PITA of getting to the head unit connectors, even once more!

corduroy · #**624** 10-15-2009, 12:32 AM

Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who's contributed to this thread. I don't know too much about car audio nor am I extremely handy, but I was still able to replace all 6 speakers on my own and it was all thanks to this thread.

I'd like some advice on what I should do with my system as I'm just preparing for an upgrade.

Here's what's set up at the moment:

I have the standard radio and switched out all 6 speakers with mixed brands.
Door uppers: Polk db351 2 ways
Door lowers: Found some midbass speakers from a totaled 3 series. They fit perfectly.
Rears: Focal 690 CVX 2 ways

I got an amp professionally set up and it sits in the right compartment in the boot. It's a pretty remedial off-brand 4 channel amp I found off craigslist for $30. It sends out more than enough power but gets wayyyy too hot and has no high pass low pass options. It's bulky and weirdly shaped so there's no way to properly mount it in that space so I occasionally hear it clanking around when I make sharp turns :-/

Later on, I bought the tweeter upgrade from newministuff. I think they're fitted with 1" Pioneers. Pretty decent, at least to my ears. I didn't need the harness so I just cut it off.

Anyways, enough of my chatter. My MINI sounds pretty decent right now. The thing it's missing is bass. My Focals handle bass better than any of my fronts so I have the fader set almost 80% to the rear. It's bad, I know. But it's the only way to make my sound feel tonally balanced. I know there's issues with soundstage and timing. I just keep the volume up really loud most of the time so I can hardly tell the difference.

Just kidding, it's really not that funny.

My birthday recently passed and I recieved a JL 10w6v2-d4 and an Alpine PDX 1.600 to run it.

Last week, I ordered an UrbanMINI sealed sub box and a PDX 4.150 to replace the amp that I have now. I'm planning to get everything professionally installed so there shouldn't be any issues with that.

My question is: should I think about also adding some type of signal processor? Like a JL Cleansweep to compensate for the timing issues and tuning? Any suggestions?

Robin Casady · #**625** 10-15-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corduroy

My question is: should I think about also adding some type of signal processor? Like a JL Cleansweep to compensate for the timing issues and tuning? Any suggestions?

A good installer should be able to take measurements from your system and tell you how much improvement you would get from a processor. Since you have the standard audio, I suspect it would help.