R60 New Speakers Did the Trick
#1
New Speakers Did the Trick
Purchased my '13 CMS with the stock audio system with the plan to upgrade it myself down the road. I visited and was price quoted $1600 from a well known Car Stereo place here in Charlotte to include amp and 6 speakers.
Drat to that- so while at the Mini dealer I asked the mechanic for any recommendations.
He pointed me to Car Stereo Warehouse and their quote was closer to $800 for speakers and amp. Pretty much the same equipment.
SO I decided to replace piece by piece until I got the sound I wanted. Well they installed a set of Focal Integrations ($179- speakers and $35 labor) in the front door and folks that is all that is needed. These puppies blew away the stock speakers and just one look at the build quality of both instantly let me know they would sound so much better.
They play loud and nail the highs and vocals. Paired with the existing subs and amp this is enough for me. They did quote about under $300 for a Alpine or Rockford amp- but don't think I am going to even get it. The speakers play nice and loud but more importantly to me they are crystal clear.
Won't badmouth the big store I went to first but if you want to drop drop me a private message.
Drat to that- so while at the Mini dealer I asked the mechanic for any recommendations.
He pointed me to Car Stereo Warehouse and their quote was closer to $800 for speakers and amp. Pretty much the same equipment.
SO I decided to replace piece by piece until I got the sound I wanted. Well they installed a set of Focal Integrations ($179- speakers and $35 labor) in the front door and folks that is all that is needed. These puppies blew away the stock speakers and just one look at the build quality of both instantly let me know they would sound so much better.
They play loud and nail the highs and vocals. Paired with the existing subs and amp this is enough for me. They did quote about under $300 for a Alpine or Rockford amp- but don't think I am going to even get it. The speakers play nice and loud but more importantly to me they are crystal clear.
Won't badmouth the big store I went to first but if you want to drop drop me a private message.
#4
#7
Trending Topics
#8
The speakers in the standard system are powered by the head unit itself. There is only an amp with the H/K system.
#10
@MinneMini- Yeah I would say all the base audio equipment is not top quality. Actually with this speaker upgrade I just made I can live with the subwoofers. I am not a bass heavy listener. But I may just may drop some coin for a Alpine or Rockford amp. The system sounds pretty decent with the current head unit (amp) but upgrading might just put it over the top. So For about $500 I may have a system that competes or is even better then the HK upgrade. Not sure how much that upgrade is....
#11
I'm attempting to undertake the same front speaker upgrade. I ordered the Focal Integration IC 100, 4" speakers. Could you confirm which speakers were installed in your CMS. Also, your last comment said you spent $500 on upgrade. $179 for both? + $35. Did you add anything else? Could you please clarify. Thanks
#12
I'm attempting to undertake the same front speaker upgrade. I ordered the Focal Integration IC 100, 4" speakers. Could you confirm which speakers were installed in your CMS. Also, your last comment said you spent $500 on upgrade. $179 for both? + $35. Did you add anything else? Could you please clarify. Thanks
#14
@minneMini- you are now my official translator. Ha
@Bee1- Yup- what you are getting is exactly what I got. The Focal 100's. The price is as stated. Took about 1 solid hour to have them installed. At first they thought I would need the crossover kit, yada, yada, but all that was needed were the speakers. You will notice a crisp, cleanness about the sound that wasn't there. They play way louder without distortion or doors rattling. Dudes were also recommending some small subwoofers but I am okay with what I have. Good luck and should be an effortless deal. Are you installing yourself?
@Bee1- Yup- what you are getting is exactly what I got. The Focal 100's. The price is as stated. Took about 1 solid hour to have them installed. At first they thought I would need the crossover kit, yada, yada, but all that was needed were the speakers. You will notice a crisp, cleanness about the sound that wasn't there. They play way louder without distortion or doors rattling. Dudes were also recommending some small subwoofers but I am okay with what I have. Good luck and should be an effortless deal. Are you installing yourself?
#15
#18
@minneMini- you are now my official translator. Ha
@Bee1- Yup- what you are getting is exactly what I got. The Focal 100's. The price is as stated. Took about 1 solid hour to have them installed. At first they thought I would need the crossover kit, yada, yada, but all that was needed were the speakers. You will notice a crisp, cleanness about the sound that wasn't there. They play way louder without distortion or doors rattling. Dudes were also recommending some small subwoofers but I am okay with what I have. Good luck and should be an effortless deal. Are you installing yourself?
@Bee1- Yup- what you are getting is exactly what I got. The Focal 100's. The price is as stated. Took about 1 solid hour to have them installed. At first they thought I would need the crossover kit, yada, yada, but all that was needed were the speakers. You will notice a crisp, cleanness about the sound that wasn't there. They play way louder without distortion or doors rattling. Dudes were also recommending some small subwoofers but I am okay with what I have. Good luck and should be an effortless deal. Are you installing yourself?
#19
Yo0u could but be aware that the rears are almost non-existent. Go ahead and try it. Turn the fader to the rears only.... sad huh? This explains it https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nnel-swap.html Unless you replace the head unit this is how it will be. Replacing the rears would do nothing as the filter is in the head unit. The only way to even it out would be to change the head but from what I understand it controls other stuff beyond music etc. Good luck.
#20
Yeah at first I thought about changing the rears but then - 1. I generally don't/won't have anyone in the back seats to appreciate the sound and 2. Once I heard how nice just the fronts sounded I figured why bother. I guess since the car is so small it may be overkill with the Focals in the rear.
Now--- I am in my mid 50's and don't really get into the super booming, loud sounds but want more clean sound- so it might be what your ear wants.
Now--- I am in my mid 50's and don't really get into the super booming, loud sounds but want more clean sound- so it might be what your ear wants.
#21
Yeah at first I thought about changing the rears but then - 1. I generally don't/won't have anyone in the back seats to appreciate the sound and 2. Once I heard how nice just the fronts sounded I figured why bother. I guess since the car is so small it may be overkill with the Focals in the rear.
Now--- I am in my mid 50's and don't really get into the super booming, loud sounds but want more clean sound- so it might be what your ear wants.
Now--- I am in my mid 50's and don't really get into the super booming, loud sounds but want more clean sound- so it might be what your ear wants.
just adding the 100's is a huge plus for me since no amp is needed, dont want an expensive set up and i hear good things about the 100s.
Last edited by ayk07; 05-02-2013 at 12:43 PM.
#23
can you tell us how much installation was? i want to do the same thing.