I am posting this to help others with an idea of what to expect with a $2000 budget and the same goals as I had.
My stereo install is complete as follows:

Photos are here: http://homepage.mac.com/kurtheiden/p...toAlbum39.html

JL Audio 450/4 (150x2 - front, 75x2 - rear) ($600)
JL Audio 250/1 (Subwoofer amp) ($300)
JL Audio Stealthbox 10" sub ($400)
Polk db6500 Component spekaers (front) ($200)
Polk/MOMO MMC690 6x9 speakers (rear) ($120)
Factory (Boost) head unit with line in ($50)
Dynamat ($100)
Installation ($400)

Total: 700W of bliss

I'm incredibly pleased with the sound quality. I have been a Polk Audio fan since my first pair of SDA-1C speakers at home, so I know I could've gotten MB Quarts, JLs, Dynaudio, etc. but I like the way Polks sound.

I have a little more tweaking to do and hope to have an Alpine head unit with EQ controls because it's a hair on the bright side, but all frequencies are covered very well. Front and rear speakers are hi-passed cutoff at 80Hz. The Stealthbox is set for 80Hz Low pass.

KEY GOALS ACCOMPLISHED:
1.) Factory look maintained unless something better was an option
2.) Sufficient SPL to drive the freeway with windows down and sunroof open yet hear nothing but music
3.) NO BOOM! (I hate it when others at stop lights can feel every kick drum in my car)
4.) Good, solid, (as flat as possible) frequency response from 50Hz-20kHz
5.) Keep it under $2000 (I came very close, but couldn't find the db6500 speakers on eBay)

I welcome your questions and coments and I hope this helps others to reach their ultimate sound system in their MINI.

 

Bravo! Awesome sound system you got there...and it really "fits" the MINI personality perfectly. I, too, am a big fan of high quality audio, but without the "BOOM!" that can turn "great" into "ghetto" (read: obnoxious). Polk audio rocks, and yes, the speaker covers look so good with the MINI interior styling. I bet it sounds incredible. Wish I knew how to install a system like this, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Question: Those Polks you got up front, what size are they? Do they come with those grilles or did you special order them? I have the Harmon Kardon system in my MINI, would that have "enough" power to get decent sound out of the Polks, you think? Wonder what I could do with the factory HK tweeters -- does polk have a direct replacement?

Sorry about all the ??sss. Again, great system!

-MB

 

The db6500 is a 6.5" component system (separate tweeter).
The grills came with them and I had no idea that they would match so well. With a alot of light you can see differences, but from dusk onward they look identical to Anthracite on the door.

I think any change in the speakers woule be a good idea. The paper cones that come with the car are so-so. with good speakers behind you, the system will only sound better and better as you start to change out or add other things to it.

 

Kurster...

Congrats on the system, must sound awesome!

Some questions for you. The Polks, can they be used with the MINI grills? Do you have picture of the 6x9 in the rear?

I am a big fan of Polk as well, but honestly hate the grills on these speakers.

Am looking to do a similar setup with JL's all around and a Fosgate amp ...

Also, you kept the factory radio I assume ... does it have pre amp outs for the amp?

 

There are no line level outs on the OEM head unit so I have line level converters in place for the amps.

The factory front grills should fit fine. The guy cut mine off and asked if I wanted to keep them (If I had said yes he was going to go buy me new ones for having cut the old ones off).

I don't have any pics of the 6x9 speakers but there are some on the polk web site.

 

LOVE the look of the grills on your door mid-basses! [drool]

 

:smile: I know what the 6x9's look like ... just wanted to see what they look like installed in the back panel of the Mini with those grills.

Next time you take some pics ... that would be interesting to see.

 

Nice....more ideas for my evil plan.....first buy a CD player for my wifes car....then I can do anything I want!

 

 

rock and roll :smile:

 

bobbydanger ...

nice job on the install!! This is what I would want to achieve as well .. the stealth look as you say :smile:

what model # is that Alpine unit you have?

 

I dont know the model number of my alpine off hand its not anything fancy. I actualy bought the very last unit they had of a 2002 model because it had the amber lights. stupid alpine (the suplier of stock stereos for BMW with amber dash lights) decided not to use amber lighting in its after market units anymore. what a great way for them to give business to someone else.

 

I also have a custom audio uprade for about $2500 installed in my MCS.

Nakamichi CD400 head unit
MB Quart component speakers in the front
MB Quart co-axial 6x9 speakers in the rear powered by the head unit.
JL Stealthbox subwoofer 10" powered by 2 channels bridged (Xtant 4.4)
Xtant 4.4 amp four channel x 100 amps, two for the front speakers and two for the sub.
Cascade Audio VB Max sound deadening material 29 sq ft in the front doors on three different surfaces.
Monster cable mini jack aux in cable to head unit with 5 ft cable coiled on the europarcel shelf.

I had a chance to spend a few days evaluating the Harmon Kardon MINI system in an MC with many different CDs in various driving conditions. While HK is good and better than the stock audio, my custom audio sound was so much better in clarity, separation, range, and power without any DSP it was remarkable. Every style of music was better and the bass from the sub was cleaner and less boomy than the HK.

I had not appreciated/or just forgot how my system sounded until I got used to another. Now I see more clearly what the difference is when you go custom. The $2500 upgrade is alot but the improvement is sweet.

 

>>I also have a custom audio uprade for about $2500 installed in my MCS.
>>
>>Nakamichi CD400 head unit
>>MB Quart component speakers in the front
>>MB Quart co-axial 6x9 speakers in the rear powered by the head unit.
>>JL Stealthbox subwoofer 10" powered by 2 channels bridged (Xtant 4.4)
>>Xtant 4.4 amp four channel x 100 amps, two for the front speakers and two for the sub.
>>Cascade Audio VB Max sound deadening material 29 sq ft in the front doors on three different surfaces.
>>Monster cable mini jack aux in cable to head unit with 5 ft cable coiled on the europarcel shelf.


Do you have a picture of the Nakamichi in the MINI? Does the illumination match the factory orange red? :smile:

 

>>>>I also have a custom audio uprade for about $2500 installed in my MCS.
>>>>
>>>>Nakamichi CD400 head unit

>>Do you have a picture of the Nakamichi in the MINI? Does the illumination match the factory orange red? :smile:

I don't have a picture that shows only the head unit but the illumination is green or orange for the controls and separately in the same colors for the display so four different options and it does match the MINI dash very well.

The CD400 in all orange

The CD500 in all green


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Awesome! I just bought an amp and I don't even have my car until next week. I seem to be on a Mini spending spree (Bad pun but, it seems to be true).

-doh nut

 

After reading your post & seeing those grills I decided to pickup a pair of those POLK db6500. I haven't heard them so I hope they rock. Did you have any problem getting them to fit in the original holes?

-donut