I got it, since sound systems are really important to me. I can't comment on its quality vs. the stock, though. It came with the sunroof package on the CM, so I was getting it regardless.

 

So far I really love the Harmon Kardon stereo. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

 

me and my gf is going to buy a instock unit at the mini store. this 1 in stock doesn't have the HK sound. should be wait a month for 1 with it?

 

I've only had mine 48 hours now but, I'm not sure I'm all that impressed with the HK system. The stock system in the 07 Jeep I just sold was a touch better.

 

No one can give you a difinitive answer on this. Only opinions. Take your GF and a couple of your favorite CDs (or iPod) and ask them to let you try one with and one without. Fiddle with the settings and see which one you like. Most dealerships will accomodate you if they know you're serious about buying.

 

I had the HK in my '10 MCS and it was quite good. Now that I have just the standard stereo in my '12 MCS I really miss the HK and wish my current MINI had it. I may end up spending a few bucks trying to upgrade components but getting the HK up front would have been much better for me.

 

On my test drives I listened to the stock system and decided it was acceptable to me. I'm still satisfied with it after the first 600 miles of driving.

 

I have HK and like it. Sound is deep and clear and the quality his excellent. I had a Bose in my previous car and HK is better.

Btw, it's Harman and not Harmon

 

+1

 

I know I'm going to be the outlier here but I'm quite surprised and pleased with the base system - my former German cars (2004 Porsche and 2004 BMW(HK)) had the upgraded audio systems and my current BMW has the HK premium system. The Porsche upgraded system sucked and yes, there is a difference between the BMW HK and CM but not a huge difference in a pleasant sort of way. For the limited amount of time I spend in the car, I'm very happy with the base system.

 

I got the HK system in my countryman. It is the biggest disappointment I have. The bass is pretty one-note. If you turn the bass down enough so it isn't boomy, you lose all of your low end. I found a decent compromise was to run the bass about 1/4 the way from the lowest setting, the treble about middle or middle plus one pip to the right, and then just increase overall volume to compensate.

Also... what's the deal with modern cars with complicated sound systems NOT including time alignment?? Such a small thing that makes HUGE improvements in sound!

 

I wasn't as happy with the HK in the CM as I was with my R53. I couldn't get the base setting correct and had problems with mid-range, like the previous poster mentioned. I also wondered if my complete change from CD's to mp3's between the time frame from my '04 R53 and CM makes a difference; the quality of recordings of my music has gone down for the sake of convenience.

My indifference for the system changed yesterday as we had an unseasonably mild 80 degree day. The H/K in the CM is meant to be listen to with the windows down, the roof open, and cruising on the open road Interesting to note, relatively low wind disturbance inside the car with all four windows down, roof open at 50+ mph.

 

I'm looking at a CM right now (Oxford Green) and it has all the options I want minus the HK stereo. Anyone have a dealer install it or a good aftermarket recommendation?

I had HK in my '04 and '06 hard-tops, but I've been out of the Mini game for a few years now and am ready to hop back in.

 

took delivery of out cm last sat with the base system, imho, is actually not too bad, there were some good low end to it, i am sure the high end is not as clean. but felt not too bad. not in a hurry to upgrade it now

 

+2

 

Someone a few posts ago asked about HD radio. I live in the New York City area, and I find that it's especially useful after sundown when the AM stations start to "walk on each other" and get garbled. So long as you are listening to a reasonably strong station, it prevents that from happening. BTW, I have the HK upgrade in my '03 MCS. While it's unquestionably superior to the stock system, at least on my car it's far from the best factory audio I've heard. I also have an '05 Mercedes SLK that has the HK upgrade, and that's definitely better than the system in my MCS. But I also own an '04 Porsche Carrera with the Bose factory upgrade, and an '11 X5 with the factory upgrade, and both of those blow the Mini and Mercedes systems away.

 

I traded in my 2011 Clubman which had the HK system for a new Countryman that doesn't have it. I do miss the HK system but the stock system isn't terrible. Part of me wishes I could add or retro fit the HK into my car now. Probably not possible or worth the money to try and retrofit...

 

So I thought the stock system was bearable in my new Countryman until yesterday when my g/f came home with a new Cooper S with the HK upgrade. Now I need to do something to rectify this... my CMS will never sound the same :( Any ideas?

 

bought my CM with stock radio, was told that an HK upgrade would be forthcoming.

Has anyone heard when this HK upgrade would be available.

thanks

 

I would jump on that in a heartbeat... really not finding any good info online about upgrading the amp/speakers myself and was about to go get some quotes from car audio shops.

 

not sure who told you a retrofit kit is available, but I'd look aftermarket instead.


the HK amp is almost a grand by itself, throw on the speakers and underseat "subs" and forget about it.
http://mini.sewellparts.com/oem-cata...-R60-2011.html

 

Ouch... that's a pretty hefty price tag. Looks like aftermarket it is!

 

I'm also not quite impressed with my HK. You can install some aftermarket sound system which I think will sound better... someone posted a custom install which included an amp and a sub that fits in the boot. Check this out:


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...07214-sub.html

 

Yea, cool stuff there... but at least he had the HK speaker locations to work with for mounting. Not too worried about a sub but I'd like an amp and components up front. I'm just worried the labor to get it all installed will be outrageous.

 

labor will be the killer... but if you are in to DIY that would save you some $$$ Invest in components... sub can be entry level...