There seem to be several discussions about audio lately. Coincidentally, this is the biggest question/issue that I have with my new (used) 2011 R60s.

The HK system sounds ok, but barley ok. It's not as good as the base audio in my old 2006 Volvo. It's not even half as good as the HK audio in our 2007 Mercedes, which has rich full sound and very strong bass that never cracks.

My R60 has almost no bass, and the overall quality of the sound degrades when I turn the bass up past the middle level.

The subs below the seats seem to be working, I put my hand on the grill, and can feel some some vibrations. But it certainly isn't solid bass or loud bass. I've tried all sorts of music from various sources (radio, sat, usb). I'm not looking for boomy bass, just decent bass at volume.

Is this the way all HK systems sound in R60s, or do I have an issue?

Would this be an improvement?

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?part=SWS-8XK

 

If its anything like the set up in the R56 then the HK speakers are 2Ohm units - there are very few aftermarket speakers rated at 2Ohms - something to check before you buy.

 

I just got my 2015 with HK and its barely better than the stock in my 128i...its honestly like there is zero base. audio is clear but not very dynamic and at full volume isnt very loud...id HATE to see what the standard audio system sounds like if this is what the $750 upgrade sounds like :/

I also think there is something wrong with mine, its THAT much of a letdown

 

My 2011 sounds fine. Is it the best audio system I've ever heard, no . . . but it is pretty good except for playing quiet passages when the run flat tires are wailing on the highway. Obvious question, did you check the settings to make sure the bass was not set at the lowest position? Could be an amp problem otherwise.

 

We bought our test CD to the dealer to decide if the HK is worth it. It was very disappointing, like the OP said, no bass and no power. Its $50 less than the HK system in my BMW and honestly, the CM's HK system sounds like it has half of the power and the clarity is also not as good as BMW's HK system. I just don't see how Mini can charge $750 for this so called upgrade.

 

So my system is working as expected. How disappointing. What I can do to make it sound better on a budget?

I think the factory subwoofers are rated at 4 Ohms, based on the picture in this thread. So still wondering if the earthquake sub drivers would be an improvement, or a waste of money.

Another online store:

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...ke_SWS-12.aspx

This retailer has a few reviews, most people recommend using an aftermarket amp:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...nd-SWS-8X.html

What do you use for input to the aftermarket amp; the amplified output from the factory amp? Do you need a line-level adapter? It's been 15 years since I've messed with car audio. Rephrased: It's been 15 years since I've had to mess with car audio just to make it serviceable.

 

Ok, I'm about to order the earthquake subs and a cheap amp:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...nd-SWS-8X.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...SL-F2.200.html

And finding a local installer (North Dallas). Thoughts?

Hardware Cost: $120 + $120 + $20 = $260
Installation: ~ $100 ?
Total: ~$350

Will this be an improvement?

 

My HK system was quite the disappointment as well. Absolutely no bass, the speakers seem to rattle at times. I can only imagine how the standard system must sound if this is an 'upgrade'.

 

The base audio system is utter *****. The R56 series have decent audio; not great but okay, you can hear the music well. The R60 has horrible audio: muddy middles, missing highs, sluggish bass. Music sounds just awful.

Ordered new speakers for my wife's R60 for Christmas. Selfish present; I can't take the sound of music in her car anymore.

However, the R60 base audio would pair well with AM talk radio. :-)

 

I guess I'm just not an audiophile but I think the base system sounds fine. I tested the HK system and didn't think it was worth $750, the bass sounded messy. When I do listen to music loud I like tight/punchy bass. But honestly I think it's fine as is for now. Maybe (big maybe) I'll add a high quality flat 10" subwoofer under the seat and an amp under the other seat, but who knows.

 

So… the HK in the R53 (up to 2006) was superb. It may not have had the most power out there, but it was easily loud enough to hurt my ears well before hitting max volume. The bass was strong and tight. It shook the rear view mirror enough to blur my view out the rear when listening to bass-heavy music. And it won some awards for quality of OEM systems.

So I guess my question is: what went wrong with the R56 Harmon Kardon system? The HiFi was well documented in its shortcomings. I've never listened to the Gen 2 HK so I don't really know if it's that much worse than the original, or if it merely isn't up to highly discerning ears.

Can someone with direct experience of the R53 HK and the R56 LCI Harmon Kardon system chime in?

 

That amp will do nothing for you. It's 200W max. 50WRMS per channel into those speakers. And at $20, I suspect you'd be lucky to get half the rated power out of it without much distortion.

You want an amp that can easily push at least the rms power capacity of the speakers so avoid distortion. There are a bunch of amps in the 50-60 dollar range on that site with much more power. I suggest you don't cut corners here if you're trying to fix a problem with the system.

I can't speak to the subs because I don't know the arrangement of the ones in there now. Just be aware if you put the wrong type in the wrong box, you'll get a bad result (floppy deep bass, no punch, etc.). The sub and box have to be designed to both work with each other and also the size and shape of the interior of the car. Pick wrong and you'll get mediocre results.

 

I had an '06 R53 with the HK and it was fantastic. Absolutely one of the best OEM sound systems I had ever heard.

I am currently mulling what to do with the 2014 CMS I just purchased. It does not have the HK and is really weak. I would love to go back to the HK sound from our R53.

 

I had the Bose system in my A6 and I think the HK system in my '12 CMS sounds great! Maybe it sounds better with '60's and '70's music than newer stuff.....

 

I'm thinking its something wrong with the systems that needs to be identified and addressed by Mini/BMW. The HK in our 2013 R61 sounds as good or maybe better than the 14 speaker premium Bose system in our Infiniti and it really sounds good.

 

I currently have a 2015 Countryman loaner without HK as our 2013 Countryman with HK is getting serviced. I often like to crank the tunes, and there's noticeably more distortion at higher sound levels with the base system, and less clarity at more moderate sound levels. To me the difference is definitely noticeable, but I'm not sure I would term it dramatic. If I had to do it all over again, I would spend the extra $ for the HK, but I can understand that others might not. Best if you can listen to the systems back to back at the dealer, but the problem is that you generally don't see many HK equipped Countrymen sitting on a dealers lot.

 

So I have a CPO 2011 CMS with the HK sound system. I don't see where I have under the seat subs. Should I?

 

I have the HK in my 12 CMS and it's certainly not amazing but I'm relatively impressed with it. It's definitely better than the base system in any MINI. I will say though, I had a 15 Cooper with HK for a loaner 2 weeks ago it I thought it had a lot clearer highs and better bass. Definitely had more thump.

 

This HK in my 2013 is actually really good. The only car I've owned that had a better sound was my BMW Z4 which had the BMW professional sytem upgrade and had 8 speakers and 2 subs... The bass was significantly more powerful and louder in that car... It was also a smaller area and the subs where right behind the seats and not stashed under them. So the sound was prolly louder as a result.

I should mention that I listen to all types of music and I listen to it LOUD. I also love bass in my music - no matter what I'm listening to. That being said, the bass was so loud in the Z4 that I would have to turn it down at times or it would drown out everything else. The bass in the HK in my CMSAll4 is not as powerful, but the clarity of the music is better as a result.

 

Had a 2007 S and 2013 JCW with HK, *NO* problems. Have a 2014 with basic head & speakers and 2015 S with basic head and HK speaker upgrade. Both are terrible. Any sign of bass is muddy and overwhelms music. I've never heard such distorted mid-bass in any car, going back at least 20 years. Bass is turned down to 2-4 bars -- no help. Actually, all the way down, doesn't help much. Playing Apple Lossless (CD quality from iPhone 6 via USB and 256bps MP3 via flash drive with identical results) in both cars -- so with and w/o HK speakers! FM is less of a problem, but still a problem. Problem is more than likely in the head, maybe with the DAC -- who knows -- but, it's unlistenable except for NPR and other talk radio. Seems to be door speakers that are the worst, but maybe they are just have the loudest muddling sound.

Do those who are unhappy, have the basic radio head with or without HK, or is it all heads, Navi, Connect? I ask because some say HK is just fine, but what head are they driving them with? I don't think the speakers are the cause of the problem. Sure, sticking a cap in line with door speakers will cut down bass more and that will decrease the distortion, but I believe that is treating the symptom, not the disease.

Visiting the Mini dealer to try in many Minis soon.

 

Any suggestions for audio upgrade? I just want a real high quality sound with excellent bass and none of that crackling noise that I currently get with my HK at certain pitches

 

I'm still stock. Would love to hear suggestions as well.

I don't really turn it up loud, but I like full range, and solid (not loud) bass.

 

Do you have a favorite album or song that really showcases how "bad" or "good" your system sounds? Some music I play sounds great in the car and other songs don't do as well. Hard to suggest changes without music type, etc.

 

We have a 2011 Countryman S with the HK system and it sounds great...and I am a picky music kind of person. I would take your car to a good sound system shop and have it looked at.