The stock non-Harmon speakers are pretty weak above low-medium volume. I’m not a huge sound guy. Anyone have any recommendations around $200?

apologies if posted in wrong place. Mods please move if so.

 

Bavsound and Bimmer-Tech are the two I'm aware of that offer speaker upgrade kits for MINIs, but there could be more out there.

Neither is $200, but the Bavsound Stage 1 is $400, which isn't too bad.

 

I’m not sure if there is anything available within that budget. Like someone else said Bavsound is a popular choice and I believe there are different configurations/packages available. There is also Focal, a high-end French manufacturer that blows all other options away but is also the most expensive option.

 

For 200$ you can probably only replace the 4 door speakers, which will increase the sound quality but the problem in my opinion is the system don’t get enough power from the headunit so to upgrade it properly you must get an amplifier which will cost more.

 

This is very helpful. Do you think I should just buy an amp then? The speakers sound fine it's just that they start getting washed out after medium volume.

 

You dont state your model year.
My 2017 HK is not at all squeamish at volumes that my iwatch complains!!

I dont listen to hiphop, so I really cant judge the woofers on that.
But Death Metal sounds just fine.

Bavsound is $1400 for ALL speakers on the HK

 

Bone stock non-HK on my 2017 F56S is definitely lacking in the power department. You know how in the movies you can roll with the volume at 10 and the windows down at highway speed and it’s still loud enough turned up to 10 that you might wanna turn it down?

Not with non-HK bone stock 2017 F56S nuh uh 😐 gonna have to roll those windows up to not drown the sound out a bit.

To be clear it’s not horrible, but my take is identical to the OP. This thread is useful to me too for future options 😁

 

exactly what im experiencing on my 2016 F56S non-HK. The sound isn't bad at lower volume but gets completely washed out past a certain level.

 

I own a 2015 cooper without hk and I only upgraded the front speakers for now, because it’s not that expensive and are easier to replace unlike the rear ones (3 doors). It did improve the quality and I can now increase the volume to a higher level before it gets distorted, however, it does get distorted on max volume I guess.

The main problem with this is that I still lack some bass and some frequencies because there are no tweeters. I think for some genres thats fine but I like hip hop so I am still unsatisfied.

I am using kicker 4” speakers with an adapter for bmw-like speakers.

 

Similarly, aside from lack of power -- I love the general *clarity* of the system, I don't have much routine trouble with distortion unless I turn it up to 100%, but I definitely notice the frequency thing. Midrange is particularly lacking. Parts of it literally just aren't there, which I notice when I play from the same source in a different non-MINI with an upgraded audio system.

The two things I really want from my car are more power and the missing midrange.

 

I would definitely replace the front speakers if it could alleviate some of the issue in the volume department.

 

I once checked into upgrading the base (non-HK) stereo in my 2015 F56. The common wisdom was that upgrades making a real difference were challenging to do (definitely not simply plug and play), the base unit in the dash could not be upgraded or replaced with a better unit, and that changing speakers alone would not make much difference without also materially upgrading the amplifier and other components, a $$$$ job. Opting to keep the volume down, and looking for a Mini with HK seemed the better choice then.

 

Thats a programming thing.
"People" like the Smiley face curve EQ!! Especially at high volumes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_face_curve
So manufacturers give it to them.

I know I do sound for a living.
But I dont like loud music while driving!!!!

 

I hear you (no pun intended) for sure -- if you know of a way to reprogam the EQ on the ENTRYNAV head unit clue me in

 

Base unit only has Bass/Treble. I recommend putting Treble at a -1/-2 (from center) so it's not blown out at higher volume.

 

Which is the funniest damn thing ever, because most digital formats either compress or cut those same frequencies that people (think they) want. :: smh ::

I've done sound from pretty much all angles (musician, critic, engineer, acoustics ... and on) all my life, and the suggestions here are kind of laughable.

A vehicle is one of the worst listening environments possible. To overcome this, clarity is key. That requires power. You can have top-of-line Focal speakers installed, but if there isn't enough clean power to drive them, or if their sensitivity is poorly matched to the amp's output, or if they're the incorrect Ohm-age, etc., they'll sound like crap.

BMW is notorious for underpowering its audio systems - even so-called 'premium' systems like the H/K. To compound this, most 'premium' systems are powered by fiber-optic digital amps that use a protocol called MOST that only a few independent audio outfits have been able to work within. I'll stop there on that issue - but the bottom line is that for several very 'corporate' reasons, carmakers these days do not want consumers to upgrade using the aftermarket.

What can we MINI owners do? Not much, particularly if you have the H/K. The base system is likely better than the H/K if your goal is to upgrade properly and effectively. Two cars ago, I had a BMW 2Series. The base stereo was analog from the HU (because the 'amp' was actually an op-amp chipset inside!), so a JL Audio 5-channel amp with speaker-level inputs did wonders. If MINI's base audio is similar, that's where I'd start. The H/K is almost certainly powered by a MOST unit, so upgrading is difficult (and pricey) at best - and judging by its SPL output (i.e., volume) and distortion at high SPL, it's a wheezer.

 

@RockCajn: Excellent info and I agree 100%
While the stock Mini is limited in sound even with the HK setup.....I am a sound connoisseur so I have upgraded every stock system in every Car I've owned (Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, except the 911)...most if not all German cars run the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport or fiber optic wiring). To overcome it, You have to think outside the box and if you want something really bad, there is always a WAY around things.

Options you have:

1. Adding the Audison (Bit Ten) to integrate into stock head units:
https://us.audison.eu/products/bit-ten/Bit Ten is a multi-function digital processor featuring analog input, capable of transforming ordinary OEM or after-market system into a high-performance system.

Provided with a 32 bit, 147 MHz clock speed DSP as well as 24 bit A/D and D/A converters, bit Ten is controlled by a software especially developed for signal treatment according to the vehicle acoustic peculiarities. Setting the parameters of each input single channel, setting the delays according to the listening position, adjusting crossovers and equalizers for each of the 5 output channels; all of these operations can be managed by the PC.
USS – Universal Speakers Simulator
With the USS technology, the bit Ten can also be connected to headunits featuring the “speaker load detection” circuit that would otherwise mute the audio signal output. During the installation phase, after converting the analog signal into digital, bit Ten automatically reconstructs a digital full-bandwidth stereo signal; de-equalizes the frequency response and, if necessary, reconstructs the central and subwoofer channels.The user can configure the output mode of each channel relative to the installed system.

2. To keep the stock head unit but want better speakers, you would need some type of Pre out adapters (JL Audio - LC1-2, etc..) or add their DSP Amp with built-in pre out levels to run from the stock speaker wires bc of the MOST wiring. Adding separates (2-3 way)speakers to break out the different sounds from High, Mids, and Lows will give you the best sounds. Add (1) 4-5-6 channel Amps (depending on how many speakers you're adding) for midrange & highs, add a Mono Amp for a 8-10" shallow mount Subwoofer speaker (I recommend JL Audio Subs) to the cargo area under the would-be spare tire area to save storage room.

3. The other option would be to change out the Head Unit with an updated one with wireless Carplay, Android, Nav, Screen mirroring, etc....., this will give you Pre outs for external Amps (cleaner sound & audio adjustments), run all-new speaker wiring bypassing the MOST setup.

IMHO & 2 Cents if you want a nice-sounding system......I have used Bavsound replacement speakers in my Bimmers in the past and think it's just OK but not enough to justify the price/$ or sound.

I know some will say that's a bit overboard but it's from my past experience with upgrading a stock system! Worked for ME!

Sorry, I just re-read your $200 option....My recommendations are Far north of that price! LOL

Keep us updated with your decision.....

 

I believe amp. power is the first place to start. & go from there. my non-HK F-56 w/Sirius seems o.k. but weak the amount of time I spend in car. the one thing I notice is the quality of broadcast (old stuff vs. new stuff) I'm a Bluesman & listen to alot of old music.

 

@Tngo23 outlined some of the options for 'improving' MOST-based audio. (And BTW: MOST is used far beyond just German cars.) The tech and protocol was actually developed and funded jointly by several auto and A/V manufacturers to standardize and scale mobile multimedia 'infotainment' systems. The primarily focus during this development wasn't audio, either - it was video and connectivity - so it's not optimized as an audio platform, either.

I now don't worry about upgrading my vehicle's audio much. My money's much better spent on my home systems (I have three: main, bedroom, computer), my headphone collection, and high-quality DMPs, DACs and such. As I stated before, a vehicle is a far-from-ideal listening space, and pouring thousands into (only partially) overcoming that doesn't make much practical sense, IMHO.

 

It looks like the non HK can at least be somewhat tuned out of being blown out at higher volumes by turning treble down

 

Well, you need to remove frequencies from the extreme ends to shrink the file!!!

I agree, ex musician, recording engineer, last 30 years, film and TV mixer.
I won't spend a dime on car audio. All the money spent is a joke.

I spent enough getting the acoustics right in bedroom #4 so I can mix at home the last 3 years!!

Im a JBL 708P user myself.