There are other alternatives to soldering.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5lbgYsh...spx?i=669PP502

 

Robin,
Have you tried these connectors? Has anyone else? I was planning to solder, but this looks much easier. I just worry it won't be as reliable.
thanks

 

Yes, I used them. No problems after one year of use.

 

Great! Thanks Robin. I think I'll give them a try.

 

You know, I was going to mention this too, because I screwed up initially when putting new speakers in the passenger door. I had a loose connection on my right lower speaker and it killed all the sound in the entire car. I went back in, crimped better, kept the battery attached (saving lots of time by allowing aural feedback in the install process) and all was fine.

Glad it wasn't a problem in x9331 as I keep telling other's the F/R swap is easy.

You'll be doing the rears in no time!

 

Wow... I just installed a cheap 10$ USD all-in-one Made in China 6" sub w/ amp in my trunk + the front/rear swap and it sounds SO much better........

 

Cool! Any pics of the install?

 

Any pointers to the sub/amp?

 

I "borrowed" schatzy62's photo of the X9331 connector and added some labels. Please let me know if there are any mistakes.

 

Robin--

The only errors I can spot currently are errors in attribution -- the pic is courtesy of Eric, schatzy62.

--Bob

 

My cousin brought two back from his last trip to China and he gave me one for free, but it's a no-name brand sub with a built-in amp so I'm really just using it at my own risk..

But anyways, I spliced a signal from the connector in the driver's footwell and ran a line all the way into the trunk. I have the amp hooked into the cigarette lighter right now, but I plan to run a line from the batt... soon..

The current set up has not yet blown the 20A fuse so I don't think it's much of a powerful system.

 

I'm running my bass600 from the cig lighter in the boot as well. When I ran it through my current monitoring setup, I never saw peaks higher than about 12A, so the existing wiring is fine as far as I'm concerned (I'm getting rid of the cig plug adapter though and going to a powerpole connector spliced into the line -- powerpoles are used a lot in energency radio and ham radio work).

 

I just cut off a old adapter from an unused inverter.

And here's what my setup looks like.. Now I'm half trunk-less :(

 

nicely done!

 

That's almost exactly how I did my bass tube install. It works well, and can be removed very easily and quickly. I wasn't too worried about trunk space because it is so easy to remove if need be. Congrats on a very clean install! Looks good!

 

just swapped pins in my 09. AMAZING! had no idea it'd sound this good... also figured out it plays mp3s today lol. good day for my sound system!

 

Great thread, thanks for all the information!

My first sound upgrade!

I own a 08 Clubman with basic sound. I upgraded the speakers with Infinity kappa 60.7cs (front) and 692.7i (rear). Later added a Pioneer PRS-D4100F class D ICEpower amp. With the amp now it sound great, recommended. I probably won't install a sub since the bass is ok. I was on a budget so I bought '07 versions of speakers (Crutchfield) and amp(ebay).

What I like about this amplifier is that it is a class D amplifier, has speaker input so you don't have to add a separate line converter, and when speaker inputs are used you don't need to connect the remote turn on cable. Sounds very clean. It also fits perfectly in the foam where the tools are in the trunk.

I did the channel swap, but I am considering using only the front channel and loose the fader control. I don't like the bluetooth only in the back, and I can filter the low frequencies for the front speakers in the amplifier.

Thanks again!!!

 

It sounds like (no pun intended) that the front/rear channel swap is a must do if
1) you are keeping the stock speakers
2) you are changing all the speakers

But what if you are only changing out the front speakers putting in the JL audio 4" and 6.5" speakers. Would it make sense to not do the channel swap and keep all of the sound in the front?

Any thoughts?

 

No. Still do the swap. What you'd possibly lose in bass response up front will be minimal (speakers too small to put our 35-50Hz), but what you gain in the back - even with stock 6x9s - is worth getting.

 

An alternative would be to just do the fronts and then push the fader control all-the-way-forward; personal experience says that that'll last you about three weeks or so, when you finally break down and replace the rears ... and do the channel swap

 

When I see photos of the mini with all of the stuff that has to be removed in order to just swap out the rear speakers, I grow faint

I'm just not sure I'm brave enough. I'd almost worry more about trusting some random car stereo place....

Perhaps after I do the fronts it won't seem so intimidating...

 

Do the channel swap. It's quick. In the unlikely event that you don't like the mod (that took you 30 minutes or so) you can swap it back in 10 minutes (because you now have learned how the puzzle pieces fit together.)

Then take a day and do the 4 fronts very very slowly and carefully. If that turns you off, don't do the rears and enjoy the great sound. It isn't too messy and you can do 1 door at a time if you are short of hours in the day, and also want to hear just how much clearer proper speakers are vs stock. If changing the fronts inspires you, go for the rears...well worth the effort for those attuned to clarity.

Honest opinion is that doing the rears looks bad in the pictures but isn't so horrible. You will have learned a ton about MINIs by doing the fronts, and you may as well put that knowledge to work. Just don't start your sound project with a 6x9 swap. Anyone doing the 6x9s looking for further guidance, more online guides, please PM me.

You definitely do not want the kid at Best Buy doing the rear project in a MINI, as he won't be conscientious and may lose a clip or 2 along the way. "Geez...sorry about that, sir. Can I interest you in a warranty package?"

 

I hope MINI USA reads this thread and implements a software update to drive more bass to the rear, so I don't have to do the channel swap.

 

I did the JL's in front before I found this thread. It was still worth it to do the swap, it's pretty easy. Maybe you should do the swap first and see what you think.

Keith

 

Thanks Keith,
Looks like the general consensus is that the swap is worth doing regardless of other speaker changes. It is also the easiest change to make.
My car is on its way across the pond! The JL speakers are in the mail.
I can't wait!