It seems enough people have been enjoying their r56 and more to come. What is the verdict on the stock radio so far and if anyone has added the 10 speaker package, how does it sound or compare. Is it 2 thumbs up or down

 

I have the HIFI upgrade. Don't have a clue as to how it compares to the standard. Compared to the NHT speakers I use in the house, the MINI's HIFI isn't so hot. With some pieces it isn't bad, with others it sounds a bit tinny. The soundtrack to Princess Mononoke sounded fairly good. Vocals by Kanako Wada were not great.

 

Classical and "flat" music sounds good. I tried listening to techno/dance the other day and it sounded crappy.

 

The stock stereo is bad.

The Hi-Fi upgrade is worth the $500 price tag (more speakers loacation and an amp)... but true auidophiles seem to be wanting a little more. Most have found that the swapping of a couple speakers and possibly the addition of a sub have done the trick.

I don't have too many complaints about the Hi-Fi. Being a car stereo, it's pretty darn good for the price. I do notice differences in different CD's, though. It seem that one set of levels (bass, treble) sounds great with one type of music... switch CD's and it needs to be adjusted again for the different music. I always get it sounding pretty good again, but it's strange to have to talor the sytem to each disc.

 

I agree with msh441. The cd player will always sound different than the fm or aux input. They are different sources playing at different outputs. I think it sounds great.

 

I think the stock speakers sound terrible. Im planning on replacing all the stock speakers with JL Audio speakers of the same size then adding an 8" sub in the boot with an amp.

 

There are a couple of features that I'd like to see in the HiFi:

1. An equalizer with pre-set settings, like on an iPod, so you could switch between different sound settings. Not an actual 5-band equalizer, just the list of different sound settings. I found with my iPod in the car, that switching between different equalizer settings can improve different sound types a lot, more than I'd have thought.

2. A volume level light in the radio that, a horizontal bar, that increases as you turn the volume up. A nice visual feature. It should disappear a couple seconds after changing the volume.

The HiFi is OK, better with some types of music than others. I'm just underwhelmed what the extra $500 gets you. I think the profit/value equation is tilted a little too strongly on the side of profit for Mini rather than value for the buyer. If I had to do it again I'd still buy it, and still wish for better.

 

I have the NON-HIFI. All I can say is that it sucks! BIG TIME! Sound system of compact japanese cars sound better than the MINI's. I'd love to replace all my stock speakers add a JL 8W7 sub plus ampli. However, I don't think I could trust any audio installer here in the Philippines that could so the MINI.

 

I have the standard radio with iPod adaptor. I am not by any means a audiophile, but I have to admit the standard sound system just about as good as the one a 99 Toyota Corolla (my last car). I almost wished I had the upgrade but for 550 it seem a little pricy.

 

I had build week and delivery issues that made me consider a car off the lot. Only one was close to the spec I wanted, but it had the base radio. It was a deal killer, and I waited for my car with the HiFi. It really is horrible.

The HiFi is very good at moderate levels. It has no headroom though. It is worth the $550 upcharge, but if you intend to replace the speakers or add an amp anyway... it only makes sense to get the base system.

www.newministuff.com has all the stuff you need.

 

Ok, well after reading everyone else's comments about the stock radio it makes me think that I'm tone deaf. I don't mind the stock one at all. I guess you could say that if you're not extremely worried about having an awesome system the stock one is just fine. The fact that they have the AUX output standard is nice as well...just my opinion.

 

if your an audiophile, i guess it sucks from what ive heard in their comments, to the std. human, who listens to the radio 75% of the rides, and uses the aux import with his ipod, its good.

 

The HIFI is so inconsistent. I listened to Guns & Roses Appetite and it was great. Other rock CDs have sounded from excellent to bad.

 

I didn't even bother listening to the stereo at all before we ordered. I just generally assume most car stereos suck unless you're getting into top end cars. We got the stock system, if the wife doesn't like it, I'll replace the speakers and get an amp.

 

how does this stereo compare to the previous generation mini one?

 

I have to agree the stock system really sucks..but instead of the hifi upgrade, I'm happy to buy my own aftermarket speakers.

 

I have the stock system and it it very tinny at low volumes. Cranked up it is better, but not great. The standard radio in my Ford Fusion company car blows it away not to mention the base system in our X3. Also, when using the aux input jack with my iPOD, the iPOD must be turned up almost full volume, though it doesn't seem to distort.

 

I'm sort of an classical/Jazz audiophile. I have thousands of dollars of audio equipment in my home. When I want to do serious listening I do it at the house.

I bought my R56 MCS with the intent of enjoying the excitement of the ride. As part of that, I like the sound of the engine and exhaust. Had I wanted a car that emphasized great sounding audio I'd have started with a more fitting platform, a Lexus or something of that ilk.

I've had a lot of pretty fine cars over the years. Some have had audio that sound better than this one but those cars had a quieter interior, an interior that was better fit for listening to music. If later I decide I want better audio in my car I'll have it done to my own spec. Right now, I think the radio sounds pretty good .. for a car.

 

The upgraded HIFI beats the prior MINI stock audio. But, IMO, the prior upgrade is better at power handling than the 2007 HIFI. But, when the 2007 HIFI is sounding good (see my prior post), it is very good.

 

Just remember, there is no DIN set-up in the R56.

 

I hear what you are saying, Ken, but your argument is kind of loike saying you can't expect a comfortable bed in a house you bought because it is on the lake. The stereo in the 1989 Dodge Caravan I used to have was better than the HIFI upgrade in my MINI (except those times I hit bumps and it turned off).

 

More info here.

 

I have the stock radio and it is fine for our purposes. I'm not expecting studio quality sound in my vehicle. It works fine for listening to audio books through my iPod or listening to the radio.

 

I have an 03 with the stock radio and think it's OK for a stock radio. The Harmon Kardon stunk IMO for the money and being a higher-end stereo. Hopefully the new upgraded stereo is better.

 

Check out threads for the audio channel swap. You won't regret it. It won't help to just replace the stock speakers, gotta do the channel swap if you want good sound. Without it, all the power goes to the front door speakers instead of the larger rear speakers. The swap makes the fade and balance work backwards but that's a small price to pay for much better sound quality.