Hi,

I've been following pretty closely the stereo upgrade threads here, particularly the amp upgrades done by pooky and others. I have not found a lot of information on upgrades for the cabrio, which is why I'm posting here.

I need to make a suggestion for a family member who recently bought a 2008 Cabrio S with the base sound system, no nav. I only just learned that it was the base system, and until now was going to suggest keeping everything and just adding amplification and perhaps a sub. But now that I know it's the base system, that changes things a bit.

Budget I'd say is in the $1500 range. He's hot on changing out speakers, but if the source and power are bunk, I don't think that is a good idea by itself. Plus, I know we have to concern ourselves with the fact that it's a cabrio, and space is at a premium. In a perfect world, I'd suggest that he just change out everything, but I'd like to know what others have done in this situation.

If I were to suggest a wholesale redo of the audio system, I would probably suggest one of the Alpine HU, either 9884 or one of the iDA-X units (I have an Eclipse in mine, but I don't see the need for him to spend that much). Amp would probably be one of the Alpine amps, maybe even a used PDX-series amp. Speakers really depend on what fits. I'm a music mixer by trade and have to say I like the Focals, but again, I don't see a need for him to go that spendy. Suggestions?

So, what have some of you done? The whole thing? Components? Dynamat (in a convertible)?

Also, he would need to maintain steering wheel control.

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but I do need info specific to the cabrio with a base (non-HK) system.

Thanks!

 

I upgraded my base system, but kept the head unit. I added a Blaupunkt amp and polk db speakers front and rear. I got done for about $600, quite a bit less than your budget. Two reasons to keep the head unit are that depending on the unit you choose, you may loose the steering wheel controls (or significantly reduce their performance) and second, it keeps things looking stock. I've had a couple cars broken into for the aftermarket stereo, and I decided that was not an option for this car. The system I ended up with sounds great. Loud enough to drown out all roadway noise with the top up, most of it when the top's down, and it's pretty clear up to full volume. I expected to loose a lot of base in the cabrio, but I was pleasantly surprised. Only at low volumes does the base seem low. Once I get to about 1/3 or higher it's not an issue.

 

Thanks! Precisely the kind of info I'm looking for.

So with the base system, there are no problems integrating aftermarket amps, as there are with the HK systems? That really opens things up for me if that's the case.

Oh, and just for reference, the lack of bottom at low volume probably has more to do with the Fletcher-Munson curve than with an inherent weakness in your system, I'd think. In layman's terms, the ear naturally reacts to frequencies that are more common in normal speech, so they are more sensitive to those frequencies at lower volumes than lows and highs. In case you're interested...

 

I also have a 2008 S cabrio and am upgrading the base system. The base headunit is Alpine and really OK. I was concerned with maintaining a factory look and accuracy of sound. I chose Focal polyglass component speaker for the front (6.5 and tweeters with crossover) and 6x9 polyglass coaxial for rear. They are driven with a Focal Solid 4 amplifier. Not cheap, but not too expensive for the quality (around 2K complete, with dynamat). I also have a Dice iPod unit hooked to this. HTH,

Steve

 

Thanks Steve...

I like those Focal's very much as well.

Question: you did 6x9's in the rear? Did they make a change sometime after 2006 (the year of my MCS) and put ellipticals in the rear of the cab?

 

Every picture of the rear of the cabrio that I have seen has 6x9 speakers. In fact, the factory DPSM upgrade also has 6x9’s for the rears, so I don’t really understand the reference.



This is from a coupe.
Steve

 

The cabrio is not 6 x 9. It's an odd-sized opening that, with mounting brackets, will accept either a 5.25" or a 6.5".

That's why I was curious, because according to Chuck at Crutchfield and a couple of local installers, a 6x9 will not fit in the back of a cabrio.

Also, regarding DPSM, I get conflicting reports on whether or not the DPSM will work in the cabrio. South Bay and Assael both say no. Morristown (who I just spoke to) says yes, but at a cost of about $2500 installed because they have to reshape the openings in the rear. I'd love to know if anyone has installed DPSM in a cabrio, and at what cost.

 

DPSM definitely fits in a cabrio, and there is a separate part number for the cabrio (I know, I ordered this before the Focal install). Also, the rear speakers on my 2008 S cabrio are definitely 6x9 speakers (OEM) before the Focal install. In addition to the DPSM upgrade the convertible requires these 2 parts:

Console Kit required for installation of MINI Digital POWER Sound Modul (82 83 0 393 039) for MINI Convertible.

Speaker Grille required for installation of MINI Digital POWER Sound Modul (82 83 0 393 039) for MINI Convertible.

HTH,

Steve

 

OK. Not trying to start an argument. Three different dealers and Crutchfield said the rear speaker in the 2008 Cabrio S is not a 6x9. The part number for the replacement speaker is (65 13 3 451 767). Also check this thread - post number 5. Not really sure who to believe here, but I need to make sure it's right.

Morristown Mini told me what you said about the DPSM - that it was two different part numbers on top of the kit, and that it had to be special ordered to match color. But $2500 installed. Yikes. Not that it matters as I'm not going that route myself and am not suggesting it for the relative.

 

All the MINI rear speakers use the same part number (coupe or cabrio).

The $2500 installed is actually a good price as the install takes at least 11 hours. That’s why I went with the Focals.

Steve

 

That's actually not correct.

And I just looked behind the panel at the rear speakers in my 06 MCS Cab with HK: round like a donut. That's why I asked if they made a change sometime after my model year.

 

The rear speakers in the cabrio are round. I believe the factory speakers are 6", and you're correct that either a 6.5 or 5.25 will fit. One thing to watch out for is the depth. Crutchfield mistakenly told me I needed a shallow depth speaker or it wouldn't fit into the space. This is true in that the space is shallow, but they were wrong in that the rear panel has quite a bit of room above the speaker. In fact the factory speakers are molded plastic which act as a spacer pulling the speaker out about an inch. I duplicated this with piece of 1" MDF and could have fit a much deeper woofer than what they steered me into.

I looked into the DPSM upgrade when I bought my car. It was a different upgrade than the coupe version and cost about $300 more. I recall it was around $1950 plus install vs. the $1650 for the coupe. I could not find anyone local who had this installed and wasn't going to fork out that much money without hearing it first. Do a search on the boards. It is not something I would entertain doing myself. To many horror stories.

 

Yes, you are correct. They have 4 numbers for the same part;
up to 8/2004 65136931709
up to 3/2007 65136956167
up to 12/2007 65139143272
and one with no dates and no notes 65133451767, but all for the R52. Can understand why there is uncertainty.

Steve

 

Not to keep beating a dead horse here... I think they are different part numbers because they are different parts. Here is what I know:

1) 65133451767 (your mystery number) supersedes 65139143272. That is the round speaker that fits in the rear of non-HK equipped cabrios.

2) 65139143125 is the round HK speaker for the rear of the cabrio.

3) 65139143273 supersedes 65136801096. That is HK speaker for the rear of the 1st-Gen coupe.

4) The final number I have is 65139143270. That is the non-hk rear speaker for the coupe.

I may have 3 and 4's constituent vehicles mixed up, but in any event, they are different actual parts due to one speaker being oblong and the other being round.

 

Actually these part numbers were taken from realoem R52 parts, and for standard stereo only (HK is a different section). I understand the confusion based on how the MINI parts numbers are not really clear. The only rear speaker for the R52 HK system had this number: 65139143125.
I give up as I thought this was clear to begin, but now I am no longer sure.

Steve

 

Agreed, I had to zero in on it between like 4 dealers and two car audio specialists. I was worried I was ordering the wrong thing.

Now about those Focal 6x9s in your cabrio. What's up with that?

 

They fit without problems (screw holes were different) but maybe the 2008 is different (although it should not be). The installer said they had no problems putting in the 6x9 coaxial, but it’s possible they put an adapter in to make them fit (and they do sound good).

Steve

 

I've taken the rear panels off my '06 cabrio a couple of times for non-audio mods, and the stock rear speakers are round. I didn't think of measuring them at the time. The cabrio DPSM rear speaker covers are oval but the actual grill opening is round. It would be interesting to know what is behind there.