My '10 clubman I picked up Friday came with standard audio, and it really sounds awful. I'm not excited about replacing the head unit, but am looking for reasonable ideas on how to improve the audio.

In the threads, it looks like if I had the HiFi unit I could install the HK speakers for an improvement, but I'm guessing I can't with just the standard audio. The alpine also doesn't seem available in the US?

Thoughts? Am I stuck with a custom install at this point given the standard audio?

Thanks guys, sorry if it's FAQ, I can't find it.

 

Hi,
There are a bunch of threads here on audio upgrade options, so I would suggest browsing in the Nav & Audio forum where you posted. Give yourself several hours to read and digest the volumes of great advice and how-to info here.

A couple of things I've learned from reading in this forum:
1) Don't replace (or even think about replacing) the head unit. Some experts have done it, but it's a major project and not recommended ... period.
2) Do replace the speakers. They're the Achilles Heel of the car. When I looked at the stock speakers from my MINI, it sort of p155ed me off ... $15 speakers in a $28K car?!? Replacing the speakers will improve the sound noticeably.
3) You don't need to be a car audio professional, expert mechanic, or electrical engineer to replace the speakers in your MINI. Read the step-by-step, illustrated instructions in this forum, be patient, phone a friend, etc.

With all of this said, I decided to have my system professionally upgraded. Here's the link to my project: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-the-help.html

Keep reading and you'll find enough info to solve your audio problems. Good luck!

 

Thanks Sparky - good feedback. You're right in that I only went four or five pages back in the history; got lazy ;-).

So you were happy just upgrading the speakers & amp... good to know. I like the current head unit integration.

 

The thing with the head unit is that it also handle ALL of the display information on the speedometer, so it can not be easily removed from the car. It can however be moved to the secret compartment with the right adapters.

As Sparky stated read, read, and read again.

My personal opinion is to take the step by step method of upgrade. That way you are not spending a lot of extra money to do something that may not need to make a satisfactory system for you.

1. Do the Channel swap first this make a big difference even with the factory speakers.

2. then if you want better sound replace the speakers.

3. Then an amp or sub depending on where you feel the system is.

 

The factory Alpine upgrade has been tried by a few of us with good results. I will be adding an urban mini sub as well.

 

Excellent! swap done, now onto the speakers. There are a good zillion threads on which speakers to buy so that'll keep me busy ;-).

Thanks!

 

If you find any good nearly drop-ins, be sure to come back and let us know what they are.

 

I did mine earlier this year, it came out great.

I also had the standard stereo. I swapped out all 6 speakers and also did the channel swap. The new rears with the channel swap really made a big difference. I"ve got less than $500 invested and about a Saturday's worth of effort. Well worth it.

speaker upgrade post with pics