Hi all,

Just putting together parts/info for an audio upgrade next year and got to wondering...

My goal is to get more clarity out of the system. I currently have the Hifi system in my 2008 MCS. It plays loud enough for me as is, and I will be adding a sub first to fill in the lows, just want to tighten things up a bit.

Other than the Focal 3 piece set (tweet, 4", and 6.5"), I do not see many other sets that include the 4". Would upgrading the stock Hifi speaker setup with just a good quality tweet and 6.5" be sufficient? I like the idea of having the 4" in there, and don't want to have a funky soundstage.

So I was thinking my options would look like this (assuming the Focals are too pricey for what I intend to put into the system), keeping the stock amp and using its crossover:

- Get a 2 piece component set (tweet and 6.5") and keep the stock 4"
- Get a 2 piece component set (tweet and 6.5") and disconnect the stock 4"
- Get two component sets (tweet and 4", and tweet and 6.5") and combine the sets, ditching one of the tweets
- Keep crawling the web until I find a reasonably priced 3 piece setup that works with the MINI
- Suck it up nancy boy and save the money for the focals

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Maurtis

 

Maurtis,

Have you heard the Harmon Kardon System? Did you like it? I've read of guys just upgrading to the H/K drivers for the 6 front speakers and leaving the rears alone. This is one option.

Other wise you should do what I did... Suck it up nancy boy and save the money for the focals. I just installed the Focal Polyglass 165V3E systemin my Clubby...Sweet.

Best of luck with whatever you do. Dan

 

I have not heard the new H/K system, but from the quotes I see people getting for new MINI H/K speakers, the price seems on par with the focals. Of course, maybe some would pop up for cheap used, but then it still would not sound the same since I have the old Hifi amp.

While cruising through various audio upgrade threads I saw mention of the Hertz 3-way set. I had not heard of them before, but get good reviews online. The ESK 163L.4 comes with a tweet, 4", and 6.5" and I found a shop that sells them for $279. That sounds like the option I will probably go with unless someone knows a reason not to.

Of course, that price is from a shop out of town so they would have to be shipped. A shop about 3 miles from my house carries Hertz speakers, but want $379. Maybe I can talk 'em down....

 

I have heard that the HK speakers can cost a bit but I believe the amps are quite similar and can be used. This would give you the option of replacing the drivers in phases. The Focal system may work with the HIFI amp but I'm not certain of this. I have 170 wpc driving my Focals, not that I use that much power all the time. I think the HIFI and H/K amps have about 50 wpc.

I have to say that I am not familiar with Hertz. I would speak with the local dealer and try to negotiate something of value to offset the higher cost over the internet vendor. Maybe they would do the installation for you.

Dan

 

That is a good idea about haggling, I would not want them to do the install (I like doing that kind of thing myself), but maybe I could get some free Dynamat out of them

This will be an after-Christmas project, so I have plenty of time to dream/scheme...

Thanks again!

 

any development on this?
i'm in the same boat as you and am thinking i'm going to swap out all (6) front pieces. i'm on a tight little budget but via ebay i'm hoping to get it together.

looking at
[FONT=Arial]JL Audio TR400-CXi TR [/FONT] & [FONT=Arial]JL Audio TR650-CSi [/FONT]

someone else used them and was happy and since they're not new models prices should be cheap. i'm guessing most speakers will out show the mini hifi's...

 

Integral Audio is working on an upgrade for the front speakers which should be available in a few months. I believe they are having speakers built specifically to suit the hifi and non-hifi setups, as well as an option with a new amp. I figured I will wait to see what they come up with.

Or if I get antsy, maybe pick up a cheapo set of the previous generation Hertz HSKs off eBay until the IA upgrade is ready.

 

(My $.02) I would not purchase the Focal speakers to run off the OEM amp. There is just not enough power there. I did that and then ended up buying a 4ch amp that i installed under the drivers seat. Used it to drive the Focals and bridged the other channel for my sub. I was pleased by the results.
good luck!
BTW, i ended up ordering an '11 and got the H/K upgrade because I did not want to start from scratch. I will likely regret it because of my fondness for my last setup.

 

are those jl's fairly decent? looks like it will be around 130$. cheap fix!

 

I am also in the same boat - seeking crisper highs and tighter bass out of the front hifi system. In trying to wade through the speaker replacement forum (which seems to be all over the map) it seems a lot of folks went with infinity components.
The conflict I can't figure out is the ohm ratings on the hifi speakers/amp. I've read that the hifi amp is 2ohm per ch. But a post showing a hifi speaker replacement picts clearly shows the stock hifi speakers with "4ohms" stamped on them.
The infinity kappas are Rated at 4ohms while the references are rated 2ohms...
Anybody have the REAL low-down on this??

Also what's the issue with the stock 4" - I.e. If we disco it should we add a resistor to the leads or just let if hang??

 

i've actually come up with a new plan.
Kenwood KFC-P709PS 6-1/2 280W Components
Kenwood KFC-1062S 4in 3-Way
Kenwood KFC-6993PS 6x9in 5-Way
they're cheap and i think will be a pleasant upgrade.

there is a lot of info on the forum about a bunch of stuff on the forum but it takes a LOT of searching. far too much. i'm thankful for the few people's accounts of how to tear down and get the speakers swapped.

as i "understand" it. they are 2ohms but 4ohm speakers will be "just fine" with the system as it is.