Ok,

So, I just bought a used 2009 MCS, it's my new baby and, while I think my baby is pretty as all babies are, she'll be getting some plastic surgery soon

First though... the radio. I have the stock "Boost" CD system. (boost is a real ironic name given the high pass filter issue...) I'm going to do the front/rear channel swap tomorrow as a temp fix but in the long run I want to get a nice sound, not competition or anything but I'd like to rattle some windows if ya know what I mean.

I 'may' get the new pillars with the tweeter ports in em but for now I think just upgrading the existing speakers, adding an amp, and throwing a sub in the trunk will get me going. I have some issues though...

I havn't been able to find another head unit that will fit in the OEM stock spot and utilize the existing screen/controls. I'm assuming there isn't one. I really odn't want to change the dash if I can avoid it, I like the speedo and controls as they are.

So..

1. Can I run an amp off the head unit thats in there?
2. If I can, will it still be jacked up because the head unit is the 'source' of the high pass filter issue or will I be ok with that as long as I keep the front/rear channels swapped?
3. Does anyone want to have a long, indepth private conversation with me via IM, phone, text, or email that has done what I'm after?

To summarize what I want to accomplish... Stock look on the dash, heavily increased sound quality and volume capability.


Thank you in advance for your assistance no matter how great or small

 

1.yes you can still run an amp off the head unit it just takes a line output converter
2.the head unit will still have the 'cut' that you experience as it's a part of way the deck was designed but the channel swap will help as i have read (keep in mind i don't own a MINI Yet)
3. I am in Texas, Port Arthur to be exact and I would be willing to chat about systems and the such.

Volume capability? on the low end? high end? or just all around more volume and head room?

another thing for you to do is to look into the Integral Audio soundstage+sub (I doubt you will get window rattling bass but it is a step up from stock.)

PM me for my number as I am off for the next week I have all the time to chat in the world lol

 

True
Partially true.
The real story is that the High Pass Filter can be turned off in the software for the "Base" system and on the HiFi system it is already turned off.

The bigger question to the OP is does he have the "Base" or "HiFi" systems both were "stock" items.

Volume capability? on the low end? high end? or just all around more volume and head room?
Don know how you can really speak to these issues if you dont have your MINI yet. unless you install car radios and such and have done a bunch of MINI's

A very good system

 

I'll respond here. I have a thread in the audio section now, this was sort of a mispost but I'll take all the help I can get

Regarding the 'base' system and getting rid of the highpass filter through software... How? I just did the channel swap so I'm not going to mess with it right now but when I dig in and start really upgrading the sound I think I'd like to know that little trick.

My goal is overall volume increase and a better balance. Even with the channel swap the sound is a little thin and top heavy. I tweaked it around, shifted the fad, upped the bass, lowered the treble, all of the little tricks and it was either muddy or just poor quality no matter what I did. couldn't get that 'meaty' sound I'm after.

I listen to mostly Rock and heavier stuff so I need some meat on the mids and higher lows to carry the distored guitar, etc. I need the bass for the bass drum and bass guitar and clean highs for all the same reasons. It needs to be balanced not just 'thump thump'

I like the looks of the integral audio set up and the fact that it's a system in a box but I'm fine with peicing together a system, I'm just trying to get advice from people who have done just that.

The topics i need the most help with are interfacing with the factory stereo, components to replace the existing speakers (i.e. I don't want to be drilling holes or modifying things to get em to fit) and sub enclosure ideas.

I'd rather consolidate discussion in the audio forum though so if some one responds here I'll copy their response to my othe rthread and reply there. SOrry about the multiple threads, I have no idea how i missed the audio forum when I first posted.

 

He doesn't have the hifi, no tweeters in the pillars.