Picking up my 2013 Mini Cooper S Hardtop today.

I specifically ordered my car without the HK upgrade because I understand that for $750 I can get the audio to sound better than with the HK

I have never attempted any kind of DIY and am not planning on doing anything on my own (no experience or real yearn for in depth experience in this field)

I do not want to spend the 2300 or similar to the Integral Audio option.
My budget is about 1000 give or take a few hundred.

What do you suggest I do before I go to a local car audio shop and have them steal my money?

 

 

It's not the items that make it expensive its the install and time spent doing it.

First you need an amp that accepts speaker outputs a source not just RCA's

Need it to be 4 channel

Need new speakers

New wiring to all the speakers back to the amp.

And about 4-8 hours of your time (more if you have never done anything like this)

You can probably get away with a decent setup for under $500 if your not brand shopping.

Honestly do the X9331 mod and see how you like it first takes 10 mins and makes the sound system a lot better.

 

Thanks for the response. Much of what you mentioned doesn't really register with me because I do not have any knowledge of the equipment you mention. Also I do not want to do it on my own...so maybe you are recommending I purchase the actual parts on my own and then have them installed at a local shop?

Also I do not know what the x9331 mod means even after a quick search here on NAM.

 

You can get a decent system for the money you are talking about but you are going to spend the 1K on it. What I suggest you do is shop around and find out what they can do for the money you have.

 

Get the ebay dash kit forget about the X9331 mod that is a total waste of time.
Get 6 new speakers (I recommend JBL but not the cheapest they have to
be the middle ones, I wish I had gotten those again I "saved" money on this) and a subwoofer (powered) I found the one at crutchfield sound ordinance to be great. Put in a 4 channel amp too (again, do what I say not what I did, I used alpine used, the sound ordenance from crutchfield probably works great. WIth that ebay dash kit you can put in a DVD which is NICE, or, for a less strenuous install, a normal radio.

Don't even bother chasing the speaker level outputs and tapping in here and there blah blah blah just get the kit it is all plug and play. I had links to it all but my computer died and I lost it all. All parts should be less than $700, even $600
if you catch a sale. Mine is so loud and so clear it takes your breath away
on 4/10. 650W but I don't think that is most important but is an indicator toward success. Even if you pay a person to put it in you are still way off from $1000.

 

To each his own, but you guys convinced me to with the factory installed HK sound. Sounds like way too much work and expense for me.

 

If I was buying brand new I would definitely go this route and I know what I'm doing. You lose no space in the car, sounds spectacular. I test drove a JCW with it and loved it but my gf (who's car it was going to be) didn't care for it.

 

V8Spree, our Soundstage package is available as a standalone (without the subwoofer) for $1499. If your range is $700-$1300, that's pretty close. It's a VERY capable system without the sub. Ask around here, and take a look at the reviews.

Take a look at the installation instructions for the Soundstage. If you have basic DIY skills you can do this! We cover every step in detail, and you don't need any specialized knowledge. I hear from folks all the time have never done any kind of audio installation before that not only did they breeze right through the install, but it was FUN (and it SHOULD be!!)


NO!! Don't do that!! Not unless you know it is a reputable shop!! Besides, you are not going to hit anywhere near your $1000 target if you are paying someone to do the installation for you.

This is a BRAND NEW car you are taking delivery of. No one else is going to care for/about it as much as you will.

Folks don't mention this often, but we offer the most ridiculous satisfaction guarantee I've ever seen anywhere for any product. We couldn't afford to do that if people ever returned them. But no one has ever returned a Soundstage or Subwoofer. EVER. That should tell you something.

 

BayState,

You also lose no space with our Soundstage package - and if you think the H/K sounds spectacular you'd poop your pants over the Soundstage. Yes, it is twice the price. But again, take a look at the reviews on the Review section of this site. A number of those reviews are from people who started with the h/k system. You can contact them directly, but I know that none of them would do it any differently if they had it to do over again (well, except not spend the $750 on the h/k to start with)!

It's impossible to appreciate the Soundstage if you haven't heard it and been able to compare it to the h/k or other aftermarket systems. That's getting easier since we are getting a larger and larger installed base - if you'd like to take a listen ask around here (or go through the reviews) and see if you can find someone near you. It's always fun to meet up with other MINI owners, and hey, you don't risk anything by just taking a listen!

 

He's right on that. They have that kit plug and play. I looked at it.

Installing a DVD, huge amp, and powered subwoofer was hard.
Not impossibly hard but the hardest stereo install I've done so far.

 

My stereo upgrade was done on the "skinny" (relatively speaking) and involved 4 new speakers, a new amp, a sub woofer, and dyna matting (soundproofing) the car. It easily cost more than $1K in parts alone. Two seasoned pros, with every tool and part immediately at hand, who knew every installation trick, had done lots of Minis before, and were never "stumped" by anything, needed all afternoon and well into the evening to do the work.

This is not a quick, easy, or simple job. I stood there and watched them full-time. The result was worth it: my system now sounds much better than the HK factory stereo upgrade I had. Everything also appears bone stock. Plus, the car is now much quieter.

 

The best initial upgrade for a MINI's stereo may well be dynamat and quieter tires. Road noise in a MINI is not a small reason the sound systems seem inadequate.

 

I recommend fatmat. It works great and is substantially less money. I have not installed mine yet just have not had time. (in the mini I have done my honda works great)

 

I bought my upgraded system from newministuff.com i am still looking to add a sub, but my system is super crisp and clear. I get a lot of comments on it.
I do need to add a sub, and am looking at the Infinity Basslink for 199.00 to add to the lows.
I would recommend looking into that site... just my .02

 

Mikey is top notch!

 

I am guessing that you also have a system from him... did you add a sub? and what kind did you add?
Thanks

 

Nope, but I have been dealing with Mikey and have been friends with him since 2005. He has been on the MINI scene for many years and goes out of his way to help people and make sure they like the products they buy. I have purchased a BT kit for my phone and several other items off of him as well. He is just a great guy and treats everyone the way customers should be treated.