Purchased my '13 CMS with the stock audio system with the plan to upgrade it myself down the road. I visited and was price quoted $1600 from a well known Car Stereo place here in Charlotte to include amp and 6 speakers.
Drat to that- so while at the Mini dealer I asked the mechanic for any recommendations.
He pointed me to Car Stereo Warehouse and their quote was closer to $800 for speakers and amp. Pretty much the same equipment.
SO I decided to replace piece by piece until I got the sound I wanted. Well they installed a set of Focal Integrations ($179- speakers and $35 labor) in the front door and folks that is all that is needed. These puppies blew away the stock speakers and just one look at the build quality of both instantly let me know they would sound so much better.
They play loud and nail the highs and vocals. Paired with the existing subs and amp this is enough for me. They did quote about under $300 for a Alpine or Rockford amp- but don't think I am going to even get it. The speakers play nice and loud but more importantly to me they are crystal clear.
Won't badmouth the big store I went to first but if you want to drop drop me a private message.

 

nice meeting you today, did not see you behind me. your CMS looks really good. I hope to take my car there this year and the price seems right.

 

Just an FYI - There are no "subs and amps" with the base system. They come as part of the upgrade to Harman/Kardon.

 

I will then need to get back with the installer. He clearly told me that there was a subwoofer under the seat that provided the bass and the speakers in the door were for the highs.
I would also guess the radio has to be powered by something- the small amp.

 

There are subs under each seat rounding out the total to six speakers. Look for a small black grill sticking it from under the seats.

 

Thank You for the confirmation- minnemini.

 

Anytime.

 

The speakers in the standard system are powered by the head unit itself. There is only an amp with the H/K system.

 

And I understand why anyone would think there are no subs because they pretty close to USELESS IMO. But without dropping a bunch of cash we are SOL

 

@MinneMini- Yeah I would say all the base audio equipment is not top quality. Actually with this speaker upgrade I just made I can live with the subwoofers. I am not a bass heavy listener. But I may just may drop some coin for a Alpine or Rockford amp. The system sounds pretty decent with the current head unit (amp) but upgrading might just put it over the top. So For about $500 I may have a system that competes or is even better then the HK upgrade. Not sure how much that upgrade is....

 

I'm attempting to undertake the same front speaker upgrade. I ordered the Focal Integration IC 100, 4" speakers. Could you confirm which speakers were installed in your CMS. Also, your last comment said you spent $500 on upgrade. $179 for both? + $35. Did you add anything else? Could you please clarify. Thanks

 

He is saying that IF he did an amp upgrade THEN he would have a setup that would rival the HK. And he would have spent about $500 on it.

 

Thanks for that clarification.

 

@minneMini- you are now my official translator. Ha

@Bee1- Yup- what you are getting is exactly what I got. The Focal 100's. The price is as stated. Took about 1 solid hour to have them installed. At first they thought I would need the crossover kit, yada, yada, but all that was needed were the speakers. You will notice a crisp, cleanness about the sound that wasn't there. They play way louder without distortion or doors rattling. Dudes were also recommending some small subwoofers but I am okay with what I have. Good luck and should be an effortless deal. Are you installing yourself?

 

No. The geek squad at Best Buy. Ordered the speakers on line and bringing them for instal. No online official site has oem speaker size. Had to find post of owner who opened panel and measured 4". Being installed next week. Will advise.

 

So you mean to say that you bought them from say, Amazon, and geek squad will install them? I was unaware that they would inst all speakers bought from somewhere else. Good idea.

 

That"s it.

 

hey i want to buy the focal 100s, wanted to ask should i buy 2 or 4 for the rear too? i don't want to get an amp. want audio on a budget since I did some other stuff on mine.

 

Yo0u could but be aware that the rears are almost non-existent. Go ahead and try it. Turn the fader to the rears only.... sad huh? This explains it https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nnel-swap.html Unless you replace the head unit this is how it will be. Replacing the rears would do nothing as the filter is in the head unit. The only way to even it out would be to change the head but from what I understand it controls other stuff beyond music etc. Good luck.

 

Yeah at first I thought about changing the rears but then - 1. I generally don't/won't have anyone in the back seats to appreciate the sound and 2. Once I heard how nice just the fronts sounded I figured why bother. I guess since the car is so small it may be overkill with the Focals in the rear.
Now--- I am in my mid 50's and don't really get into the super booming, loud sounds but want more clean sound- so it might be what your ear wants.

 

yes I am just changing the front then. looks like a good option to just get the 100's. mostly just listen to pink floyd and want clear sound.

just adding the 100's is a huge plus for me since no amp is needed, dont want an expensive set up and i hear good things about the 100s.

 

I agree the fronts are the only speakers that make sense replacing - given the current setup giving weak audio to the rear.

 

can you tell us how much installation was? i want to do the same thing.

 

Their website says it's 44.99 for a two speaker install

 

thanks.