I know that many people (including myself) have posted reviews of the IA Soundstage, but I thought that I would share my feelings after having lived with it for a while.
First off, unless you have heard a MINI with this installed, its hard to describe how much better it sounds than the HK system (which I had previously). After I got used to the improvements that were immediately apparent, I began to notice the subtle things that continue to surprise me. I will be listening to a song I have heard many times and out will pop a bass line I didn't remember hearing or a cymbal that is more pronounced.
And this is just listening to FM. With CDs or good quality MP3s ( I download with Apple Lossless), the sound is just amazing.

Put the sunroof open, the windows down and turn up the volume and its still crystal clear with no listener fatigue that an underpowered amplifier would provide.

I would be interested in hearing from others that have had the system for a while now and hear what you think.

 

I'm just going to ask it.

Does it sound $2k better? That's an expensive item there. I'd love better sound in my r57, but I'm afraid that if I drop that kind of coin on it, I'll make it sound better in my head just to justify it.

 

I have always been into audio gear, all my life. I realized early on that there is always a point of diminishing returns with upgrading. I could have just put in some better speakers, or just added a subwoofer with an amp, for less, but what I was going for was not just some random improvement at certain frequencies, but for a system that was specially designed just for the MINI. I have 2 other much more expensive cars (BMW and Volvo), with their best systems in them, and this is far better in terms of high volume clarity, and bass response. Also the reason it was called "Soundstage" is because it does lay the music out across the car- it feels like it comes from different places, just like the musicians are placed differently from each other when recording.
I realize the price may seem high, but when you compare it to some of the other options on a MINI, it is actually quite a deal.
If you really love music, it does sound $2000 better.

 

That's the way I was hoping you would frame that answer. Many thanks.

I'll end up doing this some day, but have a lot of other things to take care of first.

 

Same here - I actually think it is a fabulous upgrade compared to the cost of other Mini upgrades purchased new. But just bought a house so that's taking priority for now - and I'd be tempted buy $2k in speakers for the family room first...

 

I can easily believe that the articulation of music is much better than this system. But how's the bass? The sub looks very well put together but volume wise, it's a fairly small sub. I'm not a bass-head but I do like to listen to some bass heavy music. For example, on the acoustic version of Hotel California by The Eagles, when the bass drum kicks in on a really good subwoofer system, you can not only hear the drum, you literally feel it pulsing through your body like it does at the concert hall. IOW I want some real meat on my bass.

My only other analogy would be for a home theater. I have a HSU Research TN1220 bass tube with a 500W amp. In a movie like Air Force One, when the jets fly over you, you can literally feel the jet wash with this sub.

 

A little bass goes a long way in a small car. I dobt have this system but I've heard a few of my customers at tge shop. They sound very smooth.

 

The bass is amazing. When you turn up the volume on a bass heavy song, the bass can be felt in my chest. The best part is that its not muddy or boomy. Believe me, a 10 inch sub in a car this small is more than plenty, plus you have a control to dial in more or less sub as you wish.

 

I had just finally talked myself out of saving up for this and then I came across this thread, and now its back on.

 

Do it!

 

I have had the entire IA system in my car for quite some time. I live near Kevin and had him install it. He is a really great guy. Very smart, with great customer skills.

I had a little problem with the system last fall. I got in touch with Kevin so he could take a look at it. I work near Madison Square Garden. 8th and 34th st. He lives near Wall St. He took the subway uptown. Met me and drove my car out to his R&D/install facility in Brooklyn and then met me after work to return the car to me. He fixed the little problem too. How is that for customer service.

For a custom designed, stealthy system, yeah its really $2000 better. Maybe more.

 

I got this system when they were having a sale last year. Have not had a chance to install it yet. I hope to get to it in the next couple of weeks.

 

There was a sale? I like sales!

 

I been waiting on a sale ever since that last one ended. Kevin seems to be tough to get a hold of though and honestly that is the only thing that holds me back...
The soundstage with sub comes out to like over 2300 then figure at least another 450+ for installation that puts it closer to 3000 than 2000 and I cant accept putting that much into an audio upgrade for my car
With that said, I'd be willing to make the purchase if there was a sale

 

I put mine in about 2 months ago and let me tell you, its the best 2k i've ever spent. Its just awesome!!

 

The one thing that would hold me back from this is how much would I really be able to tell the difference in a convertible?

 

Well i can't speak for the convertible, i have R56. But with the windows down on the expressway i could barely hear the radio. Now with the IA system its crystal clear. I could just imagine with your top down you probably can't hear nothing. IMO the difference would be night and day.

 

With respect to a future IA upgrade what would be a better start for a new Mini build? The stock system or the HK system?

 

Stock for sure, save the money for the upgrade. You won't reuse any of HK upgrade except for the rear speakers, which are the same speaker as the stock system, with the only difference being a external amp running them instead of the head unit. In the IA system the rear's are used for fill only and fader is set to 80% to front. The head unit's are the same.

 

I've had the soundstage + sub in my r55 for almost a year now. I have long commute (2-4hrs/day 6 days/wk) and for me it was worth the $2300.

There was a small setting issue that caused the head unit to shut off. Kevin had to diagnose and work out with me over the phone, but it's fine now.

I enjoy the bass, but I almost always have it set to 2/3rd and on songs w/ intense bass I sometimes turn it lower than that. My rearview mirror will show a distorted image with the bass spikes and if I grit my teeth, I get that buzz.

I'm chasing rattles at the moment. I siliconed the heck out of the clubman door speaker grill and when I get a chance I'm going to do the same w/ the sunroof plastic.

I'm happy. I'd be happier if it cost me $1500, but I bought a premier product for a niche crowd and $2300 is what it costs.

If anything, it makes me miss it whenever I'm in anyone else's car and their sound is crummy. haha

 

After reading this thread at work yesterday, I drove home with the windows down and the system up. Couldn't hear the wind or my motor at 110mph. Priceless!

 

I've had my IA Soundstage now for about six months. I'm very pleased with the system over the OEM HiFi system. As others have noted the speakers, cross-overs, and bass add a lot of improvement over the OEM system.

Could you have done purchased a better amp, speaker, etc for the price? Probably, but you would not have the harness connectors/adaptors and the speaker mount rings. To be able to install the complete system in one day, with the option of removing the system is a plus. You're also paying to not spend time researching speakers, amps, etc. So if you consider your time worth money then you're paying to free up time to concentrate on other things.

I consider it may well spent. I'm sure I could pull the system and re-sell it if I ever part with my MINI. I acknowledged that I was paying for more than simply sound. I was also paying for the other considerations I've noted. Would I do it again, YES!

Daniel

PS - I found Kevin easy to communicate with, he responded in a timely manner, he's knowledgeable, etc.

 

reading between the lines, it looks like the IS is set 80% Front - 20% rear. I assume this is not controllable from the head unit. Is there still L/R balance controls from the head unit?
Thanks

 

What in the world are you doing commuting home at 110mph?

 

Without getting too personal, sometimes you have big events happen in your life. It's not abnormal to be going too fast without realizing it. Needless to say, on those occasions that I realize I'm going too fast, I slow down. There's a stretch of road between two big towns that I travel where the majority of people are going too fast. While going 'with the flow of traffic' and looking at the speedometer that day, it was at 110 (which is really ~102 for us in MINIs). Don't try this at home people. Drive the speed limit.