Should I have get the audio upgrade?
Is it worth $500+ for HK speaker? I listened to it when I had my
test drive, not impressive at all, since the engine noise from
a MCS is loud. Is it better to get a after market speaker?

 

Five months now driving a 2006 MC Convertible. Got the H/K, after having a similar debate. I'm very pleased with this stereo. Can turn the sound up and feel like it can always handle more than I ask of it. Top down/windows down its nice to have all those extra watts and more durable speakers. Good luck.

 

those HK's are pretty cool. i'd get it.

 

get the H/K... they are great!
(sounds as good as my last custom stereo!)

 

no negative comment about the upgrade audio??
give me a reason not to have it, please!!!

 

if you like ugly aftermarket head units then don't get the h/k. how's that for negative?

 

Lots of posts on this topic already in other threads.

Here's what I did:

I created a CD with a bunch of music that I normally listen to. I then sat in an HK equipped car and a standard-system equipped car. The difference was night and day. However, my music preferences are Jazz, Blues and Classical. YMMV.

As far as aftermarket goes, you most definitely can get a better aftermarket system than the HK. But IMHO, not for $500.

Remember that BMW/MINI use special signalling between the HU and the AMP. This info is based on some research I did in 2003 regarding the MINI and the 328i. I believe the technique is called "differential balanced signaling" or something like that. So, if you keep the HU and want to replace the amp, you must find an amp that supports this signaling or find a conversion box (VEN4?) to handle things. Of course, you can replace the HU, amp, and speakers...but then your a bit over the $500 mark.

Theo

 

Hmmm... I've always been skeptical of fancier system in a car. Because of the background noise, engine wind etc, I've never seen the point. Spend the 500 towards an awesome home system! Plus, the standard speakers etc in the Mini are damn good!

 

Yeah but how about when you are doing 50 mph and the engine is roaring??? How does THAT affect the sound quality!

 

You could be happy with the barely adequate stock system and spend the $500 on something else.

An aftermarket stereo can annoy the heck out of everyone for at least a city block......neither MINI system can do that.

 

Barely adequate??? I disagree!

 

I also think because of the loud engine noise of cooper,
the difference between upgrade and standard is going to be
small.

 

The HK is an upgrade that is not very upgradeable. I would stick with the stock system. You could then take that $500 and put it towards a better than HK sounding system if you are not pleased. For example, Alpine head unit ($300), Rockford fosgate sub-amp ($250), JL Audio 10" speaker in box ($250). Thats only $800 (before install) and it would sound as good (if not better) but bump WAY harder. Thats just me though.

 

You obviously have a lot of choices here and I think everyone has offered up some good advice. I'll offer my two cents (maybe worth a bit less)...

This really depends on how much of an audiophile you consider yourself to be. I take it you're getting a convertible, which I think changes the equation a bit.

I have had several verts, though non-Mini, and would suggest that if you really want to have semi-decent, or even audible, sound with the top down at speed, that you ultimately will need an aftermarket system with an amplifier. I did that in my BMW and until I put in the sub and the amp I really could get no decent sound with the top down at speed.

My understanding is that the HK upgrade makes it much more difficult to put in an aftermarket head unit, which would mean that not only are you dropping the $500 on the upgrade but that you're paying later to take it out if you decide to go with an aftermarket unit.Someone I am sure will confirm this or correct me.

Someone's comment upon ugly aftermarkekt head units is pretty accurate. I had an Alpine 7998 head unit that matched very nicely with the interior lighting and trim, but the installers broke it during the install so the shop threw a new Eclipse 8445 head unit at me to replace it - which I accepted because it was a $550-$600 value -- but I'm not pleased with the look of it even though I can reproduce the amber lighting pretty well.

As to sound, however, there really is no comparison to the ability to create a sound environment that will knock your socks off. I'm running a 300 W amp, Infinity speakers upfront, a huge sub in the trunk and the sound that can be reproduced in such a small car is truly spectacular.

Sometimes it's hard to choose between the symphony that the car makes naturally and the sound of the stereo system.

Good luck with your decision.

 

I have been very happy with the HK system. Plenty of power for my needs, particularly after I found the settings I liked (I keep it on 'Instrumental' all the time, with the bass turned down one or two notches). I can get pleasing volume at highway speeds with the windows down and the sunroof open. I listen to a wide varitey of music, just about anything but rap, metal or country, and I've been happy with the results.

I also got the factory Sirrius option, which has also worked out well - I am happy with the factory look, integration with the MFSW and sound quality of the Sirrius upgrade.

Tom

 

if u want to thump and blow windows out, dont spend the $500 but if u just want a good sound where you can turn it up and still enjoy it without it sounding like crap, get the HK.

Member how much most places will charge u to just install a system into ur car. Now, alot of people dont even know their way around a Mini Cooper so even worse =O

 

OK, maybe I overstated it a bit, but my standard for comparison is a stock Delco stereo in my daily driver, a 98 Chevy Lumina. It has a much fuller and more realistic sound than the MINI unit, at least to my ears.

My MINI stereo does sound quite a bit better since I fiddled with the bass and treble controls.

I plan to upgrade to an aftermarket exhaust for music to my ears.

 

My car came with the HK, and I think it sounds very good. I'm really not that picky and probably wouldn't have ordered it, though.

 

In my opinion, the problem with the HK is lack of volume. Especially with the ipod adapter. I have said that many times in different threads. With the engine noise and if you ever drive with windows or roof open, then volume is important (to me). There are many that say I am nuts but there are many that agree with me.

So here is the biggest problem with the HK - as others have already said - it is nearly impossible to upgrade any component of the HK (amp, seakers, HU). So if you spend the $500 for the HK and then are not happy - you are pretty much stuck with it, unless you are willing to trash the whole thing or become an audio engineer.

Also, I would say that aftermarket systems are way better with ipod adaption.

It comes down to what kind of listener you are. It seems most people are happy with the HK. But if you are someone who is a bit pickier or enjoys substantial volume, then the HK won't make you happy.

 

This very detailed review of the HK system was a big help when I was making this decision. I ended up opting for the HK in my MCSC because it sounds great and it's loud enough that I have no need for a block-blaster aftermarket system.

http://www.in2guitar.com/minihkreview.html

 

I second the recommendation on the link above. We ended up getting the HK and we're happy with it (though still annoyed that the speed-sensitive volume does not work in our coupe -- NOT as advertised!--it would come in handy).

That said, if you're spending only $500 extra and have to choose between the LSD and the HK, I'd choose the LSD first.

 

I wasn't impressed either........when I first heard it. My car came with it. When I got it home, I did some tweaking. Now I think it's the best factory installed sound system I ever heard. I haven't heard them all.....but this one is pretty dang good.

 

If you're a true audiophile you probably won't be happy with it. On the other hand, the true audiophile probably won't be happy with anything on four wheels.

I think the HK system sounds pretty darn good and is worth the $500.

The same money won't get you very far down at the custom stereo shop.

 

Thanks everyone's comment!!
I think I will give a call to my dealer and add it in.
How about aux. input?
What is the usefulness of it?

 

plenty of threads about the aux-input. do a search.