Has anyone installed the digital sound modul speakers from Mini? I am thinking I want to install my Alpine radio with Sirius and Ipod adapter...I want a great sound with good output and clear sound. I can use Boston Acoustics as an aftermarket install but I wonder about this factory digital sound modul install....anyone have any experience? I am ordering a 2006 Mini in the next two days do I need to figure this out!!

Thanks,

Andrew

 

The DPSM is expensive, but FANTASTIC - VERY loud and VERY clear. I have heard one in person - a fellow DCMM member has it in her car (NAM username: Irishcow). It's so good that another DCMM member (ssallykat) is having it installed in her new MINI as we speak. I would also have opted for it if I could... BUT...

...a very large BUT... the DPSM is not available if you opted for the Harmon/Kardon stereo option from the factory. So if you even want to consider it, don't get the factory H/K. When I ordered my MINI, DPSM wasn't available in the USA, with no clear sign as to whether it would ever be... so I chose the "safe" route and went with H/K. Now I LIKE the H/K - it's good... but DPSM blows it away.

Note that it is not available from the factory, it's a dealer-installed option, so as long as you don't order the H/K option, you can decide on this later.

The best part of the DPSM is that since it is an OEM install, it blends in with the MINIs interior perfectly, and nobody looking into the car would really have any clue. It's virtually theft-proof, unlike aftermarket options. And it doesn't consume ANY additional interior space!

 

Also, see this write-up on MINI2:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/interior-...st-review.html

You'll have many people tell you that you'll get better value going aftermarket.
I'll add the proviso before they jump in - aftermarket is only as good as the installer. With the DPSM it's a "kit" that's relatively easy to install.

However, the DPSM system is expensive and does take you into the realm of some good aftermarket installs, if you (and your installer) know what you're doing.

 

It is I who is having the DPSM installed in my 06 JCW as we speak...

I heard it in Irishcows MINI.. and it felt like i was in a MINI club. You hear all the highs, all the lows, and everything in between. I had to have it!!

It sounds really good driving around DC, although Im not sure if everyone else appreciated the fine sound quality.

 

Thanks for all the great information. My next question is does this speaker system work with an aftermarket setup like an Alpine CDA 9835? Are you using an OEM radio?

Thanks..

Andrew

 

The DPSM is an OEM system, designed to work with the OEM head unit. It may be possible to hook it up to an aftermarket head unit with the right adapter, but why would you? If you're going to spend the money on the DPSM, you'd be defeating part of the purpose by putting in an aftermarket head unit. If you want another head unit, buy aftermarket speakers & amp, etc.

 

Has anyone heard what the audio options are going to be for the '07 Coopers? I plan to get the Digital Sound Modul system, as i'm hearing good things, but I don't know if it's even an option.

Also, I know the H/K system has 8 speakers (or is it 10?), but how many does the Digital have, and is there any functionality differences between the two systems, aside frrom sound quality?

 

Aside from sound quality? Well there is the little difference of VOLUME, and LOTS of it!

The H/K actually has 6 speaker locations, but the rear ones are coaxials (seperate tweeter contained within mid-range cone), so they call it 8... which is reasonable IMO.

I think (not 100% sure) that the DPSM has the exact same speaker locations and numbers as the H/K, but the speakers themselves are different, as is the amplifier.

Not sure about audio options for the 2007.

 

MotoringFile has heaps on the '07 including audio options - biggest thing on the '07 of course is the integration meaning there's no head unit to change; so you'd better be certain what you specify when ordering because there'll be lots less options to change stuff.

 

Does anyone know physically WHY the DPSM can't be installed on a MINI with the HK system? I had the system installed from the factory, but I had considered installing this system, until I heard that it was IMPOSSIBLE to install if you have HK? That sounds silly. What does HK add that makes it impossible to install?

 

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I have tried to get one dealer to quote me on it... asking them to separate the job into three parts:

1. Strip H/K system completely out of car
2. Install standard factory stereo (except parts replaced by DPSM anyway)
3. Upgrade factory stereo to DPSM

I explained that I realized this would be a lot more labor than a straight DPSM upgrade, due to the removal of the H/K. I pressured one of the three DC-area dealers to quote me on it. At the time, it was the only dealer who had actually installed DPSM before (for Irishcow).

The quote they came back with?

55 labor hours!

Crazy! Insane! That's around $5,500 in labor at most dealers! I think it was over the top - I think they just wanted to give me a crazy-high number to make me go away, because I'm sure it's a PITA to do. My understanding is that the H/K uses a completely different wiring harness, so any DPSM install will probably involve replacing the entire internal wiring harness.

Since then, both of the other dealers in the DC area have also done DPSM installs, so I do plan on revisiting this one day soon, in the hopes I will get a much lower labor quote. We'll see!

 

In a non-HK car, the wiring to the speakers starts behind the stereo - the DPSM splits into that wiring to boost the power.
In an HK car, the wiring to the speakers starts at the HK amp - only front l/r speaker signal goes from behind the stereo to the HK position.

You could in theory run new wires from the DPSM to the HK position and link them across to the wires going to the speakers. This would allow you to put a DPSM system in a car originally equipped with HK.

Not sure why you'd do it though. I've only heard DPSM once and I was not amazed by it - I didn't think it offered better sound quality than HK (though it might offer more volume I suppose).
For the ?$2500?+ it would cost to put DPSM into an HK car, you'd surely get a better job going aftermarket ...


A couple of links about HK replacements:
http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...r_way_to.shtml
http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...harman_k.shtml

 

Okay on this similar thread; I have the 2005 factory installed HK system. I love it (deaf as I am from 30+ years of drumming)... can anyone tell me some good SPEAKER ONLY replacements? I have managed to toast the front HK speakers and they'll need to be replaced.
Can't listen to RUSH's song "Caravan" with blown speakers, lol!
Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

The DPSM is basically standard speakers with door mounted crossovers, so you can switch to aftermarket if desired.
The H/K however is "all special" with no crossovers, instead the separation is done at the amplifier. Much less likely to get a satisfactory sound with alternate speakers.

 

So the only direct replacement opportunity would be to go with the factory HKs from a MINI dealer? (I found some online at about 90.00 - 120.00 fronts or backs...
I don't mind at all as I think the HKs sound great.