I had 2 audio stores tell me today that you don't need an HKenabler if you have a wiring harness, they said that there is a "wiring trick" you can use.

Of course they wouldn't tell me, but they will do it for me for a price. Does anyone know if this is true?

I have the HK system and want to replace the OEM head unit with my JVC EXAD KD-AVX2

Any feed back before tomorrow (6/22/07) would be appreciated, as I may be able to do this "trick" myself and save a couple bucks !!!!

Thanks !!!

 

The only way I see this working is that the wiring trick somehow forces the HK amp to run at full volume. Then the output level of the aftermarket head unit can determine overall volume. I don't know whether this is actually possible.

The HK Enabler sets the HK amp's volume level through digital signals. See Ian Cull's description of the HK Enabler in this and other entries in his blog: http://www.gbmini.net/wp/2004/06/min...roductionized/

 

Well I'm sitting outside the radio store now, so ill let you know what happens. Thanks for your input, this guy did mention something about a signal line to the amp so I'm hoping this gets up and running.

Sorry if I have bad spelling, typing on the blackberry is tough sometimes!

I just wanna play with my new radio!!!!

 

I'm curious on this as you might be able to get it running but how do you control it and at what level is it running? I mean, they are probably going to have to set it how they want it (the amp) with the stock unit. Then cut the wires and install the new HU. If they screw it up, they would have to reinstall the old HU just to make changes. The HK Enabler would eliminate the need for any wiring cutting and allow you to control some of the HK settings.

Bottom line is that I would rather then not "hack" my system apart.

 

OK well i'm home now with my new radio up and running..................

However, it wasn't what i was expecting!! They removed the amp and put two crossovers in, so the speakers are powered by the new head unit. It's a little tricky trying to get the sound right, but i haven't sat a played with the settings on my radio yet so thats just a matter of time.

Only one thing that i have a problem with though, my open trunk light on the dash is now on all the time. I called the store but they are closed now, it's not a big deal just bugging me. It can wait till monday, however could this be because the doors and boot were open for so long today, or does the radio somehow contol this light on the dash?

Besides that, it's all working great. Oh yeah, if anyone wants to buy a stock amp give me a shout!!!!!!!!

 

Well, that's very interesting. How does it sound? I thought the HK speakers have an uncommon load (2 ohm) that most amplifiers would have trouble driving. However now that you have a harness that directly connects a headunit to HK speakers, you are in a position to easily upgrade the speakers.

 

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]ok first off, the trunk open light issue is solved..........the hood was open....duh me

As for the quality of sound, now that I have messed with the equalizer on the head unit it sounds GREAT!!!

It's louder than the standard radio ever was, and the speakers can handle it very well. I haven't had any distortion issues, but I'm sure I would if I cranked up the radio all the way. It goes up to 50 on volume, but at 35 I sounds perfect, and any louder would make my ears bleed!!

If you guys really want I can post pics of the wiring they done, but to be honest it's just the amp wires soldered to crossovers (obviously no amp in the mix now).

Yes it will be cake to upgrade the speakers, and I mentioned the 2ohm issue to the guy and he said it's fine with the head unit I have as it's got selectable output. I don't know how it will work with other head units
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So you basically spent 500+ dollars on a sound system that you have just ripped out just to install an HU? At least with the HKEnabler you could use the amp.

Well, at least we know it can be done.

 

First of all, I have been running the stock system for over 3 years now so it's not like I "ripped it out" right after buying the car. Secondly all I removed was the stock HU and AMP, which to be honest wasn't that impressive anyway. The stock speakers are still in, and running better than they have ever sounded. If you ask me, the stock amp and HU did them no justice.

$500 isn't exactly a fortune when you are dropping 30k + on a vehicle, and it did what it needed to do for the first 3 years of owning my MINI. Trust me I'm no millionaire, but I think $500 for 3 years or using a radio wasn't exactly expensive. It works out to be what 45 cents a day........I know I have that much to spare

 

Hey man, as long as you are happy with it...

The 500 is actually more because you probably financed the car.

IMHO, the HK is a very decent system for a factory radio. I have had no problems with it at all windows up or down and I think that it is great.

The reason that we all pointed you to the HK enabler was so that you could take advantage of your HK amp and not have to bypass it. So the inforamtion that you were given was correct. Any system can be ripped out and replaced.

Bottom line is that you have to be happy with it. I just want people to know that this is not a magic trick. If you want to swap HU and keep HK, you will need the enabler...

 

I didn't finance

 

i think its a great idea, and he did keep the hk. he just wired around what HK considers to be an amp haha. im pretty sure i have the same head unit you do as it is an exad as well and it made my nissans stock speakers sound a million times better and has more options for sound "imaging".

how much did they charge for the install?