Same here.

 

Guys/Gals, in a nut shell, the final sound you hear is from the speakers. The better quality the speaker, the better the sound. Quality speakers like some power behind them, not so much for loudness, but rather from not causing the weak power supply from distorting and creating heat in the voice coils. (This is what actually blows a speaker, not too much power)

Having installed several custom installsm including my current Mini, in several different vehicles, I've come to the conclusion that it is more expensive to upgrade than to just go for what you want from the get go. There is little resale value in used speakers and you'll hardly recover your investment when you decide to upgrade your upgraded system.

Go get the best you can afford the first time around!

 

Just installed the same speakers, JL TR650-CXI and TR350-CXI ($160 total online) as the OP, Dark Chil, on my stock stereo (non-Hi-fi). Never done anything like this before. If you are an audiophile, please don't read further. I didn't even use a solder.

Removing everything as per the speaker install sticky by Outmotoring was not bad at all.

I didn't have the Mini speaker wiring color coding info handy at my in-law's where I did the install, so I used the 9V battery trick (as mentioned before) on the old speakers after I removed them, leaving the connector on but cutting the wires. Connect the speaker wires to the battery terminals, and if the speaker diaphragm pops out the positive speaker wire is to the positive battery terminal. Otherwise, make sure you have the wiring info as posted in Outmotoring's sticky. They are not obvious at all with the way the OEM speaker connectors work.

The 6.5" ones fit in perfectly. Had to route the speaker wiring inside the speaker hole versus the factory connection that is on the outside rim. Recommend soldering new speaker wire to make it easier. There is an existing hole on the side to feed the wires, but there isn't enough slack with the existing wires. I didn't have any supplies, so I just drilled a new hole to feed the existing wire ends in which I connected to the spade crimp connectors the speaker came with. I also needed to drill new pilot holes for the mounting screws, and the screws that came with the speakers were of course too long.

The 3.5" speakers were about a quarter inch too small for the mounting hole. Going to have to seal the gap with something. Any suggestions? Cardboard, plastic? I may just forget about it with these small speakers. How much will the quality be degraded?

Otherwise, the front speakers sound great. Much clearer and fuller sounding especially with the highs and low ranges. These speakers are efficient. They get loud, but will start to distort the low frequencies near max volumes.

For $160, no experience, and small expectations, this was a fun and satisfying install.

 

4" speakers.

Congrats. If you have problems with the connectors, you can always go back in and solder them.

 

In retrospect, the JL 4" speakers would require a little dremeling since the mounting diameter is 3.81" versus the 3.65" hole in the mini.

The stock non-Hi-fi speakers do stink. I have the back stock speakers completely faded out because they contribute nothing. The bass is weaker and very muddy from the back.

Now I understand a little what the audio enthusiasts preach about. The difference is like when I got real earbuds for my ipod. Fow now, I will resist the urge to look into amps, crossovers, subwoofers, and that other mumbo jumbo. Then I will need professional help for sure.

 

Another thing. Now that the front speakers put out some nice low frequencies, the door trim panel started rattling. I fixed it with some thin foam weatherstrip tape along the top edge of the bottom piece.While the bass is solid, the dome tweeter part of my new speakers almost pierced my eardrums. My stock 6 speaker system had no tweeters. What a difference.

 

I also ordered the JL TR650-CXI and TR350-CXI speakers for my 07 MCS. Got a good price online. Can't wait to hear the difference.

 

Oh well. The Infinity Kappa 4" fit perfectly. Just needed to drill a couple holes for screws.

In the HIFI, the rear speakers get little bass. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same with standard. The only explanation I can think of for why MINI isn't sending bass to the largest speakers would be that they caused too much trouble with rattling and harmonics in the plastic panels.

Yes, muddy is a good description of the stock HIFI speakers as well.

Shouldn't cost you much more than $3,000 and probably wouldn't be as big a change as what you just did for $160.

 

Was it just - Plug'n'play ?

 

Pretty much if you mean just connecting the wiring and mounting the speakers. No other programming or headunit adjustments needed.

Check my post above about a few issues in terms of wiring and fitting.