I have not had a chance to audition the different audio systems at the dealership and I would appreciate your feedback. I am getting ready to order an S and my initial thought is to get the 10 speaker hi-fi system. Is there a noticeable difference over the stock system or can I get better results for about the same money after market?

I would not do a sub, but I would consider upgrading the speakers possibly if it is not do difficult or expensive. I upgraded the speakers in my 03 MDX to Infitity's and it made a huge difference.

Your "counseling" is much appreciated.

 

Read the Thread-Much to be had.

 

I got the HiFi, and am 'ok' with it. I will probably upgrade fronts to Focals somewhere down the road. But, after doing that, the only thing I will have left of my HiFi upgrade is the amp, mediocre rears, and the tweeter holes in the pillars. And, to add insult to injury, the upgraded amp will present a problem for SW upgrades, should I replace it. I would have been better off w/o HiFi, buying new pillar covers w/ tweeter holes, upgrading all speakers, and going with an aftermarket amp.

 

It is hard to know for sure, but the impression I get from the various reports is that if you want to add an amp, start with the standard audio. Having a professionally installed system seems to start from about $2,500 and go up.

For a few hundred $ you can upgrade the speakers of the HIFI system and have reasonable audio. It wont be great, but there is enough road noise in the MINI that it might not matter.

Opinions on the stock systems vary. Some think the HIFI is OK, others think it is horrible. It seems to perform differently with different kinds of music. I heard a lot of distortion in the HIFI with stock speakers. I've replaced my speakers with Infinity Kappas. They are much clearer, but may be too bright for some.

I've not heard the standard radio. Some say it is only good enough for talk radio, not music.

 

Is there really that much road noise in a mini? I have only had short drives but it seems years ahead of my srt4

 

I don't find it bad at all; definitely has never been noticeable enough to intrude on my music. Although the run-flats do increase noise somewhat.

 

Are these comments coming from hardcore audiophiles? Is the HIFI really so horrible?

I've come from a long line of economy cars... is the HIFI worse than, say, the standard audio in a Ford Focus? I was satisfied with that (please, don't hurt me )

 

I test drove a Cooper S with standard audio and opted for the HiFi when I ordered my 07 MCSm. I have enjoyed the sound. Road noise is a problem if you expect living-room sound, but is tolerable -- and the HiFi package does a better job with the road noise. I had a 2002 Focus with the better sound package. The MINI's sounds a lot better.

 

I think I will go with the hi-fi 10 speaker system. They have moved it into the premium package so sunroof + auto AC + hi-fi = $1,500. If I just order the sunroof & auto AC individually it is still $1,500.

Thanks for all of the feedback.

 

Achieving audiophile-quality sound in a moving automobile - invaded by a constantly changing spectrum of mechanical, wind and road noise - is a concept which to me has always seemed an oxymoron. It's just an inappropriate environment for a high degree of audio refinement, something like eating pate de foie gras at a football game, or using an expensive Nikon camera to shoot photos in the fog. High resolution, audio-quality sound in a controlled, quiet home setting seems a worthwhile, doable objective, but trying to achieve the same in a noise-saturated auto cockpit seems to me an exercise in futility. Some audiophiles, I acknowledge, may have differing views on this.

With this perspective in mind I ordered the HiFi stereo for my MCS. Without having inflated expectations, I find the MINI HiFi perfectly satisfactory for music or talk radio. Like many others have reported, I have no complaints about the system overall, except that the audio controls are fiddly and confusing. Someday I might change the front speakers to gain greater definition, but for a noisy car environment the stock HiFi system is quite OK. The HiFi system, as is well documented, is rather easily upgraded with better speakers for those who are not seeking ultimate audiophile-quality results. For those who need greater bass power (ie a sub) and superior clarity, however, I doubt that sufficient improvement is possible using the stock HiFi system. If you really want a high-end audio system I think you would be better served by opting for the base system and then replacing it fully at an audio specialty shop.

 

I completely disagree with this. I actually think most cars, are perfect enclosures to create audiophile sound quality. They are enclosed, have lots of sound deadoning (fabric seats, foam, fabric walls and ceiling....). It's also a small space which makes it easy to fill with sound. I have gotten better sound in my vehicles over the years than I have spending $10k in my home system.

 

Coming from a Focus with the basic audio package. If you are not an audiophile you will be happy with the 10 speaker Hi-Fi setup. With my Focus I upgraded the HU and with the stock speakers got better quality.

In the mini I use the aux port for my ipod. The only time I really hear distortion in the speakers is with songs that create the distortion on purpose.

 

I tend to side with Birdman on this. While I will not argue that the car is the ideal audio environment, it is the only non-headphone environment I have where I can comfortably enjoy my music at sufficient (but not hearing-loss inducing) levels. My most enjoyable listening occurs when driving by myself. This is because the car is reasonably sound insulated, I'm sitting in the audio 'sweet spot', and, probably most important, spouses/children/dogs/neighbors are unlikely to intrude upon my bliss.

While I can appreciate fine audiophile components, I've never felt the need to upgrade the 'premium' audio option on a car. Until I got the HiFi. It's what I would have expected from the 'base' audio option. As such, it's adequate for talk radio and non-critical music listening. If that's all you need, go for it, especially if you want the other stuff in the premium package.

 

If you get the basic system you will pretty much have to upgrade it.

The HiFi, which is what i have, Is not anywhere near unbelivable...but it is much better then the base, and does provide on par sound quality to most normal car sound systems.

I am sure that if you get the base and know what your doing, have the time and the money to spend you will get better sound. But the HiFi is a option that you should take if you do not plan to upgrade the system yourself.

 

That is the reason I got the HiFi. Unfortunately, the HiFi is now the reason I'm planning to upgrade.

 

I cannot find this thread

 

The second thread from the top of this sub forum:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95211

 

Sweet... I am no audiophile, and I'm glad to know that it is bearable for us non-critical listeners.

 

Definitely bearable. I'm no audiophile either but unlike some users, I do listen to music at a relatively high volume literally every time I drive my MINI. With the HiFi I've never been disappointed. Granted you'll have to turn the bass down in some songs to avoid significant distortion, but it's not at all bad. I eventually plan to replace the lower front speakers (as other users have commented, for whatever strange reason almost all bass goes to them rather than the larger rear ones) and that'll most likely be about it for me.

 

While you're in there, might as well swap the small speakers. If your replacement speakers aren't as sensitive as the stock (gotta crank the volume **** further to get the same sound level out of the speaker) then the small speaker may be screaming while the larger one is barely humming. Best to keep them matched. Replacement speakers that size are not expensive. I put Infinity Kappa 6.5" in the large hole and 4" in the small hole. $120 for the 6.5" and $60 for the 4".

 

I did a search for 'much to be had'

 

I would not say I'm and "audiphile", but I would say I get close to it sometimes (appreciate the finer sound!). That said, I would say this about the Hifi system upgrade: It is bearable, ONLY in these 2 scenarios:

1. You play your music at a low volume (aka you don't like loud music).

2. You do not like music with alot of bass, i.e. Reggae. If you listen to just about any Bob Marey tune for example, at just about any volume over 4 (with volume going from 1 to 10), the speakers will clip to the bass.

Other than that, it sounds ok. I am mostly disapointed with the quality of the speakers, they are paper and really cheap. Also the fact that there are no easily accessable inputs or outputs (pre amps....). BUT, I have yet to find a car manuf. that offers that. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why, cause it doesn't cost anything and they know 1/2 of us tinker with them, why not make it easier for us?

 

I've got the HI-FI and it sounds fine. Everything is relative.

 

Since it has gotten colder, my HIFI sounds a lot better. Anyone else notice this? Or maybe it just got broken in.....

p.s. I am pretty picky about sound sources. From my perspective, for a $500 upgrade the HIFI is decent. For a stereo upgrade, it leaves much to be desired. That is, if I am going to pay extra for a stereo upgrade, I expect it to be really HIFI (and am willing to pay a realistic amount for it), not just somewhat better than stock.

 

My Hi-Fi sounds fine at normal volume. It does distort when I turn it up. I kinda figured I'd rather have 10 holes to put speakers in than just 6 - a better starting point.