I just did an upgrade to my 2006 mini cooper equipped with the basic non Harmon Kardon stereo system. I found the original system pretty weak, but I wasn't willing to spend the big bucks for a heart pounding, blow the doors off system. I spent a lot of time talking to 'experts' all around town and finally pieced together the information I needed

I wanted to increase the quality of the sound but didn't want to loose the original mini look, or loose the steering wheel controls.

Most experts tried to convince me that I needed to change the head unit at a large expense if I was to maintain my steering wheel controls. But for less than $300 I made a 'night and day' difference by only replacing the speakers. The trick was to select the right speakers. I'm a Boston Acoustics fan, so I'll use them as an example, but I'm sure other brands will give a similar result if they have the right specs

Most of the experts where telling me that the stock head unit wasn't powerful enough to drive good quality new speakers. That's only sort of true. It's true that the stock system is weaker than most after market units, but the trick is to select speakers that match the specs of the stock unit.

The sensitivity of speakers is measured in decibels (db). An increase of 3 db doubles the amount of power needed to drive the speaker. In other words if you install a speaker that has a sensitivity 89db it's going to need twice the power that a speaker with a sensitivity of 91db needs. There is absolutely no point listening to the quality of speakers with a sensitivity of 90 in the local stereo store. The stock mini unit isn't going to be able to make it sound the same. There are speakers though that have a sensitivity of 92 db, like the Boston Acoustic S series. Sure they don't have quite the dynamic range of those speakers requiring all the power, but they'll sound better powered by the stock head unit because the stock stereo will be able to power them though their full dynamic range

The other bit of advice I heard over and over was if the budget is tight, spend the money on the front speakers. As it turns out, speakers with a sensitivity of 92 aren't that expensive, so I bought a pair of rear speakers as well. They arrived by mail a few days after the front speakers so I had a chance to test the system with just the front speakers upgraded, and then again with all the speakers upgraded. In short ....it's well worth replacing the rear speakers. The stock ones are really really bad. After you change them, you'll realize just how bad they are

The speakers I put in the front doors where the Boston Acoustic S60, and the speakers in the back where the Boston Acoustic S95. The tweaters on the S60 snapped perfectly into the stock mini holders. The S95 where a bit too big for the holes in the side panels. I had to do a bit of filing to make them fit. But it wasn't a big deal

This was a very basic and inexpensive upgrade that made a huge difference. I'm sure that most of the readers here have much more sophisticated systems that sound better, but dollar for dollar, this was pretty effective.

 

Pretty interesting Doug, and thanks for sharing. I am currently listening to a stock system and wondering what I am going to do about it. When I bought the car, I decided that the H/K upgrade wasn't loud enough for me and it was better to spend the money going another route. One of the costs of the convertible I guess. Anyway, I'm glad you were able to find a solution besides the $2000 one which the stereo sales people insist is the only way and you're a complete F'ing moron if you don't do it now! I still may go that route, or the even more expensive DPSM, but I just don't know if spending that much money for sound is justified.

Your solution is certainly something I would consider especially if it could somehow be the first step of several getting me to the ultimate system. I didn't know you could buy aftermarket speakers which accepted the signals from a stock head unit. I thought the aftermarket ohms (2 vs. 4) didn't match by design. Are these speakers made to replace factory speakers? If so, can you also buy a factory compatible amplifier which would then add more volume and could the speakers take it?

 

Thanks Doug, I think I'm taking your advise on this one and copy you . Where did you buy yours?

 

I'm no expert on this. But I found that most of the aftermarket speakers I looked at where 4 ohms like the stock ones. So that was no problem.

If you plan on adding an amp later you may regret buying the the more sensitive 92db speakers, because the additional amp could drive speakers less sensitive but with a wider dynamic range. I was told it's the base that needs the power. The 92db speakers don't have a heart thumping bass that would be possible with a larger amp.

I bought my speakers on ebay from Audio Club. The price was right and they shipped them quickly.

 

Sweet,

I wish had done something like this using Polk Audio, I like those guys. They shipped me a free replacement speaker, for a older system once.
They say you can't buy loyalty, but if treat your customer right you can.

 

I'm trying to decide between the following for my stock non-HK system, would appreciate any insights:

Polk DB6501 in the front and DB691 3-ways in the back
or
Boston Acoustics S60 in the front and S953 in the back

Also, did you reuse the stock spacer behind the front speakers or get one from somewhere else?

 

I've had the Boston Acoustic S60 and S95 in the car for a couple of weeks now and they're getting well broken in. I really like the sound from them. For the money spent it's an'hell'uva upgrade.

The spacer for the front speakers is part of the casting of the speaker. In other words the speakers just stick out the extra inch. You'll need to make a spacer for your new speakers out of some high density press board or what ever it's called in your neck of the woods.

 

Great info on the Boston Acoustics, it's simply amazing the price they are selling for on ebay.

Just to double check, you made your spacers the full 1"? I'm think of ordering up these http://cgi.ebay.com/SPEAKER-SPACERS-...QQcmdZViewItem rather than messing with press board.

 

Nice writeup.

I am thinking a little speaker upgrade might be all I need too. How bad was the install in the doors? Much trouble with the crossover mounting or cutting wires required? Any drilling required in the front?

 

Depends on the year of your car. If it's a 2006 like mine there is a screw behind the arm rest which can be hard to get at. There's info and a link above that shows how to do it.
Other than that it's pretty easy. Just follow all the links with photos on the site here.

 

All I can find is sl65

 

are the front 5.25

 

Check out ebay for the best prices

I believe the SL models are less efficient, OK if you're adding an amp.

 

just running the stock deck.cant find any on Ebay
found the s95 but no s60 speakers.Ive done goggle search for S60 and cant find,only get S65

 

The Boston Acoustics web page: http://www.bostonacoustics.com/car/c...&product_id=67

On ebay (5 listings):
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...trypage=search

 

Good thread!

I too was not interested in the H/K system for the MINI and didn't want the "hassle" of ripping apart the car in order to install a new HU. I was pretty sure that a speaker upgrade could do the trick in order to increase basic sound quality. More and more I'm reading here that its true.

Any chance making this 101 even more so by listing the data on the original MINI speakers and considerations for your replacements? For example, I have not clue as to what size speakers for which to look. If you took photos, you could always create an Instructable

 

Found the speakers but cant belive the price.$200 for S60.In Toronto at a stereo store.I guess I will shop Ebay.Found a buy it now for 95 plus 18 shipping.

 

cabrown the S60 are 6 1/2 and the S95 are 6x9s

 

@ redlinedave:

Sorry if sounded like a complete dolt earlier. I made my post in a fatigued stupor.

I read the Stickied thread about upgrading your sound system. What I was trying to ask are what sizes are the factory speakers? From reading that thread, I believe the fronts are 5.25" and the rears are 6"x9", correct?

Also, I read to fit the 6.5" in the front, some "modifications" had to be done to fit in the door. Has this been anyone's experience, or does it just depend upon the speaker?

 

you are correct on speaker size and yes some tweeking is needed to fit some speakers.

 

You mentioned that there isnt much base sound, do you completly loose your low end? I am not really interested in adding a sub or amp, I just listen to the radio, and occasionally my Ipod(hope to do more of that with an Ipod dock) but i dont want to loose my low end. However, this is right in my price range.

 

Ugh! This is one of the reasons I hate going to car audio stores. I went into one with my '94 BMW looking for new speakers and a head unit (all blown when I got it), with potentially adding JL audio stealth subs. I had already gotten in big on my previous car, learned lessons, made mistakes, so knew exactly what I needed and wanted when I went in there. He showed me alot of things, but ended up going to the highest ended stuff, with $1500 amps and $500 subs. I told him "yeah that's great, but I only want to spend this much". he told me I wouldn't have the baddest BMW on the block for that amoutn of money, and if I wasn't interested in spending on the biggest most expensive equipment, then I shouldn't even bother. I left and found another store that wasn't ***** to the wall; you gotta have this if you wanna win the dB drag, and got my new headunit, speakers, and prewired for a amp i would add later on.

I guess stereo shops push the big stuff on you to check how serious you are about upgrading and use it as a scare tactic to get the kids out who are just there fooling around?

My H/K hasn't been sounding as good as it used to, so I'm looking to upgrade later. I'm buying everything online from crutchfield and finding a decent store to install.

 

Crutchfield while handy is WAY overpriced. You can find any adapters they will sell you on ebay and buy speaker spacers from crutchfield or elemental designs (great guys).

 

I used to shop on ebay, and got some great deals on stereo components (highest level clarion unit for the price of the lowest, and a rockford amp for half price of crutchfield), but I got tired of being burned on ebay for other things, such as having the sellers friend (orthe seller himself) running me up to my max bid and then withdrawing it, not delievering the product, or not getting what was advertised. I don't want to chance it anymore. I know I'm pretty much paying retail at crutchfield, but I've had great success with them and feel safe, and can buy with confidence knowing that it's going to be what I want.

I'll search around at lot more before I get ready to buy, but crutch field is the only one that has JL audio.

 

Sorry to resurrect this post. I am wondering what the OEM specs are for the speakers in the MCS non-HK. i am trying to reuse some components that came out of my previous car and I am not sure if they will fit or work with the stock system. They are Polk MMC6500 components. They seem to have the same specs as the BA's that have been spoken about in this thread. If I could be pointed to a post or doc that had the OEM specs that would work too. thanks