See that's what annoys me the most. It's not as if we're dealing with some hugely powerful amp here. I've had it completely run out of juice on various occasions when the volume wasn't overly loud. So it just shows how cheaply made the speakers really are. They can't even handle the limited amount of power which that amp is putting out. Then again, they are the same lower front door speakers used in the base system which doesn't have to deal with the amp's extra power, correct???

 

I think the HIFI system sounds pretty good, but it does have limits, it is not an audiophile quality sound, but it performs quite well for my taste. I feel it is unquestionably better than the base stereo. But this is a very subjective topic.

 

I hear that just switching out the lower speaker on each door does wonders. Although one shouldn't have to do that since we paid 1400 bucks for the pos.

 

Same, I actually plan on doing exactly that in the very near future. I also have the $1400 audio package, but in reality one 'only' pays $500 for the HiFi system itself. Even so it's pretty pathetic when you have to start tossing some of its components. It sucks because every single vehicle I cross-shopped the MINI with had a more than adequate stereo. But for my uses the HiFi system is in truth just barely adequate. Still love the car though.

 

While you are listening to an HD station, hit the right arrow on the steering wheel. It should go from HD1 to HD2. Left arrow goes back. Or you can use the left/right arrows next to the volume control on the dash.

 

Beautiful! Thanks Minidriver.

 

I have one thing to note....
It is always suggested in these audio threads to go and try it oneself at the dealer. I did just that with a favorite CD and was impressed by the sound. But heres the problem. I did it in the lot, with the car off, and all the windows/roof closed.
Be sure to test it it a common driving scenario. For example....I love to drive with the roof open as much as i can. on the freeway, the system did not put out enough for my tastes....expecially considering the distortion at that level.

Also, dont worry about the HiFi pillars. they can be purchased at the parts dept after you get the car with the standard system. be sure to get several extra plastic clips for when you change them out.

 

That is the best description I have herd of the Hifi system. It's a dissapointment at best. There are no inputs, no outputs, and the speakers are the cheapest paper speakers I've seen in years. There is very difficult to upgrade the system, almost impossible to change the head unit. There is absolutely no bass in the system so if any bass is needed, you will need a subwoofer.

But as many have mentioned, sound quality is VERY subjective.

That said, would I order the Hifi upgrade again? Yes. Only because there is not much of a choice short of spending about $3000 and doing a total overhaul (sub woofer, Amps, speakers, added dynamat).

.

 

It would be lovely if a product development person actually read this blog and took our comments back to the manufacturer.

 

The Hi-Fi stereo certainly beats the HK system I had in the '03 330i. However, the real question is how much better is the Hi-Fi than the stock audio?

 

This works for me, but I lose my HD2 stored channels when I shut off the vehicle (they revert back to their parent HD1 channel). Is this how things are supposed to work?

TIA,
~Neal

 

HD? Is that on the Sat radio?

 

I haven't tried storing any of the HD2 channels. I'll give it a shot and see.

No, it's FM radio, in HD, a digital signal instead of analog. It was part of the audio package and for 08 a $500 option. Cleanest sound I've heard in my Mini's system so far.

 

Hmmmm... have to try that. Is there any indication somewhere telling you the HD channel is available? Don't recall seeing anything on the display.... Cool, have to try that.

 

Yes it has an HD logo on the bottom line of the Nav display. Try www.hd-radio.com find stations in your area. The HD logo in the Minilooks similar to the one on that website, HD with a ) on the end.

Did you get the HD option with your car? It's not standard.

 

It isn't necessary to go nearly that far to improve the base system. At the low end, some have reported significant gains just by replacing the speakers. Mikeythemini (newministuff.com) is picky about audio quality, and he offers an installed upgrade for £600 or kit for £350.

 

All those packages on new mini ( http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...roducts&cat=25 ) say they are for the "boost" system. I have the HiFi system. It also looks like they plug into the harness behind the headunit. Taking the headunit out of this dash is like doing micro surgery.

The $3k I'm talking about is if you were to completely replace the stock system instead of getting the hifi upgrade.

I'm going to spend about $500 upgrading mine. A small powered subwoofer either under a seat of in boot, and replace the front speakers with better quality ones.

I'm getting LESS happy with the hifi system as I go. I dropped my car off for service on Saturday, they gave me a loaner which is an 06 model with the old standard stereo (non hk upgraded unit). It sounds BETTER than my brand new upgraded Hifi system. More bass, better sound quality in general.

 

Maybe I'm completely misunderstanding, but I interpreted your statements to mean that it requires $3K to upgrade a base system to match the level of the HiFi system. I believe that it takes much less, and mentioned the upgrade kit from newministuff as an example. I have not heard this kit myself, but judging from Mikey's reputation and his candid opinion of the HiFi system, I would expect his kit to easily outperform the HiFi at much less than $3K.

 

No, what I'm saying is it would take about 3k to upgrade the base system to sound like what the Hifi option SHOULD sound like, mainly due to the complexity of the way they installed the system (aka, non-standard head unit....).

You can probably duplicate the Hifi sound on the base system for $50. The hifi is very dissapointing.

 

Quote from krut, who had an unfortunate accident.

 

In a recent different stereo system sound thread like this one a guy posted how he upgraded some front speakers in his Mini. He said he's a highend stereo guy from way back. One thing that got my attention is that he broke in his speakers (for many hours) before he installed them. He said that one thing you can't do is judge new speakers before they are broken in. I've heard about that but never really thought about it much, but maybe that's why the 06 model sounded better than your new HiFi system? I used to hang out on a headphone forum and all those dudes would breakin their expensive headphones when they got them. Hard to do with a car though. Just a thought.

 

I read the thread as well. I have a high quality set of studio headphones and breaking them in was absolutely essential. For factory speakers though, I'd think they should be somewhat broken in from the factory. I've heard systems in other cars and they sound great from day one. Not to say they won't get even better, which I'm praying the HiFi will also, although not holding my breath, as time goes on.

 

I don't see why they'd be broken in from the factory. At least on my end I don't put many hours on the system, I only drive 2 miles to work. I hope it'll get better just like you do.

 

Breaking in speakers is all hogwash. They are a paper cone being pushed by at 50 cent magnet that was put together in mexico or china for heavens sake. What are you going to "break in"??

Yes, maybe if you have a $5000 headset, and you put it on a sound listening device, you might see a difference on paper after several hours of use, but the human ear is about as sensative as a train locamotive is lightweight. Your not going to hear the difference. Especially with a paper cone with a cost of 75 cents. And that is what these speakers cost MINI, about 75 cents each.

In anycase, I've had my car now for 6/7 months, 8000 miles of Bob Marley has surely "broken them in". If anything, they are getting worse.

 

LOL, get yer ears checked (maybe they're too broken in with Bob Marley music/paraphenalia!). I really don't know, but some say that cone speakers need to be broken in. And there's more to them than just paper and cheapo magnets. They do have another material that attaches the cone to the mounting frame that allows movement of the cone (some sort of synthetic). Maybe that can loosen up a little with time. Personally, with my crappy ears I do most of my adjustments with the volume **** and the EQ on my iPod. I don't see a whole lot of improvement adjusting the settings on my HiFi in the Mini. I'm up for an easy drop-in pair of midrange speakers with no crossover messing with myself. Any takers?