I wasn't very impressed at all with the upgrade. It needs bass. Then again we came from a 2006 Mustang GT with a factory 500 watt system with 8" subs in the doors! My Yukon and truck have factory subs too. I may try changing out the speakers for a better quality.....not sure yet.

 

not yet... though I DID create a LOSSLESS mp3 (apple encoder via iTunes) and copied that one AND the 'original' 192bit version onto a cd so I can hear them back to back. There's almost no difference. I listened to both tracks back to back at medium then loud.

Then for comparison, I popped in my iPod (with no eq setting) and listened to the same tracks in the same order. They were MUCH weaker and less 'detailed.' I didn't play with the aux Lev to bring it up because as soon as I do, the bass gets REALLY f'd up.

I'm more convinced than ever I need to take my Clubbie into a car audio specialist and have them give me their opinion and then take it back to the dealer. (yes, the audio shop is gonna be biased and wanna sell me stuff, but I hope to find someone honest enough to give me direction on this since I'm an idiot. I just wanna listen to music without warbley bass )

I'm in Diamond Bar, CA... anyone know of a reputable Car Audio shop in the north O.C. area or East Whittier/Brea/La Habra?

 

Sorry, I love that quote. Just makes me think, "Aren't we all." You need to get some audiophile friend to listen to it.

 

My goodness this is a terrible upgrade. The HiFi system in my Clubman is FAR AND AWAY the biggest disappointment. It made the stereos in both of my prior E46 BMWs sound like the aforementioned Mark Levinson hotness...

I am looking at going whole hog:
JL Cleansweep feeding an Alpine PDX-5 Amp
Focal Polyglass 3 ways up front
Focal Polyglass coaxial 6x9 rear
JL 13TW5 shallow mount sub

 

I have it and it's average.. but most of the time it's off because I want to listen to the exhaust

 

ColdFrye,

Have you compared the sound from your iPod to a Memory Stick plugged into the USB port? When I was test driving, I had some songs loaded on a 2 gig Memory Stick and I thought the sound was pretty good. Since ordering my MINI, I have purchased an iPod, so I am not too happy with what I am hearing from you about this. Fortunately, its only the 4 gig nano, so I may just go with memory sticks if this is a real problem.

Rich

 

Are most of you running the Ipod through your USB/Ipod connection? Have you tried your Aux port? I didn't order my Clubbie with the USB and Bluetooth stuff, so I'll need to use the Aux port. I know I'll need a line out adapted for the Ipod and can't use the headphone jack directly. The problems you are speaking of almost sounds like that's how you are connecting it. Of course, I don't have an Ipod or even my Clubbie yet, so but this was the plan...

Jon W.

 

Yeah, I paid extra for the upgrade to HI-FI. It surely is not what I was expecting. I'm living with it though.

We took delivery on the Hubby's 2007 Shelby GT500 six months before the Mini. We upgraded his sterio from the Shaker 500 to the Shaker 1000 system and it rocks. I'd love to rip out his system for the Mini! Oh well, it gives me another excuse to drive his car when I get a new CD.

 

I had checked out the HiFi system in a Clubman S that I test drove for about an hour, and thought that it sounded pretty good, at least with CDs. The thing that had me getting it (when I get the car...) is that it's in the Premium Package with the sunroof and Auto AC, so you basically get it for half price. The other thing I'd read here somewhere is that you get the higher power amp, such that you have more juice if/when you upgrade the speakers. What it sounds like I don't need is the direct iPod connection. If I dump that, I don't really need the rest of the Convenience package, just the MFW.

Sigh.

Now, they all come with the USB port and the AUX in jack, right?

 

jweiss makes a good point. Not only does the MP3 format compress the music, without a line-out, the feed quality is further reduced by the earphone out jack. For better quality feed, a line-out from the iPod will let the MINI replicate the music best.

All that said, it sounds like the upgrade system is not what everyone hoped for when we spent $500.

 

Now you've lost me. My understanding is that the iPod adapter plugs into the bottom of the iPod, and essentially runs on the USB line out. How do you get a "line out" of the iPod audio other than the earphone jack if not through the USB connection?

 

I have had the same power amps in the Bose systems in my Benzs and they could be played LOUD without distortion or speaker break-up. The Mini Hi-Fi just stinks most of the time. The speakers are crap for a supposed "upgrade." In fact, the only reason I listen to it is to cover the noise of the rattles. And it bearly does that.

 

You are absolutely right! Those 'stang stereos rock. We had the 500 (convertibles have small trunks and we didnt want it filled up with a sub-woofer box). Congrats on the GT500.....nice ride!!

 

nope.. not yet Keep in mind, I'm having 2 issues of note with the sound system.
The 1st is the bass just wigs out and goes all 'warbely' on me at louder volumes (think 6 and up on a 1-10 scale.. unfortunately I don't think the guys who designed this system ever saw Spinal Tap, so mine doesn't go to 11)

The 2nd is the fact that the CD is SIGNIFICANTLY more robust sounding (tho it too has the bass issue)

The USB/iPod connection is there only to control your iPod, not input the sound. The sound STILL comes from the aux input below the radio. (The cable has 2 plugs coming out of the iPods' main connection. The usb one and the one leading to the aux jack.) One thing I've NOT tried yet is using just the aux jack leading to the headphone plug. I can't see that making a difference, but ya never know

 

I thought the formal USB Ipod connection also transmitted the audio digitally. Glad I didn't waste money on that feature then, especially since I don't have the MFSW. If you still have to use the Aux input, you need to make sure you aren't connecting the Ipod's earphone jack to your Aux port. I know the cables/pins look the same, but they are very different animals. There is a huge difference in the sound quality between a "line level input" and what the earphone jack provides. Think of your earphone jack as a speaker level output for very small speakers. There are several companies that make "line level" outputs for the Ipod, usually combined with a car charger. Belkin has one. There are a few others listed on Best Buys website.

Jon W.

 

Ok...if you don't get the upgrade...are all the speaker "holes" still there?

 

well I just came back from a "run" and blasted Def Leppard through the AUX jack and my Sandisk Sansa ... loud as I can get it and still tollerable.

Bass stayed tight and punchy no distortion I can hear.

this is on the stock system, not the hi-fi.
AUX voume at 5 ... Sandisk one close to max (8 out of 10 I guess, cant tell as its a slider volume thingie) and Main headunit volume ... no idea, bu I had it "up there"

take it in to get it checked out, sounds like somethings avry.

 

You can use a cord like this and plug it in to the AUX port.
http://www.provantage.com/cables-go-35508~7CBTY00H.htm

 

ColdFyre,

What program do you use to rip your CD's to mp3?

In my experience the ripper in iTunes is lousy even when ripping to ACC or other lossless formats.

I use EAC (Exact Audio Copy) www.exactaudiocopy.de and find that it sounds almost identical to the CD at 192 and no different at 320 and again no different in FLAC or other lossless types.

Edit: i just took some CD's ripped by my son in iTunes and the same CD's ripped using EAC and put them on my iPod. the ones ripped with iTunes were deffinately lower qualtiy, especially in the mid bass and bass regions, yet both were ripped at 192.

Schatzy

 

OK, so that's different from the audio line out from the headphone, like a preamp out is different from a speaker out?

 

We listened to both but I knew we wouldnt be getting HIFI its not much better IMO. The stereo will be upgraded regardless. Ive been in car audio for a long time so im sure I have higher standards then most but the sad part is out 97 cavalier with base stereo sounded better then the HIFI in the mini.

alot of ppl say 500 doesnt go very far well if you want top of the line stuff it doesnt cost a ton to do a system

I just priced out an infinity 5 channel amp, polk components for the doors, polk 6.5 coaxials for the back because i hate 6x9s id rather put a 6.5 with an adapter and some ppl dont even run rears, a polk sub, and wiring and it comes out to like 600 at sonicelectronics.com and on ebay you could do even better

So you dont have to get a jl cleansweep and 500 dollar amps to have a nice setup. For most ppl a setup like i mentioned above blows the stock out of the water and is more then enough for most people. With that said you can always go bigger.

Soon enough new system will be in the mini as its only a week old

 

Which raises the question of how an upgraded system fits in the car compared to the OE head unit.

 

Im leaving the OE headunit, its outputs are relatively flat so no need for a jl cleansweep. Speakers will all go in stock locations with the addition of a sub in the back as I like my bass, im planning on amp under seat or hidden under the back panel somewhere

Feel free to ask me any stereo questions u may have, i may be new to this board but i have lots of knowlege

 

no, there are different "A" pillars installed when you have the stock system.

I started with the stock system and, after a LOT of research, ended up installing a high end amp and high quality speakers (front and rear). Cost me pretty much. If I had it to do over again, I would take the HiFi system in the Premium Package for essentially 1/2 off then upgrade the front speakers to a set of high efficiency (>90) COMPONENT 2 ohm speakers. Mount the tweeters in the A pillars and the midrange/woofers in the 6" locations. Put a blank in the 4". Mount the crossovers inside the doors. Fade the rear speakers to just loud enough to set your "stage" slightly in front of you. Good component speakers can be had for about $200-$300 for the set online. The mediocre amp in the HiFi is good enough to drive high efficiency speakers AND you get the modified A pillars for proper placement of your new tweeter. One thing I will guaranty you . . . you will be shocked at how horrible the build quality of the MINI supplied speakers are. They are definitely the root of the problem.

poyzin

 

I'll give this one a go too... however, it won't alleviate the 'warbling bass' sound I get at louder volumes since I get those with a cd or radio anyhow

But I'm always glad to learn a better way of doing things. Thanks again for the info!