Like most young punks out there (ok, I'm 36, not so young) I like my music LOUD. (I listen to a lotta Rush, Blue Man Group and rock in general) That being said, here are some observations:

I've noticed that at the lower end of the audio spectrum tends to get distorted and "warblely" (for lack of a better word). Especially when there are multiple instruments generating sound in those frequencies (think base guitar and low-end tom-toms/bass drums). They sound ok at low to mid volume, but get worse as the volume gets higher. So with the 'auto volume speed adjust', it gets worse as I speed up. Quite frustrating to say the least
(note: this happens with both CD's AND my iPod.)

I've also noticed that my CD and iPod play significantly different. The CD sounds MUCH more "detailed" and "robust" (for lack of better words while describing sounds) than the same song on my iPod. Keep in mind, I made the mp3's on my iPod. Min 192 bit rate. That being said, the CD STILL 'warbles' in those bass areas I spoke of earlier.

I also listen to a lot of audiobooks and some make one or 2 of the speakers crackle and vibrate (seems like the vibration sound is the plastic housing the speaker is placed in tho)

Anyone notice anything similar? I'm REALLY tempted to go back in to the dealer and have 'em re-do the audio system. I paid an extra $500 for something that doesn't sound any better (and in some cases, worse) than the 4-speaker system in my wife's 6 year old Toyota Camery.

 

hmm ... i listen to music pretty loud too and tend to lean towards the really heavy end of metal but have yet to experience anything too out of the ordinary and I have the stock system.
sounds like something might really be avry in your setup ... not sure.

also, did you adjust the settings for each input individually? bass, treble, etc?

 

Sorry to hear this. I also bought the upgrade.

I would always expect to hear a more detailled sound from a CD, given the iPod's compression of the original material....but, distortion...I hate that.

Only on the base notes? Or throughout the range?

 

I have the upgraded Hi-Fi and like it except for the bass. The bass coming out of the 6x9 speakers in the rear (or are they 5x7's?) make a "thock" sound when the bass is hit. Other than that I like it (but might look to swap the rear speakers).

 

Haha! I posted something similar to this months ago when I received my Clubman. See my signature for my solution (...tear it all out)!

I too was very disappointed with the sound

 

No warbling here, but I was getting cracking for awhile out of my passenger-side tweeter when listening to NPR.

Overall, I think the audio system's functionality is fantabulous, but the speaker quality could use some improvement.

 

I listened to both the standard and hi-fi systems side-by-side before I ordered my Clubman and thought the upgrade was well worth the cost. But my interests are entirely classical so I can well understand that heavy rock will be a problem for it.

But most UK rock fans don't include this in their specs as they plan to replace the whole MINI system anyway with an aftermarket one costing nearly ten times as much! (Or more! )

 

ColdFrye, My Clubbie is still on order so I can't add much to the discussion, however, I have read that in order to get the cleanest sound out of an iPod using the USB, you should make sure that your iPod's EQ is set to "Off" or "Flat". I guess the tonal controls on the car stereo get distorted if the iPod is sending "pre-conditioned" music. You may want to try that to get rid of some of the difference between the iPod and a CD.

Would appreciate if you would let me know if that helps, too.

 

yep.. I have the bass to +1 and treb to +2. I've tried other settings (like taking the bass down to -5) but I won't sacrifice overall sound quality just to get rid of the issue

pretty much on the bass only.

I get some crackling as well. Pretty much only with spoken word (NPR/AudioBooks) though.

I've taken it off and it still does it :( I'm going to re-burn some MP3's from the CD today with different methods (including apples lossless) and see if they sound any different.

What really made my jaw drop was the loss of "detail" when I play songs from my iPod vs CD. CDs just sound soooo much better.

Thank you all for your feedback. I'll take all I can. I want a lotta ammo at my disposal if I feel I need to go back to the dealer and voice my concerns

 

I had an '07 Cabrio S with the Harmon Kardon upgraded system, the got my '08 Clubman S with the standard hifi - I'm a big Audiophile (but, sorry, no hard core rock), but notice little difference - possibly a little better bass on the upgrade, but it was still weak. I used the $500 I saved for black-out stuff

 

I've also had the vibration problem when people are speaking. A little annoying. Overall the whole sound system is just OK. I have never heard the bass distortion but the bass clarity is lacking for sure. I would think that some better speakers would be a great move. Hopefully it would get rid of that dead sound.

I was also a little disappointed with only bass and treble controls - no mid-range. I have mine set nearly as rich as it will go to improve lower volume playing. Oh well - I didn't buy it for a great sound system.

 

I like my HiFi system.

It's certainly not Mark Levinson quality or even the Harmon Kardon that's in my wife's Benz and was in her previous Saab but it is at least comparable w/the lousy Monsoon system that was in my VW prior to the MINI.

I'm certainly not ruling out some augmentation in the future and I'm happy that there's all that space in the boot for hidden sub installs.

 

The Clubman I drove last week had the hi-fi sound... I was also less-than-impressed. At only $500, it seems like a cheap upgrade over standard, but I bet that money would be better spent on new speakers.

I wonder how far I could get with a $500 budget for replacing the base system... any thoughts?

 

$500 isn't going to go as far as your would hope. The stock amp isn't that powerful.. If you want to get a bit more bang, look at Infinity Kappa's for replacements for the doors. I've also heard there are problems pulling the amp as there is something in there the stereo looks for to start up so you might have parallal the amp from the HU.

In all honesty...if you are planning to rip out the audio system or want or even are thinking about making it bigger, save your pennies and spend $2-3,000 for proper wiring, battery, speakers all that....I would recommend browsing the Audio area but serious players are going to stay stock and upgrade later.

On the flip side...I think the issue ColdFyre is having should be looked at by the dealership. See if you can test the stereo in another rig. The stereo, expecially stock should be tuned to handle whatever and cut off when it needs to. Paper cones aren't going to handle much. My wife's KIA hit harder than my Stock Mazda 3 system.....before I took it down to panels and built it back up..

Edit: Your aux jack might have some issues as well. Test that at the dealership as well, take your music and check it out.

 

I also have the same problems ColdFyre is describing. Our eq is off on the ipod and that didn't change anything. Also have changed the bass and treble all over the place with no help. Our hifi also sounds bad on just the fm stereo.

 

speaking of the audio system ... has anyone replaced the "headunit" ... is that even possible?

would be really curious to see any custom installs.

 

The HiFi is just O.K., at least it wasn't as expensive as the "just O.K." H/K system in my '02 BMW wagon. I guess BMW / MINI don't give much priority to the sound systems.
My biggest complaint is the lack of good bass response (not loud bass, deep bass). However, I mostly listen through an XM receiver, and that signal is compressed, so it sometimes has similar issues to the Ipods and other compressed formats. The CD sound is much better, because the source is better.
I have not noticed the distortion / vibration others mention, but then again, I don't turn it up to "11", either.

 

I'm disappointed and I intend to switch out all the speakers some day, though it's not a priority.

 

Ok, I haven't read all the comments, but...
A good stereo system is as important as the steering wheel!

I found that setting Bass to ZERO helps with the sound.(first time in my life.)
Keeping Treble near Zero does the same.(Much higher and your ears implode.)
Where's the freaking Mid-range!
Try it with Bass at Zero for a day's drive. It made a big diff for me.

If it's too loud, you're too old!!!!!

 

Will do, thanks for the tip.

 

Laurendesigns, how about letting us know the $ to upgrade to your current speaker setup. I'll always get better speaks! Music in the car is like breathing air...gotta have it.

 

I have the hi-fi upgrade and while I've heard better, it's not as awful as some have said. I've decided to save my money and leave the sound system alone as I can live with it. With regard to the radio tuner, AM stations just plain suck but FM stations are okay. CDs and my iPod sound pretty good though. I have the bass and treble set at +5. The tweeters in the windshield area do a good job bringing out the highs and the door speakers reproduce mids and lows fine. When I first connected my iPod it sounded awful until I discovered that you can adjust the level of the USB/iPod connection. Once I adjusted that properly, I've had no distortion. I've turned the system up pretty loud with no issues. I listen at mostly instrumental music though. In the end, it's all a matter of personal preference.

 

coldfrye ... have you tried to burn the same mp3 files on a data CD and play them that way in comparison to the iPod?

 

And to think - I like the regular sound system.

 

Atta girl!