At the suggestion of others I went down to Northwest Mini today with my favorite CD. I have 2 MINI's coming and they both have the same upgraded Hi-Fi system.

I think the system sounds pretty good. I was not dissatisfied with it at all. I mean I couldn't do anything about it now because the MINI's being built on Monday. But I never thought to bring a CD along (Even though they have CD's you can use at NW MINI.) when my wife and I test drove several different MINI's. So we did it today. Both she and I were satisfied that we are going to get our money's worth.

One less thing to concern myself with. Now If only I could sleep until they arrived. Waiting is the hardest part.

Just thought I would share this. I saw lots of concerns about the HI-Fi system and it's what prompted us to do the test using our own music.

Regards,

Pat

 

I also enjoyed the sound of the upgraded system but there are many that did not. The only thing I plan on changing is to add a subwoofer when mine arrives.
The system was tight and clear but lacked a little low end for my tastes.
Enjoy your cars when they arrive.

 

I also opted for the Hi Fi and don't really have any issues with its sound. My former car had a powered tube subwoofer and an Alpine head unit that sounded good, but didn't have the all-around decent sound that the MINI does. The MINI Hi Fi system doesn't hit as deep as a system with a sub, but it seems to have pretty nice clarity.

Upgrade it if you want to thump the neighborhood, otherwise, I'd feel pretty good that it sounds nice. It certainly is nicer than the stock system and I'm personally done with breaking open side panels and running cables, etc.

 

The OEM speakers seem OK on some kinds of music, but horrible with others. However, clarity improved greatly when the OEM speakers were replaced with Infinity Kappas.

 

I like the HIFI in my car as well. The is enough base to shake the door panels without having it super loud.

 

I too think the Hi-Fi system sounds good. I don't know what all the negatives about it are coming from.

 

I listened to both and ordered the hifi I feel it sounds good and is well worth the $500 over the standard. It will distort if you turn it to loud with lots of bass but for normal(non teen age) use it’s great and no need to take your new baby apart.

 

I too am generally happy with the HiFi system in my MCS. I am planning, however, to add a Boss Audio Bass 600 powered subwoofer to beef up the low end. That's the only upgrade I really feel would have a worthwhile cost/benefit ratio.

 

To me, it sounded OK with some Jazz and Rock, but certain obscure vocal songs I like were horrible. When I switched to the Kappas, I was surprised by the increase in clarity for all music.

The OEM speakers are passible for a car that is as noisy as the MINI, but they can be improved quite a bit.

 

I have been installing for about 18 years and have never really liked the Infinities. Everyone has a different taste though.

Presently I am running MB Quart for components and FI Audio subs in my Celica and could not as for better SQ than what they give me. I am also giving them more power than Infinities could take. (Rockford Fosgate Power 1000 25 to life limited edition amplifier powers the entire system)

If I do end up changing out the stockers I will probably go with Tang Band.

 

I upgraded to the Kappas also, and a 12" shallow mount earthquake sub, makes a big difference. Big difference in clairity and range. I could have gone much higher in cost with components, but I was trying to stay within the $500 of the upgrade price for the HIFI stereo and I had a set of 6.5" Kappas sitting around. The other big difference is the dynamat sound deadening.

 

I agree with the OP 100%. Also I believe the quality of the sound coming out of the HiFi system (in particular) is highly dependent on the source material. Store bought CDs sound amazing. 128 kbps mp3s coming out of your iPod's headphone jack, not quite as good.

Settings also help a lot. For the HiFi system, the soundstage is way too overpowering up front at default setting, imo. The solution is to adjust the Fader 3 or 4 notches to the rear.

Right now I feel no need to do any upgrading of the stock HiFi system, it sounds great as is.

 

I agree as well. After listening with my own source materail, (Store bought CD's.) I feel no need to upgrade the Hi-Fi system in the MINI. I was going to get the CD changer but then decided against it. My wife and I decided we can put a new CD in without too much trouble.

Regards,

Pat

 

So for those who demand more what would be more cost effective?
Not upgrading to the HIfi and getting an AMP and new speakers. Or getting the HIFi and Upgrading the speakers?

I like thge invisible look where no trunk space is used and everything is behind factory grills and etc.. I am kind of an Audiophile myself and the Hifi just didnt seam to have the fullness. An Ironically the premium factory sound in my Jeep sounds alittle better then the HIFi in the Mini. I did try to tweak the Hifi settings... There is truth to wav file VS MP3.

 

I'm pretty happy with it, though I do wish there was a more dynamic EQ. Only having a treble and bass scale really sacrifices the middle range, especially for music that is vocals-focused. But it thumps well enough for me.

 

I"ve always liked mine and never understood the criticism. I also agree with fading to the rear about 3 to 4. Treble about +1, base about 0. As far as factory stereo's go, not bad.

 

I also think the the Hi Fi sounds great. I really don't understand the posts about it being dependent on the source. You can adjust the EQ differently for each source so that's what I do. Everyone that's been in my vehicle has commented how good it sounds. I'm a musician (guitarist) and many of my friends are too. Live music does sound much better though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WHVfzgwSk0

 

I opted for the MINI Hi-Fi and Sirius options in my '09 MCS. Had the h/k audio in my '06 MCS with a Blitzsafe XM unit connected via the changer input. While I have no major complaints about the new Hi-Fi sound, what I do find disappointing is how bad the factory Sirius radio sounds in comparison to my prior XM radio. In theory, the Sirius should be better because the XM was going analog before hitting the input on the h/k radio whereas the integrated Sirius should be digital further down the line. Anyway, the talk stations are barely listenable due to the lousy compression and the music stations have even worse dynamic range and compression than XM. The programming is now merged, so hopefully they'll also upgrade the streams to use lower compression and better originating sound. BTW, audio from other sources such as CD, CD/MP3 and my iPhone all sound much better, so I know it's not necessarily the rest of the system and that the Sirius is the weak link.

 

My HiFi ('08) sounds fine with pressed CDs and mp3s @ 320kbps encoding.

After fiddling with it, i found that in general (for me) my settings are Fade -2, Treble -1, Bass -3. The last part is strange, but Tr 0 and Bs -2 doesn't seem to have the same effect. I'll probably upgrade at some later time, when they're worn out. i've got a bit of tinnitus from dj'n so i dont crank the music as loud as i used to.

 

For those that added a subwoofer where was the best place to mount it. As info I am ordering an 09 cabrio so I have less room.

 

Before a road trip this week I converted some CDs to iTunes MP3s. Connected my iPod Touch to the Aux input on my 07 MINI.

Traveling Interstate 80 for hours, I thoroughly enjoyed everything from Black Crowes and Aerosmith to Bach cello solos and Handel's Messiah. Controls set to flat, volume set to loud, I am still thoroughly enjoying the HiFi after almost two years. No mods, no Dynamat.

 

Ditto.

 

I like my sound stage up front. I often have the fader most of the way forward. Use the back for just a little fill.

 

In audio this is 100% correct. The perfect example, would you sit backwards at a concert?

 

I ran out of $500 bills so I have the standard 6 speaker setup in my Clubman S, how much is involved to upgrade the the HiFi setup. The sound is decent but I know could be a whole lot more. Can the dealer do it or would a specialty shop be a lot better resource?