This is one possibility. See if you get any bass from the rear speakers. Compare it to the bass from the lower speaker in the front door. On my 2007 the bass is cut off somewhere around 100-150 Hz. MINI may have changed this on more recent models. If the door gets more bass, you will need to do the channel swap at the X9331 connector under the dash. Search for the X9331 thread.

I went with Crutchfield for my rear speakers because I wanted their tech support. However, they gave me incorrect info that really messed me up. Bought all the other speakers through Amazon for about half price.

I went with Infinity Kappas (HIFI 2ohm system on MINI) and find them to be a bit "bright." If I were doing it over, I'd pick a warmer speaker. Not sure which brand that would be, though.

Installation wasn't difficult. Had to drill an occasional screw hole, but you would with any speaker. Stock speakers have a very odd hole pattern for the lower door speaker. You also have to find a way to feed the wire from the front to the back of the speaker on the door. I poked a hole through a rubber plug and turned it into a grommet.

 

Hi Robin,
I had seen the x9331 thread before, but remember it saying 'this doesn't apply to HiFi systems', included making some weird 'molex'-like tool, made the bluetooth phone calls come from the back speakers and got generally very technical.... so on about 4 counts didn't sound good to me...should I re-think that?

I'll go listen to the bass in the morning.

So Crutchfield weren't all they were cracked up to be then?

paul

 

I just noticed someone else post that they installed

6022i speakers (6.5" but with integrated tweeter) $70@crutchfield...

And left the upper speakers disconnected (so as not to have 2 pairs of tweeters).
Seems like less money and an easier install.

I'm still puzzled why people aren't just doing a straight swap of speakers... i.e. snipping wires and replacing a 6.5" speaker with a 6.5" speaker (without tweeter), 4" with 4", 1" with 1" etc....

I'm probably going to wait until after vacation, see if I get some blindingly simple guidance (full video of speaker replacements anyone?, or better still someone telling me that if I JUST replace the rear 6x9s all will be much better and 'good enough')... and then I'll go for it.

 

IMO the 6x9 replacement was not worth the time nor $ I spent. Get a set of component speakers and do what you said by replacing the lower w/ a 6.5 the upper w/ a 4" and a 1" tweeter.

 

On my 2007 HIFI, the lower door speaker only gets bass. Putting a 2-way speaker there with tweeter would be pointless. That is why people use component speakers for that location, and put the separate tweeter elsewhere.

Nothing in life is simple.

 

OK... getting close... thanks to you guys for the responses...

Hey, TooLazy... did you end up installing the following items you listed?

6020cs ? - 6.5" and separate 1" tweeter ($117 at OCS, $139 at Crutchfield)
4022i ? - 4" with built-in tweeter ($55 at OCS, $79 at Crutchfield)


I noticed that the 6020cs is listed on Crutchfield as 'does not fit'??? Does it?

Does one use the crossover that comes with the 6020cs to split out the tweeter or do you just ignore the crossover and rely on the OEM system and just wire in the 6.5" where the old one was and connect the tweeter where the tweeter was?

paul

 

That's exactly what I did (and what most others did as well)

This is what I went with...all from amazon. Sounds much better now!

Infinity Kappa 60.9cs 6-1/2" component speaker system For 6-1/2" and 6-3/4" openings

Infinity Kappa 692.9i 6"x9" 2-way car speakers

Infinity Kappa 42.7I - Car speaker - 50 Watt - 2-way - 4"

 

Hi TooLazy...
Thanks for the exact specs...

I didn't quite get the answer to my question though (you said 'YES!' to an "A or B" question )

Does one use the crossover that comes with the 6020cs to split out the tweeter
OR
do you just ignore the crossover and rely on the OEM system and just wire in the 6.5" where the old one was and connect the tweeter where the tweeter was?



Robin: you said the Kappas were a bit too 'bright'... I noticed on the Crutchfield web-site that it says "If you want 'brighter' sound..." upgrade from the 6020cs to the Kappas.
TooLazy...: the "tech at infinity" said if you're going to use the 'stock head' then go with the reference instead of the kappas... But in the end you went with the kappas.

So...with the benefit of hindsight... should I go with the Kappas or the Reference?

 

Yeah I originally said to forget the crossovers and just replace the speakers but then somehow I edited that out! Sorry - and the techs at Infinity told me the same thing about the references since the RMS is lower but also said the kappas are a better sounding speaker and they would choose kappa.........whether is was b/c the kappas cost more I couldn't tell you but the prices difference wasn't that big (for me). Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll be happy as both the reference and kappas are great speakers.