Went and talked to the local audio shop. Went over the options and here's what I got:

For the amp and the sub, he recommended an Arc Audio 2-channel amp with either a JL W3 10" or an Arc Audio 10" sub. He said these will both do well in a small space. He said the JL is more for boom whereas the Arc Audio is more for sound. He was going to build a custom box that is more square rather than the flatter rectangular boxes that I've seen. For the amp, custom box, and sub installed, he quoted $420 with the Arc sub and $460 with the JL.

As far as the components up front, he recommended Eclipse, Alpine S, or Hertz, and even mentioned Infinity. I told him I wanted to spend around $150 on those. He said that any of those, installed with installing the tweeter in the 4" speaker location, would be around $180-190.

Any inforation or suggestions would be great. I've never really heard of Arc Audio stuff, and I wasn't sure why he would be building a flat box. Thanks.

 

I don't know enough to comment on the specific models you mention, but here is my 2 cents.

I wouldn't spend a lot of $$ on audio for a MINI, unless you do a lot of bumper-to-bumper, or congested city driving. The road noise level in a MINI is pretty high. At highway speeds it is difficult to get much benefit from an excellent system.

You can get a Boss Bass600 powered sub for about $120. That is what I did, and I like it. It nicely makes up for the bass not sent to the rear speakers. It is self-contained with amp and enclosure in a surprisingly small box. If you can handle tapping into the X9331 connector, you can install it yourself.

I paid about $120 for the front 6.5" components, and $70 for the 4" coax speakers. I paid Crutchfield's high price of $200 for the rears, but they could be had for less elsewhere.

If you are in situations where you spend a lot of time at 25 mph or less, it may be worthwhile to spend more $$ on audio. If you mostly cruise at higher speeds, save your $$ on the $450 subs and really expensive speakers.

 

Thanks for the response. I actually do spend a decent amount of time going slow, unfortunately. I have to take the dreaded 91 East going home around 5:00, so I do spend some time in my car at lower speeds. Anyone else have any opinions. Thanks again Robin.

 

Can anyone help me with the models of hertz speakers, ranging from cheapest to most expensive? Thanks.

 

Ok, I've decided to go with the following: Hertz DSK 165 components up front with the tweeter mounted in the 4" speaker location, Arc Audio Arc10 Sub in a custom built box, all powered by an Arc Audio Kar 300.4. Any opionions?

 

So, nothing for the rear speakers?

Personally, I prefer subs that integrate well into the music, rather than just boom, but I'm not into rap. Give me that old-fashioned rock n roll, jazz, and classical. So, if the audio dealer is right, the Arc would be my choice over the JL.

You might look up the X9331 thread, print out the pinout photo, and show it to the dealer. Connecting the sub to the front speaker channels is probably the easiest (cheapest) way to do it. The access instructions might also be helpful if they haven't used the X9331 before.

 

I'm shocked that Robin Cassady is the only one that has any comments. Nobody else want to comment on this.

 

I don't know anyone named Robin Cassady.

 

enron,

sorry i have not had time to research the products you have been mentioning. i have been way to busy doing an install of my own to be able to do any research. I have not used any o f those particular products so i have no first hand experience with them and thus don't like to comment on them with out ding due diligence and research.

How has the install gone? If you have started it.

 

I apologize for the misspelling. Not the first time it's happened to me, and definitely won't be the last.

No worries Schatzy62 (spelled it right). I was just shocked that will all these threads and people's responses that I had only heard from one person. The shop is doing the install tomorrow. Dropping off the car in the morning when they open. Can't wait. The only thing I'm somewhat worried about is that the DSK is the lower end of the Hertz line, but they have a good reputation and a 3-year warranty.

 

For those of you that had a shop do the install, what all if anything did you print out for them. Anything more than Robin mentioned above? Or did you do nothing because they know what they're doing and they'll figure it out. Do they have to get behind the stock head unit?

 

Don't know much about Hertz unfortunately but my tid bit of advice would be to scale up your system. Get either the better amp, the better components or a kick *** sub. Plan ahead and spend the money where you think you want it. I ended up getting 2 Alpine PDX amps for great prices and I had MB Quart components that I think represent perfectly the sound/tone I was looking for I've had since the car before my current one. Those speakers were my best investment I've made for my audio systems. JL makes good components but higher end Focals have a sweet sound. The money I really spent was my 10" Image Dynamic sub, I would have gone with JL but I wanted that sweet SQ sound that Image Dynamics gives. I put some pics below with my set up which was my first fiberglass job and was well worth my time doing. You should consider next car you own to install the system yourself with help if you know anyone into that.

You probably are all set on your decision but keep in mind that you can always upgrade and sell off the original equipement that you purchased. Arc definitely has good amps but a little pricey, not sure about their sub line? What head unit do you have? You should also see how much they would charge to Dynamat your front doors and your trunk panel, worth getting done for the pure sound quality enhancement (tighter sound within the cab).
Good luck and hopefully you get the sound you are looking for.

 

Have you read any of the previous threads on replacement speakers, etc.?

I got my 2009 JCW a month ago. I read everything here and the recomendations on speakers/amps, etc. Almost everyone recommended replacement of the cheap stock speakers.

I went with Focals and am in the process of installing the Alpine PDC amp. The sound is INCREDIBLY better and I'd strongly recommend the replacement speakers/amp improvements.

 

Good choice on getting the focals, they sound nice and well rounded. Was it the Alpine PDX's you meant?