The amp should only show up if there are new speakers in the mix. Yes it would be amplifying the squirrely signal, but new speakers sound worlds better than the stock speakers, regardless of the signal being pushed to them.

I came to the same conclusion about the HiFi option and the 3Sixty.2. As far as I know, the frequencies are being choked at the amp instead of the HU. Depending on how much people would want to upgrade the stereo, the HiFi unit very well might be worth the price for reasons we previously weren't aware of. You're not paying for the better sound right away, but the ability to upgrade significantly easier later on.

The HiFi probably doesn't have a flat frequency range like the OEM interfaces claim to provide, but I bet it's a whole lot better than the Boost stereo. I doubt the stock HiFi would sound better than a well upgraded Boost system (speakers, processor, amp), but will cost less in the long run for upgrades.

 

I feel like I've hijacked this thread, so I apologize for that.

Anyways, I took it upon myself to email Metra's NE US rep (Petros Kaniaris) to ask if they actually are working on something. Here's what I got in response:

Sounds like good news to me. A replacement headunit that maintains all functionality of the speedo cluster would pretty much 100% solve the inherent problems of the stock headunit: No more missing frequencies to the rear speakers and RCA preamp outs at the back of the unit.

I'll try to keep an ear and eye out for more information. If I come up with anything else, I'll post it here so there's 1 less problem to worry about.

 

I wonder if it will be compatible with MINIs that have the NAV?

 

I agree to an extent. Being the bodyshop business I can take the car apart, I just don't know what to install once I get it apart.

Regardless, I'd rather pay someone to do it right, my problem as I have stated earlier is finding someone to trust to put my car back together the way it was.

Once I read on this forum on exactly what I want to install (I now know I want coaxial speaker....for a stock appearance unless BMW sells "A" pillar tweeter columns) I will find someone to install my stuff correctly.

Mark

 

Check out this post: A Pillar replace for tweeter? Minidrivr has a set of part numbers for the A pillars. They look pretty reasonable (about $35 a piece). I was thinking about getting them for my install.

 

Components for the front, coaxial for the rears. If you're going to buy the HiFi A-pillar set, it might be a good idea to look at 3-way component sets. That way, you'll get dedicated tweeters, dedicated midrange, and dedicated woofers.

 

How about taking the car apart--remove the door panels, rear panels, and expose the X9331 connector--then drive it to the audio installer? Let them do the stuff they know. You would then be the one to put it all back together.
You may not want coaxial speakers in the lower door position. The consensus lately has been to get a component 6.5" speaker for the lower door position, and mount its tweeter in the upper door location. That is what I plan to do with mine.

I had put the tweeter in the A-pillar, the 6.5" woofer in the lower door position, and a 4" coaxial in the upper door position. To try to mellow it out, I disconnected the tweeter part of 4" but still didn't like it. I blamed it on the speakers, but it may have been the A-pillar location of the 6.5's tweeter along with the squirrely signal from the OEM amp. So, I'm going to leave the A-pillars empty this time.

So, you may want a set of 6.5" component speakers, and a set of 6x9" coaxial speakers. If they were available from Image Dynamics, I might have even gone for a set of plain woofers for the rear, or a set of 6x9 components and not used the tweeters.

 

Robin,

That's the best idea. I'm going to have someone do all the install, I'l do the R&I for interior trim.

Mark

 

go to sonicelectronix.com....I bought Rockford Fosgate 6.5 along with Pioneer 4".....for the front doors.....6x9 Fosgate for the rears.........and a Lanzar 1000 watt amp..........................all for the amazing price of $275.00 this includes shipping.....I will do the easy install myself........and people have the nerve to say you cant get quality for that price !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! stop smokin!!!!

 

I measured my car's stereo with a load (component speakers up front) and I can tell you... it's FAR from flat. So just installing new speakers up front may or may not be to your liking. The only way to be sure that everything will sound OK is by adding an amp.

 

I havent installed the amp yet.......but let me tell you with the channel swap and the speaker upgrade!!!! I'm having secound thoughts about the amp. the rear 6x9 Rockford fosgate are pushing enough for me........but I want my ears to bleed...LOL.....also the door openings can handle a 6 3/4 with no problem.........I'm going to see if there's a 6 3/4 Punch online.....the fronts are pushing fine highs and very good mids and the rears are bringing up the rear with enough bass to satisfy just about anyone........I'm going to try the amp on the weekend and see what happens.....I'l keep everyone posted......
Later..