Navigation & Audio MINI Hi-FI Sound System By Alpine
A fairfax county judge denied my wifes appeal to remove the blow dohicky so it looks like I am another three months away from my install. 
I was told I don't need the cover because of an option I have, but I don't remember which option it was.
I was told I don't need the cover because of an option I have, but I don't remember which option it was.
Drum roll please....
Install has occurred!!!
Sooo, I actually had the installation just over a week ago but I wanted to take it in for a while before I discussed it.
Here goes. Ok, first let me say that my replacement tweeter came the morning of my latest scheduled trip to the dealer. I had come to terms with the fact that the item was lost in transit from the UK and was going to install the less than perfect one that came with the initial delivery. Luckily, it came the day of my appointment. Great timing! I want to make known how wonderful Martin at Mini genuine parts was during this whole adventure. He is an extremely patient man and was very professional during my period of frustration. A perfect gentleman! I highly recommend doing business with them if anyone decides to pursue this upgrade!
Ok, with that said, after a week of evaluating, I must say that I am very happy with this upgrade. I can't say that I am satisfied beyond words but this is definitely an improvement! The sound quality coming through the front speakers is way better! What has me the most amazed is how the sound in the rear speakers has changed. I am convinced that the "wire swap" discussed on this thread and some others was worked in to the new harness because it is double the sound coming from the rear. I think that should be a good thing but I find it a bit odd that though they are not amplified, they now seem equal, if not greater in output. The volume is good but unfortunately the sound quality of the rear is no where near that of the alpine speakers in front. Over the past week, I have actually faded to the front almost to level 4 because I felt like the sound stage was based at the rear while I prefer the sound quality from the front. Odd! I assumed that the front speakers would have even greater output and the rears would simply become fill. That is not quite the case. The sound from the front is more refined but the volume almost matches the rear. So now having faded to the front, I feel like the overall sound experience is better and more balanced. Perhaps others will like everything balanced out but I prefer quality over volume. The bass response is great. Not as deep as i had thought it would be but SO much better. The highs are nice and crisp and it is amazing how much more the sound seems to invelop you with the tweeters added to the A-pillar. They sound great and look great. The little alpine emblem is a nice touch (they only come with a teeny tiny piece of double stick tape on them so I actually super glued them to the cover so that they would not fall off during dashboard dusting - also for the other OCD people out there, note you can line it up with the holes on the speaker cover to keep both sides level
).
Anyway, just like the crap stock system, this upgrade has taken some time to get used to. After working through a variety of music, I have all of the adjustments made and as of this morning, for the first time, I actually felt good about this investment (and the preceding run-around)!
So to summarize:
Bass: MUCH better all around
Mid: well balance in the front, a bit muddy in the rear
Highs: MUCH more refined. Not to sharp, not too soft and the tweeters look great!
Overall output: MUCH improved and as I mentioned, strangely increased in the rear while nicely balanced in the front. For me, fading to the front is the way to go.
Total investment: approximately $900. Quite a chunk of change and honestly, if I was not fortunate to be in the position to be able to afford this, I do not know if I would have done it. It is hands down an improvement and according to the tech was a pretty straight forward install. That is comforting to me and so is the fact that I had a MINI dealer install it. They did a a nice job and returned my car to me in great shape. If peace of mind is important and you have some cash available, I would go for this. If not, for the money, you could probably get a pretty sweet after market system that replaced all speakers.
I will be very curious as to how Redduc feels about the upgrade when he is able to install it!
All in all, I am very pleased!
Hope this helps anyone considering it and please throw out any questions.
Install has occurred!!!
Sooo, I actually had the installation just over a week ago but I wanted to take it in for a while before I discussed it.
Here goes. Ok, first let me say that my replacement tweeter came the morning of my latest scheduled trip to the dealer. I had come to terms with the fact that the item was lost in transit from the UK and was going to install the less than perfect one that came with the initial delivery. Luckily, it came the day of my appointment. Great timing! I want to make known how wonderful Martin at Mini genuine parts was during this whole adventure. He is an extremely patient man and was very professional during my period of frustration. A perfect gentleman! I highly recommend doing business with them if anyone decides to pursue this upgrade!
Ok, with that said, after a week of evaluating, I must say that I am very happy with this upgrade. I can't say that I am satisfied beyond words but this is definitely an improvement! The sound quality coming through the front speakers is way better! What has me the most amazed is how the sound in the rear speakers has changed. I am convinced that the "wire swap" discussed on this thread and some others was worked in to the new harness because it is double the sound coming from the rear. I think that should be a good thing but I find it a bit odd that though they are not amplified, they now seem equal, if not greater in output. The volume is good but unfortunately the sound quality of the rear is no where near that of the alpine speakers in front. Over the past week, I have actually faded to the front almost to level 4 because I felt like the sound stage was based at the rear while I prefer the sound quality from the front. Odd! I assumed that the front speakers would have even greater output and the rears would simply become fill. That is not quite the case. The sound from the front is more refined but the volume almost matches the rear. So now having faded to the front, I feel like the overall sound experience is better and more balanced. Perhaps others will like everything balanced out but I prefer quality over volume. The bass response is great. Not as deep as i had thought it would be but SO much better. The highs are nice and crisp and it is amazing how much more the sound seems to invelop you with the tweeters added to the A-pillar. They sound great and look great. The little alpine emblem is a nice touch (they only come with a teeny tiny piece of double stick tape on them so I actually super glued them to the cover so that they would not fall off during dashboard dusting - also for the other OCD people out there, note you can line it up with the holes on the speaker cover to keep both sides level
). Anyway, just like the crap stock system, this upgrade has taken some time to get used to. After working through a variety of music, I have all of the adjustments made and as of this morning, for the first time, I actually felt good about this investment (and the preceding run-around)!
So to summarize:
Bass: MUCH better all around
Mid: well balance in the front, a bit muddy in the rear
Highs: MUCH more refined. Not to sharp, not too soft and the tweeters look great!
Overall output: MUCH improved and as I mentioned, strangely increased in the rear while nicely balanced in the front. For me, fading to the front is the way to go.
Total investment: approximately $900. Quite a chunk of change and honestly, if I was not fortunate to be in the position to be able to afford this, I do not know if I would have done it. It is hands down an improvement and according to the tech was a pretty straight forward install. That is comforting to me and so is the fact that I had a MINI dealer install it. They did a a nice job and returned my car to me in great shape. If peace of mind is important and you have some cash available, I would go for this. If not, for the money, you could probably get a pretty sweet after market system that replaced all speakers.
I will be very curious as to how Redduc feels about the upgrade when he is able to install it!
All in all, I am very pleased!
Hope this helps anyone considering it and please throw out any questions.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Hey izzle22,
I am glad to hear that you have had the install done! Did you have a dealer get the kit and also install the upgrade? I am curious if you had to jump through the same hoops that I did.
So you say that you have the same impression with the system? Like heavy in the rear and not as powerful as you anticipated? Have you made the same adjustments I have?
Just curious as you are the only one at this point, I can compare notes with...
I am glad to hear that you have had the install done! Did you have a dealer get the kit and also install the upgrade? I am curious if you had to jump through the same hoops that I did.
So you say that you have the same impression with the system? Like heavy in the rear and not as powerful as you anticipated? Have you made the same adjustments I have?
Just curious as you are the only one at this point, I can compare notes with...
Hey izzle22,
I am glad to hear that you have had the install done! Did you have a dealer get the kit and also install the upgrade? I am curious if you had to jump through the same hoops that I did.
So you say that you have the same impression with the system? Like heavy in the rear and not as powerful as you anticipated? Have you made the same adjustments I have?
Just curious as you are the only one at this point, I can compare notes with...
I am glad to hear that you have had the install done! Did you have a dealer get the kit and also install the upgrade? I am curious if you had to jump through the same hoops that I did.
So you say that you have the same impression with the system? Like heavy in the rear and not as powerful as you anticipated? Have you made the same adjustments I have?
Just curious as you are the only one at this point, I can compare notes with...
Last edited by izzle22; Jul 22, 2010 at 07:05 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I am right there with you izzle22! I am a quality sound freak and I cannot believe that I actually drove off the lot with the stock system! The MINI is so much fun and such a joy to drive that while test driving it, I was so ecstatic and having such a great time, I let my finicky taste in sound systems fall by the way side. I have had amazing systems in past Audis and Volvos. I absolutely love everything about this car but I do get a bit sad when I turn on the sound system. I am surprised (yet a bit happy) that you did not think that the HK was that much better. I have not even gone to listen to it yet because I was kicking myself for being suckered into an '09 instead of a 2010. Oh well... I could be much worse off! Do you mind asking which dealer you worked with? I have seen several posts about this system now being officially available in the US and was curious as to whether or not that was true.
So like you, I want everything in my MINI to be MINI so for that I am happy about the upgrade but yeah, will just have to settle with loving everything else about my car.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
So like you, I want everything in my MINI to be MINI so for that I am happy about the upgrade but yeah, will just have to settle with loving everything else about my car.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 127
From: San Francisco
I am right there with you izzle22! I am a quality sound freak and I cannot believe that I actually drove off the lot with the stock system! The MINI is so much fun and such a joy to drive that while test driving it, I was so ecstatic and having such a great time, I let my finicky taste in sound systems fall by the way side. I have had amazing systems in past Audis and Volvos. I absolutely love everything about this car but I do get a bit sad when I turn on the sound system. I am surprised (yet a bit happy) that you did not think that the HK was that much better. I have not even gone to listen to it yet because I was kicking myself for being suckered into an '09 instead of a 2010. Oh well... I could be much worse off! Do you mind asking which dealer you worked with? I have seen several posts about this system now being officially available in the US and was curious as to whether or not that was true.
So like you, I want everything in my MINI to be MINI so for that I am happy about the upgrade but yeah, will just have to settle with loving everything else about my car.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
So like you, I want everything in my MINI to be MINI so for that I am happy about the upgrade but yeah, will just have to settle with loving everything else about my car.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Philippines
i have the alpine kit when i took delivery...how does it compare to the harman kardon and hifi system? is the alpine kit > factory hifi???????
i read in the install pdf..the amp goes beneath the front passenger seat? my dealer said they installed it on the rear left trunk area.
i read in the install pdf..the amp goes beneath the front passenger seat? my dealer said they installed it on the rear left trunk area.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 835
Likes: 5
From: Atlanta, GA
As I understand it the Alpine kit is an upgrade to the stock MINI system. This Alpine system is not an upgrade for those MINIs with the HIFI system.
The optional MINI HIFI system has a 10 speaker set up. Several posters (me included) have swapped the stock HIFI speakers with the 2010 Harmon Kardon speakers. The HIFI amp is already set up to power the 10 HIFI speakers so 2010 HF speakers plug right in and mount with the same hardware.
The optional MINI HIFI system has a 10 speaker set up. Several posters (me included) have swapped the stock HIFI speakers with the 2010 Harmon Kardon speakers. The HIFI amp is already set up to power the 10 HIFI speakers so 2010 HF speakers plug right in and mount with the same hardware.
Sorry but are you responding to my question? If so, I meant the website says:
"Alpine...cannot be install on cars with the following optional equipment, HI-FI, Sirius OR R57 with anti-theft alarm."
The "OR" suggests that the kit won't work for a R57 with a base system that has an alarm.
Apology if you weren't responding to my question, just ignore!
"Alpine...cannot be install on cars with the following optional equipment, HI-FI, Sirius OR R57 with anti-theft alarm."
The "OR" suggests that the kit won't work for a R57 with a base system that has an alarm.
Apology if you weren't responding to my question, just ignore!
As I understand it the Alpine kit is an upgrade to the stock MINI system. This Alpine system is not an upgrade for those MINIs with the HIFI system.
The optional MINI HIFI system has a 10 speaker set up. Several posters (me included) have swapped the stock HIFI speakers with the 2010 Harmon Kardon speakers. The HIFI amp is already set up to power the 10 HIFI speakers so 2010 HF speakers plug right in and mount with the same hardware.
The optional MINI HIFI system has a 10 speaker set up. Several posters (me included) have swapped the stock HIFI speakers with the 2010 Harmon Kardon speakers. The HIFI amp is already set up to power the 10 HIFI speakers so 2010 HF speakers plug right in and mount with the same hardware.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
I'm not sure that this is entirely correct. I also have an R57 with an alarm, and Mini of San Francisco (closest dealership) has informed me that the upgrade is compatible with my car. My alarm system is oem, dealer-installed (as opposed to factory). I can't say if there's a difference. My stereo is the standard boost.
While I'm not sure, I believe the main consideration is whether you already have any optional equipment installed in the compartment under your passenger seat. This is where the upgrade amplifier needs to be placed.
The installation instructions at 'genuineminiparts.uk' give you a good overview of what's involved, and since it's purely a post-audio-line-out upgrade, we're really only limited by placement of the amp & ability to tap into a positive lead at the fusebox. Since there's no programming involved, it's pretty much just a nuts and bolts install.
I'll be doing mine myself in a couple of months. At least that's the plan...
While I'm not sure, I believe the main consideration is whether you already have any optional equipment installed in the compartment under your passenger seat. This is where the upgrade amplifier needs to be placed.
The installation instructions at 'genuineminiparts.uk' give you a good overview of what's involved, and since it's purely a post-audio-line-out upgrade, we're really only limited by placement of the amp & ability to tap into a positive lead at the fusebox. Since there's no programming involved, it's pretty much just a nuts and bolts install.
I'll be doing mine myself in a couple of months. At least that's the plan...
Thanks. I checked and there is nothing under the passenger seat. Let me know how your install goes. I'm also in the Bay Area, so when you're done perhaps you can let me listen to it?
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Alpine HiFi Installed
Hi guys,
I just had this installed Yesterday, and so far I am not impressed. It does sound way better than the stock sound system but when I raise the volume certain songs sound really horrible. They sound muddled or as if the speakers can't handle the sound. Then again, some songs sound so much better with the added bass. I just bought a Mini and had it special ordered. I had purchased a HK sound system on it, but was shocked when the day after delivery I noticed it did not have HK! So I ended up getting compensated with the Alpine upgrade.
Overall though, it is ok. It is better than the stock sound system. I can't compare it to the HK sound system since I do not have one but I am not completely dissatisfied.
I just had this installed Yesterday, and so far I am not impressed. It does sound way better than the stock sound system but when I raise the volume certain songs sound really horrible. They sound muddled or as if the speakers can't handle the sound. Then again, some songs sound so much better with the added bass. I just bought a Mini and had it special ordered. I had purchased a HK sound system on it, but was shocked when the day after delivery I noticed it did not have HK! So I ended up getting compensated with the Alpine upgrade.
Overall though, it is ok. It is better than the stock sound system. I can't compare it to the HK sound system since I do not have one but I am not completely dissatisfied.
Is your a R56, and do you (or anyone) have a PDF of the installation instructions? I'm sorry to hear that you are underwhelmed, but the stock system is so bad that I may give the Alpine upgrade a shot anyway.
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Update
It has been a few weeks now, and I have had more time to play around with the Alpine upgrade.
Whenever I try to raise the volume anywhere near its max, the rear speakers sound like they want to blow! NOT GOOD.
And this should have next to nothing to do with the upgrade as the upgrade only uprades the speakers at the front and installs an amp for them.
I also hear a rattling noise from the drivers side door panel which I do not remember hearing before.
All in all and despite my complaints, it is still better than the stock sound system. Just not sure if it is worth the money. I do believe that if you are paying for this upgrade and they are charging you $1,000 then you could probably have a way better sound if you look elsewhere. But if you just need it to sound decent and are trying to keep everything as close to stock as possible then this may be your only viable option. Of course there is always the option of installing a sound processor, amp(s), new speakers and you would blow the Alpine upgrade out of the water but then that would probably take a little more effort and may be +/- what the Alpine system will cost you.
One thing, for now I am content but sooner or later I can see myself making lots of changes myself.
Whenever I try to raise the volume anywhere near its max, the rear speakers sound like they want to blow! NOT GOOD.
And this should have next to nothing to do with the upgrade as the upgrade only uprades the speakers at the front and installs an amp for them.
I also hear a rattling noise from the drivers side door panel which I do not remember hearing before.
All in all and despite my complaints, it is still better than the stock sound system. Just not sure if it is worth the money. I do believe that if you are paying for this upgrade and they are charging you $1,000 then you could probably have a way better sound if you look elsewhere. But if you just need it to sound decent and are trying to keep everything as close to stock as possible then this may be your only viable option. Of course there is always the option of installing a sound processor, amp(s), new speakers and you would blow the Alpine upgrade out of the water but then that would probably take a little more effort and may be +/- what the Alpine system will cost you.
One thing, for now I am content but sooner or later I can see myself making lots of changes myself.
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Mini Cooper S
Actually, the Dealer installed the kit. it took them 2 days to do it. I have no idea how much time they actually spent doing it. From the instructions though, it would probably take me 3-4 hours to do it (drinking and all) 