Navigation & Audio Want to upgrade from Hi-Fi to Harman Kardon
4th Gear
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From: Round on the ends, Hi in the middle.
UPDATE:
All my parts arrived yesterday, I ordered 2 black a pillars with tweeter inc Harmon Kardon logo, 2 HK door mid range and 2 HK door woofers. I also ordered red colourline dash strips to fit at the same time.
Took about 3 hours to fit everything, as the colorline requires a lot of dash trim to be removed and there are a couple of hidden screws behind the speedo surround. All the speakers are a direct replacement and use the same speaker connections. The front HK woofers are deeper than hifi and have a bigger magnet with a plastic type cone.
WOW, the sound is awesome now, just been for a quick drive and you can really wind up the volume now with superb bass response (test songs - Hadouken, mic check and Gaga, telephone). I will order the rears next week as they sound very woolly now compared to the fronts.
Superb job, well pleased with the result. It's very very worthwhile and I think you could get away with changing the door woofers as a starting point as that is where you will get the power in the bass from.
I had a custom install in my old R53 with Alpine HU, front amp and crossovers to Infinity components and phoenix gold rear amp and Alpine 10" r type sub. I can't say the HK up front kicks like that did, but for a speaker swap and no daft sub and amp in the boot it is just what I want from this, it's now plenty loud with a lot of bass to play with.
All my parts arrived yesterday, I ordered 2 black a pillars with tweeter inc Harmon Kardon logo, 2 HK door mid range and 2 HK door woofers. I also ordered red colourline dash strips to fit at the same time.
Took about 3 hours to fit everything, as the colorline requires a lot of dash trim to be removed and there are a couple of hidden screws behind the speedo surround. All the speakers are a direct replacement and use the same speaker connections. The front HK woofers are deeper than hifi and have a bigger magnet with a plastic type cone.
WOW, the sound is awesome now, just been for a quick drive and you can really wind up the volume now with superb bass response (test songs - Hadouken, mic check and Gaga, telephone). I will order the rears next week as they sound very woolly now compared to the fronts.
Superb job, well pleased with the result. It's very very worthwhile and I think you could get away with changing the door woofers as a starting point as that is where you will get the power in the bass from.
I had a custom install in my old R53 with Alpine HU, front amp and crossovers to Infinity components and phoenix gold rear amp and Alpine 10" r type sub. I can't say the HK up front kicks like that did, but for a speaker swap and no daft sub and amp in the boot it is just what I want from this, it's now plenty loud with a lot of bass to play with.
Can you provide the parts numbers for the HK bits you ordered?
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
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Yes
51437236259 - LH HK black a pillar inc tweeter
51437236260 - RH HK black a pillar inc tweeter
65139169690 - HK door mid range
65139194841 - HK door woofer
If you are struggling to get them in the US, let me know I am happy to ship parts over from the UK
51437236259 - LH HK black a pillar inc tweeter
51437236260 - RH HK black a pillar inc tweeter
65139169690 - HK door mid range
65139194841 - HK door woofer
If you are struggling to get them in the US, let me know I am happy to ship parts over from the UK
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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Wow..!!!
I just quoted this and the upgrade would be around $ 600 dollars..!!!!
I might forget about this mod and live with my stock speakers. Im happy with the result only adding the BASS600.
Anyway, thanks for the part numbers
I just quoted this and the upgrade would be around $ 600 dollars..!!!!
I might forget about this mod and live with my stock speakers. Im happy with the result only adding the BASS600.
Anyway, thanks for the part numbers
Thanks Sworks, I got a quote from the dealership for the midrange ($US60/each) and woofer ($US100/each). Takes seven days to order though. I might consider it as I get tired of having to readjust the base/fader as my iPod goes through the playlist.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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Does the hifi amp has enough power for the woofers? Did you notice any decrease in volume?
Thanks,
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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**Further update**
Installed the rear woofers last night, not too bad took about 3 hours for the full rear strip down. Didn't break a clip or cause any damage and road test today was quiet as a mouse with no panel rattles
The setup sounds great now and goes loud and bassy and is usually set about +1 or +2 instead of +5 or +6
The fronts are running in well and the rears are still tight at the moment and need some more air time to get going but still give plenty of power and bass.
The biggest bang for buck is definately the door woofers i'd recommend those to everybody as an initial upgrade.
The best thing about installing these is they are a genuine part, they fit in the same holes and the wiring loom plugs straight in without cutting and using spades etc
MINI MX - I didn't notice any decrease in power but it is hard to compare a brand new different brand speaker to one that has been sat there for 2 years, well run in etc. New speakers always sound tight and then loosen up after maybe 50 hours so i'll probably come back and give you a further update then.
In terms of replacing the hifi amp to the HK amp, i'm not sure how this will work yet and it's a lot of money to invest on a non returnable item...
Installed the rear woofers last night, not too bad took about 3 hours for the full rear strip down. Didn't break a clip or cause any damage and road test today was quiet as a mouse with no panel rattles
The setup sounds great now and goes loud and bassy and is usually set about +1 or +2 instead of +5 or +6
The fronts are running in well and the rears are still tight at the moment and need some more air time to get going but still give plenty of power and bass.
The biggest bang for buck is definately the door woofers i'd recommend those to everybody as an initial upgrade.
The best thing about installing these is they are a genuine part, they fit in the same holes and the wiring loom plugs straight in without cutting and using spades etc
MINI MX - I didn't notice any decrease in power but it is hard to compare a brand new different brand speaker to one that has been sat there for 2 years, well run in etc. New speakers always sound tight and then loosen up after maybe 50 hours so i'll probably come back and give you a further update then.
In terms of replacing the hifi amp to the HK amp, i'm not sure how this will work yet and it's a lot of money to invest on a non returnable item...
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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Thanks for the update SWorks and congratulations for your upgrade.
I think I will start with the door midranges. Cheaper and easier to install. Hopefully sound will be more clear and less distorted. Then will save for the door woofers. I have the Bass600 installed and has done wonders for my system although the bass is not well balanced.
I will forget about upgrading the tweeters and the 6 x 9. Too expensive and too much tearing down.
I think I will start with the door midranges. Cheaper and easier to install. Hopefully sound will be more clear and less distorted. Then will save for the door woofers. I have the Bass600 installed and has done wonders for my system although the bass is not well balanced.
I will forget about upgrading the tweeters and the 6 x 9. Too expensive and too much tearing down.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
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Thanks for the update SWorks and congratulations for your upgrade.
I think I will start with the door midranges. Cheaper and easier to install. Hopefully sound will be more clear and less distorted. Then will save for the door woofers. I have the Bass600 installed and has done wonders for my system although the bass is not well balanced.
I will forget about upgrading the tweeters and the 6 x 9. Too expensive and too much tearing down.
I think I will start with the door midranges. Cheaper and easier to install. Hopefully sound will be more clear and less distorted. Then will save for the door woofers. I have the Bass600 installed and has done wonders for my system although the bass is not well balanced.
I will forget about upgrading the tweeters and the 6 x 9. Too expensive and too much tearing down.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
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**update**
Rears are running in very nicely now - the sound is is becoming warmer and deeper with the rear and is very noticeable from standard hifi rears - without question worth the 3 hours to strip down and refit
It sounds perfect now running at +1 or +2 and goes very loud and copes extremely well with heavy rock and dance tracks.
If you're thinking about upgrading, do it you will not be disappointed with the HK speakers
Rears are running in very nicely now - the sound is is becoming warmer and deeper with the rear and is very noticeable from standard hifi rears - without question worth the 3 hours to strip down and refit
It sounds perfect now running at +1 or +2 and goes very loud and copes extremely well with heavy rock and dance tracks.
If you're thinking about upgrading, do it you will not be disappointed with the HK speakers
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
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SWorks,
Did you take any pictures of the speakers before istalling them? Since Harman Kardon doesnt manufacture speakers themselves, I wonder if they were made by Infinity or JBL (Part of the Harman International group). I could be cheaper buying them aftermarket.
Did you take any pictures of the speakers before istalling them? Since Harman Kardon doesnt manufacture speakers themselves, I wonder if they were made by Infinity or JBL (Part of the Harman International group). I could be cheaper buying them aftermarket.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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Sorry I can't tell you - they had Harman Kardon stickers on but no idea who actually manufacturers the cones and components.
I know the basket and wiring connections are specific MINI so you wouldn't get that with aftermarket.
The HK woofers look very similar to hifi speakers (all black and look stock) so definately from Harman group, but the mid range and tweeter have a silver foil cones.
I don't think the price is silly but then again I got them at trade price
I know the basket and wiring connections are specific MINI so you wouldn't get that with aftermarket.
The HK woofers look very similar to hifi speakers (all black and look stock) so definately from Harman group, but the mid range and tweeter have a silver foil cones.
I don't think the price is silly but then again I got them at trade price
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Paradise
Probably easier to install. Don't need to cut off the OEM connectors.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Atlanta, GA
The reason I am excited about this is that some aftermarket speakers require more power for good sound levels. I don't want to change the amp and great care must be taken to select speakers that will sound well with the relatively low power output of the HIFI amp.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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Of course you can buy your own speakers and do whatever you want, but I wanted a direct replacement, no cutting of the speaker wires and something with a good track record of sounding good
Last edited by SWorks; Apr 26, 2010 at 06:22 AM.
i'm aware of the topic of the thread and i'm interested in doing this. i just wondering why buy the hk from mini at over priced rates instead of going to a stereo shop. not having to splice wires might be enough of a reason however i wonder if the hk is a superior speaker to comparable priced speakers elsewhere.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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i'm aware of the topic of the thread and i'm interested in doing this. i just wondering why buy the hk from mini at over priced rates instead of going to a stereo shop. not having to splice wires might be enough of a reason however i wonder if the hk is a superior speaker to comparable priced speakers elsewhere.
The HK pillars are expensive but you get new tweeters and the HK logo plus they look really nice
It really depends what you want - but the point to this thread is upgrading from hifi to HK and that is what I did
Will The HK speakers work with the standard stereo
Hello
I do not have HIFI just the the standard stereo and I just want to replace the door speakers 65139169690 - HK door mid range and 65139194841 - HK door woofer. Would the speakers just plug in like the HIFI system and do you think it would sound better than the terrible stock speakers that I have now.
I do not have HIFI just the the standard stereo and I just want to replace the door speakers 65139169690 - HK door mid range and 65139194841 - HK door woofer. Would the speakers just plug in like the HIFI system and do you think it would sound better than the terrible stock speakers that I have now.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
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From: San Francisco
No, the HiFi speakers are tailored specifically for the HiFi amp (e.g. no crossovers because the crossovers are built into the HiFi amp), and the impedance will mismatch for a standard amp. In any case, the HiFi speakers are very low quality by all reports.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
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The HK rears are well worth the hassle of the full rear panel and trim removal, they really work well with the HK fronts.
I wasn't sure at first when I had only done the full front set and I thought how much better can it be? Well it is lots better and yes get stuck in and get that rear trim out
I wasn't sure at first when I had only done the full front set and I thought how much better can it be? Well it is lots better and yes get stuck in and get that rear trim out