hey guys looking to get a sterio system in my r56 but i have no idea how that works im so confusedsince the set up is tottaly different i have the system and subs and ampi just dont know if there is a dash kif for the mini or what if any one knows please help or if thereis a thread let me know thanks

 

There are lots of threads on here that cover it, but the simple answer is:

no. You can't swap out the head unit without TONS of other modifications. All of the computer controls for the entire car are inside the head unit behind the center stack. You could bypass the stereo portion of it altogether, but dash kits are extremely rare.. Some folks use the hidden door above the glove compartment to pop in a single-din receiver there, but even that has it's challenges - you'd have to completely rewire the antennae and speakers, power and ground...

most people just swap out the door speakers and the rear 6x9s and go with that. some add powered sub boxes (like I did)...

All depends on what you're going for. No matter what, it's ultimately a TON easier to use existing head unit and just work with that. You can get respectable audio out of the base audio that way, but don't expect concert sound.

If you have the HK, it's already pretty decent, and there's already an amp in the boot. That might give you some additional options.

Good Luck!

 

Greetings! Welcome to the forums...
Here is a link to the audio sub-forum for R56 models, hopefully you can find what you are looking for in there.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...and-audio-201/

I'm no audio expert when it comes to upgrading MINIs, but the consensus is that it's somewhat tricky since so much of the car's electronics are integrated into the stereo/speedo unit.

Not sure whether you have the base stereo or the HK upgrade, which might make a difference. Apparently alot of people have made improvements by swapping the channels between the front and rear speakers, but I'm sure a search would give you more info on that than I could. Good Luck!

Jon

 

That is not entirely true the engine management system, stability control system, lighting system and others are NOT in the head unit. It can actually be removed but NO UPGRADES can be done if it is not there so with that it really must be left in the car.

Dash kits by METRA are easily available. and have been for almost two years.


as for 'completely rewiring' that is also not true very easy to splice into the factory wiring harness at the x9331 connector in the drivers (left drive) side foot well.

very popular option

although easier to keep the head unit it is also very easy to move it behind the new head unit.

trying to play with the amp or put in an aftermarket amp on one of these systems is not as easy as it sounds. trust me i have done it and this is where there is a lot of extra wiring needed.

 

Swaping of front and rear channels only works for the Base Audio System but the NCS experts have found the program switch to turn off the 100hz filter.

 

Wait, what? I hadn't seen that. Granted, I don't have NCS Expert up and running yet either but that would be fantastic. Even fading to the rear 5 clicks and boosting the bass makes it a lot more livable.

You always have the good info.

 

Check line 37 in the spreadsheet here and you will see the line "Change Standard (Boost) Radio Filter Settings"

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...FE&hl=en#gid=0

 

Hey guys well i did some reading and got some ideas some people kept everything intack and just made the ribbon longer so it could be moved easily and just stashed the factor ly one behind the speedo idk how hard that is but if any has done it let me know . Others say if u take it out and use the by pass thingfor metra but the dealer cant read anything whats does that mean like the 0bd2 port or what are they talking about

 

I posted this earlier, when building my system and it is working great with the outboard components installed. Minimal interfacing with stock wiring......AA

I have had tremendous success using and OEM signal processor. Have you tried one of those offered by JL, AudioControl, Rockford and now, the latest Alpine processor?

I have installed four of these now,, the JL, AudioControls version and two Rockford 360.2 although the latter is a bit more costly.

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...item_id=106187

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...hp?prod_id=369

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VZVqZWB...-PXE-H650.html

http://www.audiocontrol.com/t34/1761...tegration.html



These processors "scrub" and adjust the factory head unit signal to flat and return signal to a low level out for outboard amp(s).

No cutting, replacing, integrating any of the OEM stuff which cif done incorrectly can cause several faults in the OBD due to the bus system in the car.

I replaced all speakers in my 2010 R56 and have kept all controls stock and working as intended. Only issues is if you have back up alarm, you would lose the low, >150Hz, without summing full range signal from fronts to all corners.

This unit has full 3rd octave processing as well as time delay to each corner, a sub out and variable aux input which can be placed anywhere in vehicle.

I used a JL 900/5 amp for my entire new system and placed 360.2 in right rear panel. Is small and easy fit. All adjustments are made thru your palm device or Smartphone via bluetooth. No opening/tearing out pieces to tune system.

Overall, I am very pleased with my new system/speakers/amp/sub & processor. I would recommend this audio upgrade to anyone who is NOT looking for a DVD interface in your mini.........

 

Perfect summation to what I intend on doing with my install. Although I was planning on centering the install using the AudioControl DQL-8. It seems like a good peice of hardware for an "every day driver" install.

 

What, no love for the Audison BitOne and BitTen? I know they're fairly pricey but they're possibly the best OEM intergration solution on the planet.

I think this thread would go more smoothly nckash055 if you told us exactly what your goals are, what your budget it, who's gear you like, and what all you want to do. I know these are pretty specific questions, but if you want specific answers we need to know.

 

The signal from the front output from the HU is already flat and full-range. There is no reason to "scrub" the signal. Feed the output of the HU straight into your processor and your'e good to go. I'm running my OEM HU into ym PXA-H800 until I get my IVA-D800.

 

I'd take the JBL MS-8 over the B1.1 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

I'd not heard of this before. Pretty interesting. Here in St. Louis we're down to one good car audio shop, but he is one of the best in the country. Makes it hard to get exposed to a wide variety of equipment anymore.

/hijack

 

It's just the difference in their application and intended audience. The MS-8s' auto tune is AMAZING. The B1.1 is ultimately more adjustable but it takes a lot more experience to get everything out of it.

 

So does anyone have experience with the MS-8 in their MINI? It does sound like a pretty great piece of hardware and dollar for dollar seems like a no brainer over the AudioControl DQL-8 I was originally planning on centering my future upgrade around.

Seriously thinking MS-8 now.

 

I have experience with it, just not in a MINI. the car doesn't really matter though.

 

I'm looking for input on a active xover system design centered with the MS-8. My plan is to pull a small SQ system together using the MS-8 and active xovers from a single Alpine PDX-5 amp to power a front stage and sub. The speakers would be limited to a set of 2-way Morel Dotech Ovation 6 front stage and a single 10" Image Dynamics IDQ subwoofer in the rear.

I'm limited to the scope of this design because it's going in to a limited edition GP and I want/need to maintain the factory parts that make this car unique. Front stage is all door mount (no pillar tweets) and the sub will be a custom fabricated fiberglass enclosure in the rear (floor or side panel area).

From your experience with the MS-8, do you think it will be able to pull the components together and present high level sound quality?

 

Not with what you're limiting the system to. To do the MS-8 justice you need a full 7.1 setup. The MS-8 can still make it sound incredible but your'e seriously handicapping the system. With what you want to do, something like the Helix P-DSP would be a far better option. If Alpine ever releases the PXA-H800 that would be a great one too. I currently have the PXA-H800 but I may switch to the P-DSP simply because we don't get the IVA-D800 in the US and so far no one can tell me if the region coding for DVDs really is adjustable like it says in the manual.