Has anyone listened to a side by side of an integral audio soundstage+sub installation and a comparable cost custom system?

I'm curious what the difference in sound quality, volume, etc is between the two set ups.

On one hand I'm looking at the integral system and going "Man, looks pretty comprehensive, everything in a box, just need some tools and time"

On the other hadn I'm thinking... box systems liek this never use real top end speakers, I might be able to squeeze more bang for my buck by peicing together a set up.

Another user was kind enough to basically spell out all the parts he used and stuff. With some bargain shopping I might be able to get all the components I need for the set up he suggested around the same price as the integral set up but it won't have the nifty stealth box in the back and I'd still need to buy all the wiring, etc, which will push it a little beyond the integral set up. If it's 'that' much better though....

I'm not really lookin for competition sound but I do want to pump out some volume occaisionally.

SO, anyone heard a custom set up and an integral side by side and got a comparison? Preferably systems that were the same approximate cost.

 

appears the integral audio disables the rear channel in general also, theres no speakers in the back anymore?

 

Lance,

See my response to your previous thread. Why don't you take a look at the product reviews of the system on this site (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cat.php/cat/50 and https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/52)? Or take a look at any of the threads on this forum that discuss the system?

There are answers to the questions you are asking, by people who aren't me and who don't have an interest in selling the product. I could explain to you all day long the benefits and quality of the components, but why not take it from a neutral third-party instead?

I'll give you one example of the level of components in this system - the first version of the MINI Soundstage used drivers supplied to us by Morel (who your friend in the other thread was so excited about). We elected to bring driver design and production in-house because we needed more control and hiqher quality.

 

Also, the rear speakers are NOT disabled. They are simply relegated to rear-fill, which is what they SHOULD be.

 

I've read the reviews, I was particularly looking for a comparison. Your time is worth money, the work you put into the system is worth money and that effects your price. I completely understand that. I just wanted to get the opinion fo some one who has heard two systems of approximately the same cost.

As for the rear fill, my bad. I must have read something wrong.

Does the Integral system come with a full set of replacement components? i.e. 4 front, 2 tweeters, 2 6x9s?

 

This is a total subjective question. I have heard systems that cost twice as much that sound a lot worse.

Everyone hears things differently and as such one person my think system "A" sounds better but another person thinks system "B" sounds better. Both cost the same amount of money. But move each system to another car and you may reverse which one is better because of the acoustics of the car itself.

 

Newministuff Audio upgrade vs. Integral Audio Sound stage.

Has anyone install the 2nd Gen Audio upgrade kit from NewMINIStuff.com and if you can comments on the kit and audio quality would be greatly appreciated. Or did you do the upgrade and was able to compare to Integral Audio and then upgrade to Integral's Sound Stage.

I have not had a chance to run down to PA to listen to Mark's Sound stage yet but planning to soon once I'm back in town.

TIA

 

Newministuff offers lowend kenwood stuff for 3 to 4 times the cash you could buy it for from bestbuy/ebay/wholesale audio sites.

I would go Integral audio over newministuff if those were the only 2 options.

Think outside the box/mini world and you will have more options.

 

My opinion is as follows.......

There's ALWAYS something better available but it's gonna cost you. Yes, you can usually put something together yourself for cheaper, but it's going to cost you time and if you don't know what you're doing, it will sound worse. And with car audio the further you get into it, the more expensive it gets with decreasing returns. Remember, a car is a s--- environment to plan an audio listen experience in to start with. Like installing home audio in a bathroom. Too many hard surfaces and reflections,etc,etc.

My advice is do something GOOD. Going beyond us usually just not worth it at the end of the day. Integral audio fits that bill. It is GOOD.

No, I don't work for them......... Yet!!

 

Thanks for the confirmation - It looks to me Sound Stage is the way to go with no fuss. Just to find the time to do it when I get back and getting the wife to let me do the audio upgrade. On the BMW X3 at least the stock Premium sound is decent that I can get listen but the Mini sound like I have AM radio on my mustang.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

THe more I read the more likely I am to go with the integral audio set up. I just want to hear it before I pull the trigger. Tryin to find some one at the local mini club here in DFW with the system so I can listen to it before I buy it.

As for the install, I'm positive I 'could' do the install but at this point I've gotten to a place in my life that I'd rather just pay some one to do it heh.

 

I can only speak for the Integral Audio Sub system that I just finished installing and that system definitely was a big improvement over my stock 6 speaker system. One thing I will add about Integral Audio is the customer service I received was first class all the way. Kevin was awesome and spent a lot of time answering emails and helping me over the phone with the install. I would not hesitate to encourage perspective buyers to go with Integral Audio. I plan to add the Soundstage at some point down the road too.

 

Did some chasing around on various forums reading about it. The system sounds rock solid in text, I just wanna hear one in person before I pull the trigger on a 2k+ system I'll end up paying some one else to install If anyone knows some one in DFW Texas with it installed, I'll drive to you!

 

I have the Soundstage + Sub in my coupe - I crank up the volume up very high and it delivers quality sound. I am delighted - I upgraded from HK which was mehhh. I highly recommend this system. And yes, Kevin is awesome!

 

Lance - hope you can find someone to help you with a side-by-side. Make that two someones.

You may have found my thread on being a Demo MINI for Integral Audio so I won’t repeat anything already said there.

What I will add is that I’ve had the sub for 2 years and the Soundstage for almost a year now - it still impresses me every day. And I push it EVERY DAY!!! Crisp, clean and the most full range of sound you can imagine. Kevin has done all the work to make everything work seamlessly and I can’t imagine another system coming close to this for the same cost.

I also decided 2 years ago once this project was under way to share it with other MINI owners - good or bad. Especially given the poor quality of OEM MINI sound components, I quietly hoped that this was our silver bullet. It turns out that it absolutely is and I would recommend any of Kevin’s products - he is an absolute stand up guy. He’s even offered (more than once) to take out my prototypes to install the newer version - which is what is in production now. I just don’t see any good reason to take out something that sounds so good!

Wish I was closer so you could give it a listen. Best of luck in upgrading!

 

That statement right there basically has me sold. Morel but needed more control and higher quality than Morel. That's saying something for me.