I just picked up my new Cooper S with the HK stereo this past Friday. I immediately noticed that the volume on the stereo is lacking. My wife's 2000 BMW 3 series with HK is considerably louder.
Is this just the way they are configured?
My 2001 Beetle with Monsoon was much louder.

 

I have HK and like it. YOu need to experiment with various sound modes. For instance, the "instrumental" setting does not get very loud. The "Mini H/K" and "Electronic" do. their base is also humongous. Changing the fader/base/trebel settings a lot also alters volume output. There are dissertations somewhere (maybe mini2) on the stereo which are more informative on subject.
Steve

 

It is set on "Mini H/K' and I have adjusted the settings to my taste, but the volume just isn't there. I agree, the bass is overwhelming. I adjusted mine to the negative.

 

>>It is set on "Mini H/K' and I have adjusted the settings to my taste, but the volume just isn't there. I agree, the bass is overwhelming. I adjusted mine to the negative.
I also have the HK in my '04 MCS and I think it is a terrific factory system. You need to keep in mind that the HK stereo is front stage biased in "MINI H/K", "Electronic" and "Instrumental" modes. "Spatial" and "Festival" gives you full use of your rear speakers like any other normal 4 speaker car stereo would (Festival gives you "Hall" or echo spatial effect by means of digital sound processing delay between the rear and front speakers).

My HK is quite loud when I push the volume up and I haven't had any problems with vibrating speakers or distortions. I would suggest to try the volume settings in both FM and CD modes. HK does not support speed volume so I don't think you have an issue with the speed volume set in too low (I do have it in my other MINI with the standard Boost CD stereo system).

To test, make sure your balance and fade are dead center and the "Driver" mode is turned off in MINI H/K, Electronic and Instrumental modes.


The MINI HK stereo system is designed for the acoustics of the MINI's cabin and it seems to work best when the volume is pumped up. You should "Feel" clear crisp bass and good volume throught the mid-range frequencies.


If you still think that your HK is not working as it should, take it back to the dealer as I believe the volume system can be adjusted via software ECU interface. Also compare the volume on another HK equipped MINI at the dealer just to make sure.


Finally, here is a review on the HK stereo. I hope you find it useful:


http://www.angelfire.com/in2/guitar/minihkreview.html

Welcome to the club!

 

>>I have HK and like it. YOu need to experiment with various sound modes. For instance, the "instrumental" setting does not get very loud. The "Mini H/K" and "Electronic" do. their base is also humongous. Changing the fader/base/trebel settings a lot also alters volume output. There are dissertations somewhere (maybe mini2) on the stereo which are more informative on subject.
>>Steve


Electronic EQ mode gives you more agressive bass and midrange frequencies than MINI H/K mode. Electronic is pretty useful when listening to old 1970's and 1980's recordings, dance music and when you listen to the stereo at low volumes while driving, because Electronic provides better loudness control.

MINI H/K is the "perfect" EQ mode for most music.

"Instrumental" leaves Bass/Treble settings FLAT and it is best suited to listen to classic instrumental music. It also controls sudden volume spikes much better as these are commonly present in classical music.

 

easy there, Killer! You should be taking it easy for the first 24 hours of use to allow for proper break-in of the loudspeakers.

That said, the H/K isn't designed for head-banging volume. Come to think of it, it isn't designed for the utmost in soundstaging, or tonal quality, or resolution either. Hmmm, turns out the H/K is basically a lightly uprated stock setup. If you need ear-bleeding SPL, I'd suggest looking into aftermarket.

Good luck,
Ryan

 

Thanks for the responses. I have played around with the settings again and 'Electronic' seems to be more suited to more volume on freeway jaunts (windows open). My first drive was last Friday when I picked up the car and had to drive home via freeway for 90 miles (windows open). That is when I noticed the lack of volume at 75 mph with the wind blowing in my ears.

 

I'm pretty satisfied with the sound pressure generated inside this little cabin. Heck...I can feel my back shake That said, I'm inclined to turn off the unit in favor of the whiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeee....psssssssssssssss s............WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

 

drdave,
if you have the bass or treble set above midpoint, it will reduce the max overall volume! I see you said your bass was below, but did you push the treble up? If so, knock it back down ... Stupid, isn't it.

 

To get the most volume without too much distortion (the front speakers will distort easier than the rear ones in my findings)

Set to Electronic mode
Fade mostly to the rear speakers
Take the bass setting down about three or four notches
Crank up the volume!!

Enjoy! :smile:

 

I actually have a bit of hearing loss and my H/K will blow me out of the cabin without the volume being anywhere near the limit. Perhaps your system is dysfunctional... or perhaps you need an audiogram...