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Looking for info on adding to the OEM HK Stereo System (with links on audio upgrades)
I was looking for any information that would aid me in adding perhaps an
amp and some woofers to my existing HK system. I have an 04 MCS. I saw a site with wiring diagrams once but have been unable to find it again. What runs from the Radio to the amp in the back of the Mini? RCA cables? Anyone who has done this before me and is willing to share any information with me, I think you. REHutch |
Minihune,
Spectacular collection of threads - well done! I will have to keep this post archived somewhere (I still have a PM from you a year ago which I might need to refer to one day!) REHutch, The important thing to understand is that when the stock HU is driving the HK amp, it sends (only) two speaker level signals which are AT A FIXED LEVEL. That is, the front left/right speaker output signals go to the HK amp, but as if the HU volume is always at max. Separately the HU tells the HK amp what the current volume is, as well as fade, balance, bass, treble, etc. All this via the MINIs iBus. The HK amp then digitizes the speaker signal coming in, manipulates it according to the iBus data from the HU and according the algorithms which match the speakers and car acoustics, then it sends signals out to each of the speakers. So if you want to keep the stock HU ... You can't get RCA signals anywhere. You can't pick up the signals BEFORE the HK amp because they won't vary with volume. You can only pick up speaker level signals AFTER the HK amp - and you will be affected by whatever manipulations the HK amp does to the signals. For example I expect it will implement a low pass filter to protect the speakers from too low bass; this means your subs would never be able to get the low signals you want. If you want to replace the stock HU ... You need to persuade the HK amp to run by sending it iBus data. That is how my car works, with a Kenwood HU driving the HK amp. This way, you can end up with a HU that has RCA outputs which can drive a sub. You also still keep the HK sound manipulations that are tailored to your MINI, and you typically can get more and better sound than with the stock HU (because of the better aftermarket HU EQ controls and the ability to "overdrive"; the input to the HK amp. (update: MikeyTheMini in England sells an adaptor to put an aftermarket HU into an HK equipped MINI). If you want to replace the HK amp ... You need a new amp that can reliably drive the 2 ohm HK speaker coils - and remember the rear speakers each have two coils! You also need a crossover for the doors mid/tweeter pair (in the HK amp, the "crossover" is internal to the amp). If you remove the HK amp, the stock HU reverts to varying its speaker level outputs with volume - but you still don't have RCA levels. I think if you want to replace the amp, you probably should consider replacing EVERYTHING! _________________ Ian C. Gloucester, MA GBMINI.net |
Fantastic array of links on the subject! The hard part is adding money...
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What about pulling out the HK amp and speakers and keeping the stock HU and just upgrading the amp & speakers. Is it a complicated system to upgrade? :smile:
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Pez - to do so you can only use the stock head unit as a transport, you'll need a pre-amp, amp, and drivers. :sad:
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Originally Posted by pezhead444
What about pulling out the HK amp and speakers and keeping the stock HU and just upgrading the amp & speakers. Is it a complicated system to upgrade? :smile:
That is what I had "Terrible Tweeter" try to do more than a year ago but the results were much worse than HK ... so the original amp/speakers went back in. |
I'm really not seeing the information I need here, having looked through the posts. The thread about replacing the HU with an HK system had more quesitons than answers
I will be purchasing a 2005 MCS with the HK system, but would like to use my existing Alpine HU with it (A CDA-9835 with the iPod Adapter) with it, and retain as much of the stock system as possible. Crutchfield has no information on the Mini with the HK system, so I must turn here for help. Does anyone know which fascia adapter I will need (a scosche part number would rock!) as well as which harness adapter I will need? My HU has both regular 4V preouts and 4V subwoofer preouts. Again, I would like to maintain use of the builtin amp to the HK system. I've got reasonable experience with car audio installations (and electrical knowledge), but my usual references dont have the informationI need. |
If you want to run the HK amp with an aftermarket head unit, your only practical option would to be go the same route as me:
http://gbmini.net/images/albums/Ster...seup.sized.jpg The HK amp requires communication with the stock HU to set itself up. I originally left the old HU in the car but it it not a nice solution, so I developed the circuit you see above. It works fine. Limitations are: 1) uses SPEAKER LEVEL outputs from the aftermarket HU to the HK amp 2) only front speaker levels - aftermarket HU fade has no effect 3) slightly more background noise, due to HK amp running at max amplification all the time I don't want to be accused of trying to sell on NAM, so please review the above links and contact me or MikeyTheMini in England for more info. |
Slightly more background noise??? That cost me 2 points at a sql comp.
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HK system subwoofer addition
I am researching this subject and todate find that I have to intercept the bass speaker signals from the HK amplifier for a subwoofer to work. I am considering the BassLink II due to its size and self contained amplification. I think I also should install a hi pass capacitor in the HK speaker side of the line tap to take that lower end load off of the existing HK speakers to clean them up. The BassLink II has its own internal filters for the subwoofer. Has anyone done this type of subwoofer application and what size capacitors would you recommend?
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GBMINI -
I read your post above and I have a question (also raised in my recent thread entitled "Cleansweep Help . . ."). You say that the HK amp applies cross-over filters on the signal outputs. If I understand you, you're saying that none of the outputs--individually or summed--produces a full range signal. Is this your point? If so, then how can I pull a full range signal (for an OEM integration device)? |
Chilisport,
You are correct. I suspect the closest you *might* be able to get is to try the rear speaker signals, when the H/K is running in "spatial" mode. But really, as written before, the H/K system is just that - a system - and not a good place to start from if you want more! |
GBMINI -
Someone suggested that I tap into the amp's inputs to get a full range signal. In your post above, you stated that removing the HK amp causes the speaker-level outputs from the headunit to revert to non-HK mode, which leads me to believe that tapping the inputs pre-amp might work. What do you think? Afterall, there are enough people using OEM integration devices (e.g., JL Audio Cleansweep, RF 3Sixty.2, AudioControl) on MINI-HK systems, all of which require a full range signal, that there must be some way to go about it. |
You can't tap the H/K amp inputs unless you remove the H/K amp - at least you can, but you won't have any control of volume from the stock HU (since with H/K, the stock HU speaker outputs are driven at full level always)
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HK Upgrade
I was directed to this site by a fellow MCS owner. Take a look. I don't know if will help or not.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/g/pgen/ Dave |
Hi guys,
what if I just want to add an amp and sub to the HK system? what do i need to do? can i do it simply? |
Simply? Well, that depends what you think "simple" means!
Check this out: http://www.geekshocker.com/Claire/audio/ampInstall.php |
wow. Great link, man! Thank you.
That was actually really easy. I installed it last night. I had no idea what I was doing and it took about 3 hours and it sounds great. I even had to connect the LOC twice because of some noise in the cables. But now the HK system sounds great! It's like a whole different beast with this extra sub. The entire system sounds clear now. Next I'm going to replace the front and rear speakers. recommendations for the speakers, anyone? |
That's a very tricky task - the crossovers don't exist in the speakers, but in the H/K amp itself!
So any other speaker can't be installed well, so it's own crossovers work properly. |
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