Just got my new 05' MCS off the floor rather then ordering a car. Just like my old MCS it has the stock radio (not the HK) but this time im not going just just "deal" with the radio. Today i went and ordered an Alpine 300 watt amp to make it sound better. Anyone have any feedback on this?

 

Depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

Are you planning on keeping the stock HU?

Is it a multi-channel for both front and back?

Do you plan on adding new speakers?

I think adding an amp can always help but usually the stock HU's have enough power to allow you to change the speakers first giving you the best bang for the buck. Now if you plan to do both and stages is what youa re trying to accomplish with a cost in mind then no matter whan you do you will enjoy the end results!

I always recommend new speakers and coming from a high end 2 channel background (despite the fact that I own and setup some fairly higher end Home Theaters) I always say disconnect the back speakers and go for some really nice seperates up front with an amp. I am a big fan of the stock HU these days for the stealth look and the steering wheel controls.

Good luck with whatever you do and keep us posted!

Chris

 

Its a 4 channel 300 watt amp. Im keepin everything else stock, i dont want to get out of hand with money on this one I just want the sound to be more clear, and crisp. I dont know too much about the sound system in the car or what this mod will do to it so any help is appreciated, thx a lot!:smile:

 

No problem!

I am not sure about the base system as I have the H/K system. The only complaint I have with the H/k is that it is too bass heavy and to take out some bass you start to lose midbass which is a bad thing. The speakers sound great but of course I don't have anything for comparison with my MINI.

I have done some pretty different systems in many cars but have always found that the speakers and amp can do the most.

I will be interested to see what gains you get from the amp you have.

One question I do have since I don't remember paying attention to the non h/k interiori. Do you have separate tweeter pods located with the doorhandles or is that and H/K thing?

If you do have them I would seriously invest in a new set of seperates when you can. The biggest problem with stock mid/bass, tweeter setups is that they don't use proper corssovers. Instead they place a resistor at the tweeter limiting the frequency and running the mid/bass drivers at full range. What this does is rob the tweeter of the full current. The resistor does not work like a true crossover and degrades the signaland cuts the db range of the tweeter. In reality you don't get the same volume out of the stock tweeter as you should all because of the el cheapo resistor.

A good set of seperates with their own crossover network will actually give you much cleaner and properly volumed highs.

I could ramble on about this. A lot of it depends on the type of music you listen to and what you like. Keep in mind that everything is subject to your ear. What one person may find wonderful sounding you may not like at all and visa versa. I personally do not like the sound of bright highs and prefer a smoother more musical tone which is why I stay away from the big name japanese brands of speakers like Sony, Kenwood and Alpine.

Anyway...... I am rambling! Keep us posted on how it sounds when you get the am installed!

Chris