I have been reading a few posts about the HK radio system and I have a couple of questions that I haven't quite seen answered.

One-someone posted that the HK is great to get because it has the controls on the MFSW. So, if I don't get the HK, but I do get the cruise MFSW, will the radio controls not work?

Two-another post said that the HK has the text saying which station (if the station sends the info) it is on the HU. Does it do this with the non-HK HU?

Thanks!

 

YES...never regretted the HK for a second I love bass like anyone and this one's got plenty enough.

 

afaik, the "base" headunit (1) supports msfw and i know (2) it will display the completely useless text messages from radio stations. you should check out both systems at highway speeds and see what you think. the base unit sounds quite good to me and never fails to impress passengers. and the HK is at least a few pounds heavier!

 

I don't particularly care for the base system, myself. You could say that maybe I was spoiled by the Monsoon system in my Golf, but either way, the base system in the MC lacks refinement. I find that the base system doesn't pick up all the subtle sounds that my previous system did, and I definitely can't push the bass or treble as high when the volume is loud or the speakers get a little overpowered and muddled. I didn't have the choice when I got my car off the lot, but I think I would have done the HK if I could have. I'm actually deciding between a retro-fit of the HK, or slowly building an aftermarket system (but I'd rather spend my money on hp). If precise vivid sound is important to you, don't get the base, do the HK.

 

Every single person who has the base stereo and gets into my car has this reaction: "WOW, its so much more clear!" My only complaint about the whole system, is that its not loud enough to completely block out my maganflow+miltek header at highway speeds.... then again, the base would be worse

 

Ok, Let me clear some things up for you. The multi-function steering wheel controls will work wheather or not you have Harmon Kardon.

Harmon Kardon does not tell you the same of the song or artist that is playing on the radio- That is RDS (Radio Data System- Every MINI Radio in the US has it).

Harmon Kardon will upgrade you speakers- not your radio head unit. You'll go from 6 speakers stock to 8 with H&K.

It's a toss up- H&K is nice, but so is stock.

 

[QUOTE=moneypenny]One-someone posted that the HK is great to get because it has the controls on the MFSW. So, if I don't get the HK, but I do get the cruise MFSW, will the radio controls not work?

Two-another post said that the HK has the text saying which station (if the station sends the info) it is on the HU. Does it do this with the non-HK HU?
QUOTE]

Moneypenny,

1. Both stock and HK headunits are supported by MFSW (nice feature).
2. text can work for either headunit but my 03 HU didn't show any maybe because my area doesn't do that.

For most people used to the standard stereo they get in a car, the stock MINI stereo is fine. For those that listen for background music and talk radio stations then the stock radio is fine. There is an optional cassette headunit as well. The stock CD player can skip from time to time.

The HK audio upgrade is a good choice for those who want better audio on a budget of about $550 covered under four year warranty and not planning to spend alot more for a high end audio system. Those who want an in dash large screen DVD player, big subwoofers, lots of amps, and multiple CD changer will want to skip the HK upgrade.

Once you get your MINI it would be hard to upgrade to HK after purchase.

 

Moneypenny:

I highly recommend the H/K stereo. It has 320 watts and for being a factory installed stereo, it delivers crisp and clear sound quality. At $550 it is very reasonably priced. I have it in my '04 MCS and have ordered it again in my new '05 MCS.

My other MINI ('02 Cooper) has the standard non-HK stereo (The HK stereo was not even available at the time I ordered the first MINI) and while it is a reasonably good stereo, I feel that it lacks the clarity and bass response found in the Harmon Kardon.

If you enjoy listening to the radio, CDs, i-Pod or MP3s while motoring, then the H/K is a no brainer. I am also getting the new MINI Apple i-Pod adapter, that way I can control my I-pod using the MFSW controls...it is way too cool!

Some people are happy with the stock non-HK stereo (I don't), some love the HK (I do) and others prefer to go down the aftermarket route. Keep in mind that to match or better the HK sound quality you will have to spend more than $550 in the aftermarket, tear apart your new car, etc, etc... Not for me.

Suggestion: Bring in a few of your favorite CDs to a MINI dealer and ask to listen to a MINI equipped with the H/K stereo and another with the stock non-HK. Then you will be able to reach your own conclusions whether the H/K is worth the extra money or not.

Good luck.

 

The stock non-HK stereo and the HK stereo can be controlled from the steering wheel when you order the MFSW with cruise control.

 

The HK also gives you a 320 watt amplifier, upgraded speakers with metal speaker grilles (Versus plastic ones in the stock stereo) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that allows the system to change the sound stage front to back or biased towards the driver only. The amplifier/DSP unit is located behind the trunk trim door on the right side of the vehicle. It is a very transparent and seamless integration IMO. Most aftermarket amplifiers and subwoofers require taking up valuable cargo space.

 

yes the controls will work. mine does! base head unit and system now.

 

Not quite true. There's a ton of posts here on NAM back in mid '03 showing that you can get the same sound quality, and in some cases better quality, for the same $550.00.

However, for me the deciding factor was, was it worth my time and trouble to get an aftermarket installed? The answer was no, so I opted to get the HK. To me it's more than the price of the components and the cost of the install...it's the hassle factor that needed to get added into it.

The last time I had an aftermarket installation (way back in the 1990), they hooked the power wires of the radio to the turn signal!!! So when the turn signal blinked, the stereo would go on and off!! That was the last time I have dealt with aftermarket stereos.

 

Dominic, the comment was made also taking into account the cost of labor and the aggravation in installing new components, splicing cables, removing trim components and so on and so forth.


Sure, the hardware alone probably can be bought for $500, but the time spent putting it all together will come a lot more than the cost of a factory installed HK system.

My philosphy when it comes to car stereos is that no matter how much money you dump into a custom system it can never be the same as a home stereo system. So if Audiophile quality is important to you, the money is better spent in a home components and not aftermarket car stereos.

I am sure some will disagree, but that is ok>

 

I bought my MCS off the showroom floor. It has a lot of upgrades that I would not have gotten if I had ordered the car. One of those upgrades is the HK system. I LOVE IT
Unlike the premium package which I only like half of, the HK is money I have no regrets spending (course I have no regrets about any of it, but I really like my speakers:smile

Cheers

 

I just don't know what to do! So many options that I like!
I just wish I could win the lottery and get EVERYTHING I want...

Still plotting what will go into the final Mini...

 

If I recall correctly the prices discussed did include installation. I was one of the naysayers that you couldn't get the same quality of sound for the $550.00 installed price. A few people came back and showed even with install that it can be done. However, again, it's that aggrevation factor of dealing with shopping around and taking the time to leave the car at an install shop to have it all installed. This is where I said, that's worth much more to me so it made the $550 investment with a factory HK upgrade well worth it.

 

I like the HK system, but it's not so great that I would take it over other options if money was a concern. Sunroof, LSD, xenons, auto a/c, etc would all come before the HK.

 

[QUOTE=dominicminicoopers]Not quite true. There's a ton of posts here on NAM back in mid '03 showing that you can get the same sound quality, and in some cases better quality, for the same $550.00.
QUOTE]

The price depends greatly on who you trust to do the installation and what products they use. In my area it's $60 to install the headunit, $200+ to install the front component speakers, $100+ to install the rear speakers, etc. Also, warranty on products varies greatly and sometimes there isn't much of a warranty if the shop that you go to goes out of business because they weren't charging enough in the first place.

In Hawaii, there is no way you are going to get any decent audio system for under $600 that is going to beat an HK upgrade and look as good as the factory install with a four year warranty.

The other thing is "trust". BMWs and MINIs are notorius for strange electrical problems and trouble with audio and alarm installs done by shops that don't have experience. If you mess up the wiring you could be looking at many hours of troubleshooting.

 

The real questions you have to ask yourself:

Do I want better than average sound?

If you answer no then stick with base system.

If you answer yes then you have 2 options:

Get the H/K and enjoy it (which I have)

start changing out stock equipment until you get the sound you want ( I wrestled with this and came to the conclusion that you probably wont get it right the first time and it will cost way more than the H/K system would) is it really worth the hassle? I really have thought about gutting the entire system and realized that the cash outlay is not worth the trouble it will ultimately cause.

 

When I Got My Mini I Thought The First Thing Im Going To Do Is Remove The Radio And Pop In My Flip Out Tv Screen Right Away. After 2 Days I Was Like No Way The Radio Sounds Awesome. Clear And The Bass Is Thumping. I Ended Up Buying A Separate Screen And Throwing My Dvd Player In The Trunk And Just Running Wires To My Soon To Be Installed Aux Input For That Real Surround Sound.

So Hk Radio Definately A Smart Choice. And I Can Always Take My Screen With Me When I Work Since It Works Inside The Car And At Home Or Work.

 

The acoustics of the listening environment are a huge factor in determining the sound quality of any stereo. As great as MINIs are, they are not great listening environments. So, while one can always pick out an aspect of one stereo that is better than the other- precise bass or mid-range etc. - it's really a moot point.

However, as Cooper4us said, I would listen to your favorite CD(s) while test driving a HK and then a non-HK MINI. That will tell you whether the difference is worth $550 or not.

In my case, I love jazz and stereos, so I spent more on my home stereo than on my MINI itself- and paid attention to the acoustics of the room as well. Whatever floats your boat. But I got a base, non-HK on my MINI.

 

Well I've put in the order, and I opted out of getting the HK.


My current car has a 4 speaker base system and it makes me happy :smile:

So I figure a 6 speaker system IS an upgrade for me and if I got 8, well, I wouldn't know what to do with myself

Here's "Caboose" and the final specs:

Jet Black/Black Cabrio
Gray/Black Leatherette
CVT
MFSW
Navigation
Anthracite
Performance tires



Thanks for all your input!!!!!!!