Well after months of trying to live with the HK system. I can't do it anymore!! I need some help in designing a system. Here are some of my prelims: I'm going for more of a "sq" system.

HU: Alpine 9855 or Clarion DRZ9255

Front Stage:
CDT 6.5, focals 165k2p, may do the Seas Lotus (READ $$$$) I need other ideas too please under $500 for comps.

Amp for front:
Adire, tru, helix, maybe a used brax

Sub: ?? I'm thinking a ten inch need help here though..any ideas?

Also I'm not planning on running a rear fill. Do you think this would affect the sound quality at all? Also I'm going to by pass the factory system all together so that I can replace the HK when I sell the car.

ideas needed!!

Devilmini

 

[just wrote long reply and lost it - curses]

OK. Start again.
Have a look at GBMINI#3 install - not your style, but maybe interesting:
http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...erkins_t.shtml

Speakers & subwoofers.
It's all personal choice in the end - what sounds good to YOU?
In my opinion the clarity of the HK system is better than most aftermarket setups can achieve, without spending $$$$ on speakers. I attempted to go this way on GBMINI#2; I had Tweeter do the job and they messed up almost everything - eventually the whole lot was returned to (semi)-stock. You can read it all on my website but maybe you shouldn't! Just be sure to get a good installer.

What do you want from a subwoofer - annoy the neighbours thudding, or just some good deep bass? The dual 6" in GBMINI#3 give ample bass for listening to, but they don't do much for annoying neighbours.

Here is one other thing to look at, Paul enhanced rather than replaced the HK system:
http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...harman_k.shtml

 

I have to agree with Ian on this one, I would improve the H/K rather than replace it. The chance of you building another system that sounds anywhere near the quaility of the Hk are slim. I'm very happy with my HK. I listen to lots of rock (Saliva, Papa Roach) and i havent had any complaints so far. I'm going to replace my sub eventualy with the clarion slimline sub i saw on here somewhere.....but that it, I dont think it need anything else, its a very well balanced system!

 

I just got done doing an install witht he following:

Alpine 9855
Sirius Interface for Alpine
Ipod Alpine interface
JL Audio XR series 5.25's in doors with crossovers
JL Audio VR series 6x9 in rears
JL 10 sub in custom box in boot,
Alpine V12 series F345 amp driving sub

The sound is unreal. I dynamatted everything and made sure to set all the crossovers and time delays perfectly. I went with a sealed enclosure for nice tight bass. Also ran the amp via AI-Net so I can control it and view temp, voltage settings right on the HU.

 

That's a nice set up!! Did you listen to other comps before going with the JL's? I've never heard them.. Also do you have the dredded engine buzz?

 

I auditioned the whole JL component line alongside Alpine, Boston, and Kenwood's lines. Some of the higher end Boston's were slightly better but the JL XR series was best bang for the buck. ~250 on ebay for the pair.

One thing with this setup is that crossover settings are critical. The XR's sounded best when setup with a relatively high crossover setting. Mine is calibradted so the XR's only receive the upper part of the frequency range, the 6x9's the mids, and of course the sub picks up anything under 100hz. (all with some overlap in the ranges). It creates a fantastic image....don't remember the exact settings but I can look them up if you want.

Absolutely no engine buzz or power interference. I used high quality cables and soldered everything where possible. No problems at all.

There is just enough room to mount the XR crossover in the door right behind the speaker, just make sure its tight and a tiny gap is left between the speaker mount and the crossover housing. I didn't at first and the crossover was buzzing against the speaker mount...had to reopen the doors and move it over a bit.

 

As far as not being able to match the performance of the HK with aftermarket.. I assure you that it can easily be done. I competed in SQ for over 10 years before I got out of the "hobby".. In my opinion with a modest outlay of about $1000 including install, the average alpine or clarion system would blow away the performance of the HK... While I do belive the HK to be good for most, I personally can not stand it! However I'm used to revel's with full Krell setup in the home and a fully custom IS300 with well over $5000 in competition reference quality av in it. When I bought the mini I felt like I would move away from the audio "stuff".. I see that it is in fact in the blood and the ears..


As I said in the first post I would like feedback on a top notch SQ sub and feedback on my component choices, as I've never heard them in a mini and I don't plan on doing any serious time alinement or running active xovers.

Has anyone put in a High end system in the mini?

please don't read in to my post I understand that my opinion is like my a%%hole, everyones got one!!

Devilmini...

 

got any pics on that custom sub box? Love to see it.. Also what's your opinion on the quality of the subs sound.. boomy vs tight.. Musical? What types of music do you listen to?

Thanks for answering!!

 

I agree. What is the HK upgrade cost...700+ ? For a system of average quality and limited upgradability? I spent probably 1400 but the SQ is light years beyond the HK i auditioned.

 

I don't, but I can get some if necessary. It's nothing terribly special. It's the exact dimensions of the boot floor minus about 4" on the left side i wanted to leave for umbrella storage. It's a sort of a dual-box design, the sub is in its sealed part on the left and the right box has a shelf for the amp...designed so I can remove the entire thing if necessary by just disconnecting it from the battery. I found that doing a strait false floor wasn't going to give me quite as much volume as I wanted in the box....might rebuild it one of these days though. It left me with essentially zero rear cargo space, but I just drive the Jeep if i need cargo

I listen to all types of music. The sub is quite tight, as was the intention just to provide some low end fill. I'm not giving it all that much power because I don't want a ghetto-slammed rattling mini, but it can get uncomfortable if you crank it up too loud :smile:


I will say the Mini is ridiculously easy to work on. I had the entire interior out, panels, front and rear seats, dash and everything out in about 15 minutes.

 

Sweet.. I'm with you!! I don't want a slammin mini but nice tight high quality sound!! If you could snap a few pics that would be great! I'm trying to think of a few new ideas as far as a box goes. I may just steal you idea. If that's ok by you..

I'm thinking I can get away with just about 100rms to the sub. What are you running to it?

What is the internal volume of the box?
Thanks for the help!!

 

The biggest improvement I can recommend is just dropping in an amp/sub with what you already have and see if that does it for you. I used to work in a stereo shop, and have had the pleasure of hearing loss due to having too much fun at work testing products. I'd highly recommend a 12" sub in the mini (its what I have). 10"'s arent nearly as good at low tone reproduction; While they may be louder, they dont have the same quality. If I didnt care about boot space I would have gone with a 15" (but space, and the fact I still had my 12" from my truck won out).

 

Im out of town right now and without the mini, so I can't take pics right now. Here is what i got on me:

 

Thanks Dmeyer!! I get the idea now!! The pics really help!

I think i'm going with the image dynamics 10" IDQ line of subs. Sound great and look ok..

 

That box looks good so far, I cant wait to see it completed!

 

Ok, im glad i saw this thread. Some people are talking about improving the quality of the HK system. Here is my problem. I have had my lower front door speakers replaces TONS of times by the dealer, no problem. My problem is, is that they keep busting. Now, even with the HK all the way up, the bass all the way down, it is still not very loud. I can almost not hear it going 60 on the freeway with the windows down. I can live with this, i cannot live with the fact that i had the speakers replaced again, and they are blown already. I want a speaker that will give me that same quality, maybe a little louder/ better, but one that will NOT BLOW! I am sick of this dealer buisness, i want it done right. BTW, i almost never turn the bass up in my car, i just dont see what is causeing them to blow. It cannot be the sound level, because it just doesnt get loud enough. Any suggestions? I also want an exact replacement size.

 

I think the HK sounds good but its no where near loud enough. The problem I have with going into aftermarket stuff is, 1, I don't know enough about it to come up with the right components to do it myself. 2, EVERY time I talk to a car sterio guy they make it sound so easy, I go out to their car and all I hear is tons of low bass and tons of treble, NO midrange/midbass, just a lot of loud noise. Its easy to make it loud, now make it sound good. The last guy I paid to do a sterio totally ripped me off, all I got was tons of low bass and not nearly loud enough.

 

theres a book at Barnes and noble that has lots of good info for installing car stereos. its where I leerned most of what i know today. i cant remember the name, but i'll find the boog here somewhere.....


it has lots of info on the setups and how to balance the system with an even low/mid/hi range....