Yea I'm complaining! I definitely should have gotten the sound system upgrade. The factory Mini cooper speakers are less than satisfactory. The head unit is pretty nice, and easy to use. But the quality of sound compared to other vehicles is downright pathetic. Looks like I'll be eventually upgrading the door speakers when money allows.

I'm not big into custom stereos, but I do appreciate a quality stereo system in my daily driver. I suppose I should have listened a bit longer to the radio at the dealer.

 

I'm half deaf in one ear so I'm happy as a lark.:smile:

 

You could probably just upgrade the speakers themselves rather inexpensively and get some improvement.

I think my standard factory system sounds good though. . .

 

I agree and complained about mine at first. The factory Delco system in my '98 Lumina sounds considerably better. I guess I've gotten used to the stock MINI unit because it seems "OK" now. Also, there have been quite a few complaints about the HK system.

 

I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with the stock stereo. I'm fairly content with the sound. It could be better, but it suffices.

 

You might want to go take a test ride in a car with the H/K system. I was in a loaner for about 2 weeks that gave me the opportunity to 'really' compare. Eventually I found a setting that was passable amid the settings that were downright horrible, but different styles of music required frequent adjustment. Eventually after all the fiddling, I said 'f' it and turned the beeocch off. H/K has its proponents, but I'm not one of them.

However, I have found the stock stereo works very well with bass increased 3-4 notches and treble increased 3 notches. Try it that way, then let me know. Sometimes, with real old funk (such as Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science") you can run the bass all the way up since the midrange is non-existant in that song, and it sounds spectacular. For the most part, set your treble to 3 and your bass to 3/4 depending on how bass-heavy the music is.

Also, I've equalized all 4000 songs on my IPod so I don't have to adjust the stereo.

The main reason I'm glad I didn't get the H/K is that if the DSPM (Digital Sound Processor Modul) [sic] ever makes it to America as a retrofit (as it is a available overseas), it is not compatible with the H/K stereo--only the stock one. In fact, if I trip over some money, I might even import the retrofit at some point.

 

After 2.5 years with the stock stereo, I have the HK in my new MINI, and I think the sound is pretty spectacular. I've never had a premium or custom system before, so I don't really have anything to compare to, but the improvement over the stock system is dramatic. I brought a Chemical Brothers CD with me when I went to pick up the car, and I couldn't stop grinning on the way home.

stylin99 - post your problem in the audio forum, and people should be able to tell you how to improve your situation without spending a huge amount of money. :smile:

 

I agree - I found a HUGE difference in the stock stereo (05 MC) when I increased the treble and bass. I couldn't believe the difference at just ONE notch!

Though I'm sure you have already tried this...

 

I too am very pleased with the stock system. But, then I was the guy that said, "Wow, look honey, it has a CD player!" I've never had one of those in a car.
I agree with Tarzan about turning the bass up 3 to 4 and the treble up about 3. Seems to bring a certain richness to the sound.

 

with the ones that come with the stock Cooper '05. The only way I can understand someone complaining is if they blast it. Probably get distortion doing that. And loud stereos are just wrong.:smile: In Maine there's a law that states that the sound emmanting from a vehicle can not be overheard more than 25ft. from the vehicle(no idea where the distance came from, but personally I'd like it to go from 25 down to about 5ft). First offense is $50, 2nd is $100 and third is $150. No idea how or if they've ever ticketed someone.

There are worse things in the world, but inconsiderate clowns with loud stereos rank right up there with litterbugs.

End rant. Hmmm. Not even sure if that was your problem. Oh well, it felt good.

 

I'm pleased with the stock system, but worry that will change. In my old Geo Tracker I listened only to public radio so quality wasn't important. In my MINI I am marveling at the great music (I selected!) from the IPod. Just having music I like without interruptions for announcements is keeping me entertained. But knowing me this will not last. I will soon want more and better sound. When I had my Geo I accepted all its shortcomings. With my MINI my motoring appetites have become insatiable--I have been infected by the double whammy of materialism: greed and envy. Yoicks. Better put on a Specials track and fast!

 

You're forgetting the third prong of the pitchfork upon which you are finding yourself impaled: NAM!

 

"You listened to public radio so quality wasn't an issue." Boy you can say that, again...but don't...please.

 

Such fines. That's amazing! I agree with you, but it's not a matter of sound system quality. [Venting does feel good.]

 

You're RIGHT! Morning, noon and night now. Thanks for reminding me. I feel like one of the 3 guys in your picture (or maybe the Dude's building manager? Aargh.). That's what happens when one doesn't have an office job.

 

Get a Borla exhaust!

I've noticed I tend to listen more to it now than the stereo.

 

The stock speakers were nice to me, better than most stock cars ive been in. Then i upgraded the head unit to an alpine and it sounds ten times better. But becareful not to blow a speaker because I blew my tweeter now it sound like crap.

 

I agree with everything you're saying except I DO NOT regret opting out of the HK. To me, there was simply not $600 worth of betterment in that system.

Compared to other vehicles BMW/MINI dropped the audio ball. I drool over some Bose systems I've heard in Japanese cars.

Perhaps like me, re the standard system, you feel "good enough is not good enough for me!" If so, the options are limitless:

better speakers
keep the speakers but replace the head unit
replace both
replace both and add an amplifier, depending on quality of speakers you buy.

How much time do you spend in the car? How much quality are you willing to pay for? Take the $600 you would have spent and round it off to around a thousand. The stereo shops will welcome you with open arms! But you don't have to spend nearly that much to get some improvement.

I also suggest you post your note lnthe audio forum...I'd like to hear what owners who only replaced the speakers have done.

 

Hope moderator moves this thread to the audio forum...

Motorsport: Do you think your improvement was due to the three extra watts that the alpine puts out, or because it's a better designed unit all around?

hs

 

i have the non HK system. It sounds okay for a clock radio but it needs
more bass and cleaner high's. Im thinking about getting a Basslink in there
to kick things off, and replace the front sp's later on.

I need to read further about some adapter I need to buy to fit the
front sp's.

Just kinda lazy to start the project... but when I do wire up the Basslink,
I think im going to put a weather sealed 12v plug to the Basslink's ps
above the floor so that I can use that to trickle the battery in the
winter without lifting the floor. pretty cool? :smile:

 

first the j-word, now Nip... just write out Japanese.

the factory bose in my G35C is pretty good though.

 

In what?!

 

Stylin99, its not the speakers that are the problem, its the head unit. I replaced mine with an Alpine that comes with 50wX4, and it sounded 10 times better too, even without my sub on. The stock head unit just doesnt put out enough power to the stock speakers. I have heard the HK system and wasnt impressed, you can get a lot better of an aftermarket system for that price, or just replace the head unit for a few hundred and call it good.

 

I just listen to the SC, it sounds great over 4000 rpms.

 

I don't want to totally side track this thread, but I do want to comment on this:

I completely agree. It's a matter of having respect for others on the forum.