[font=Courier][size=2]I need some help adding a four channel amp to my 05 MCS with the Harmon Kardon Boost Stereo. When I looked at the back of my stereo to wire up the speaker level inputs I only saw 2 channels of speaker cable coming in to the back of the CD player. I believe it was a yellow/red wire and a yellow/brown wire along with a blue/red wire and a blue/brown wire. I’m not positive on the second wire color. It definitely looked like there were only two channels of speaker wire running to the head unit. Where is the best place to tap into and what color wires am I looking for. Please help, My MCS is in pieces. Thanks!

IKE
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What you are trying to do is not a good idea!

The HK system is a SYSTEM - hard to replace any one piece of it.

You already have an amplifier in the car - the HK amp is in the righthand storage space in the trunk (looks like this when removed).
The speakers and amplifier are totally integrated - the front mid/tweeter has no crossover from the front woofer; separation occurs in the electronics of the amp. The rear speakers are dual-voice-coil, with two feeds from the amp to each side.

You will have lots of trouble and little chance of improvement if you put an amp in the car without replacing the speakers.

BTW: The HK amp has just one set of left/right speaker level signals from head unit - it also has digital communications to tell it about volume, balance, fade, tone, etc (because the signal coming from the head unit does not vary at all for volume/tone/etc).

More stuff on my weblog: HK info, HK with aftermarket HU, and maybe most interesting to you, Pauls HK system upgrade (new amps & speakers)

 

I'm actually trying to add a JL Audio Clean Sweep to my 05 MCS with the Harmon Kardon Upgrade. Along with the Clean Sweep, I'm adding an Alpine M-345 4 channel amp, MB Quarts Reference Component speakers (Front and Back), and a Kenwood SW1 powered subwoofer for the low end. So basically Im getting rid of everything but the factory head unit. The problem I was having is the JL Audio Clean Sweep connects to the system just like an amplifier with speaker level inputs would. I can't figure out where to tap into the HK system to allow this to work. Do you know where I can tap into the system and/or if this can be done? I would really like to keep the factory head unit for security/theft reasons. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
IKE

 

The problem with the HK amp is it only connects to the head unit via one set of (front) left/right speaker level connections.

The front/rear fade - as well as volume/tone/balance - is electronically communicated from head unit to HK amp, and processed at the amp to make the appropriate speaker outputs.
(this is the reason why changing only the head unit is tricky on HK systems)


However, the head unit is the same as with MINIs that don't have HK - so it has front & rear speaker level outputs. It is just that the rears aren't wired.
You can run your own wiring from the speaker level outputs of the head unit, to the Clean Sweep box - it "only" requires removing many interior trim panels! For example:


Of course this is needed for any stereo amp/speaker upgrade ...


PS: Over on this MINI2 FAQ, you can find the pinouts of the stock head unit.

 

Thanks for posting (and hosting) all that good stuff about Paul's setup. That is exactly the path I want to try and take (simply boosting the HK output). I really like the HK system, it just isn't loud enough.

Here is my question. Is a sub necessary? Would I be wasting my time if all I do is replace the stock speakers and stick a 6 channel amp to boost front-full, front-tweater, and rear outputs?

Sorry if this is a dense question. I'm no audio expert, I just want my system to be loud enough.

NOTE: I'm not trying to pimp out to hardcore rap while "impressing" the world with my outstanding bass.

Thanks,

Ian

 

I also did not want neighbor vibrating bass in my car ... but the HK does not kick it, and neither did the Tweeter attempt on GBMINI#2 which only replaced the speakers with no sub.

For GBMINI#3 I found a great installer who did a great install; I do have subs in my car but they are smaller 6" subs and they are stealth-installed in the rear 6x9 position.
I now get ample bass on music, but I don't get the stomach churning window vibrating stuff that some people like. For me, I have a perfect result