I am pretty happy with the H/K system with the exception of the crappy soundstage imaging. I am considering replacing the mids and tweets with Image Dynamics CS1.5 components. The horns in this setup go under the dash and play down to 800hz so you get better imaging by reducing pathlength differences as compared to the stock door panel location and by not requiring the mids to reproduce as much vocal material. My question is whether it is possible to do this without destroying the amp and whether the amp has built in crossovers that would interfere. The components are rated at 88db sensitivity and are available in 4 ohm. Does one set of speaker wire come from the amp for each pair of front speakers then split? I am concerned that a separate wire comes from the amp for each and that I'm stuck with the factory crossover points which will make the horns useless.

I spoke with someone at Image Dynamics who recommended that I replace the amp then add the components. While I likely will opt for the base stereo in my next MINI and will do a full custom stereo I don't want to got to all that trouble here.

 

Why would you want to change H/K speakers??

If I had it in my MCS, I'd leave it "stock" and wouldn't touch a thing, except for the volume button! lol

 

I won't argue that it is a fine stereo for $550 but I am unhappy with the imaging. The driver setting is a joke in that it compresses the soundstage and with the driver setting off you don't get a strong center image. I just don't get why the engineers can't create a system with better imaging.

I think I found my answer in another unrelated thread. GBMINI says the crossover points are in the amp so unless there is a way to change those settings, and I'm no electrical engineer, it looks like I'm stuck unless I want to rip out the whole system. I guess I'll live with it. My alternative would be to add a Fosgate 3 Sixty between the head unit and a new amp then replace the speakers as planned and add two ID8 subs where the 6x9's reside. That's about $2,000 but it'd be the perfect system.