I'm looking for advice from you audio-smart people :smile: ...I have the standard MINI cd with the MINI 6-disc changer with the buttons on the steering wheel (which I love). I know that I need more from the sound because I can hear the front speakers rattle when there's any good bass in a song, but I don't want to replace the head unit. I also don't want to sacrifice all of my boot space. The disc changer is already back there.

I read the thread that mentioned the Kenwood woox micro sub, which is nice and small. Can this be hooked up to the stock stereo without a great deal of trouble and without an amp? How would you suggest mounting it and where? Where do you hook it in to (wires)? Would installing a sub like that stop the front speakers from buzzing? Or should I also replace the speakers in the doors too? The front ones rattle/buzz. Or should I go simple and just replace the existing speakers? What are these "MB Quarts" you guys mention? I searched Crutchfield and didn't get anything. What's best to get without breaking the bank? I can spend some money, but not like $1,000.

Is it easy to install the speakers yourself? How do you get the panels off? Are the fronts 6x9 and the rears 5.25? Is there dangerous wire-cutting/selection involved (don't wanna cut the wrong thing or void the warranty just in case the dealer gives me that crap)? Don't worry, I would not install them myself, but would pay someone skilled to do so for me. Please, any advice, recommendations, suggestions would be helpful on what to look for, what to get, what to do. Thank you in advance!

 

MB Quart link....

CMINIGO,
Personally, I would replace the existing speakers first. You can do this with out changing out the stock head unit and pricing will be much easier to bare. Also.... I would suggest adding some "Dyna Mat" or some kind of vibration control material. This will do worlds of good for sound quality.
The MB Quarts are some of the best in the business. (I know there are others out there that are good too...) I have a set of MB Q's.... Have now for almost 5 years! They are the best mid/high speakers I've had the pleasure of owning. They aren't cheap though... My set was nearly 600.00. That's before install! IMO well worth the money but others may not think so..... However... they do make some at a cheaper price with still very good sound and reliablity.
One thing you should note..... Most "high" quality (MB Quarts) mid/high speakers will not give you too much low end sound (bass). For this you will either want a good set of 6x9's (some produce better lows than others) or go with a sub or alike.
Your best lows will come from a sub but I've heard some EXCELLENT sounding 6x9's!!
If after you do these things and the sound quality isn't what you want..... Well then.. you may have to go for a new head unit and an amp.

As for your dealer denying warranty work due to the speakers.... You shouldn't have a problem as long as the dealer doesn't have to look at the speakers. Even then they probably wouldn't even notice the change. Also... they could only deny work if it effected the problem of the car. My advise... check with your dealer as to how they handle warranty work.
Sorry so winded...
Hope this helps.
SW

 

Thanks for the info SW! Okay, Dyna Mat Xtreme sounds great, but I still don't get where you put it? Does it go on the speaker front or back, on the metal inside the door, or on the inner side of the plastic door panel? Do you line the whole door with it? Please explain. That seems inexpensive enough. I guess I'll start with that and then see if I still want new speakers, or should I replace them anyway? What about the back speakers- do you use Dyna Mat around them, where?

The MB's are more than I'm looking to spend on just speakers at this point, but I bet they sound awesome! What else can you recommend (brands or models)? Is it better to go with a 6x9 "3-way" in the front doors? Or are those a joke? Should I replace the 2 rear speakers with something better for bass (since I rarely have backseat passenger)? And with what? What about the tweeters up front? Leave em or replace em? Probably leave them til last, right? If you had about $400-500 to work with, what would you do? If I can't dramatically improve the sound for that amount of money, then I'll have to hold off until I can do it the right way (and the expensive way). Thank you again for your advice!!!!

 

After further investigation it was discovered that it is not the speakers rattling, but loose pieces of the door/panel. It has been fixed by tightening things up after it was taken apart to some degree. I think I'll just be happy with what I've got. With the vibration noise gone now, the stereo sounds great. Thanks anyway for the advice. :smile: