Hi,
I have an 07 MINI with the HiFi sound system. I've never done any sort of audio upgrades in either my old 03 MINI or this one. Or any car I've ever owned for that matter.

I was wondering if just swapping an amplifier and adding two subs would improve the sound any. I was wondering how difficult it is to do. I doubt I would be doing it myself, I would probably take the car to a specialist.

Will this improve the sound any and is it feasible?? Can I just use the factory stock HiFi speakers? Any precautions?

Thanks for any help.

 

Also if anyone reccomends a brand more than another Id appreciate the input

 

I plan on simply replacing the factory speakers with Boston Acoustics of the same size.

Aaron of www.OutMotoring.com posted the speaker sizes for the standard audio in another thread. I assume that the upgrade uses the same sizes plus adds four. Perhaps you can tell us what the HIFI audio has.

Standard:
2 ea: 6x9"
2 ea: 5.25"
2 ea: 3.5"

miniusa.com says that the HIFI has:
Four bass speakers getting 40 watts ea.
Two mid-range getting 25 watts ea.
Four treble getting 25 watts ea.

I wonder if they are all 4 ohm, like the Standard?

I'm guessing that the HIFI just adds four tweeters. Is that what it looks like to you? Or, does it add a pair of large speakers somewhere?

For the 6x9" I was looking at:
Boston Acoustics SX95 (Copolymer woofer • rubber surround • dual Type-S2 Kortec dome tweeters • 2-60 watts RMS power range, 92dB sensitivity)
or
Boston Acoustics S95 (Copolymer woofer • rubber surround • Type-S3 soft dome tweeter • 2-35 watts RMS power range, 92dB sensitivity)

For the 5.25":
Boston Acoustics S55 (Copolymer woofer • rubber surround • Type-S3 soft dome tweeter • 2-35 watts RMS power range, 92dB sensitivity)

For the 3.5":
Boston Acoustics S35 (Copolymer woofer • rubber surround • Type-S3 soft dome tweeter • 2-35 watts RMS power range, 92dB sensitivity)

By the numbers, they seem to be a good match for the built-in amps, all 4 ohm, have good sensitivity ratings, and are consistent from size to size. Several of them get Crutchfield recommendations.

I'm not sure about tweeters.

 

If you go to (realoem.com) and look up r56 parts for audio you will see parts info for standard and Hi Fi setups. !!

 

You can also go to a 6.5" in the lower door if the rear basket diameter where it meets the front lip is no more than 5.5"....that opens up a lot of other good options...

 

Is that the upgraded HIFI for the 07? I saw a post where someone else claimed there were no tweeters.

 

There are rear tweeters for the 07 HiFi (they appear to be attached to the grille), and tweeters in the A pillar fascia.

 

Thanks. I thought that other post sounded nuts!

 

Read it carefully, I was talking about both systems, and what info I had heard about each. I say "standard" when I mean the base system, and HIFI or upgrade when I mean the HIFI system. I think some info about the HIFI can be gleaned from what was posted about the standard, such as the hole sizes in various locations (6x9, 5.25, 3.5). I doubt they are cutting different size holes for the HIFI. It seems like they just added four tweeters -- two stuck on the grills of the 6x9's and two in the B pillar.

 

What do you think would yield better sound: replacing all the speakers? Or just adding an amp and two subs? I think the amp and two subs would be the cheaper/easier route which is the primary reason I was considering it.

 

I guess it depends on what you're after out of your system. My knowledge of this kind of thing is limited but the audio specialist I went to see today said that although replacing the speakers would improve the sound quality, if it's more power and bass you're after you'd be just as well having the amp and subs without changing the speakers. Guess it makes sense and it's obviously a cheaper option to start off with. Still not sure if it'll be enough but it's got to be better than what's in there now and the speakers can always be changed afterwards if needs be.

 

Yeah. That's what I think I'll do. I think I'll just see how the addition of the amps and subs are. Like you said, always can change the speakers later.

Well now I just have to find a qualified audio specialist in my area that I trust to work on my car....hmm.

 

I give up! I'm getting different stories everywhere I go as to what will and won't work. Some say amp and sub will do the job without changing the speakers, others say the stock speakers won't take an amp and I def need to change the speakers etc etc. Think I'm going to shoot myself!

Note to Mini - the R56 is great but the audio system? WHAT WERE YOU DOING??!!

Aaaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhh

 

Just put a Milltek Exhaust on it and you wont be able to hear the audio anyway.

 

Can I alter the bass and treble on one of those?

 

Have Milltek install saxophone keys on it for you.

 

Ok, here is the truth:

Get new speakers if: You are changing ou your head unit, which is going to be really really tricky if not impossible on the R56.

Keep the stockers if: You are on a slim budget, and will be happy with the sound.

Amp and subs will do great, but you will need a way to tune them, and trust me, climbing into the trunk to change the volume on the sub sucks. I am not sure about aftermarket equilizers that you could use on the R56 head unit, but if you get an amp with a good crossover (the thing that sends the low notes to the subs and other parts of the car) you could be alright.

I have an Alpine head unit and love it, but again, changing the head unit on the R56 is going to be incredibly hard.

What I would do: Get the amp and 1 sub. 2 is going to be loud, especially in a car with low airspace like the MINI. If loud is what your going for, go for it . I would get aftermarket speakers as well, but be sure that the amp in the head unit can keep up with the aftermarket speakers.

Boston Acoustics makes great products, as does Polk Audio. If you want insane sound, check out Focal for the speakers.

Subs are all over the map. Some love Kicker, I love JL Audio. It's all up to you. Alpine makes great amps and head units, pricey, but awesome.

Good luck!

 

Hello...
I thought I would add to this initial thread... I couldn't find anything on this already posted:
I'm thinking about taking my old sub/amp combo I put into my VW and putting it into my MCS... I like the factory head (and have the iPod adapter already) with the "upgraded" H/K system... so here's what I'm thinking: the H/K amp seems to be behind the passenger side rear panel in the boot, I am planning to steal the signal from there for the sub amp (since the head unit doesn't have handy RCA outs.. but hey, I like the head unit) and the conveniently placed rear battery makes for very short wiring which is nice. Anyone have experience tapping this amp for the signal instead of direct off the speakers? And if so, wiring diagram of the amp in/outs? I'm not too excited to dig around in the rear panels of my new car, however, i'll do what it takes... I miss a little bass in my car. Bonus, the short hook-ups make for a easily removable enclosure (since, it sorta takes up the boot).
Thoughts?
(PS: 2006 MCS H/K system, no NAV, no Satellite, no Aux, Yes iPod adapter)

 

you can try best buy or circuit city. U get certified specialists and can also get insurance for the equipment.

 

The 2007 MCS has the battery in the front, not the rear (ok, you have a 2006). Unless you have a MC where it may be in the rear, I'm not sure. I just removed my rear seats and everything to remove the 6 x 9's and tweeters on my MCS hi-fi car. I have polks on order and will arrive tomorrow or Wednesday. Hopefully install during the week or weekend. I will be using a drremel tool to cut off the tweeter mount that's on the grill, to make it look clean. I then intend to mount the new Polk tweeters somewhere on the side panel as far back as I can get them. Or I may mount them in the headliner. Just not sure yet. The connectors for the 6 x 9's are the VW Euopean plugs they have at Crutchfield. I'm pretty sure anyways. I will definitely find out when I get my speakers. Plan on doing the front in the future, no Amp change at this time.

 

Ladies and gentlemen:
Just my 2 cents here if I may. I was an AVID car stereo competitor in the late 90's, If I can, I am going to try and place a link in this note so you may see what I am talking about. In any event, I won my power class at the 1998 IASCA World finals in Dallas, Texas. This new Mini is going to be a TOUGH car to get good, clean sound from until a gifted installer starts prying and experimenting with it. By far, the speakers are the first thing someone should replace in my humble opinion. The speakers in our cars are to put it mildly, BASURA. (garbage) With space at the premium it is, I would be thinking of adding low end frequencies up front. That means placing a good sub(s) someplace up front and forget about the rear. The first speaker that comes to mind in this regard is Focal, they make a 5 1/4 inch or 6 1/2 inch sub based driver that is AWESOME. You'll need to Dynamat (or something else, like modeling clay) the car as well, there is very little sound damping material in the car. ONE amp to control the entire system hidden in either the right rear side of the trunk, or hidden under a seat. I was using an original Xtant 3300c, it had EVERYTHING built into it, from a noise gate to crossovers.
Once someone gets a way to work around the head unit, that would be the next upgrade. Be patient, i'm sure it will happen soon enough.

Look under my name, Yarvis Torres, someone on the site I'm listing added a magazine article from my old car.

http://members.tripod.com/~ARR21/installs.html

 

yea but that 6.5" sub is almost $600/pair retail! Plus, it wont fit. I'm sure it has to be larger (deeper) than the polykevlar line (which I have in my truck) and I don't think the 6.5" polykevlar driver would fit - unless you never rolled down your window. the PK magnet is HUGE.

The Focal Polyglass 3-way line works great. I've already installed them in my MINI. Got them online for a good price too (~250). They add much more bass than the whole stock system did. I have another thread talking about them.

I also bought the focal 6x9s but haven't had time to install them. I'm hoping they supply the deep bass that I'm not getting from the front.

The HiFi amp drives the front focals pretty well, but an aftermarket amp would be much better.

Dynamatting the front doors may not be possible unless you remove the center portion of the door cover. There wasn't much outer skin accessable but just removing the outer ring.

 

MotorMouth:
What about the 5 1/4 sub, do they make one even? It's been a while since I have really looked at car audio electronics, but I kind of remember they made a 5 1/4 sub driver. I'm sure a talented installer could get them in with a spacer or something. $600 is a lot of dough, but with this car, you'll need to do what you have to do to save that space. I would look to add them into the enlarged R56 kick panels as well if the doors are out. I had a buddy who disassembled some B&W Nautalis home speakers and had them all installed in the front of his 540i. (things can be done if you really want them done) He had the subs (13 inchers) based in the front fenders and his car was THE BEST sounding car I ever heard in my opinion.

 

They don't have the super sub in 5.25" that I know of - I didn't see one in the Focal catalog. 6.5" fits in the hole fine - it's just the depth that is the problem. Of course a talented installer could make it work, but it wouldn't be a stealth install. I've seen some wicked installs in MINIs - but they were more than obvious.
I'm thinking the bed of the boot would make a great place to install a larger sub if you wanted one. Remove the toolbox and you have a pretty deep area. You could make a deck so it's level with the seats when you fold them down and have a lot of air space (plus room underneath to install a large amp).

 

I have been a hifi nut my entire life. I have built many many home and automotive sound systems. And designed many custom speaker systems too. My current home system is B&W Nautilus and my Truck has JL Audio W7 subs. Both systems have many $1000s in big amps.

Does this mean I know what I am talking about? He!! no! I could still be a complete moron. However, I will give you may take on the MINI anyway. I have the Hifi system in my new 2007 MCS. And yes it has tweeters.

The system sounds great! Voices are clear and it has nice strong base. The very high frequencies are crisp and fill the front seats very well. And you can hear all of this just great if the car is not making much road noise or better yet if the engine is off and setting still. The system sounds very good for a factory car system if you don't turn it up! If you turn it up loud it quickly goes south. And I do not mean very loud either, it simply has no ***** at all. The high end factory system in my 2003 GM truck will completely kick its *** (with my subs turned off).

If you are like me and desire a serious kick from your subs, you will have to put in a good sub system. But that is another issue all together and separate from how to fix the system in the MINI for music that has little or no sub frequencies.

The real question at hand is will we need to upgrade the speakers and amps in the existing system? Clearly if a system can't provide the sound level you want, somethings got to go. If you just put in a bigger amp I bet the factory speakers will handle more power than the factory amps put out. However it is very likely the designers had matched the capabilities of the speakers to the amps and we will end up having to replace both.

CC