i wanna see different installs. i really cant decide if i want to keep my stock HU and aftermarket amps/speakers/sub or get an aftermarket HU too. what is that aftermarket MINI thing they sell to allow this to work (if i keep the stock HU and steering controls?)

but either way, i want to see other HUs. if i go aftermarket, i wanna try and get something to match the amber lights and black dash as best as possible.

 

i just finished installing an ALPINE CDA-9883 Deck with MPR-F550 (90x4) and a MRP-M450 (220 x 1). I also put in the Polk DB6500 (6.5" components). It sounds AMAZING. I still have to get a sub, but i can't decide on what to get quite yet. The sound is AMAZING. At first I installed a MRP-F230 (40x4) which was ok, but it would distort the base as the volume increased. The DB6500 are rated up to 100watts and you need to get a close as possible to your speakers max range to give it the best performance. I can REALLY hear the difference between the two amps even at "normal" volume levels.

For the sub, i'm currently leaning towards JL audio, but I can't decide between two sealed 8" or one ported 10"...... Maybe I'll get two 8" and have one side sealed and the other side ported.... too many choices...

 

when u install a new HU, the stock speakers wont work with that HU will it? u gotta completely bypass everything?

 

I did it in 2 stages. I received the stereo first so I installed it and it worked fine with everything else stock (i don't have the HK system). It didn't sound any better than stock though. I then replaced the front speakers (cuz they arrived next). I noticed only a slight improvement with Polk DB6500 and the alpine deck over stock (the rears were still stock at this time). I then received a 40x4 amp and the rear speakers and it sounds a WHOLE lot better. However wtih 40x4 I still noticed distortion at high volume level or anything with base. I could remove the distortion by using the High pass filter and removing the lows. However, since these speakers are rated up to 100 watts, I know i need to get close to that to give them best performance. With 90x4 amp, I am REALLY happy. Even without using the high pass filter (basically letting all ranges go to the speakers) and BOOSTING the bass, I still get no distortion and I get REALLY clean mids, ear peircing highs, and very tight bass. My next step is to pick a subwoofer to martch. I'm now leaning towards a ported 10" for more boom. I get plenty of clean kick from the 6.5" believe it or not.

TO answer your oriniginal question more accurately, you can install the HU to play directly to the stock speakers if you want. You can later bypass with the amp. I can actually rip out the deck in 5 min and reinstall in 10 now since I've done it so many times.

In fact, I have to do it one more time, since it seems my AM reception is not working and crutchfield is sending me a new adapter.

(I bought the deck and front speakers from Crutchfield. I bought the rears from Fry's and the amps from ebay).

 

i do have the HK, is that any different? i got my HU from crutchfield as well, and i got some used Boston acoustic pro60 components for the front.

do i go about it different since i have HK?

 

You need a product called the HKEnabler, designed by Ian Cull (GBMINI) and sold at newministuff.

Check out some aftermarket headunits at the MINI2 Head Unit Gallery.

 

i need that, even if i take out the stock amp, hu, and speakers, and replace with aftermarket hu, speakers, amp?

 

No, the HKEnabler is only needed if you wanted to swap out just the headunit while continuing to use the HK amp.

 

i wanna remove everything factory, and replace. do i need to run new wires? (to the speakers)

 

Depends on where your amp is located and how motivated you are to reuse the existing wiring. Look at the circuit diagrams in this document: http://motoringfile.com/howto/HK_retrofit.PDF to see how the HK is set up.

 

aw hell....thats alot of stuff....basically if i remove all those parts, i can sell it as a kit right (all the wiring harness, etc) and ill just run new wires for my 6.5" components, 6x9s in the rear, and everything else. thanks for that link though, that will really help me out when im removing all the stock stuff!