First test drive of the MCS today, and let me say I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD. I have been putting together the list of options I would like to add when oredering my car, but I can't decide on the Speaker system.
I was so busy enjoying the drive that listening to the radio completely slipped my mind! But I will say this, I am a music FREAK! I have to have good tunes while driving and it has to be loud! My question is, how good is the stock set-up? Am I justified in spending and extra $550 for the Harman Kardon hi-fi set-up or not? Would I be better of going with after market speakers like MB Quartz? And are the speakers covered in the warranty?
Any input would be much appreciated! thanks!

 

The HK is not designed to be *LOUD* and stomach churning. It is designed to be clear.
It is also designed to be front centric - the rear speakers do little more than bass so if you like that then great.
Personally - as everyone knows - my HK system is on its way out because of this issue.

Also:
If you get the HK, it is very difficult to change only part of it. The HK amp requires the stock HU. The stock HU has front speaker level feed to the HK, no rear feed and no RCAs. The speakers do not have crossovers - filtering is done in the HK amp.

_________________
Ian C. Gloucester, MA
<A href="http://users.adelphia.net/~gbmini/bl...uot;</a>

CWFFC member. Indi Blue / Lapis Blue MCS ... body color exterior trim, chrome grille, painted roof Union Jack, Euro shelf and rear fog switch

 

MetropoMINI-
Welcome to MCO- you need to read the threads in the audio topic section not in MINI talk

Moderator- can you move this over to audio please.

If you feel you are in need of a high end system then you would likely do better to stick with the stock system and pull out everything and put a custom system in-built the way you want it to sound but expect a price tag of $3000 to $6000 or more. If your budget allows only $550 then the HK system is not bad and better than the stock system certainly. I would not advise you to upgrade the speakers to MB Quarts and not add an amplifier or new head unit-radio. The stock radio doesn't have enough power to run the MB Quarts and the MB Quarts are not efficient enough to generate enough clean sound- you just get more distortion when you increase the volume.-unless you add an amp.

There is much discussion about MB Quarts and the HK system. Go to a dealership and listen to the stock radio and the HK with music CDs that you are familar with. The real test is how does the music sound when you are driving in the car- not how does it sound in a quiet dealership showroom. Only you can tell how it sounds to you with your favorite music. Trust your ears.

I think the stock system is not bad. I added MB Quarts DSD 213 in the front and DKC 169 in the back but no additional amp. The sound is marginally better than the stock system. I think that the HK system is much better than the stock system. If you added larger better or more efficient speakers to the fronts than I added then your sound might be much better.

 

The stock Stareo CD is not bad but lacks clearer highs and bass. I feel the HK system addresses these issues more effectively and decided to order it with my '04 MCS.

I like a system that give me clean highs and consistent but not boomy base. I am not looking for a screamer system or window shattering power. The HK seems reasonable to me, might not be to you, so do a "test drive" before deciding. After all the HK is a $550 option so it is pricey.

 

Yeah I really need to go back and listen to the stereo, unfortuantely the dealership is 2 1/2 hours away so that makes it a little tough! Has anyone heard the stero in a 2003 BMW 325xi? It is the stock system and it is very enjoyable to listen to. If the Hk set-up is anything like this, than I will be more than happy with it!
Thanks for all the info, I realized minutes after posting this that there was an audio section, DOH!, sorry about the mis-post.

 

Check out the regional forums ... maybe you can find a local MINI owner with HK installed that would let you visit and hear it.

 

As with any HI FI purchase, you must listen to them yourself, even if it means a drive. You are going to live with it.

I have found that the stock system is way better than I expected, as long as you don't really blast it, or are looking for very deep bass.

 

Within a week of getting my MCS I had replaced all of the stock speakers with MB Quarts. I got used to them and the sound was OK, a little better on the highs and a little better in the rears.
Then I got a loaner cooper and spent time really listening to the stock stereo with everything that I had.
I found the stock stereo to be good. Certainly adequate for most people. It did a good job overall and you would have to spend quite a bit more to get something much better, estimate over $600 depending on what you choose.
A friend added only Infinity Basslink powered subwoofer and was happy with that.

If you don't pick efficient speakers to upgrade to then you might lack the power to run the upgrades- hence the sound isn't that good compared to stock. Also if you keep the speakers the same size in the front- 5.25" then it would be hard to find alot better speakers (in performance for the price). If you increase the size of the front woofers then you might find improvement but you will need to get special spacers or adapters for the speaker installation.

Be sure that you listen to the stereo options not only when stopped but also when it is noisy while driving.