Ordering real soon, like my music....how bad, (or good), is the stock system?


Thanks

 

Personally, I have no problem with the normal boost system in the car. Your best bet is to try and find one to listen to. If you find you "must" have something else, consider an aftermarket unit as I've seen a lot of complaints on the HK system.

 

I'm going to disagree with Moolockx.

Unless you have a couple of grand to drop on a stereo, get the H/K! FOr $550, it's a extremely well priced upgrade for very good sound. I will say that listening to the radio isn't that great b/c there's just way too much bass, but CD's come out really well. Especially rock, jazz, and classical.

haf :smile:

 

I find that the stock system is okay. I listen to CD's most of the time vs. the radio. I also like listening to the engine, etc., especially since I added the intake, airbox mod., and pulley/ECU. For my money, I am going for the upgrades for performance in this car. Of course, I have another car for long range/family driving. The HK system has some very good reports, it is just a matter where your priorities are.

 

There have been many posts on this topic. Hereis a link to recent one.
HK
or you can look in the Audio forumfor more information.

 

Of course the HK is better, it IS an upgrade. But I didn't want to wait for it (after already having waited 7 months, so I have the standard unit. It is the best sounding stereo I've ever had in a car. The sound is full, the highs are crisp, and the base is surprisingly deep and resonant. And I listen to a very broad range of music from jazz to Heavy industrial, and everything in between.

so to answer you real question, if you'd rather spend the $550 on some other accessories, you will still have a plenty full and satisfying aural experience.

 

I have the standard one and it sounds great. Very bassy. If you were buying any other car, I'd be convinced it was an upgrade. I like to turn the bass all the way up and leave the treble in the middle. Then it sounds really good.

 

I sat in a car at the dealership with the base stereo and cranked up my favorite cd with the windows up.
Ordered the H/K.

 

I have heard both. The H&K sounds a good bit better overall, but the stock system is adequate for me. At home, I am very particular about my stereo system, and I just dont consider the enclosed interior of a moving automobile is a good enough sound environment for me to really care too much. I had the option of waiting another 2 weeks and getting the H&K but decided to save the money and am just happy with the stock system.

 

I opted for the HK after hearing the standard system. I have even added to the HK with two new powerful amps and a JL audio stealthbox subwoofer. I listen to a variety of music that has a lot BASS in it anyways. I am going to replace the HK speakers in the future with Allumapro or Kappas.

At least consider the HK if you don't want to spend more than a grand for upgrades. :smile:

 

i think the hk's are a decent upgrade for decent $$$. but it all depends on your definition of quality music reproduction. best bet is listen for yourself both systems.

for me, i think i might have higher standards of quality sound than the typical owner. i knew i was going to upgrade my sound either way, so i saved the $550 for a more elaborate system i plan to get later.

and despite whatever we say, each person has individual meanings of quality sound. you've just gotta go and listen for yourself. imagine if you were gonna put in an aftermarket sound system. you wouldn't just put in any system that a bunch of your friends said was good. in fact, more likely you would get differing opinions from each one. if you're gonna spend some $$$, you would probably listen to the system first before installing it. same situation here. take a test listen with your fave music. and decide for yourself.

 

I'm a budget audiophile wannabe, here's my opinion after a year with my MCS....

Stock stereo is fine, the speakers are better than normal for factory stock, but started to go downhill fairly soon. Sound quality when new was fine, after a month or so I noticed it starting to sound a little less crisp... so I replaced front and rear speakers with Polk EX series 6x9's in the back and 6.5 components in the front. No other mods were made and the sound difference was immediate and impressive. Cost maybe $275 at the most for both sets of speakers.

I've spent a good amount of time in cars with H&K systems, and like everyone else has preety much said, for the money it's a great upgrade. More volume, much more base, better definition, and new features in the soundstaging. BUT... if you are the type of person that cares about their music you will soon tire of the limitations and want to upgrade again, and any upgrades you make to the H&K system preety much make the whole point of it moot.

Replace the headunit and you can't run the H&K amp, or at least I don't think you can...

Replace the amp or speakers and there went the money you spent in the first place.

In my opinion, if you like the way the H&K sounds and never ever plan on any other stereo mods other than possibly an aux input or cd-changer, then by all means get the H&K - it's well worth it. If on the other hand you think you will ever want to change to another headunit, more or better speakers, or a more powerful amp - then don't throw your money away on the H&K - save it for future upgrades.

Replacing the stock speakers with some quality speakers with good efficiency ratings is the best upgrade you can make from the getgo.... after that it's the headunit and an amp.

As soon as I find and get to test a reasonable solution to using the MFSW controls with an Alpine headunit I will be changing over, until then I'm sticking with my stock head and the Polk's.

 

We already have the stock CD Boost system in our '02 Cooper CVT and it is mostly OK but I find it to be lacking in the bass dept. My last car, a 2001 Chevy Impala LS, had an awesome sounding factory stereo in comparison to the MINI's stock one. I guess what hampers the stock stereo is the factory speakers and as noted above, once you replace them with better units there seems to be a radical improvement in sound quality. I personally like the head unit and think it works perfectly fine.

For the '04 MCS I ordered the HK system as I feel it is a close match (And obviously better) than the Delco system that came in mt '01 Impala. Pleanty of bass, clear and crisp highs a rear amplifier (That the stock MINI stereo lacks).

Since I am not inclined to install aftermarket stereos in my cars, I found to be the HK system to be a very reasonable compromise for the money and the sound quality is excellent. I tested it with my favorite CD's in the showroom and it was no question that my next MINI will have HK. I like it and highly recommend it if good sound matters to you...at least it costs less than the panorama sunroof!.

 

>>Ordering real soon, like my music....how bad, (or good), is the stock system?


iwannmini,

This is a question that I’ve seen before and will see again I’m sure. To give a little of my background, part of my engineering degree is in acoustics. I built my own recording studio and have engineered live music for more than 20 years and do consider myself a fair audiophile as far as home equipment goes.

What I have found over the years is sound is probably the most subjective of all the senses. You will have as many answers as people responding to this question. Very few people hear the same thing when given a controlled sound test.

You will be the only person that can answer the question you’ve asked. Go to the dealer with a CD or tape that you are extremely familiar with and audition both the standard and HK systems. I have two CD’s that I have used for years for my evaluations and will never change. You must play the same tracks at the same volume with the tone controls flat. Then you make your own decision.

Just remember, at the end of the day, when everyone goes home – you have to be the one that likes what you hear – not them.

 

I don't believe you can compare either the stock (Boost) or the HK to a properly built aftermarket stereo. Neither are poor systems, on the contrary I think they are quite good for a $20K car, equal to or better than any stock system I've had in previous cars.

One guy's comments I know who has the HK system said that it just seems to have a little more bass than the stock system. If you really want to have an awesome system you're going to have to put the $$ in to an aftermarket system.

 

From what i've read, is that the H/K System is a good quality system. It's not going to change your MINI into a boom car, so if that's what you're looking for, don't bother. You can read a 'technicial' review of it

here...

Rocketboy_X

 

When I ordered Alice, the HK was "coming soon" and had been for several months. I like the stock stereo just fine. I tend to drive with the windows down a lot (avoids losing power to the AC) and I don't think I've had my volume above 1/2 yet.