I noticed on miniusa.com that the Harman Kardon upgrade with the 8 speakers will be available this December. Should I wait for this option? Is the quality that much better for the extra $550.00? Anyone had a Harman Kardon in their BMW? How did it sound? Thanks for your comments.

 

This same question was posted somewhere else on this site about a week ago. You might want to check in the audio section. The last word I remember reading is that for $550 you could get a much better system going aftermarket. The HK system added an amp and the extra speakers, but the speakers themselves were no better than the stock set. The stock set - according to the post - are made of paper which causes the poor sound quality we all get today.

 

Here is a post from the mini central area of roadfly.org regarding the HK stereo. It's a bit long but does provide the details many of us were waiting for. Also from perusing the various stereo outlets/catalogs I seriously doubt it would be possible to put togethor a top notch stereo/speaker setup for $550 or less. It would probably take close to a $1k w/installation so the HK upgrade, while it may not be perfect (remember, nobody's heard or experienced it yet), its probably not too bad of a deal considering how much the alternative will cost. Anyways, here's the post (it is long).

From the MINI Product Brief:

HARMAN/KARDON AUDIO SYSTEM
While the basic audio system on MINI is very good, the harman/kardon audio system option represents an even higher level of audio quality. This system has been tailored to provide the highest quality audio environment in every seating position. The base speakers are replaced by a branded harman/kardon system, consisting of 8 speakers and supplemented by a digital amplifier.

The speakers occupy the same positions as before but the tweeters are replaced by mid-tweeter co-axial speakers, while the rear speakers become dual coil and focus purely on the low bass and sub-bass frequencies. The exclusive nature of the system is also expressed visually through alloy grilles and branded lower front speaker bezels, which give a premium look and feel.

AMPLIFIER
The digital amplifier is more powerful than the amplifiers integrated in the head units and uses a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) system that breaks down music into individual signals to offer better sound equalization. The amplifier is situation in the rear right 1/4 side panel.

A number of functions are available to the customer, all of which are selectable from the head unit. These are offered in two levels.

1) Standard/cabin tailored equalization set-up in the vehicle (with no active weighing of the signals to the left and right sides of the cabin) selected as MINI h/k.

2) 'DRIVER' optimization which focuses the audio solely for the driver's benefit. This function alters the time component of the signals sent to the various speakers in the cabin and locates many aspects of the music within the driver's visual field. Quite literally, this means that the music appears to be coming from immediately in front of the driver.
The customer then has the ability to select on of four acoustic effects which further enhances the listening environment. At the moment, the following effects are proposed but still subject to further development:

SPATIAL EFFECT
Alters the phrasing component of the signals to provide a discrete delivery of sound in the center of the cabin. It creates a quasi-sound stage in the center of the vehicle with neither side nor front or rear of the cabin being dominant; excellent for when all seats are filled.

FESTIVAL EFFECT
Alters the reverberation component of the signals to create a feeling of a large arena. The effect mimics a live atmosphere and can add that realistic edge to any piece of music, making the vehicle feel much larger than it actually is.

ELECTRONIC ENHANCED EQUALIZATION
Alters the equalization of the vehicle to improve the listening environment for electronically based musical genres. The musical construction of a number of different musical types will be enhanced by an added richness with this setting, not simply Dance and Pop oriented tracks.

INSTRUMENTAL ENHANCED EQUALIZATION
Alters the equalization of the vehicle to improve the listening environment for instrument oriented musical genres. Again this enhances a number of different musical types, not simply Rock/Indy oriented tracks with a purist's flat equalization.

As a whole, the harman/kardon audio system offers a unique listening environment, perfectly tailored to the interior of the car, but with built-in effects to suit the particular music being played and even the number of people in the car.

HARMAN/KARDON AUDIO SYSTEM-CUSTOMER BENEFITS
-Full, clear sound with excellent bass quality and brilliant pitch
-Increased speaker output giving a higher, distortion-free maximum level
-Space/Environment simulation through special effects
-Enhancement of particular musical genres