So, after much good feedback from this forum, I changed my order to include the HK sound system. I had originally ordered the standard system but with cassette player rather than cd (long story, don't ask, see my Finally Ordered a DS/DS MCS Light thread for background).

I go to check the order status on miniusa.com and see that the HK is added, but the cassette head unit is still listed. Call my dealer and ask him to confirm that this is just an error of some sort (still listing the cassette unit), and he says no, after checking, the cassette unit is compatible with the HK sound system. I said not on miniusa.com it is not, and after doing some research on these forums, the HK system is not just a speaker upgrade, but also includes a headunit upgrade to 320 watts, dsp, etc. Thus, why would I pay the 550 for just the speakers?

So can anyone shed any light on this? Am I off base? The dealer is still checking into this. I told him that its not a good thing that miniusa.com does not synch up with their internal dealer system. He agreed, but needed to do more checking with his manager.

More importantly, and possibly the resolution to all this, is if he can indeed change the order specs now that the car has gone into production. Have any of you heard if this is possible?

Thanks for you feedback.

 

MINIUSA seems to be off from reality oftentimes - when we placed the order some of the options were not listed (like the black headliner) and never were. Calling the 866 ASK-MINI number (I think thats it) is more accurate; when we checked there the car specs were accurate.

 

I've got the HK upgrade on my 2006 MCC. The upgraded wattage and speakers sound great. The head-unit in the front dash is the same for both the base (USA) and HK upgraded versions. The HK version has an extra separate amplifier/dsp unit housed in the rear of the vehicle (hardtop) or under the passenger seat (convertible). Good luck with your order!

 

Yep, the Alpine brand headunit remains the same when you order the H/K upgrade. What's different is the speakers, the speaker grilles (Brushed metal vs plastic in the standard stereo setup) and the Digital Signal Processor (DSP)/320 Watt amplifier combo which is neatly tucked away inside the trunk trim in the right rear side of the car.

Make no mistake, the Harmon Kardon is a completely different animal from the stock stereo setup in that it gives you much richer/clearer sound and the benefits of Digital sound processing that allows you to change or alter the sound stage at the flick of a button. The Harmon Kardon by default is front stage biased in "MINI HK" and "Electronic Modes". In "festival Mode" the DSP delays the signal automatically to create an "echo" effect which gives the sensation that you are in a venue bigger than your MINI's cockpit. "Spatial" is ideal when you have people riding in the back seat and you want to move the sound stage to the center. "Instrumental" is also front biased and it was specifically developed to listen to Classical recordings. You also have a "driver" setting that moves the entire soundstage to the driver's seat. Useful when you are the only one in the car.

I believe the H/K is also available with the cassette tape deck option, but I have never seen one in person. Tape Decks are mostly a yesteryear technology and I suspect only a handful of customers orders those. Call MINIUSA and make sure that your order clearly states that you want the CD BOOST H/K stereo option, not the tape deck model.

Hope this helps!

 

Once the factory has "accepted" your MINI order for manufacturing you can not make any further changes to the spec. Since now days MINI is churning 60 cars an hour from the assembly line (That's right 1 car per minute!) any changes you wish to make to your order need to be made fairly quickly as you just did with your stereo configuration. Once Oxford accepts the order into their computer system, you can't make any changes to the spec.

 

Don't worry about the stereo. The important thing is you're getting DS/DS.

 

I'd call MINIUSA directly... They'l be abel to answer your questions and get the answers you need.

MINI dealers are often off the track and will provide you with false answers just to please you.

 

Thanks. I guess I stand corrected that you can get the cassette with the HK upgrade. Weird how it wont let you do it on miniusa.com, and my dealer really didn't know if you could or could not. If they can't change at this point, I can live with it, and then upgrade the head unit at some point (though i've read it is a bit tricky with the hk upgrade). I didn't know that the add'l wattage and dsp were actually not coming from the head unit but the amp etc. I suppose I feel better knowing that at least I am not being jipped on the dsp and watts that I thought were tied into the head unit. Thanks as always for the feedback. I truly must be the anamoly in ordering the HK with the cassette.... given how little the dealer knew about this combo. They even called the manager at the boston dealer (herb chambers) to try to answer my question.

The irony is that my original intent was to order just this combo -- cassette plus HK, but miniusa would allow this build. The reason for the cassette is the easy out of the gate ipod solution and very respectable sound quality which it affords.

 

Not sure if you're aware of this option, but you can get an aux adapter for ~$30 and install it yourself in 10 minutes (seriously). Better sound quality and a cleaner system for hooking up an Ipod. Install the aux input under your center console, pick up one of these, and a 1ft male-to-male minijack cable, and you've got a cheap and reasonably slick system. The Ipod will sit nicely in one of the "cup holders".

 

Never mind that I only use 2 of the available pre-programmed modes, MINI H/K and/or Electronic.... I thirst for "volume" and sigh every time changing the mode reduces "power".

I change the "focus" when using those 2 modes, by turning "Driver" OFF. I don't think you get the same result by selecting the other (not so hot sounding) "modes". It may move the "focus" but it changes the quality, IMHO in an undesirable way.

I am curious about this... tell me I'm wrong if I am,
Tatt