Hey gang!

I just got an opportunity to go out and play with the iPod Adaptor in the Clubman..... One word WOW!

Totally blown away by the crystal clear and crisp sound quality of the stock stereo! I have read sooo many negative reviews of the R56 stock and HI-FI stereos that my expectations were simply very low (Keep in mind my R53 has the Harmon Kardon stereo which I consider to be very good).

Has MINI changed the stock speakers for 2008? Can anyone confirm?

Almost no distortion at high volumes.

Oh and the iPod adaptor is sweeeeet! Now I am able to see the song tags in the radio display, a feature sorely missed from the OEM iPod adaptor in my R53.

Am I easily being impressed by the stock stereo of the Clubman? Let's compare notes!

 

From the MINI Owner's Lounge:

 

I doubt its different. I don't have any of the problems others have noted in these forums. I'm not an audiophile per se but I like my hi-fi system.

 

[quote=ClubmanS;2070969]Hey gang!

I just got an opportunity to go out and play with the iPod Adaptor in the Clubman..... One word WOW!

Totally blown away by the crystal clear and crisp sound quality of the stock stereo! I have read sooo many negative reviews of the R56 stock and HI-FI stereos that my expectations were simply very low (Keep in mind my R53 has the Harmon Kardon stereo which I consider to be very good).

Has MINI changed the stock speakers for 2008? Can anyone confirm?

Almost no distortion at high volumes.

Oh and the iPod adaptor is sweeeeet! Now I am able to see the song tags in the radio display, a feature sorely missed from the OEM iPod adaptor in my R53.

no comment

 

I've just put in an order for a Clubman. With the adaptor, what can you control on the ipod via the multifunction steering wheel? I'm assuming volume and...? Also, I see it's $330 on the mini site, but am I looking at a extra dealer charge to install it? Thanks for any feedback.

 

You can control the volume and select tracks from the steering wheel, pretty much in the same fashion as you would when playing a regular CD. Most of the track and playlist navigation takes place in the radio itself. I am very pleased with the OEM adaptor in the new MINIs as you can see the song tags, artists, etc and it is much easier to find and locate songs in iPods with fairly large playlists. The iPod cable is installed inside the "secret compartment". However, be sure that the dealer doesn't mess up the secret compartment door as mine is hard to open and close (it shouldn't be) after the adaptor was installed. I still need to bring back the car to them so they correct the open/closing action of the compartment door.

 

ClubmanS, I'm right there with you. I like this stereo better than my H&K in my '05. The bass was way overblown in the H&K set flat so I would have to turn it down about 3 to have more natural sound. iPod works great also but my only complaint is that AM makes it sound like I have a blown speaker.

 

Weinerdog--

Yes, there will be high dealer installation charges to go with the $330 iPod adaptor which will put it over the cost of the Bluetooth USB/iPod adaptor factory installed ($500). The factory installed option allows you to control song selection etc from the radio controls (or MFSW if you have it). I'm not sure but I don't think the dealer installer ($330) option allows for this.

Overall even if you don't need Bluetooth you are better off going with the $500 factory option (my sales person said the the $330 option is just a holdover from before there was the factory option).
Can you still change your order configuration?

 

that's good to hear ... where is the AUX input located in the Clubman?

 

Look way underneath the center console. You'll see the AUX jack there.

 

thanks, i was hoping it was not in the glove compartment.

 

yeah.... it's in a good spot since you can put your ipod in that lil cubby hole right under the radio

 

...guess you received one of the "good" ones

I thought it was terrible so I was one of the complainers. I also think it is the music you listen to. Some of my acoustic selections sounded great on the hi-fi while most of the "rock" sounded awful turned up.

 

I have the stocker stereo, not the HIFI.

 

speakers need some type to break in just like engines ... i would not "crank" anything for at least the first few dozen hours of listening.
speakers are also an easy aftermarket upgrade as well ... try that route if still not happy.

will try the system with some Death Metal and followup

 

The USP/AUX connection requires a special cable for the iPod. Some dealers include it, some charge $100.

The disadvantage of the USB/AUX over the iPod Integration is that you have your iPod floating round somewhere in the vicinity of the shift lever. It is sitting in plain sight when you park. Integration puts it in the "secret compartment" where you don't have to worry about it. Some says the Integration sounds better than the AUX.

 

Thanks to those who responded - much appreciated! I'm going to call the dealer now - I just ordered last weekend, so I imagine I'll be ok.

 

I tuck my iPod in the little net in the passenger foot well. I found with the supplied USB adapter, it's too stiff to allow the iPod to be stored in the cubby. With a black case, the iPod is all but invisible, even in the net.

If you listen to albums, once you get several dozen albums on the iPod (I'm currently way over 300) you'll find it easier to find music on the iPod first, then plug it in and listen. Drilling down via the radio display and **** turning can be tiresome.

I'm also very impressed with the sound.

 

What kind of CD formats does the standard stereo play. Just standard or will it play MP3s?

 

It'll play MP3's for sure... haven't tried AAC's or any other formats yet.

 

Thanks, thats good news.

 

what is the connection inside the arm rest for?

 

...phone docking type stations....limited availability....