You are right. There are different surround materials. All have pluses and minuses. The most consistent is pressed foam, but the most durable is some type of rubber.

The cone itself is never made from the same material as the surround. It may look the same, but it is not. There was a time when the surround as a cloth backed paper. Very cheap.

OutMotoring has already said the speaker cones are paper, or treated paper. And if they are, they cannot last long (all things being relative) in the harsh environment of an automobile.

 

Got my R56 today and it has the $550 HI-FI and I have to say that so far this has been the only disappointing feature in the car. The sound isn't half as good as the HK HI-FI in the R53 :(

Wonder how bad the regular stereo sounds?

 

Please update us after you've played your stereo at a decent volume for a week. Tell us if you think the speakers get better sounding after awhile.

 

Any updates on this? I'm considering the upgraded hi-fi, but maybe it just makes sense to replace the speakers and put in an amp for the stock unit.

 

After listening to it for about 2 weeks now, I don't think the sound has changed much but I've got used to it. I still think it is missing the "wow" factor of the HK HI-FI but it's not too bad.

However, if you are waiting to place an order, I would highly recommend going to a dealership and comparing the 2 systems available in the R56 before making a decision.

 

There seems to be enough people with their R56 now. Whats the verdict on the stock radio/sound. I actually forgot to listen to the radio during my 10 minute test drive. I have not test drove the car I actually ordered MCS Auto for that matter.

 

Ok I will give my honest opinion of the HiFi. I know you said stock but in the test drives I will say the stock radio with a casset player in most Kia's sound better than the stock radio in the R-56. For the HiFi though: I've had my Mini for 3 weeks now and I will say it's got it's pros and cons. If Mini could have come up with a slightly improved HK System for the R-56 then they would have been on the right track. Improved as in adding 2 tweets to the rear (as in the HiFi), giving it slightly higher quality speakers and take off the darn volume limiter.

For the R-56 HiFi It sounds decent for most at low to medium volume levels with the bass set to +2 or 3 max but if you really want to crank it and jam out you will have to turn the Bass to below zero to prevent distortion(mine is set at -2 when I crank it up). After owning Mini's with Both HK and HiFi I will say the biggest difference is the HiFi doesn't have a volume limiter like the HK but also doesn't have a distortion cutoff circut like the Scion TC for example. Meaning if you turn the volume up the bass stays at the same level and distorts. Alot of people on here have said the speakers are cheaper than the HK but I blew 3 speakers in my HK so I wouldn't say that is the case. I personally think the speakers in both are cheap IMO. The volume limiter in the Hk just prevented you from turning the volume up to levels that would make the system distort in which case the HiFi goes much louder than the HK. Like I said, I personally would choose the HK over the HIFI but that isn't an option anymore so I guess we can wait and see if Mini comes up with a DPSM acc for the R-56. Hope this helps.

 

Also, One other thing Mini finally added was the ability to see the entire cd tracks, artist and all in the radio display. This works with an mp3 cd or your ipod using the ipod adapter. Here is a pic but it's kinda hard to see. I'll take some better one's later on

 

Since it's a Mini I feel fortunate to have a radio at all. Needless to say I'm fine w/ the standard unit.

 

Goodness me! What are all those little monsters doing in that picture?

 

I think they are there enjoying the Hifi setup..

 

I've only had my MCS for less than a week, but I can already tell the Hi-Fi sound system sounds better than when I drove it off the lot on Saturday. The bass and treble seem to be responding with a bit better dynamic range than a few days ago. I guess it takes a while to break it in.

 

i have had mine for a few weeks now and i have to say that the HIFI actually sounds worse than when i got it. i did my best to "break it in" for a few days but it just sounds like crap. seriously its like there is an even amount of bass and treble pumping through all the speakers. am i wrong or shouldnt the bass be wired to the bass speakers and the same with the treble. honestly this system really sucks. i think this car is perfect but the stereo is a major let down. if i turn the volume up at ALL i get disortion. im possible even thinking of calling MINI and either having them pay for new aftermarket speakers, refunding part of my $$$, or installing speakers that i buy for free. i think the setup is fine until you get to the speakers, they are just crap and cant handle the power of the amp. it makes this system UNUSABLE at higher volumes.

 

All the bass would not go to the woofers. The sound is directed to different speakers based on the frequnecy. While lower bass will go to the woofers, mid bass would also be directed to the midranges. I do agree that the HIFI speakers are not as good as they should be. As to going to MINI, forget it. Just like any other option, they can't help what you like or don't like. The fact that you don't like it doesn't mean it's defective. In my opinion, the speakers are inferior to what they should be. But that's different than being defective.

 

Got mine (HI FI) a week now have been gradually ramping it up very slowly each day. Gets better by the day. Im sure that the system was not designed to be a Bass boom-boom type which I hate. I am very pleased with the overall sound. !!

 

I, too, hate the bass boom boom stuff. I have all the tone settings "flat." I do like to listen loud, though. Sometimes it sounds great and sometimes it is obvious the speakers just can't handle the amp's power. Once Crutchfields gets some experience, I think I am going to be paying them a visit.