ICE replacement

[xspencex]

Anybody here replaced the audio system in the Mini? I have an R56 which has pretty poor audio quality. Thinking of spending some cash on the speakers but also looking at replacement head units as well. . .any experience of that here???
Cheers

[MX-5 Lazza]

I have no idea if R56 speakers are any different from in my R50 Cooper (6 speakers) but I replaced my head unit with a Pioneer SD card/iPod/iPhone/BT head unit and I'm amazed by the quality! I had fully intended to replace the speakers and maybe fit an amp but I'm not going to bother as it sounds perfectly good enough as it is.

[xspencex]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I have no idea if R56 speakers are any different from in my R50 Cooper (6 speakers) but I replaced my head unit with a Pioneer SD card/iPod/iPhone/BT head unit and I'm amazed by the quality! I had fully intended to replace the speakers and maybe fit an amp but I'm not going to bother as it sounds perfectly good enough as it is.

Hi, probably not too different from yours, same 6 speaker set up I presume. No plans to add subs etc just want quality. Head unit might require some hefty facia adjustments which I'd rather avoid, so if just changing the speakers does the job I'd be happy.

[M@1975]

I found it was the head unit at fault not the speakers, once I changed that on both of mine it was a load better. Stock speakers are not that bad at all. Changing the head unit is pretty easy, you can get a new surround for next to nothing.

[MX-5 Lazza]

As above, I just fitted a cheap facia adapter and a harness adapter (needed an aerial adapter for the Mini ISO aerial too) and the rest was simple.

[esuuv]

R53 head units are easy to do - R56 is just about impossible isnt it? as the head units all built into the speedo / OBC / Phone etc......

[xspencex]

esuuv said:

R53 head units are easy to do - R56 is just about impossible isnt it? as the head units all built into the speedo / OBC / Phone etc......

This is what I'm worried about. Can't see how I'd do it. Interesting to hear that the standard speakers are OK, so guess it means I'm checking out head unit options. . .

[Hartge220]

Can't help with any direct info unfortunately but Mikey at www.newministuff.co.uk is a wealth of audio knowledge when it come to all things MINI

[xspencex]

Hartge220 said:

Can't help with any direct info unfortunately but Mikey at www.newministuff.co.uk is a wealth of audio knowledge when it come to all things MINI

Thanks for this. . .seems he does a package for those that think the standard set up is sh*t. . .so that'll be me then.

[Hartge220]

I've used him for various items on my 1st gen MCS, great service (by post), he really does know his stuff & worth a call if your unsure about anything. He's also a sponsor on numerous MINI forums, very good reputation .

[mike9009]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Here is a brief thread (no one replied!) which outlines my dilemma with my Clubman S.

Mikey at new Mini Stuff seems to consider that the OEM head unit is okay and as such upgrades the speakers and adds an amplifier. This route seems to be backed up from people recommending his setup plus the thread from NAM. The headunit does not seem to be the problem. Also changing the headunit seems pretty tricky on the new Minis.

Hopefully I will upgrade my speakers this weekend (the front 165mm units to Focal CVX). I will update my thread once these are successfully installed.... The rear 6x9s will be changed if I am not happy with that and then finally an amplifier if still not happy!

Not sure if this helps but there is loads of conflicting advice which makes it a little complicated to find the best and most economical route forward. I suppose the interpretation of sound quality is an individual thing.....


Mike

[M@1975]

Maybe the R56 had a head unit upgrade and speaker downgrade? Seems a little odd though.

[xspencex]

mike9009 said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Here is a brief thread (no one replied!) which outlines my dilemma with my Clubman S.

Mikey at new Mini Stuff seems to consider that the OEM head unit is okay and as such upgrades the speakers and adds an amplifier. This route seems to be backed up from people recommending his setup plus the thread from NAM. The headunit does not seem to be the problem. Also changing the headunit seems pretty tricky on the new Minis.

Hopefully I will upgrade my speakers this weekend (the front 165mm units to Focal CVX). I will update my thread once these are successfully installed.... The rear 6x9s will be changed if I am not happy with that and then finally an amplifier if still not happy!

Not sure if this helps but there is loads of conflicting advice which makes it a little complicated to find the best and most economical route forward. I suppose the interpretation of sound quality is an individual thing.....


Mike

Thanks for this Mike, I'll keep a look out for updates.

[mike9009]

M@1975 said:

Maybe the R56 had a head unit upgrade and speaker downgrade? Seems a little odd though.

I ordered a new Mini One back in 2001 and had the Radio Boost stereo upgrade. This system I found was more than adequate. However the standard stereo in the Clubman S is dire in comparison hence my desire to upgrade.

From everything I have read, it seems to indicate the weak link are the speakers and the clipping of the lower frequencies to the rear speakers in the R56. However I haven't read of anyone changing the headunit in an R56 (no doubt someone has!) but this maybe because it is far more integrated into the car than the previous generation Minis.


Mike

[xspencex]

mike9009 said:

I ordered a new Mini One back in 2001 and had the Radio Boost stereo upgrade. This system I found was more than adequate. However the standard stereo in the Clubman S is dire in comparison hence my desire to upgrade.

From everything I have read, it seems to indicate the weak link are the speakers and the clipping of the lower frequencies to the rear speakers in the R56. However I haven't read of anyone changing the headunit in an R56 (no doubt someone has!) but this maybe because it is far more integrated into the car than the previous generation Minis.


Mike

Funny. . .I also ordered a Mini One in 2001. I don't remember having issues with audio quality back then. Previous car was a Golf with decent speakers and head unit as well. . .strange that my '57 plate R56 Cooper sounds pretty average. . .at best!

I saw a youtube clip where somebody had obviously bypassed replacing the builtin Mini unit and installed a head unit into the dashboard space behind the facia on the passenger side. . .looked snug!

[mike9009]

xspencex said:

Funny. . .I also ordered a Mini One in 2001. I don't remember having issues with audio quality back then. Previous car was a Golf with decent speakers and head unit as well. . .strange that my '57 plate R56 Cooper sounds pretty average. . .at best!

I saw a youtube clip where somebody had obviously bypassed replacing the builtin Mini unit and installed a head unit into the dashboard space behind the facia on the passenger side. . .looked snug!

yeah you could fit one behind that facia panel, but I would also want to integrate controls to the steering wheel as adjusting the stereo controls at that distance from the driver is probably not too safe. Also the functionality in the speedo would become defunct and next to useless. Just not a very practical, safe or neat way forward to install a headunit in there.

(Must admit it took me two months to find that cubby hole in the facia panel! Doh!)

Mike

[mike9009]

Well I have finally fitted the speakers - with some difficulty TBH.

The speakers I bought, do not quite fit in the holes in the mini. This meant cutting some of the plastic cowling in order for the metal mounts of the speaker to fit, so the speaker will fit flush. Not completely happy with it cosmetically, but it does not really matter as it is all hidden behind the door card. Not sure if this is advisable or not??

This speaker upgrade alone has made a minor difference to the sound quality. Now the speakers may need to bed in a little, but there was a far bigger difference in sound quality swapping the channels over as highlighted in my previous post (linked further up in this thread).

There is a slight change to the bass and treble (in fact the high frequencies are a little harsh - but I think this is a characteristic of the Focal speakers and they should mellow over time), and the midrange has a little more clarity.

For the time being, I am happy (ish) with the sound by completing the channel swap and front speaker upgrade. Still not perfect (for me) but far better than standard.


Mike