[scillyisles]

I would agree that normal MP3 encoding using standard Itunes rates of 128k produces pretty mediocre sound quality. However if you use max 320kbps MP3 rate with max 48khz sampling rate to encode then you will have difficulty in telling the sound quality from the original CD. Using Mp3 has several advantages over Apple Lossless or AAC, in that MP3 is much more universal and non proprietary.
I have the Full Bluetooth with USB option in my car and using a 5g Video Ipod with the BMW lead means that the control information is passed by the USB cable whilst the audio is decoded in the Ipod and sent to the Mini HiFi by the audio lead.
In my other cars I have an Alpine headunit with MB Quatrz and JL audio speakers, Kenwood headunit with Focal speakers and Nakamichi Headunit with Alpine and Infinity speakers. The Hifi system in the Mini compares favourably with these other systems. So at £320 it represents good value for money against the option of upgrading.

[Lonz]

Considering an alternative (say Mikethemini at £700+), £350 for what you get with the HIFI upgrade is probably good value. Having said that, if you're not happy with poor sound quality when you turn up the volume then you'll be thinking you've wasted the £350 and wanting the upgrade anyway.

I've had a speakers upgrade, not the Mikethemini, but through a local firm who have done a superb job. It cost £600 overall, and I got a brand new setup including 7 speakers, including a sub. I'm still disappointed with the head-unit actually, I feel it doesn't offer a sufficient amount of customization.

[theminiv]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lonz (original)

Considering an alternative (say Mikethemini at £700+), £350 for what you get with the HIFI upgrade is probably good value. Having said that, if you're not happy with poor sound quality when you turn up the volume then you'll be thinking you've wasted the £350 and wanting the upgrade anyway.

I've had a speakers upgrade, not the Mikethemini, but through a local firm who have done a superb job. It cost £600 overall, and I got a brand new setup including 7 speakers, including a sub. I'm still disappointed with the head-unit actually, I feel it doesn't offer a sufficient amount of customization.

I had the HK audio system in my previous mini, and well, it was amazing to say the least. However, nowadays I feel that I would prefer to have the car with minimum of rattles than to let some audio company take it apart and cause damage.

Coming from a 1 series Hifi with subs under the seat as standard, the Mini Boost is just noise, rather than the whole audio spectrum, kind of like the difference between massive headphones to ipods in ear buds. If you know what I mean.

The radio Boost is good enough for me, im enjoying the car too much to be honest to bother about the sound system. - Ok, it would be nicer if there was a bit more bottom end on it, and if the top end wasnt so mucky, but I know from experience, putting more speakers in can be more trouble than its worth.