Help on audio setup.

[kidtexas]

Ok, so I recently got a Mini, and the stock audio setup has to go. I was driving around in an '86 vovlo, in which I had put a newish Alpine CD player (last year), a couple of Polks from thier lower model line, and an Alpine amp powering a 10" polk momo sub. I really want a nice balanced sound for this car - no window shattering bass or ear shattering treble.

I am most likely going to swap the Alpine deck into the Mini. I will live with the loss of the MFSW until someone cracks the code. I am pretty sure I need to get a faceplate adapter and an antenna adapter, right? Is there any known adapter for the NAV unit (which I have) to interface with an Alpine (or any) stereo?

For the fronts, I will probably go with the Polk MOMO 6.5" component set for the front - it appears all I will have to do is make an adapter for the mid drivers, right?

Now, for the rest. I don't want a 2000w rig in my car, just a nice balanced system. My old system's largest speakers were 5.25", so I had to have a sub to cover the low end. However, in the Mini, we got 6x9's. My question: Are there any 6x9's out there that can cover the low end adequately? Mind you, I am used to a 10" polk momo pushed by a 100w alpine amp. I would love to have the same (or better) performance out of the system as a whole without sacrificing my trunk to a sub.

If I can't get that kind of sound with only 6x9's, I will go with the sub - I already have it, so I will just try to get a custom box for the mini trunk. What 6x9's would you guys recommend?

Thanks for all the help.

[Dom]

Quote:

Originally posted by kidtexas
I am pretty sure I need to get a faceplate adapter and an antenna adapter, right? Is there any known adapter for the NAV unit (which I have) to interface with an Alpine (or any) stereo?

Correct. You'll need a faceplate, antenna and wiring look adapter. The wiring loom might be the same as that on the BMW 3 series, depending on when you got the car. Best check with your local ICE dealer. Don't know about the NAV though

Quote:

Originally posted by kidtexas

For the fronts, I will probably go with the Polk MOMO 6.5" component set for the front - it appears all I will have to do is make an adapter for the mid drivers, right?

Yup

Quote:

Originally posted by kidtexas
What 6x9's would you guys recommend?

It's all personal taste really. I've got pioneer emotions and am happy with them. Ideally, go to your ICE dealer and listen to a range, and then choose what sounds best for you.

Personally, I'd keep the 10" sub. When I had a 10" sub in the MINI, the bass wasn't overpowering at all and was nice and tight.

Hope that helps a little...



Dom

[woodman438]

If you want the NAV audio there are 2 ways to get it...

Use the wire off the new generation connector that plugs into the back of the headunit and then put a phono plug on it and use the audio in of the aftermarket unit. However you must float the ground, dont worry it will work as the unit will get the ground from the chassis.

Downside is that you can only hear the nav audio when you have the aux input selected on the stereo.

Alternative method, use one of those "cut your stereo off and replace with mobile phone audio" boxes that you can get from most places these days. Means chopping up your connector though as it interfaces between the outputs of the unit and speakers themselves.

Downside is that the nav audio level is generally lower than the headunit and you can never shut the bloody woman up unless you go into the menu and turn off voice nav - but loads of key presses which is not good whilst driving!

Personally, i have taken route one - as i have found that i know where i am going most of the time as the majority of the journey is motoway and when it gets to the complicated bit i just flip it over to Aux input to listen to the last few directions. At that point i need to concentrate anyway so no music for a while aint such a bad thing.

Hope this helps

Woodman