Replacing Speakers

[chrisrue@btinternet]

Hi
i i want to replace the original speakers in my 2002 mini what would it involve?
i would like to replace the front and rear
if i was only to replace the front and they had a higher wattage want it blow the original ones in the back if i turn them up past their limit or do they sync with the front ones so that dosent happen?
im not sure wat wattage the original speakers in my mini are and what size they are so i can choose which ones to replace them.
if any one could help it would be great
thanks
chris

[theminiv]

Replacing the speakers is not toooooo bad.

You will have to remove the door cards (driver and passenger) - To do this, others correct me if I am wrong, its been a while.

Remove the red reflector in the top corner, then use a TX driver to unscrew the bolt. There will also be two more bolts which you can see in the arm rest part of the door.

Use a screw driver (flat) with some electrical tape round the sharp end, to prise off the door card. It will pop off. You will notice a load of clips. I would advise getting some more of these before putting it all back together cos they will break and cause the door to rattle.

Rears are a little harder, now I only know the lazy ass way to do it. So I would advise having a little look around the forum to find some more comprehensive instructions if these dont work for you.

I would remove the rear seat pad, this will pop off if you give it a tug upward from the front of it. Once removed, remove the rubber seal around the passenger and driver door side, you will then have access to the rear side plastics. These again are clipped on using the little clips. I just used the screwdriver method again and they came off. Revealing the rear speaker. Now, there is enough room to remove and replace speakers if you get someone to hold the plastic while you affix etc.

---------------------------------

With regards to speakers, and remember, while I know audio, I am not hot anymore on mini stuff, it has been a while. I believe the ohm impedance on the mini speakers is 2ohm. Now, lets say that the amp in the mini is 40watt, which I dont think it is, but anyway. If you have a 40w @ 2ohm, fitting 4ohm speakers (which is what you will find in halfords etc (mostly) will give you a 20watt power to the speakers. So try to match the ohm impedance that comes out of the car. When you take off the original speakers, it will have the ohm on the rear of the magnet drive. Or you could have a look around on here to find out.

Fitting better fronts and leaving the backs will give you some difference. It wont damage the amp or anything like that, unless you hammer the system. Just keep an ear out for distortion. And sound compression (where the audio quietens for no reason)

Also, when looking for the speakers, alot of units will quote huge wattages. Believe me, these wattages are not their actual ratings, they are usually over exaggerated. I know it sounds weird but I would go for ruff and ready ones, like the alpine S series, or some cheapos. While these would be poor for the pro installation, they will be better than the stocks and wont need too much power from the amp, giving you better volume.

Any more questions, please ask!

[chrisrue@btinternet]

hi
thankyou fro your email
could you also tell me what size the speakers are in the front and back?
thankyou again
chris

[theminiv]

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisrue@btinternet (original)

hi
thankyou fro your email
could you also tell me what size the speakers are in the front and back?
thankyou again
chris

Hi there, rear speakers are 6x9, but dont go too mad with massive magnets cos they sometimes dont fit.

Front speakers, hmm. I dont know. I think you might need an adaptor and that will allow the fitment of 13cm speakers.

One thing I will say, go on ebay and look at item number 180209858121

[chrisrue@btinternet]

hi
they look like great speakers, but how would i no there genuine, because they just look like and old speakers.
do you think they would make a big difference to the sound quality and volume?
he says there for the back of the car are they?
and also if i was to put all these new speakers in would i have to change my head unit?
sorry for all the questions
cheers
chris

[theminiv]

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisrue@btinternet (original)

hi
they look like great speakers, but how would i no there genuine, because they just look like and old speakers.
do you think they would make a big difference to the sound quality and volume?
he says there for the back of the car are they?
and also if i was to put all these new speakers in would i have to change my head unit?
sorry for all the questions
cheers
chris

Hi there, the auction is wrong, these are the fronts. - Them being genuine however is something you will have to check. I would ask for the part number and call up BMW, they will let u know then.

Hmm, about improvements. If you are leaving the head unit the same, I would not bother fitting these. They will cause an imbalance in your car.

If its volume you want, there are a couple of steps to try.

Step one, change the head unit. - This is gonna give you a bit more on the top end with the stock speakers. - And more control if you get an amp in the future.

Step two, as said in my first post, get some real cheapos in your car. Test them in halfords and make sure they dont sound awful. But lower wattage the better (match your amp c)

If you were to fit the HK speakers, I think it would increase the quality, but decrease the volume.

----------------------------------------------------------

It really is hard to get a nice sound from the basic gear in the car. Personally, after years of monster subwoofers etc, I would stay well away from subs in the boot. As your car will kill itself rattling.

If I had all the money in the world. Get a nice amp fitted, and some subs in the back and good tops in the front. With about £700 I think you can have a top of the range head unit, nice amp and lovely speakers to boot. And you wont ruin your mini. Which is the most important part.

[chrisrue@btinternet]

in regard to the changing of the head unit which one of halfords which you best recommend, and also if i was to buy from halfords it would mean they could fit it for me.

Car Audio,Car Audio Deals, Car CD Cassette Players, Car CD MP3 Players, Made For iPod Players, Bluetooth CD Players, DAB Digital Radios, In Dash DVD Players, Car Speakers, Subwoofers, Car Amplifiers, CD Changer Package Deal, Car Audio Accessories fro

also regards the speakers which ones would you recommend from halfords?
cheers
chris

[theminiv]

to be honest I would go down there and have a look at them. You are after quality to look for alpine, pioneer, high end JVC, sony are ok but the amps aint as strong as the others I mentioned.

Yes they can fit it for you, you will need to buy an adaptor but thats it.

[chrisrue@btinternet]

hi
just a quick question
i only have a small budget of a £100 for the new headunit.
do you think i would get a decent head unit for that price and also would it make the sound of the original speakers sound better?
also i was wondering becuase im not a stereo person why does a new headunit make the original speakers sound better than the original speakers?
thanks
chris

[theminiv]

Ok, in the mini. And other cars to be honest.

They match the stereo's and speakers up in wattage.

I think the mini stereo is about 20 watts per corner, and the speakers will be similar.

This is low powered to be honest.

Now, if you put a bigger amplifier to these speakers, you are putting a better sound in. Therefore you will get a better sound out. But then there can be too much power going to the speakers. This is why you will need to listen out for distortion in your car.

For £100 there is not much you can do, I would look into a head unit, sony for that sort of price will be the best bet. I cant suggest one cos they change all the time, best thing you can do is look around in halfords or even pop to your local tesco extra, they sometimes have some good deals.

The stereo you will buy will probably have a 40 watt per corner amplifier. This will be cleaner than the amp in the mini standard stereo. But dont expect thumping bass and extreme volume. it will be a small step in upgrading. Until you can sort out some nice speakers and an amp.

[chrisrue@btinternet]

Brilliant thankyou
ill have a look around this weekend and ill let you know
cheers
chris

[chrisrue@btinternet]

hi
i have just bin on a audio website and i have found a few speakers
they are linked bellow:

Pioneer TS-A6911 330 Watts 3-way 6 x 9 - TS-A6911 from Pioneer
Pioneer TS-A1311 150 Watts 13cm 3-way Speakers - TS-A1311 from Pioneer
Pioneer DEH 3000MP CD Tuner with Front Aux in - DEH-3000MP from Pioneer

i would leave the tweeters as they are
i just wanted your recomendation on weather these are good products to replace the original products?
thanks

[theminiv]

hey, nice stuff. I would try just the head unit for the moment.

Remember you will need an iso adaptor for the stereo as well, and a fascia adaptor.

See what you think, then go for the speakers.

Also, I would just swap the backs for the time being when you get round to it, see what you think. Then fit the fronts if you think it needs more.