My virginal post and I am very confused about the HK system and adding in an aftermarket headunit, sub and amp.
I've only just got my mini (yesterday infact) and would like to understand some basics about the HK system installed.
What I would like to do is install an aftermarket headunit, an amp to power a sub. Am I right in thinking I only need a HK enabler to achieve the use of a new headunit and use the pre outs to send sound signal for the amp that powers the new sub. Or is there something else required.
I have a MFSW and would like to at least keep the use of the volume switch on it.
I want to keep the hk front components and is there a way to only send mid and high frequency signals to them.
I have tried to piece various pieces of info from the many posts but the HK system isn't covered to much in depth, or I'm just being blind.
The HK system is not easy to change. The HK enabler was designed to allow us to add a regular radio by tricking the HK amp to turn on and crank up. The problem is that this is a digital system that is designed to work together. The speakers are not standard speakers. They are 2 Ohm dual coil over and more than likely a regular amp would blow them.
There are some sub woofers that will work...
The bottom line is that if you are going to run your own amp and install a new HU you might as well get speakers and re-wire the system as the HK stuff will not really work for you.
I understand what you are saying and understand the delicacy of the HK system.
I would not be touching the DSP/amp or speakers in the HK system but wish to run a seperate amp from the sub pre-out on the new head unit at lo-level input i.e RCA's to allow the sub to do it's job.
Am I right in thinking the HK enabler will allow me to fit an aftermarket headunit as a start.
Yes, the HK Enabler will do that. I would also contact Mikey and speak with him about the sub. He can probably answer your questions better. Hopefully he will see this thread. I believe that there are a few subs that will work with the HK system but I am not certain.
(designer of HKenabler) ... yes, as DaFlake says, your plan will work.
The HKenabler will trick the HK amp to running at (near) max amplifiication, and the aftermarket head unit volume control will vary the input signal to the HK amp.
The sub pre-out then runs to your new amp and then to the subs.
You can use crossover setups in the new HU (if it has them) to control how low the front speakers output is - which is the input to the HK amp; then you can have the new sub do all the low frequency work.
Note that only the front speaker outputs of the HU go to the HK amp, the rear speaker outputs are not used.
Ian C. Gloucester, MA, USA (UK expat) driving GPMINI or a non-MINI!
Many Thanks for your reply GBMini, I feel confident now with an aftermarket install using the HK front components and only adding the amp for the sub.
I'm just planning it at the moment and probably wont start it for about 3 months, but if anyone has any suggestions for good 10" sub and amp to drive it, they are very welcome.
I'm thinking of a Rockford fosgate P2D4 10" Punch sub custom enclosed wired from a 2 ohm capable amp, Inphase 1001 is one i'm looking at and JL 250/1v2 is another but it seems a little pricey for me.
Cheers peeps
Last edited by Cheesegeezer; Oct 22nd, 2008 at 05:21 PM.
Reason: Typo
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Thanks for clearing that up. 
