harman/kardon system value.

[warren33]

does the h/k system present good value for money. is a better sound available aftermarket for the same money.

[Wynn]

We won't really know until we hear it, but HK has a good record for carefully custom matching components to a task. While you might be able to buy, for the same money, individual components with better specs than those you'll take home from HK/MINI, I very much doubt that your installed system will sound better. That's because the HK system has been meticulously designed to accommodate the acoustic characteristics of the MINI cabin, to give you a flat response. For you to accomplish the same thing with other components would require a tremendous lot of effort, and probably luck as well.

I'm eager to hear the HK system, and I'm sure we won't really know the truth until we have a listen. But, I suspect it's going to sound very good, and reflect a reasonable value.

[warren33]

sound ( no pun intended ) reasoning wynn.I shall add it to my final spec and let you know how it sounds.my car is due in march,I hope the system is available.

[DITCH]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wynn
...the acoustic characteristics of the MINI cabin...

BZZZ BZZZ BzZZ - Do I hear a buzz?

Oh, not those acoustic characteristics! Never Mind.

Ditch

[Bad Manners]

Quote:

Originally posted by warren33
sound ( no pun intended ) reasoning wynn.I shall add it to my final spec and let you know how it sounds.my car is due in march,I hope the system is available.

Yes, I like Wynn's reasoning too

The harmon/kardon hi-fi upgrade should be available in MINIs from week 48 this year. (My next MINI is specced with HK and is scheduled for week 49 build)

Given that today falls in week 47 and MINIs take about two weeks from build to delivery (that is, if you're blessed with living in this part of the world and you're lucky with delivery / PDI) then we should see (hear?) the first HK MINIs in about three weeks time.

I'm not aware of any dealer with a HK-equipped demo MINI.

[warren33]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bad Manners
Yes, I like Wynn's reasoning too

The harmon/kardon hi-fi upgrade should be available in MINIs from week 48 this year. (My next MINI is specced with HK and is scheduled for week 49 build)

Given that today falls in week 47 and MINIs take about two weeks from build to delivery (that is, if you're blessed with living in this part of the world and you're lucky with delivery / PDI) then we should see (hear?) the first HK MINIs in about three weeks time.

I'm not aware of any dealer with a HK-equipped demo MINI.

Thanks for the advice on HK availability Andy.If you let us know what it sounds like that would be great.

[bmarvin]

I can't speak for the mini HK system, but I used to be a big fan of HK systems in bimmers, but my brother has an HK system in his '01 330ci, and I was extremely disaointed. I am usually for getting the upgraded stereo by the dealership (mark levinson, HK, Bose, Nakamichi). It saves you alot of hassle by not having to deal with car stereo stores. I used to have insane systems put in cars I used to own, and in the long run, it will drive you insane! They are expensive, and not always reliable. I say if it takes more than a $1,000 to put a system in that is better than the mfg. upgrade, just get the upgrade. Just my 2 cents. I hope the HK system is great in the mini, I only wish that when my car was built it was available.

Blake

[Bad Manners]

Quote:

Originally posted by warren33
Thanks for the advice on HK availability Andy.If you let us know what it sounds like that would be great.

Watch this space

(Well, watch for a new thread in 4 weeks)

[BrantV]

While we have yet to hear it. As Wynn says, timing and specs should be designed specifically for the acoustics of the car. Although I cant imagine them eliminating all of the rattles a test disk will expose. The idea of the driver's position feature does sound great though.

But for me the biggest value in the HK system, is that it doesn't occupy any more space than the standard stereo, doesn't consume any of the boot, and except for the conservative markings on the grill rings, is indistinguishable from a standard install. Very stealthy, which should help reduce temptations for thieves to break in.

I love the MINI for its small size, even wish it was smaller, yet need it to be as utilitarian as possible.

The fact that some high school student isn't ripping off door and trim panels, is also very comforting.

So I take it some people have actually ordered the HK already. Wynn, have you finally ordered your MINI yet?

Cheers,
Brant

[Wynn]

Well said, Brant.

No, I've not ordered my car, yet. I had a deposit down with Momentum MINI in Houston, and then we had that misunderstanding, which set things back a bit. They've since apologized and made me a nice offer to order a car now without any unwanted dealer add-ons, and I'm grateful for that. But, I've waited long enough at this point that I'm now going to hold on just a little longer to see what changes are offered in March, when Silk Green is retired and Gold comes on the scene. I probably don't want Gold, but I am hopeful that some of the Cooper options not currently available on the S will become available then.

Specifically, I'm waiting until I can order an S with the red interior.

The waiting is very exciting to me, so I really don't mind. I'm especially eager to hear someone's HK system, though-- maybe I'll visit the dealer in a few weeks to see if they've got one!

[warren33]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wynn
Well said, Brant.

No, I've not ordered my car, yet. I had a deposit down with Momentum MINI in Houston, and then we had that misunderstanding, which set things back a bit. They've since apologized and made me a nice offer to order a car now without any unwanted dealer add-ons, and I'm grateful for that. But, I've waited long enough at this point that I'm now going to hold on just a little longer to see what changes are offered in March, when Silk Green is retired and Gold comes on the scene. I probably don't want Gold, but I am hopeful that some of the Cooper options not currently available on the S will become available then.

Specifically, I'm waiting until I can order an S with the red interior.

The waiting is very exciting to me, so I really don't mind. I'm especially eager to hear someone's HK system, though-- maybe I'll visit the dealer in a few weeks to see if they've got one!

I have not seen any pictures of the speakers yet but they sound discreet. Red leather when?.

[Bad Manners]

Hi Warren33,

Here's the only pic I have of the harmon/kardon hi-fi upgrade. It's a door speaker! The spec says that behind the grille, there's a pair of co-axial drivers.

If anybody else has pics, or has detail on the power output of the amp, I'd be grateful!

[NickG]

There are some figues in the new Accessories catalogue (the one with the EB S on the front, will look them up at home tonight.

Also picked up a dress up your MINI kit which has some stick and lift stickers and a MINI to stick them on, and a flashing postcard with instructions on how to flash other MINIs.

[Martin L]

HK?? Hmmmmm....
I think the jury is till out on this one. I personally think it's a lot to do with the cars interior acoustics and the MINI has very poor acoustics with many hard surfaces for sound to bounce off hence I feel the HK will bring a small improvement over the Boost but nothing too significant.
In my 5 Series touring I have the HK system and regardless of playing around with the settings I just can't get it to sound that good
I beleive the HK systems on BMWs are not as sophisticatedly designed as in Lexuses (Spel?) where the stereo puts out sounds to counteract the road/engine noice etc. hence they sound far better
Now a sound system as in a Volvo is something that we would all love to have

[Bad Manners]

You should get to hear my HK system on Feb 2nd, MartinL

MINI may not be the best cabin to start with for acoustics, but a bit of DSP should at least be heading in the right direction.