Just a speaker upgrade?

[Tom F.]

I got a substantial improvement in the sound system of my Audi 200 when I simply swapped out the factory door speakers, tweeters, and dash speakers with mid-range Infinity units.

Some Mini owners whose opinions I really respect(who like me drive an EB/W MCS in the DC area) suggest you can't do this on a Mini: you need to do the head unit, or amps.

So I wonder if anyone out there has simply swapped out the speakers and tweeters in the stock installation (For purposes of discussion I'd consider going up to 6.5" in the doors as "simple".)

What speakers did you use?
What were the results?
Are you going to do anything else?

Thanks

Tom F.

[MitchyBoy]

Mini have produced a speaker upgrade kit call the SoundModul which replaces all your speakers and amps and boosts you from 40watts a channel RMS, to 120. Good stuff. Charging about £500 in the U.K. Ask your dealer about it. If you've got a MFSW then that'll still be good too cos you're using the stock head-unit.

MitchyBoy

[minhi]

hmm i drive an eb/w mcs and i live in the dc area, could tom.f respect my input? nah probably not so i'll chime in


you're upgrade path is actually pretty logical. i say go ahead and do the speakers, if that makes you happy then forgo the amp--if it's not enough then add an amp. simple as that.


now here's what i went through. when i put in new speakers off the stock head it required a lot more volume then even the stock speakers! the radio did sound clearer but it was sort of flat. when i added the new head and amp, the bass became more defined, and everything sounded fuller. consequently i was able to turn the volume down!


if you look at the numbers the stock head with no amp doesn't really add up in terms of wattage.

the stock speakers are rated at 25Ws and the stock head puts out 20W. I've seen no proof, but I think those are MAX numbers, the RMS sustained seem much lower (to my ear at least). Even midrange infinitys are rated at 60-80W RMS with a peak wattage 120-160W!


while you don't have to give speakers full RMS figures, they seem to work much better when you approach those numbers. my focals are rated at 75/150 (conservatively) and they sound much better off my new head/amplifier then it ever did of the stock head (not even close). I'm only giving them 50RMS/100MAX. Now does my new head play a part in that, sure it does but the higher wattage is a big factor in that.


now with all that typed out, car audio (just like home audio) is insanely subjective. i'm not saying you won't be happy with just a speaker switch. I'm saying *I* was not happy. Just do the speakers and if you want a little more then continue on.


if you decide to do it i have a wood template for making the needed spacer for the door speakers. i frequently attend the dc area events so you can always catch up with me there. you'll know me by the VA personalized plate.

[Tom F.]

Thank Minh. Good points.

At the southern MD run this fall, we just got the car and were heavily into being good for break in, so we were oh so slow, and so right in front of you while you were driving clean-up.

We are going to try to make the lunch on the 25th, so if you will be there I would love to borrow the template.

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom F.

At the southern MD run this fall, we just got the car and were heavily into being good for break in, so we were oh so slow, and so right in front of you while you were driving clean-up.

We are going to try to make the lunch on the 25th, so if you will be there I would love to borrow the template.

are you sure that was me? i haven't been to a maryland drive in quite a while. i think it was the picnic was the last one in MD i made it to.


i should be at the 25th lunch, but only if donna makes a "kiddie" table.

[Tom F.]

Yup, that was it - the picnic out at the farm on the bay.

[Minty]

Heres the part numbers for the Sound Modul Upgrade...depending on your stereo:

Radio - Wave:

82 83 0 136 491

Radio - Boost:

82 83 0 140 180

Thats gets you fronts, rears and tweater upgrades.