Nuances never-ending quest for a decent hifi system

[nuance]

Hi,

I've kinda decided to go for a new hifi installation on my MINI. My eyes are fixed on Focal and DLS as far as the front speakers go and I'm thinking of leaving the 6x9" speakers out. I'm also thinking of adding a, say, 10" subwoofer to handle the D'n'B basslines I'm eager to hear. The catch is, it's a leased car and no holes are to be drilled. The cost is also a big issue, and I'm hoping to get the speakers, sub and an amplifier for them under 600e (~£400, ~$730). I listen to a lot of D'n'B, progressive house and techno, so I'm after a sound that could be described as a powerful, clean and tight. I'm not one of those just trying to make the most noise available so that everyone notices you driving by (I'm actually a producer of some sort myself ) *phew* I actually am about to ask some questions as well:

a) Could the stock Radio Boost HU cut the mustard for me? If not, are the 200-300e head units worth anything?

b) Any recommendations regarding the amp?

c) Does anyone sell aftermarket products to fit 6,5" bass elements into the front doors, that DON'T require any extra holes? I remember seeing on a web site that someone has handmade those out of MDF or such.

d) Which subwoofer should I go for? I don't want a huge cabinet, cause I don't want to lose too much boot space.

e) Finally, recommendations regarding the speakers?

I thank you for even reading through this post

[whovous]

D'n'B?

Dunn n Bradstreet?

Sorry.

[nuance]

You silly you. Drum'n'Bass.

[Dom]

I did all my stereo without drilling any holes at all

Had 6.5" focals up front (make the spacers yourself!), sounded fantastic.

I'd recommend changing your head unit too, the price range specified should get you a perfectly adequate one

[nuance]

It's going to be tight. I reckon this could be a possible setup:
179e Focal Access 6,5" speakers
199e Xetec Vector 200.4 amp
139e Focal Access 27A sub

That'd be 517e. Changing the head unit would add another 200e and the price would jump to about 700e. Add cables, installation work etc and my ass is sore. . Is the stock head unit really that bad?

[NunoQO]

Hi guys!

First post for me here...

If you find a good and reasonably priced solution I'm more than interested in having a look at it (and listen to it!) . Had similar plans early this year but had to postpone it. I'm also looking forward to a more quality based solution than just pure sound pressure kind of a thing.

I heard that there are some examples how to build up a good sound system in a MINI in CAR&HIFI-magazine, issues 6/03, 1/03, 6/02. However, I couldn't find those anywhere.

[nuance]

Welcome. I've been waiting for Finns to find this place.

I'm going to visit SK-Autosound today and ask them to offer me a solution for this. I guess I'll have to stretch out for the 700e(ish) price range for this installation to be anywhere near satisfied. When I've got a system installed, let's meet up and you can have a listen.

Btw, is Nuno your real name? I remember once meeting a guy called Nuno. Not the most usual name on the market for sure.

[Dom]

As you have the boost head unit, you can probably get away with using that for now and leave the headunit upgrade until later

[nuance]

I just visited SK-Autosound and got a quote for a cased SPL Dynamics V-10S sub, SPL TC-502 amplifier and the install for those. 570 fscking euros. I guess the only option there is, is to install se stuff by myself. how hard it is to get the power for the amplifier? I guess that's the hardest part, right?

[nuance]

Never mind, I found Doms excellent post.

[nuance]

Might as well rename the topic, since I think this will be the thread I'll vent my installing frustration into.

I just had a look under the bonnet and some finger adventure behing my dash and all that and I did actually find the hole through which I'm supposed to supply the power to the amp. Now I seem to have gotten stuck with another problem: where the KLONK do i place the amp? Boot would be a bad place for a relatively large sized 4-channel amp, since I'm already planning to put the subwoofer there and I don't want to lose the boot entirely. Placing it under a front seat would expose the poor thing to kicking, after all I do sometimes transport people in my beloved MINI. I guess I still have to remove the rear seat and have a look at the possible space there. The occasional rear seat passanger would be provided with seat heating in that case . I will be posting pics of all the stuff I'll be doing to my MINI.

Had a look at some Peerless front speakers and subwoofers. Any experiences around here? I've heard that the Peerless XLS-series subwoofers are pretty good.

This will be a tedious task to perform with the drilling limitations 'n all. I hope someone else will benefit of this project as well.

[Dom]

put a false floor in the boot, won't lose that much space and is better than the other options mentioned IMO

[nuance]

A truly great idea. That would even supply fully floating mounting points for the amp! Great! Thanks Dom!

[Dom]

Been there, done it, had the scratched interior to prove it

[nuance]

I wonder if BMW Financing would get too angry if I throw some Dynamat or equilevant into the doors..? I'm not too excited about calling them to say "Hi, is it ok if I remove all of the interior bits of your car and stuff the doors with bitumen?"