Got headunit, now for speakers & amp ?

[mleggett]

Ok, I've replaced the headunit with a pioneer DEH P7600MP and managed to fit it myself.

I'm now starting to think about speakers, but I am completely new to replacing speakers and amps.

I dont think I need a sub - I'd just like a fuller sound (in the bass and high end levels) at not too loud volumes.
I dont know what component speakers are, or whether I'd need an amp or not so I really need advice

So what would people recommend ? replace the fronts and rears ? If so, what are good options ? I probably wouldn't want to spend over 250-300 in total as the head unit didnt cost that much.

If I got someone to install an amp and replace all 4 speakers, what kind of installation costs would I be looking at ?
I've managed to replace the head unit, is installing an amp and replacement speakers as easy, or is it more difficult ?

Is anywhere selling decent speakers at a decent price at the moment ?

Thanks in advance,
Matt.
ps sorry for multiple questions!

[thedevine0ne]

Quote: Originally Posted by mleggett

Ok, I've replaced the headunit with a pioneer DEH P7700MP and managed to fit it myself.

I'm now starting to think about speakers, but I am completely new to replacing speakers and amps.

I dont think I need a sub - I'd just like a fuller sound (in the bass and high end levels) at not too loud volumes.
I dont know what component speakers are, or whether I'd need an amp or not so I really need advice

So what would people recommend ? replace the fronts and rears ? If so, what are good options ? I probably wouldn't want to spend over 250-300 in total as the head unit didnt cost that much.

If I got someone to install an amp and replace all 4 speakers, what kind of installation costs would I be looking at ?
I've managed to replace the head unit, is installing an amp and replacement speakers as easy, or is it more difficult ?

Is anywhere selling decent speakers at a decent price at the moment ?

Thanks in advance,
Matt.
ps sorry for multiple questions!

hey mleggett. just a few thoughts. as i am a huge fan of music, i am going to say go ahead an replace all your speakers. I don't know the power output of the Pioneer, but i can pretty much guarantee you that it's more powerful than the factory headunit. So, in my opinion i think you need to complement a higher output HU with higher power rated speakers (but not too high). But for me.....since i play my music pretty dang loud, i've got an amp that drives these speakers.

oh...and you're probably actually replacing 6 speakers (if you're replacing them all). i don't know what model or year your MINI is, but I have a 2004 MCS w/ Harmon Kardon (but i upgraded stereo)....and with this model there was a pair of 6" x 9" speakers in the back seat side panels and for the front there was a set of component speakers. (Component speakers are just a set of mid-range speakers and a separate tweeter). So you will fit a pair of 6.5" speakers in the lower door panel and a pair of tweeters high in the door panel next to the door latch.

as far as speaker brands go.....there is QUITE a variety....and everybody will say good things and bad things about all of them, so i'm not going to try and get you to buy what i prefer.....that's your choice. But I generally like to buy speakers from larger name companies (Alpine, JL Audio, Pioneer, etc....) and stay away from the cheap speakers that you can buy at a supercenter at a very inexpensive price.

i would ask around about installation costs....because they usually aren't cheap. Usually around $50-75 US dollars. For me, I recently had an Alpine headunit, 6" x 9"s, 6.5" components and an amplifier installed and I was charged somewhere around $250-300 (i can't remember exactly....but it was a lot). So, you might want to upgrade you speakers one at a time just to reduce you installation charges. and if you go that route, then it's up to you as to which ones you want to do first. The components will probably be more expensive, but they will give you an added all around improvement in sound quality (from mid-range through the very high range). Doing the 6" x 9"s first will give you a good low range through a mid/high range.

So....good luck with your decisions and I hope I helped out a bit.

[mleggett]

Thanks for the response, definitely helped.
Anyone else care to recommend some speakers that are reasonable in the UK ?

[mleggett]

OK, next question....

Having looked at some 6.5 component speakers on caraudiodirect.co.uk some appear to have a "crossover" box that goes with the speakers and some do not.

If I replace the fronts with components, do I already have a crossover box, and is it worth replacing it for one that comes with the speakers ? And is it easy to replace ?

Thanks in advance,
Matt.

Got a 2005 cooper with bog standard tape player replaced

[tnoy66]

All component kits should have a mid-bass speaker, a tweeter AND a crossover of some description.
Which ones have you been looking at?

Installation is easy if you know what you're doing.
The cable that goes to your standard 5" speaker now goes to the crossover input.
The 2 crossover outputs then go to their relative speaker.

[mleggett]

Was just looking at them in general at the moment, trouble is im not sure how much I should budget to get a better quality. But im open to what people can recommend

Thanks for the info on installation, sounds like I could do that!! I presume the door panel has enough space for the crossover box then ?

[SteveM3]

Hi, I don't know if I am too late too add opinions but just in case here's another view.
Fitting the speakers is as easy as the head unit, the amp is quite a bit more difficult.
You could go for something like Genesis Profile 16 (£150) or DLS R6A (£180) plus any
one of a dozen amps like the Pioneer GM3100 (£85). Or too keep installation simple you
could buy better speakers and forgo the amp, Genesis Audiophile 16 (£230) have a very
good reputation. What ever speakers you chose you'll need a £10 adaptor from someone
like www.newministuff.com and you'll also need some sound deadening to go on the
doors. Also try and resist the temptation of spreading your money thinly over lots of
components so ignore the rear speakers and 4 channel amps. If it were my money I'd buy
the Genesis Audiophile 16's now and in a years time consider adding a Genesis Profile
Two amp (£200) that as well as being a quality product is slim enough to fit under the
front seats. All prices are from www.caraudiodirect.co.uk. Wiring the components is
simple, take the wires to the midbass speaker and put them on the crossover inputs
and take the wires from the crossover outputs to the new speakers. Ignore the original
wire to the tweeter you don't need it. Yes there is space in the doors for the crossovers.

[mleggett]

Excellent help, thanks!

[tnoy66]

For more detailed advice on ICE, have a look at the forum on www.talkaudio.co.uk
If you want to save money on equipment there is a for sale section on there (The TA Exchange). If you see anything you like, just pm the person selling it.
Don't forget ebay either

[PM_]

As Mini is a small car and you're on a budget, I'd suggest just getting the best front components you can get with a 2-channel amp to power them instead of changing all the speakers.

The existing rears are good enough for rear fill cos' as a music fan you'd only want the music to come from the front, not rears (think about going to a concert, do the performers perform in front of you, or behind you? )

You might also look to add some sound deadening in the front doors for better bass response since you are not having a sub

[mleggett]

Interesting,
StevieM3 recommended the 'profiles' with an amp or the 'audiophiles' without an amp

What would you both go for in this scenario ? or rather, how much difference would you estimate it would make ?

Good point on the no. of speakers too, I hate listening to music in the house through the 5.1, its much better in stereo even though its using the same front speakers and amp in both.

[mleggett]

Ok, assuming for a minute that I went with the audiophiles, I've put together the following shopping list:

1 x speakers http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...oducts_id=3021
1 x deadening http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...oducts_id=1042
4m x cable http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...oducts_id=2770
1 x speaker mount https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...ductshow&id=43

Do I need anything else like connectors, or panel clips for when I break them whilst removing the door panels ?

Is 4m cable enough ?

[tnoy66]

That speaker cable is quite expensive.
This will be more than adequate http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...oducts_id=3273
4m should be more than enough.

Sound deadening http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...oducts_id=1040 You can cover a much greater area
Speaker connectors https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=115 Converts the factory plug to wires with spade terminals on. You don't need the spades, cut them off and trim the wire back to fit into the crossover terminals (assuming you use the speakers you've suggested). Make sure there are no bare strands left loose.

It's always handy to have a few spare panel clips, you can get these from your dealer.

[mleggett]

Excellent advice, getting more confident now!!!

Just had a look at the newministuff guide on replacing the front speakers -> http://www.newministuff.com/new/inde...ion=13&diyid=1
Which seems very good, but I've a couple of questions if anyone can answer...

1. In step 7 it talks about drilling 2 holes. What size drill bit should I use, and how can I make sure that any screws will hold in place ? Guess I'm scared of making the wholes too big then finding the screws unable to hold the mount in place.

2. In step 11, it shows a picture of the crossover apparantly stuck to the door. How should I best stick it to the door ?

3. In step 12, it appears that the size of the replaced tweeter is smaller than the existing mini one and that its not screwed in place, but held in place with a bit of tape. Have I understood that right ?

Thanks again all!

[tnoy66]

1. A 3mm hole will probably be large enough.........obviously it depends on the screw you use.
If in doubt, before you drill the hole, put the screw against your drill bit, the drill bit should be the same size (or slightly smaller) as the solid center part of your screw, not the actual threaded part. The thread has to bite into the metal.

2. Drilled and screwed.

3. He's used double sided sticky tape there, but you may get some mounting brackets with the kit to make it easier, all manufacturers differ. Hot melt glue is another very good alternative