[Texy]

Well I,m please with the function of the gateway 300/ipod/bluetooth kit, but after finding that I can turn the volume to max and still not find it as loud as I would like I,m thinking of upgrading speakers and adding an amp. I see that Mikey does a nice upgrade job, but I can't justify £618
including vat to pay for the kit and have it fitted. So if I go the DIY route a few questions spring to mind -

1.The higher end speakers Mike sells are 300watt - what are the rating of the factory fit speakers?
2.How easy is if to fit an amp - how are the channels fed to the amp - will it come with the right connections out of the boost stereo, or do I need to splice into cable?
3.Also where will the amp get its power from?

Never done this kind of thing before, so go easy on me

Texy

[Texy]

OK - don't go that easy on me
Anyone?

Texy

[ned78]

To be perfectly honest, if you've never done anything like this before, you really shouldn't attempt it. The questions you're asking are very basic ones, and if you don't know the answer to those, it's probably the start of a slippery slope if things start to go wrong with panel removal, running additional power requirements, and installing speakers.

The reason Mikey is more expensive than a DIY job, is that he's tried and tested the best speakers, head units, and amps, and has disassembled so many MINIs that he could literally do it with his eyes closed.

If you are determined to do this yourself, you'll need to learn a little bit about speakers, not just their wattage, but their build quality, and various purposes. You'll need to learn a little about 12v systems, and you'll need to learn about panel removal, refittal - especially without rattles! I'd recommend buying the Haynes ICE manual and reading through it thorougly. If after that, you still think you can do it, go for it. I do all my own audio, and electrical work on my car, and it's very satisfying. But when I started out, I made plenty of mistakes too.

[DaFlake]

You don't mention what system you currently have in your MINI. Do you have H/K or just the stock system? This will greaty affect how we answer your question.

[Texy]

OK thanks for the advice so far chaps. To give a bit of background, I,m an electronics engineer by trade, so electrics ain't new to me. Also I have fitted a gateway 300 with bluetooth kit to my MCS already. I,ve also taken out the wave cassette head and 6 CD changer from the boot, so I have had a little experience there. I,m also happy to buy the speakers and amp from Mikey - I,m guessing that he sells the parts seperately that make up his upgrade kit, and I,m happy to pay for those. However, if I feel I can save a bit my fitting the gear myself, then I will always take that option and this is where the forum (ie you guys), can offer what help you can. So currently I have stock speakers with the single CD HU that happily plays mp3's and receives text from the gateway, I,d just like a little more volume when the need desires.
Cheers,
Texy

[DaFlake]

Typically it would be best to have an amp drive the speakers. This helps with clarity and loudness. For the fitting, it will probably require running some wire and splicing others.

You still didn't mention if you had H/K but if you do, it is not as easy to upgrade as they are 2 Ohm speakers not the standard 4 Ohm. However, if you are stock, things become considerably easier.

Mikey does have some kits and when possible I know that he creates quick connectors but I doubt that there would be anything for the amp portion.

Does this help a little?

[ned78]

TBH, your best option is to ditch the standard head unit, get an aftermarket example with a decent amp built in, and a sub line out. Run the 4 speakers around the car off the headunit, and send the bass to a separate bass amp, and sub. Buy the best speakers for the car that Mikey sells, and get a sub and amp from him too. The sub will be easy to wire, take a feed from the battery to supply 12v, ground it, and then a remote lead goes to the headunit to turn it on and off. A simple phono lead will take the audio signal then from the headunit to the subamp, and the car speakers will be able to faithfully reproduce all other frequencies without having to also drive the lower end bass signals.

[mikeythemini]

If you buy a kit from me I will supply it with a plug & play loom that taps what it needs in the way of speaker inputs & outputs & remote lead at the back of the stereo. Then you will need to run a live wire to the battery for the amp & earth to one of the earth points in the sills. I would also run speaker wires direct from the amp to the rear speakers as this is easy

[Texy]

I was always gonna buy it from you Mikey

Can you please PM me prices please?

Ta
Texy

PS Also note that I do not have H/K and I intend to keep the boost CD HU.

[DaFlake]

Frankly I always shop around, but I do recommend Mikey as the level of customer service you will get from him is above and beyond.

Lots of prices and listings on his site.

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