[Wul]

I have the standard wave head unit and cd changer - the sounds are pretty good but would like to improve the bass/ sound generally and avoid blowing the current speakers from the unit but don't want a new head unit so....

1. Am i better to replace the 6x9's in the back? If so do i need to be a aware of which power/ resistance levels i need in the new speakers?

2. or is it possible to run an amp and sub from the wave unit even though as far as i am aware it doesn't have a pre-out?

I have trawled the ice forum and there doesn't appear to be a definate answer to this one. Please help!

[Dom]

Sorry to tell you this it's the wave that's gonna have to go to get real results.

If you want the same look though, I expect someone is selling the boost headunit somewhere

Dom

[noahe]

Check out the Infinity BassLink. Compact Sub with built-in amplifier, and speaker level inputs, fully adjustable.

I can't find a distributor for one in Canada.

[xnetco]

i've got an old CD boost from my mini if your after one. PM me for details.

[Wul]

Thanks for the offer xnetco - but i want to keep my tape deck too for moments of nostalga! Although i'm sure if you put it up in the for sale forum someone will take it off your hands!

Noahe - thanks for the info - looked up the infinty basslink - it's available here in the uk for £189 delivered - which seems pretty reasonable for a 10"sub, amp etc in a sealed unit. Anyone installed one in a mini? Also i would be interested to hear from any ICEheads as to the following re the basslink:

1. to take the input from the speakers do you "piggy-back" the cables coming out the head unit or does it connect in-line? Also it can take the 4 inputs from the speakers, presumably for all 4 speakers to compensate for the fader - is this necessary or can you just connect the 2 rears?

2. how good will the signal from the speaker cable be compared to that from a pre-out? ie if i install the sub, can i effectively turn my bass down in the head unit and let the sub do the work, or is this the signal it reads from the speaker cable?



Thanks in advance!

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wul
1. to take the input from the speakers do you "piggy-back" the cables coming out the head unit or does it connect in-line? Also it can take the 4 inputs from the speakers, presumably for all 4 speakers to compensate for the fader - is this necessary or can you just connect the 2 rears?

It takes 4 inputs for exactly that reason. If you're happy re-trimming the bass level after you've messed with the fader, then you're fine until you adjust the fader again. It works because it can attach to the high-level outputs of a 2 channel HU.

Quote:

2. how good will the signal from the speaker cable be compared to that from a pre-out? ie if i install the sub, can i effectively turn my bass down in the head unit and let the sub do the work, or is this the signal it reads from the speaker cable?

Well, a high-level input in never going to be as good as a line-level in general terms. However, in a car, it's quite a different situation. The MINI uses speaker level inputs for it's two stereo's above BOOST. Both the H/K and the SoundModule take a speaker-level signal, and then either Digitally amp it with a DSP effect, or analogue amp it, then run it through upgraded speakers.

The balanced differential signal of a speaker-level signal is also good at having a strong enough signal, that the electrical noise inherent in the spark and charging system, is not heavily amplified, when using regular, unshielded speaker wires. This is a plus.

The down side, is this is cheaper for MINI, and no audiophile would ever do this. The upside, is that car manufacturers have worked this way for years, and have gotten quite good at it.

Besides, not much of the 'noise' we're talking about will be in the frequency range of a SUB. Subs don't really 'hiss' much.

Finally, I have always thought that FUN sound belongs in a car, rather than GREAT sound. With all the tire noise, engine noise, wind noise, and NVH in a car's suspension, does it matter what the total harmonic distortion is? Really? So long as it sounds good, and you can crank it on the songs you like, you're in business.