[1st Mini]

I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S with the Boost system. The low end sound is really lacking. Rather than do an extensive stereo redo including a new HU and speakers, I bought a Kenwood KSC-WA62RC powered enclosed subwoofer. It fits perfectly sitting sideways in the left side of the boot and allows the right side to accomidate the plug and play cd changer. Taking the HU out of the dash was simple enough but once I unplugged the wiring harness I couldn't figure out what color wires went from the harness to the front speakers. What color are the front speaker wires? (left and right). The Kenwood sub requires connection to the front speakers (do I splice into them?)I then have to connect a wire to the power control terminal (not located on the Boost head unit) so I need an accessory line/wire (ignition key switch ACC position line). Anyone know what color that wire is? Again do I splice into that? Finally I need to connect a wire into the battery and one as a ground wire. Do I just connect the wire to the positive battery terminal or do I use a wire coming out of the HU wiring harness? If so what color is that? Do I splice into it? Finally any suggestions on where to connect the ground wire? I really appreciate the help. My Mini is torn up inside so I won't be able to drive it until I get things back together. Hope someone can help me!! Many Thanks in advance

[Dom]

1. Instead of messing around at the front of the car to take feeds from, you may as well just unplug the rear speakers and use those wires. The rear speakers aren't much good anyway, and the bass will be produced by the sub.

2. There should be an ignition wire on the harness. I think it's yellow but DON'T quote me on that! Either use that or the blue wire for the remote/accessory.

3. Connecting to the battery should be fine. Earth where you like, I placed mine on one of the bolts on the boot hatch lock

Hope that sheds some light,

Dom

[scooterboy]

Speaker wires in the harness are as follows:

Fr R + Yellow/Red
Fr R - Yellow/Brown
Fr L + Brown/Black
Fr L - Blue/Brown

Accessory (switched) Purple/Blue
Battery (constant) Red/Brown
Ground Brown

All that said, I agree with the previous poster that you should be able to just tap one of the rear speakers instead of going all the way to the harness in front. There's no logical reason the sub needs to tap into the FRONT speakers only. The space behind the little panel on the left side of the boot extends to the space behind the rear speaker so it shouldn't be hard to run a cable.

Good luck.

[1st Mini]

Thank you everyone for the information regarding the wiring for the front speakers to connect my powered sub. The wiring diagram was especially helpful.The Kenwood instruction manual says that the font speaker wires must be used unless you are using an amp other than the one in the enclosed sub, then you can use the rear speaker wires. The HU is already out and I have identified the correct wires for the front speakers so I guess I'll give it a whirl after work today. I let everyone know how its sounds or if I blow myself up in the process. Again thnks for the help. it's people like you that make this site great.

Greg

[Dom]

I'd ignore the front speakers and use the back myself. They both get the same signal but you'd be able to adjust the bass better by setting the fade to the front...

[scooterboy]

Quote:

Originally posted by 1st Mini
The Kenwood instruction manual says that the font speaker wires must be used unless you are using an amp other than the one in the enclosed sub, then you can use the rear speaker wires.

Since you don't have the HK system, I just can't understand why you'd have to use the front speakers, but following the instructions never hurts I guess. Hope it sounds great when you're done!

[dmac5]

I will bet that the speaker wire is crap, probably like 30 guage or so. Rip it all out and put in some 8 guage wire, big amp, new speakers!

[1st Mini]

Thanks to everyone who helped with advise, I finished the installation of the Kenwood powered enclosed sub. Looks great if I have to say so myself. I spliced into the front speakers (used bullet connectors), then used an accessory wire as a continuous power source, hooked the battery wire to the positive lead on the battery and attached the ground wire to the boot floor. I ran all the wires under the passenger side molding, since the drivers side has the car power wires and I though I might get engine noise interference. Ran the wired remote along the molding on the drivers side and used velcro to attached the remote to the underside of the center console. Looks great, sounds great. At least it's better than it was and enough for me. Plus the little powered sub takes up very little room in the boot and fits perfectly against the left side of the boot , leaving the right side still available for the plug and play CD changer. I gotta tell ya, my ass was so tight you couldn't drive a nail between my cheeks while I was doing this to a brand new car. I'll take a few digital pictures and post them tomorrow. Thanks again for everyones advice.

[scooterboy]

Glad to hear it all worked out and you're happy. Looking forward to the pics.

[1st Mini]

Okay, I have tried 6 times to attach a few pictures taken at 1 megapixel bu kep getting a message that my posting exceeds the number of bytes permitted. I will take some lower resolution photos over the weekend and try to post them again.

[Dom]

just check that your wires aren't disturbing the door seals... usually overlooked in the excitement of installing it

[1st Mini]

I spliced the speaker and accessory wires to a point just behind the HU and ran the wires through the dash to the side plastic molding. I then ran the speaker and accessory wires under the plastic molding along the floor all the way to the sub wiring harness in the boot. The doors and door seals were not involved in any way.