[smartbomb]

Surely someone must know summat !?

[Mutts]

have you seen the US cooper/cooper S brochure by S-mott?
Interesting what is written on the HK... I thought all radios had the volume adjusting (wave and boost..)

here is a link to the gallery: http://www.mini2.com/gallery/persona...gallery=S_mott

Q: can we have an HK hifi MD system???

[smartbomb]

I recall reading that somewhere too...can't think where tho !
The HK sytem must be available soon, seems odd that details are so sketcy....
I'd consider it possibly depending on spec and relative cost.

[Jazzy Jase]

Quote:

Originally posted by smartbomb
Anyone heard any more on the HK system ? Prices and specs etc..?

I think it will be around £350 - £400.

[smartbomb]

Thanks Cooper S, but is that on top of any other costs. Could you be more specific or add any more info please ?

[Jazzy Jase]

I think you will still have to pay extra for a CD or MD player. Not sure if you need to pay for the Boost though.

[smartbomb]

Thanks Cooper S,
I will try and pay my dealer a visit real soon. Hopefully hell be able to shed a bit more light on the HK set up. The speaker fitments look way cool from the pics I have seen on here. I'm a bit of a stickler for pukka sound, and would love an HK car system. I wasn't sure if it was just one system or could be offered with MD or CD...spose it must be ! It must be available soon, seems odd that details are still so vague....
Will let you know if I get any news...

[Andrewfuzzy]

Heres hoping it comes with the MINIdisc option

[chiph]

Does anyone know if the six-disc changer can be hooked up to the H-K headunit? Or does the amplifier that comes with the H-K system take up the room that the changer might have occupied in the boot/trunk, or where the spare used to be?

I got my brochure in the mail the other day, but it doesn't list the changer at all. I saw in another thread here that it's $695 in Canada, which would be roughly $440USD.

Chip H.

[Andrewfuzzy]

Take it no one has any UK prices for it yet??

i really hope it comes with

a) A MiniDisc Option

b) A six disc CD changer option

[LittleTiger]

Probably I can bring some light into the darkness...

I ordered (and specced...) my 'S' about two weeks ago and learnt that the H/K is just an upgrade to the speaker system. That means: You can choose between all options for the Boost (tape deck, MD, CD, auto changer) and you will obviously have to pay for that. There is no radio included in the H/K system...
I'm not sure if Wave is also an option for the H/K speakers, but I don't think so.

Christian

[LMB]

Cheers mate

So what is so special about the H/K system?

What do you get for your money?

It is a shame you don't get a fancy head unit.

Thanks.

LMB

[normalizer]

my understanding is that it's the speaker upgrade and and outboard 40w amplifier with the DSP gizmo's in it. Will have to be snazzy stuff for the price....

[Andrewfuzzy]

Someone posted on a thread recently (USA) that the H/K wasnt avaliable till September!!

Anyone got any ideas wether this is a USA thing or a global problem (ie it affects me or not!)

[Lee Bradshaw]

There's a lot of big words said here in favour of the HK system and against aftermarket installs.

"Aftermarket installs not being designed specifically for the car" So what have you designed it for? HK are just using off the shelf components, not designing things specially.

The quality of the HK stuff is not great at all, if you compare the HK 6x9's with Infinity Kappa 6x9's the Infinity's are miles better quality. You only have to think about how much it costs, it doesn't take a genius to work out that for all of those speakers, an amp and head unit upgrade spreads £600 pretty thin.

What amp that's any good will fit behind the trim panel in the boot? I had a look in there when fitting my amp. No space.

My system includes Infinity Kappa custom fits all round, a Rockford Fosgate Power 200 Mono Amp and an Infinity Perfect 10 Sub in a .6 cu ft sealed box. Total cost = £500. (Albeit without including £1000 worth of head unit that I already had.)

The sound quality of the HK next to mine doesn't come close, well not in the HK equipped loan car that i've got at the minute anyway.

Don't waste £600 on a brand name system that the manufacturers 'think' you will like, get a system built around what YOU want.

Lee

[snoopy]

Lee

What you say here is true you can get a great system installed, but at what cost? Does it cost the same as the HK option does? As I don’t live in the UK I don’t know what the price of the HK option is. But your system should sound better. It costed you 1500 pounds plus I am guessing you installed yourself, which this cost needs to be thought of too.

As for using off the shelf components. I don’t if they do or they don’t, but what I think you are paying for is the R&D that has gone into choosing these components and setting it up in the car. Staring to sound like a custom install. I don’t many ICE installers that would (or could with out adding extra components) balance out and set-up you’re new ICE for free.

As you say car stereo is a personal thing, some people listen to Rock other Rap or any other kind of music. Some like so much bass that your guts are shaken so much you want to be sick. So when it comes down to it the owner of the car will have to decide if that H/K option suits his/her listening tastes and can they buy a system comparable or better sound and at a price they are happy to pay.

This has been discuss many times before hear and in other places. I have provided a link to the best words I have read on this whole debate (to date).

H/K debate link

[Martin L]

What we may have here is a better speaker set up, but will the sound really improve and justify the extra cost?

I think the accoustics of the car have a huge part to play here as the inside of the mini is more echoey than any of my previous cars and the current boost set up sounds awful due to this fact.

I don't really want to resort to putting a "travel" rug on my back seat to absorb all of this unwanted sound

Anyone else have a similar feelings?

[BrantV]

Until I test it for myself, I won't know for sure. However, currently my intent is to opt for the HK system for the following reasons:

Driver mode, where each speaker has an individual delay so that the sound reaches the driver at the same time.

Speed sensitive radio, so I won't have to turn it down as I pull off the freeway. Still curious how well that works. Yes, this is a convenience feature, but if it works, should make it easier to focus on driving, and not fiddling with buttons.

Utility. While it is possible to get better after market units, and louder amps, I don't want an amp that can't be hidden behind the trim panel in the boot. I want full use of the interior of the car for carrying things, like luggage. There are security reasons here too.

I'm past my days of picking speakers based on how much air they move. No more. From now on it's clarity.

MFSW. Will other units work with the controls on the back of the MFSW?
If the speed sensitive volume doesn't work well, at least I should be able to fix it without taking my hands off of the wheel, or eyes off of the road.

Looks. The after market stereos have lost my interest in the past few years, The Sony CD900 was actually a very nice unit with a huge dial, but now days even the Sony units seem to be littered with small dials, buttons, and too many disjointed colors.

Efficiency & performance. Not only will a smaller amp consume less electricity, and hence fuel, they place less of a load on the alternator, and definitely weight less. Occasionally I may want to throw a box in the trunk, like for a new PowerMac, but have no interest in carrying a box of amps, and speakers with me where ever I go.

Insurance companies won't cover stolen equipment unless it is permanently attached to the car. I had a nice set of Boston Acoustics 6x9s stolen once and learned the hard way. I realize that the MINI has openings for 6x9s, but you'd have to make the amps permanently (well at least bolted to the vehicle) to qualify for coverage under your auto policy. That would just ruin the utility for me.

Cheers,
Brant

[Andrewfuzzy]

Too right !!!

Ive had my share of Stereos when i wert a lad workin down coal pits.....er.....

But over the last year year and a half all the stereos have gone beserk with buttons!! now dont get me wrong i like a nice stereo me current one (Sony Headunit, voice activated) set me back apx 600 quid and the alpine before that well lets not go into it but im just not keen on the stereos today....

Saw a Sony 4 x 50 watt amp down Harrods the weekend and it was apx 20cm x 10cm x 3-4cm deep which i thought was apx same size as the CD Changer maybe a bit smaller

If theres no base in the H/K (my preferred choice) then i might consider linking my enon DCA 800 to the speaker connectors and plug my MB Quartz 10" through that but forn the moment ill wait and see what the H/K offers for the price...

[boombox69]

I am realiably informed that the amp is unique for mini and the speakers are the same. Harman Kardon do the work on setting it up and therefore it is not off the shelf stuff.

Of course you can pay 1500 quid and get better sound, but damn shame the steering wheel switches will not work. Auto Volume Control will not work and you have a couple of weekends to put aside. Not to mention the damage, rattles and problems that can occur and Mr Mini dealer saying WARRANTY - sorry pal!

600 quid. Well it looks better and sounds pretty good too. No sure about the Driver function, my ears must be getting old, but the other effects are NICE, beats HALL, CATHEDRAL and other Home hifi effects.