Standard Boost CD sound system = utter pants :(

[anzzyde]

hi there,

Is there any way to improve the sound quality of my sound sysem in my mini? it only has the basic Boost CD sound system and even after adjusting the bass and treble, it still sounds awful

i've tried searching and googling but there seems to be very little out there. newministuff offers some amazing sounding audio equipment upgrades but it's not the sort of money i'd like to shell out as i only need something 'half decent'.

Has anyone found a far cheaper solution?? (i'm still shocked at just how poor the sound system is... what were mini thinking of when they sourced it in? )

Any help or advice greatly appreciated. thanks!

[anzzyde]

i hope this doesn't sound daft but would simply replacing the stock speakers with better ones be of any benefit??

[cjm]

Hi anzzyde.
While you were at newministuff did you see the channel-swap looms?
If you swap channels from back to front your bass is fed to speakers that can reproduce it. I also included extra treble by adding A-pillar tweeters.
I've done it for both my R56s; a really cost-effective 'fix'.
Mike's latest channel-swap loom is even easer to fit (behind the passenger footwell) so go back to newministuff + give Mike a call or email.
I think this is a really significant first diy step to improve on BOOST...

[anzzyde]

hi cjm, thanks so much for bringing that to my attention. I don't mean to sound offensive, but that's quite a bit of cash for a cable?

Does it really improve the quality of the sound? Does it come with instructions?? thanks!

[cjm]

Hi anzzyde
It's a loom not a simple cable.
Yes. I've found it improves sound quality significantly + cost effectively.
Yes. Full instructions on NewMiniStuff web site.

[anzzyde]

i'll probably give it a try based on your much valued input and recommendation thanks cjm!!

[rich345]

i have just swapped the head unit in my 2003 cooper s (no amps and still with the stock speakers) and the sound is superb, way way way better than the standard sound. the bass is very good, but the most impressive thing is the overall roundness of the sound. my head unit was £160 (inc fitting) and has connections on the front for ipod , aux and usb. but you could get a decent head unit for a lot less than that.

[MJS]

You could always try the official MINI Alpine upgrade, it comes with new speakers and amp with proper wiring loom that plugs straight into fuse box

Alpine Front Speaker Upgrade Kit - Alpine Amp & Speakers - R55/R56 at minigenuineparts.co.uk Mini Genuine Parts Audio, Cables & Speakers, BM65.41.2.153.318, Full sound upgrade kit for your MINI<br /><br />Kit Includes:<br /><br />

[cjm]

Hi anzzyde - I suppose it depends on what spend gives the best perceived value for money.
If you've got an R56 I don't think you can replace the audio head unit with a better one as rich345 has successfully done since it's part of the speedo + dashboard. You have to use + improve on what's there. Which means amp + speaker upgrades.
MJS's solution will solve the 'bass cut off' problem for the fronts (don't forget to add another £50 or so for the necessarily modified A-pillars). It'll cost more to upgrade (and amplify?) the rears to match the fronts. Professional fitting or diy?
I'm not a car-audio expert but I 'had a go' + spent ~£130 for the channel swap loom + pillar speakers. It's an easy diy that was the best I could get with a limited spend + I'm pleased with the improvements. Speak to Mike; he's been there before us...

[rich345]

BMW Mini R56 2007> Double Din CD Stereo Fascia Surround Panel Fitting Kit

you can get fascia surrounds to allow you to fit a double din after market stereo in an R56. This could be another way to go perhaps?

[anzzyde]

thanks for pointing out the options there. Looks as though there's more than one route to go. Unfortunately, each route seems to be in the hundreds of pounds.

I will more than likely go with the £55 loom option as i don't require an 'amazing' sounding car system.. just a slightly better one than the one i have at the moment

many thanks all!

[MJS]

try changing the speakers at the same time, the standard Boost units are naff