Does the DPSM provide any additional adjustments - I'm assuming all you have is the heads original bass & treble settings?

Where is the DPSM module located?

 

Ian, the DPSM amplifier goes into the center dashboard behind the speedo/Nav/chrono.
MotoringFile has installation instructions here: http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/Sound Module NG.PDF

 

Actually it doesnt.

The system you are thinking of is just a better version of the standard systems and i dont think it even exists in this country.

Try http://www.bmwworld.com/pdfs/dpsm_install.pdf for the proper DPSM system instructions.

The amp is placed in the compartment in the boot just like the h/k but it has a direct wire to the battery for power as opossed to taking power from the loom etc.

As it is the same headunit all in a have is bass, trebble, and fades etc just like it did before. I am going back to mini to ask about that when im next in but to be honest the quality is already so good any settings aren't really needed.

Ben

 

Am I to understand that you paid £1200 to have a louder version of the same stereo?

Madness....

 

I paid that to have a much better system than the h/k. It involved new speakers, sound deadening, new amp, additional wiring, new tweeters, new crossovers and a whole lot more.

My problem was that i bought the car 6 months old so i couldnt have h/k fitted as you do from factory. It s more expensive to fit h/kafterwards as the wiring is a lot different. The DPSM was more a viable option.

 

Completely forgot about the surround switch but located it this evening and its really weird. Makes everything a bit echoey and "spatial". Looked in the manual and didnt tellme much about it.

It gives the effect as you would expect - enhanced surround sound.

It sounds more like your in a concert hall and everything seems to be a bit less forced.

Both sound good but cant decide whether it sounds better on or off.

Any one have any ideas??

Thanks

Ben

 

So its been in the car a few days and had around six hours of playing and its just getting better and better.

Decided that although the sound with the surround on is great, i still prefer the clean natural sound. The power it kicks out is unbelievable and now that the speakers have started to loosen up the bass is becoming a little deeper.

The one thing to mention though is that due to the nature of the system, it emphasises any poor quality music sources so if you have bad quality downloaded music it really shows on the system.

I try and avoid that and so far have had excellent sound quality and great all round performance.

...and its so nice to not have to worry about taking out the headunit everytime i get out the car!

 

Sounds good.

Cheers for sharing, you're the only person I know of that has had it fitted.

 

I was in the same situation. No one had it. After i decided to go for it i thought it would be the decent thing to let people know about it.

I listened again to the h/k today and as good as that is, the DPSM is still a cut above it. The sound reproduction is truly amazing and everytime i get in the car it sounds better and better.

I have yet to find a music style that doesn't sound great on it.

Just looking forward to completing the recommended 40 hours of run in time :aargh:

 

OK, I'm getting ever closer to my recommended playing run in time and its sounding better and better all the time.

I think i have reached the most amount of volume that i will get however the sound keeps getting more full and the bass is definitely deeper now.

Ive been using the surround switch a little too and I'm getting quite used to it. Not so much with modern, bassy, and hip hop based styles (sounds fantastic with out surround switch) but with 70's, 80's, ballads, rock n roll etc it really sounds good.

Playing the Commodores or George Benson with surround on sounds unbelievable

Every song sounds so crisp and powerful!

I was in my brothers car with the h/k and kits been properly run in and i couldn't handle it. The bass was exceptionally power full but had not nearly enough full range.

The DPSM has that full powerful sound that i was desperate to achieve and I'm loving not having to take my headunit everywhere with me.

Plus no thieving eyes peer in as it looks as though there is nothing but the standard system.

I'm going to attempt to get some photos up so you can all see what is actually there.

I read that apparently the Harman Kardon tweeter speaker grills allow a better top end sound so i am looking into it and may change mine (possibly even have them colour coded to match my body colour interior) but i will update with my findings.

If anyone wants to ask me anything please don't hesitate.

Ben

 

I read that apparently the Harman Kardon tweeter speaker grills allow a better top end sound so i am looking into it and may change mine (possibly even have them colour coded to match my body colour interior) but i will update with my findings.

Ben, did you end up doing this? If so, did it make any appreciable difference? Where did you read about it?

The reason I ask... I'm in the middle of a crazy conversion - H/K to DPSM. Not supposed to be possible, but it IS possible if you're nuts like me and are willing to go the whole distance (hint: new main wiring harness... see my thread on NAM about it).

Anyway, I am presented with the choice of keeping my H/K grills or having them replaced with the "Boost" ones. I am inclined to do the latter because it will look better (why have them say H/K when I don't any more?). Also, I'm not sure the DPSM decals will properly attach to H/K grills.

I hadn't even given it a second thought until I glanced at this thread again and saw your above comment.

 

Just thought you might like to know that Balckferret has this sound system and got it back in Dec 2005.

The below link has a few pics and his comments on it.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/106523-new-s-lots-piccies.html

 

Curious to know how it sounds now that it's had some time to settle in on you. What's your view now in comparison to the H/K?

 

Its been in for a couple of months now and i listen everyday. I have also had a few long journeys so that allows good run in.

The sound at the moment is incredible. It has really deepened with regards to bass. The volume is more than adequate and the quality is fantastic.

Being in my brothers car with Harmon Kardon i find in comparison, his is a bit lacking. It feels like there is no kick and not enough clarity. The back of the H/K makes me feel like i have a blocked nose and the sound seems as though the rear speakers provide little treble.

After playing around with his system i was able to find a reasonable sounding setup and it is better than a standard system.

The DPSM however is a few levels better on every area. Now that i have a fair bit more bass it feels almost like i have a sub but with no compromise of boot space.

I would definitely recommend the DPSM and if your lucky and are able to get a deal on it like me then its a very worthwhile.

Hope that answers your question

Feel free to ask me any more

Ben
:yes4lo:

 

Just had the DPSM installed.

Three words: kicks major ***.

It was the first install for my dealer (Morristown MINI/NJ). The techs could not believe the sound. Not just the power, but the clarity and punch. One of them has a MCS convertible and is now seriously thinking of doing the DPSM.

If you price out comparable speakers, crossovers and amps versus the MINI DPSM system, you'll be at about the same dollar figure. With the DPSM, everything fits nice and tidy with full factory warranty. No cheesy aftermarket installation that could void warranty coverage of components adversely affected by the aftermarket gear. No stuffing amps under seats. No subwoofers taking up what little hatch space exists in the first place.

You can find the DPSM discounted online (hint!) If you can find a dealer who's done it you may also save some $$$ on the labor charge for installation.

 

Three words: kicks major ***.

It was the first install for my dealer (Morristown MINI/NJ).

How much was it?

Rich

 

I'm considering this system, and am curious as to the quality of the sound at "regular" listening levels. How is the bass & high range at a level where your eardrums won't pop out of your head or ring on for hours afterward?

I am no longer at an age where I need to impress everyone from 3 blocks away, but I do enjoy listening to music. I didn't opt for the H/K system, because I wasn't terribly impressed by it.

Input appreciated!

 

I just finished putting this in GPMINI today ... the no-rear-speaker-position presents an issue; I've made some temporary speaker enclosures for now and left them in the back of the car.

So far, based on about 1/2 hr of listening so don't take this as a guarantee ...
a) It's LOUD. Damn loud!
I'm running it from my Alpine HU; before with stock speakers I'd listen as volume 12 (max is 35); now with DPSM I'm listening about 8; 12 is too loud for normal listening - I can't imagine ever turning it beyond about 20!
[the DPSM is 80W x 4 RMS - that's a lot of power]

b) The door speakers sound great; deep low end and crisp high end but not harsh

c) The rear speakers sound like a little too much high end - this might be because their normal install position is facing to the middle of the car so in the front you'll hear "sideways" highs (I have them installed in the "wrong" place of course)


Note that my Alpine has a "BBE" feature which boosts sound; activating it drives a serious amount of low frequencies ... however I think compared with GBMINI which has 2 6" subs, there's not quite the same level of deep bass.
Of course this might be because the speakers are all still brand new, or because my rear speaker "enclosure" isn't perfect

If you can do the install yourself, I think the price compares quite favourably with the cost of a good set of 4 speakers, amplifier, and all the wiring - it really is an almost plug-and-play install and well documented so long as you have some basic stereo install experience, and know how to rip all the panels out of the MINI.

 

At normal levels it sounds great just as at high volumes. The sound is full and rich with plenty of mid and high. The bass is not an agressive thump but a full round sound that makes the overall sound spot on!

I am still yet to find a music style that doesnt sound good at any volume.

 

what abt the sound stage/ imaging?

thanks

 

Edge,
I bought the HK upper tweeter grilles specifically because they seem to be more "audio transparent" - if you compare boost grills to H/K, you'll see the difference.
Are they actually better sounding? I can't say, but they look like a better design. And they don't say "HK" on them anywhere (only the lower ones do), so why not leave them on when you finish the DPSM.

As for the lower grilles, they don't seem very functionally different - but removing/replacing is a challenge because they're melted/glued in place ...

 

And as for sound stage / imaging ... I don't think the DPSM is as good as the H/K in that regard. The is a "surround switch" but it's a very subtle effect, nothing like the effect of spatial or festival in the H/K ... and DPSM offers nothing similar to driver mode.

On the other hand, the rear DPSMs are true full-range speakers, but from my experience they don't have anything like the clarity of the separates in the door. I have my DPSM set to fade forward a few steps. Note though that in GPMINI, the DPSM rear speakers are not installed as in a normal MINI - perhaps that has an effect ...

 

I still have not as yet got round to doing this.

I think some comments have already been made. As you are likely to have both sets of grills from your origional set and now your new DPSM set give them a try and let us all know?:hmph:

Just as a crazy thought, I dont suppose its possible to cross breed the HK and DPSM??:aargh:

 

HK isn't compatible with DPSM - which is why Edge is spending $$$$$ to rip out complete HK system and install DPSM!