15 replies to this topic

[antonclark221]

Hello,
I am new here and don't even own a mini yet, but the plan is to get one when I pass my driving test.
Hopefully a Rover 1995-2000 Mini Cooper Sportspack model.
I have heard that the Mini Cooper audio system is pretty naff,
So i was looking into speaker systems.
But I am getting really confused about watts ohlms etc.
I have done my best to search the forum but it still leaves me a bit clueless.

I am looking at:
6" by 9" in the rear shelf - http://www.caraudioc...694_p-23359.htm
6" by 9" under the seats - http://www.caraudioc...694_p-23359.htm
5" speakers in the doors - http://www.caraudioc...2ii_p-23356.htm
Pioneer AVH head unit - http://www.caraudioc...dvd_p-26436.htm

The question more so lies within the amplifier.
Will this amplifier be powerful enough to handle the above set up - http://www.caraudioc...041_p-23407.htm
Or will i need a more powerful one such as this one - http://www.caraudioc...041_p-23408.htm

I haven't really found anything within in the forum about the Mini's battery, because the above would draw so much power would I need to upgrade to a bigger battery?

Also soundproofing, I've been with my Dad to test drive a couple of Minis and the good and bad thing about them is the outside noise which I can imagine can get deafening on a long journey. What is the best product/way to soundproof the Mini so vibrations, engine noise and outside noise is cut down significantly ?

Any suggestions, comments, recommendations, tips would be greatly welcome.
Thanks for your time.
Anton

[Polo boi1]

In Phase would not recommend i would recommend some speakers like hertz which they do a matching amplifier headunit will be perfect as if your planning to run all speakers off the amplifier. the max watt is not what u need to know u want to know the RMS rating not the peak wattage and ohms is the difference between a home stereo and a car stereo but try Highdown car audio speak to jermery or Brad as specialise in car audio and are a authorised seller on Hertz Hope this helps they know everything even down to a full custom install boot installs like one on my polo gti


( soundproofing use dynomat or skinz which Highdown Sell as well )

Edited by Polo boi1, 12 May 2011 - 07:29 AM.

[Ruckus]

Let start from the beginning.

What is the point of installing audio in any car or even a home environment? For most it is done to ‘try’ and create a listening experience that’s close to live or how the music was recorded.

I’m saying this to give a clue about speaker set up. Bottom line is rear speakers in a small car are a bad idea. Having full range speakers behind you messes with the ‘Sound Stage’ in front of you.
If you just looking for mediocre quality loud music all around you then ignore me and stick speakers where you like. But if you concentrate your investment of a good set of component speakers and install them up front and amp them, they will be loud enough and you should have some sort of sound stage for a better listening experience.

Concentrate on the basics.

High end
Mid Range/Mid Bass
Sub Bass.

Tweeters can be easily mount on the top dash, this won’t involve any cutting and they can just be stuck or hot glued in place.

So if you want to use the doors for the Midrange that’s fine, you could also use pods on the kick panels (but in a MPi this would mean moving the fuse box).

Sub woofers can be installed in the boot if you don’t mind losing the space or you can install small woofers under the rear seats. Sub Bass is not directional to the human ear and our brains use details in the other frequencies to place it, so its possible to make a system sound like the sub bass is coming from the dash when it’s in the boot.

So basically KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid

I would recommend something like.

3 or 4 channel amp (2 channels for the front and the 3rd or 3 and 4 for the sub/subs)
2 or 3 way component Speakers
10” sub in the boot or 2 small Sub Woofers under the rear seats.
Source Unit.

Battery, Yes depending on the power of the system and better battery is always a good idea, but remember its only really there for when you listening to the system without the engine running.
The Mpi Alternator is good for about 80amps and for most systems that’s more than enough, so when you driving the power the sound system is using is really coming from the Alt and just passing via the Battery.

Sound deadening, YES as much as you can afford and want to load your mini’s shell with. Dynamat, Dead Skin, Silent Coat it’s all pretty much the same is real world usage. Take a look here and take you pick.
http://www.caraudiod...mping-mats.html

I think the Silent Coat Bulk pack is good value and a great start.

Give us an idea of your budget and I’ll try and make some recommendation for you for the speakers/amps.

But please don’t put chavy 6x9’s on the rear shelf!

[coopedup1980]

Ruckus,
You seem be a person who has the know.

Are there any differences between the 2mm to 4mm sound proofing other than tickness?


Stereo improvments is near the top of my list of things to do and am trying to price up now.

Cheers,
Neil

[Ruckus]

Ruckus,
You seem be a person who has the know.

Are there any differences between the 2mm to 4mm sound proofing other than tickness?


Stereo improvments is near the top of my list of things to do and am trying to price up now.

Cheers,
Neil

More Mass = more deadening. But it also equals more cost and more weight, which in a mini can be a problem.

In my latest build I used a mix of Dynamat Xtreme and Dynamat Superlight. On the majority on the panels I used the Superlight, but on the troublesome thin rattley panels like the doors i use the thicker Xtreme sheets.
Pics in this thread:
http://www.theminifo...howtopic=187782

[andymini12]

just a quick question, would you say e dead sound proofing is any good, this stuff here http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item3cb7268eab ?

[Ruckus]

just a quick question, would you say e dead sound proofing is any good, this stuff here http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item3cb7268eab ?

That is just wide format Flashing Tape.
It does a good job for the money, but does not have/use the clever materials that Dynamat and the like use to turn vibration in to low level heat.

But for simple Mass loading it’s great, and super cheap.

you can get it from screwfix cheaper...

[A362 TTU]

So when i add up the cost of your shelf speakers, under seat speakers, front speakers and amp i get about a £275 budget for those areas.

IMHO you would better spend this money with:

http://www.caraudiod...ess-165-a1.html - up front - £95
http://www.caraudiod...x-stereo-2.html - to power them - £115

Thats roughly £210. dont forget you need wiring

If you think you would want a sub to go with this in the long run you could buy a 4channel amp to power your speakers for a little more money, and then when you get a sub, bridge the two spare channels (check the amp can do this) to power your sub.
e.g. this amp instead - http://www.caraudiod...x-stereo-4.html

These are only suggestions, i am in no way an expert, i am just passing on information i have picked up around the web. it may be incorrect

[Ruckus]

Howgud that nice starter kit, the focals are great entery level comps punching way higher then there price bracket.

To be honest depending on Antons budget I would start with a 4 channel amp he is going to want some bass and this be simpler in the long run installation wise.

Also I would really question the head unit choice. Almost £500 for want to me is mainly bling all show no go.

If I was going to spend close to £800 I would be looking on the talkaudio classiffieds and maybe with caution and guidance even eBay.

I have built a competion level system for less than £1200 in the past, but you have to focus on keeping it simple. Start adding all the fast and furious AV bullsh!t and the budget will get eaten.

By all means have the AV but get yourself a good quality simple system first, then add it later when funds allow.

[antonclark221]

Howgud that nice starter kit, the focals are great entery level comps punching way higher then there price bracket.

To be honest depending on Antons budget I would start with a 4 channel amp he is going to want some bass and this be simpler in the long run installation wise.

Also I would really question the head unit choice. Almost £500 for want to me is mainly bling all show no go.

If I was going to spend close to £800 I would be looking on the talkaudio classiffieds and maybe with caution and guidance even eBay.

I have built a competion level system for less than £1200 in the past, but you have to focus on keeping it simple. Start adding all the fast and furious AV bullsh!t and the budget will get eaten.

By all means have the AV but get yourself a good quality simple system first, then add it later when funds allow.

Ruckus, you are the man!
YOU are the person that I've been looking for.
I have no clue about a speaker set up within a mini, i am just going on what other people are saying and what people are doing to their Mini's.
I think my budget MAX would be £800 so speakers/amps/subs that work around that price would be ideal as I am a music man myself and when I have my Mini i am going to be driving a lot, i know speakers can't get close to the way the music was recorded, but it will keep me sane on the long journeys.

Thanks for the replies guys!

[antonclark221]

Yeah I just want a simple, good quality sounding system that will give me the full enjoyment of the music that I listen to.
Also i like what you have done with your boot Ruckus, would like to do the same with mine eventually.

In fact my budget would be around £500/£600 please.
Best quality for money suggestions please

Cheers
Anton

Edited by antonclark221, 12 May 2011 - 06:16 PM.

[A362 TTU]

Yeah I just want a simple, good quality sounding system that will give me the full enjoyment of the music that I listen to.
Also i like what you have done with your boot Ruckus, would like to do the same with mine eventually.

In fact my budget would be around £500/£600 please.
Best quality for money suggestions please

Cheers
Anton

Well here is an idea for £600.

http://www.caraudiod...ne-cde123r.html - nice looking modern unit with lots of features - £160

http://www.caraudiod...ass-165-vb.html - go one step up on my previous suggestion for front speakers - £130

Id go for a single 8in sub under the rear seats (save your boot space) but tbf i have not done much research here. With the amp i suggest a sub around 200w RMS should suit well. Go for a decent brand

http://www.caraudiod...x-stereo-4.html - Amp up with this, 2 channels for sub and the other 2 for your speakers - £160

Im just throwing ideas out for you - you will get nice sound on that budget if you spend wisely.

[antonclark221]

Yeah I just want a simple, good quality sounding system that will give me the full enjoyment of the music that I listen to.
Also i like what you have done with your boot Ruckus, would like to do the same with mine eventually.

In fact my budget would be around £500/£600 please.
Best quality for money suggestions please

Cheers
Anton

Well here is an idea for £600.

http://www.caraudiod...ne-cde123r.html - nice looking modern unit with lots of features - £160

http://www.caraudiod...ass-165-vb.html - go one step up on my previous suggestion for front speakers - £130

Id go for a single 8in sub under the rear seats (save your boot space) but tbf i have not done much research here. With the amp i suggest a sub around 200w RMS should suit well. Go for a decent brand

http://www.caraudiod...x-stereo-4.html - Amp up with this, 2 channels for sub and the other 2 for your speakers - £160

Im just throwing ideas out for you - you will get nice sound on that budget if you spend wisely.

Thanks for that man,
What if I wanted another two speakers like Ruckus suggested at the front or maybe in the doors, how would I go about wiring that up with a 4 channel amp?
Cheers,
Anton

[Ruckus]

Thanks for that man,
What if I wanted another two speakers like Ruckus suggested at the front or maybe in the doors, how would I go about wiring that up with a 4 channel amp?
Cheers,
Anton

The Focal Polyglass are the front speakers, them and a sub is all you really need.

[antonclark221]

Thanks for that man,
What if I wanted another two speakers like Ruckus suggested at the front or maybe in the doors, how would I go about wiring that up with a 4 channel amp?
Cheers,
Anton

The Focal Polyglass are the front speakers, them and a sub is all you really need.

So you'd say the set up that howgudami suggested is best value for my budget?
Cheers,
Anton