Entertainment Electronics 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Audio Systems...

On the first gen's even the wiring for the speakers needs changed when you upgrade the HK system. Its less of a PITA to do it that way anyhow...

What do I know though, all that is left of an audio system in my MINI is, the stock door speakers, and stock head unit... Cant hear it anyhow.

 

^^^^ yup rip that HK crap out and do it right. As Harmon has become its own power hungry empire and does not make unique high sound quality equipment any longer and are just living off the brand name like Bose.

Don't get me wrong the old HK & Bose stuff was incredible back in the day.

Here is a list of the audio companies they own now.
AKG
Amek
BSS
Crown
DBX
Digitec
DOD
Harman Kardon
Infinity
JBL
Lexicon
Mark Levinson
Soundcraft
Studer

 

Even if it's an HK system it can be wired around but it will cost more but you can also get around it with a JL Audio CleanSweep for about $300.00

CL441dsp - Car Audio - OEM Interface - OEM Integration - JL Audio

JL Audio CL441dsp CleanSweep® Sound processor for use when adding amps and speakers to a factory system at Crutchfield.com

 

The 6 disc changer is just a premiere in the trunk on the right side.

An easy way to tell if you have an HK system is look at your door speaker grills.

Just like Bose HK likes to put its name on everything. Sometimes they even have the silver Harmon Kardon trim rings.

 

Coulda just popped the access cover in the passenger rear and looked for the amp...

 

If it said "Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus" (what mine says), that only means there is a cable in the trunk to plug in a CD changer box (not all cars have the cable).

 

Keyword tweeters, Dayton audio mid range, Visaton woofers, custom crossovers and a Pyle amp. Then an additional sound dampening.

 

There are still funky sources for tunes.
Grimey's New & Preloved Music

Todd Snider (video at above site) even gets radio play and is best heard on cheap car speakers.

 

Yes you can get boom mat from Summit racing or Jegs. They both will do the job very well. I ordered from Jegs and my order came quickly.

When I built a custom ISACA sound quality comp car I only use d Dynamat because they provided me double the amount for every order. Kind of like a sponsorship but not free. I had 28 cases in my car and over 2000 + watts in the late 80's. Everything was high end and included (4) 1/2 ohm stable amps by Hifonics active powered 4 crossovers, 32 band preside power eq, JL Audio, MB Quarts, Rickard Clark audio noise gates, Eclipse HU, (2) 1 Farad caps. I won every competition I entered and except for nationals which I placed 3rd. After a while it got old and I traded the car.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dei-050206/overview/

Sound - JEGS High Performance

 

I have an 02, and everything in it is still stock. The two small front tweeters are blown and the passenger side is now as well.

I'm open to any suggestions that won't break the bank. And for the record, I'm now to handiwork. I followed the directions in the forum to replace the rear single break light, so I'm still on that high for the moment. But that moment is quickly fading.

 

Look at Parts Express: the #1 source for audio, video & speaker building components
They sell components and entire systems. I got my speakers one set of crossovers, and amp from them. You can even call them it discuss what you want to do with real people that are helpful.

I replaced my tweeters with some Kenwoods I already had. The mid range and woofers are Dayton Audio. You can run them with stock power but a small amp would be recommended. I used a BOSS I mounted under the passenger side dash.

 

Ronbo- that's one thing I had been thinking about as well. I love some of the playlists I have on Spotify that I just can't get anywhere else. Streaming it would be great- but I understand the collective groan about compression. I guess with enough storage you could just build a unit and run lossless music.
Or maybe I could just install my old 8-track :wink:

By the way... I love this site and totally appreciate the knowledge you all give so freely.

 

Thanks MRNTB. I'm all over that site now!