I've listened to both the standard system and the HK and found them both to produce a great sound. Is the HK system worth it? I've read a lot of posts about the bass being too loud and having a hard time getting a crisp sound with all the bass in the HK. So, is it the HK a quality system and worth the extra $500?

 

butiflfeet,

Welcome to MCO! The HK is 9/10ths of everything I'd want in a car audio system. If it had a moderately sized subwoofer that filled out that bottom end down to 20Hz, I'd pay $1000 for it; the rest of it is that good. For reference, I would classify the typical car audio system at about 2/10ths and the standard MINI system at about 5/10ths. I'm just the type that wants all 10/10ths. And it will cost me a couple grand and a lot of install effort to get it.

I also have a little concern for how durable the HK system will be. Factory systems typically use inferior materials, like paper speaker cones, that deteriorate over time. A high-end pair of speakers retails for more than $300, and an amplifier over $400. So I'm not sure how HK does two pairs of speakers and an amp with built-in dsp for $550. The materials are probably better than the standard system, but not up to the level of a high-end system.

So if you are the type that isn't way into music, and/or a good basic system will satisfy you long term, I'd suggest getting the standard system.

If you want a really nice mid to upper end system and are not interested in all the expense and hassle of an aftermarket system, I'd suggest getting the HK. You really won't be dissappointed. This is the option I steered my brother to (he's on a waiting list in CA).

If you, like me, want all 10/10ths, get the standard system and put the $550 towards the "big" system. And if you do, carefully research who to go to. Probably only 5% of the installers out there could put together a system with sound quality to rival the HK.

Best of luck to you,

James

 

(as an Audio Engineer) I think the stock system is crap, but then my references are of much higher resolution than the vast majority. The H/K is OK for those who want reasonably good sound in OEM packaging.

It's definitely possible to get higher resolution sound quality, but you'd be hard pressed to do it for $550.

I will deal with the H/K for a while, then do a Stage 1 revision, increasing baffle Ql, decreasing structural resonances, more controlled waveform behind the baffle, and using better (defined as: higher resolution, ideally higher efficiency, and flatter frequency response, among many other criteria) drivers in stock locations behind stock grills.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

So butiflfeet, you got one responder that likes the HK, but didn't buy it; and one that doesn't like it, but bought it. Go figure.

Hope we've been of some help.

James

 

I have yet to show the HK system to anyone who isn't impressed by what you get for the price. For any non-audiophile, the system will more than suffice. It will not be enough for those with a highly trained ear, but it is definitely worth it if you don't want to fool with an after-market system. It is the best system I have ever had in a car, and that even counts when my hubby was into putting together his own systems. I doubt that you would be disappointed with spending the extra cash for the HK.

 

>>So butiflfeet, you got one responder that likes the HK, but didn't buy it; and one that doesn't like it, but bought it. Go figure. [amusedly laughing]

Realistically, the value of the H/K versus stock is up to the buyer. It's good to do a comparison, although if you're looking for better sound in an OEM package, the $550 of the H/K is an easy pick, and is right on par (pricewise) with the rest of the automotive OEM Hi-Fi world.

Cheers, enjoy,
Ryan

 

The HK system is a great OEM product. Ask yourself what you want. I agree with Mr-S. the Hk is good for 90% of the people who have the car, and is a bargain at $550. If you want more, save the $550 and put it towards a higher quality system. Just make sure you don't get roped into a loud sloppy system by an inexperienced advisor.

 

for what its's worth, I think the HK is MOST DEFINITELY worth the $$$!
I have the HK in my 03 MCS, and am very, very glad that I got it. It has great sound, and I love being able to use the MFSW buttons!
I don't think you can go better with OEM or MFSW setup, and certainly not for anywhere near $500.
That said, I think there is room for improvement! For my taste, the bass is too strong at the frequencies it goes down to, but it would be nice to have some even lower frequencies. Mine does not do all the supposed functions listed in the manual, including remembering the H/K spatial setting separately for Radio or CD (it does that with other settings). It would also be nice to have at least 3 manually adjustable freq bands (treble, mid, bass), and preferably a user-definable equalizer program (maybe via PC interface??).
Finally, one thing that I do miss is more detailed info on the display when playing CD, such as song elapsed or remaining time, number of songs, etc...
However, I did not at all like the stock system, and I am completely happy with the HK.
Motor on!

 

I have the HK on an '03 MCS and I love it.

I leave the tone controls at neutral. I leave the DSP on MINI H/K & Driver Mode On. I find all the other settings seem to detract, but that is just my opinion. In this configuration I am amazed at how balanced the sound is. Heck, it sounds better than many people's home systems!

My goal is to hear a faithful reproduction and realistic imaging (as so eloquently defined by Mister-S :smile: I wonder if someone could figure out a way to swap out the head unit and retain the H/K dsp module? You definitely can retain the MFSW functionality if you get the right adapters.

Anyway, I like the H/K and would get it again. The stock unit would have cost me more in the long-run due to upgraditis, and I'm not sure how much more satisfaction I would have had. For space concerns, I don't think I would have added a subwoofer.

Another consideration may be resale. I don't plan on selling mine anytime soon, but I heard that OEM upgraded audio adds to resale, while aftermarket audio upgrades generally detract. Can people with more experience confirm or deny this claim? Is this just FUD from the dealers and manufacturers?

Wactuary

 

Who has the "MINI SOUND MODUL"?, I don´t have the option of the HK

 

>>As for those that are saying there is too much bass, I would disagree. I found it very balanced. HK may have boosted slightly those frequencies just over 80Hz to compensate for the lacking below 80Hz, but it's not unbalanced in any real way.

Listening to the HK unit in the showroom and at freeway speed is much different. Have you tried turning on the HK unit before starting to move and then compare the sound quality to that at freeway speed?

Notice the amount of bass the HK unit produces at average listening volumn. Now pony up to freeway speeds and listen. Notice the amount of bass the HK unit adds for its speed sensitivity. Way too much bass. I found a way around this...I think. Turn off then on the unit while at speed. This seems to lessen the boominess in the system. Maybe it's just the placebo effect...

Bar none, this is the best system I've had in a car (when not moving). I only "occasionally" regret paying the extra $550 for it.

 

Mister_S, have you had a chance to listed to the HK system when the speed sensitive volumn comes into play (i.e. at freeway speed)?

 

dominicminicoopers,

I have to admit I haven't. I have followed some of the posts regarding too much bass at speed, and if I were still strongly considering the HK system, I would definitely investigate that thoroughly. My stationary evaluation was enough to convince me that while the HK was a nice system and represented a very good value in a factory system, it wasn't enough for me and I would install a custom system. For anyone considering the HK system, I would definitely suggest testing it under all conditions, and I regret that my evaluation above contains this obvious ommission.

That said, it does strike me odd that there have only been a small handfull of you who have reported this problem; and a near equal number of owners who have indicated complete satisfaction with the system. We all know that in most cases, for every one complaint about something, there are hundreds if not thousands of satisfied users who just don't speak up. If this was a universal design flaw in the HK, I suspect we would see far more posts regarding this issue (consider the case against the runflat tires - overwhelming evidence in these forums). It leads me to suspect something wrong with the dsp or the microphone in those few systems.

The process of measuring cabin sound levels, separating the signal into good sound (that coming from the audio system), and bad sound (road and wind noise), and then compensating for only the bad noise is a complex thing to do. Any fault, even minor, in the inputs or processing of these signals can have overwhelming results. Like a PA system that starts into feedback, if the system confuses musical bass for road noise, it might compensate by adding more bass; which it then confuses for road noise and adds more bass, and so on. As with any system in any new car, there are bound to be a small percentage of production defects and you could have one.

If I were in your shoes, I would first take a piece of music I'm familiar with and go to the dealer and drive another HK equiped car. A direct A/B comparison test should quickly show if there is something specifically different in your car. If so, then you start working with MINI to get the system fixed/replaced. The focus should be on the amplifier/dsp unit and the feedback microphone.

If your system proves to be no different than any of the others, then either the HK system has been designed with too much bass compensation, or it has too much base compensation for your tastes. Which of those it is doesn't matter, because it's your car, you have the HK system, and that isn't going to change. So the next course I would pursue is trying to minimize the bass compensation effect. Something as simple as a layer or two of masking tape over the microphone head might reduce its sensitivity enough to satisfy your tastes. In the extreme, you could disconnect the microphone from the amp completely. Then you wouldn't get any speed compensation. Don't ask me how to do these things or where these items are, but with some investigation, you should be able to find them and experiment a little.

Another approach would be to install a product called "Bass Blockers" on the speakers. These are essentially an inexpensive capacitor that gets installed in the speaker cabling right at the speaker, and provide a first-order 6dB per octave filter. Without spending six pages of technical explaination on that, I'll just say that these attenuate bass frequencies from a certain frequency down. The frequency is determined by the size of the capacitor, and all the frequencies below gently roll off from that frequency. The downside to this is that it will attenuate bass at all volume and speed levels. So while it might fix the problem at freeway speed, you'll end up with less bass at a standstill as well.

So, I wish you much luck in sorting this out. If you resolve or learn anything new, we'd all like to hear about it. If you have any more specific questions in your quest please post them or send me a PM. Two (or more) heads working on a problem always helps and I'll do whatever I can to assist you.

To conclude, I sincerely hope that no one would spend $550 based on my review alone; that they would, at minimum, read this entire thread and do their own in car evaluation. The beauty of these forums is that we all have an opportunity to share and learn from each other's experiences and opinions. In my posts I try to go the extra distance to support my opinions and try to help readers learn something. But in the end, the responsibility for how the information is used lies with the user, the reader.

Best of luck and cheers to all,

James

 

If you're really into sound, you've got lots of expert advise here. I would seriously consider this. As another perspective, though, I'm old and half deaf...the standard system sounds super great to me!...that even with a little road noise. (...remember the days when you were lucky to have an am radio and one speaker?)
I do have a friend who has the HK...he totally ga-ga over it. Depends what you're into and how you want to spend the $$$s. Best of luck!

 

First off, let me thank you Mister_S for a quite long response to my question. It is much appreciated. As you will see below in my replies to various parts, you have given me some options I did not think about. However, bear with me as I go thru the points. Remember, I'm just a wannabe audiophile, as I have no training in it what-so-ever :smile:

Unfortunately I did not have the luxury of that testing phase since I placed my order well before (nine months to be specific) any of the HK units arrived in the USA. I only heard the stock unit and wasn't impressed. HK has been know for above average sound qualiuty for years. That's the reputation I went on.

Not to nit-pick here, but there's tons of cars running around with multiple 12" subs in them booming bass into everyone else's cars. So I figure some of those who like to car shaking bass are also those who said good things about the HK

Very nice explanation.

I'm beginning to wonder if that's what I have? I wonder if the dealerships are set-up to deal with that type of defect?

I'll start troubleshooting. I'm going to the dealership tonight to get a test drive of an HK unit.

I'll have to try that masking tape option. I never thought of doing that! :smile:

I used to explain things a little to well at times. My bosses I've had have weened me out of doing so. So much of the time I don't take the time explaining myself as well as I should. Many times I am misunderstood and people take my posts in the wrong way (I've come off as an arrogant b@st@rd or an @ssh0le in some of my postings on MCO and other forums). I wish it didn't happen, but it does. When people meet me face to face, they wonder where that other person went

 

>> (...remember the days when you were lucky to have an am radio and one speaker?)

Yep, I drove an old Chevy pickup like that! ;O

 

>>The HK system is a great OEM product. Ask yourself what you want. I agree with Mr-S. the Hk is good for 90% of the people who have the car, and is a bargain at $550. If you want more, save the $550 and put it towards a higher quality system. Just make sure you don't get roped into a loud sloppy system by an inexperienced advisor.
So where to start? Front speakers? An amp? And where does one go for advice? To a big chain or a small stereo shop?

 

Is it worth it???....only you can make that known. If you like it get it . Who cares what everyone else thinks. 50% say YES 50% say NO... I say whatever sounds good to you. :smile:

 

I originally ordered it, but when it was delayed to December and it was previously already delayed twice, I decided to stick with my September build. I hear the HK at the dealer last week. One of the motoring advisors put a CD in an blasted some song with lots of bass. It was amazing! I wish I had it. If I turned the base MINI stereo up that loud with a song with lots of bass it would be significantly distorted. Luckily, I don't listen to songs that have or need lots of bass. I really wish I had this stereo and it's a true bargain at $550. But I know I made the right decision. I fI had to wait 3 MORE months for my MINI S, I would never have made it (and neither would anyone who had to deal with me while I was waiting!).