Jump to content


Photo

Advice On Quality Replacement Rad/cd Unit For Std Mpi


  • Please log in to reply
10 replies to this topic

#1 nicksuth

nicksuth

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,631 posts
  • Location: Lutterworth
  • Local Club: Rugby Classic Mini Owners Club

Posted 26 December 2008 - 08:52 PM

Okay, my son has talked me into replacing the standard Rover MPi Stereo Radio Cassette (would have been a luxury in my day) with some "ICE" (thought he wanted a fridge unit first???).

His "musts" - CD - FM/AM Radio + USB slot and aux input for iPod, 4 speakers, sub (stopped him there)

My "musts" it has to be a unit that will fit into the existing slot in the dash, connect up to existing wires (I'm hoping that the original is a DIN type plug and plugs straight in), can make use of the existing parcel shelf speakers (may replace if they are considered rubbish) also, I have a under rear seat speaker board with oval (6 x 9) holes already cut in (would like to use this as it matches car interior).

So, can anyone advise a suitable set of gear?

PS - I would like to not have to buy an amp but not sure if the amp in the head unit will be sufficient for 4 x speakers and possibly a sub? (at a push, may consider an aux amp?).

Was looking at this Clarion unit......................

"]Link

Edited by nicksuth, 26 December 2008 - 08:54 PM.


#2 MGMT

MGMT

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,109 posts

Posted 26 December 2008 - 09:07 PM

Im currently buying a new system for my car, although not a Mini. I bought a cheap (reduced) Kenwood CD player with a 3.5mm headphone jack for ipod/mp3 player for only £50. Im running a pair of Vibe QB69's (the rectangualr ones) in the rear with the headunit and thats it at the moment - It does sound pretty good as it is but I want more bass! (although for some it would be fine) I bought a Fli 400s amp to use with the Vibes too but havent wired it all in yet. Cant wait to hear what it all sounds like all wired up! Going to think about a sub in the future but reading some reviews for the Vibe speakers some people say you dont need a sub if you are running them with an amp! (dont really believe it but we will wait and see)
The next best 6x9 speakers would be one of the Pioneer TS series ones - sound awesome. and they would fit into your existing holes without any more cutting.

Good luck!

#3 daz7505

daz7505

    Mini Mad

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 109 posts

Posted 27 December 2008 - 12:11 AM

Okay, my son has talked me into replacing the standard Rover MPi Stereo Radio Cassette (would have been a luxury in my day) with some "ICE" (thought he wanted a fridge unit first???).

His "musts" - CD - FM/AM Radio + USB slot and aux input for iPod, 4 speakers, sub (stopped him there)

My "musts" it has to be a unit that will fit into the existing slot in the dash, connect up to existing wires (I'm hoping that the original is a DIN type plug and plugs straight in), can make use of the existing parcel shelf speakers (may replace if they are considered rubbish) also, I have a under rear seat speaker board with oval (6 x 9) holes already cut in (would like to use this as it matches car interior).

So, can anyone advise a suitable set of gear?

PS - I would like to not have to buy an amp but not sure if the amp in the head unit will be sufficient for 4 x speakers and possibly a sub? (at a push, may consider an aux amp?).

Was looking at this Clarion unit......................

"]Link


for starters, that and almost any aftermarket unit will power 4 speakers, that is how they are designed as they have a 4 channel inbuilt amp for this purpose. it will power your rear shelf speakers and your under seat speakers once fitted. the stereo that you have looked at is a extremely good qaulity unit, and capabel of running amps as well. however, you are limited for space in the mini for fitting amps and subs. i have managed to squeeze a 12" sub and box into the boot of my clubby, but at the expense of no boot space. if you put a nice pair of 6x9 speakers in your under seat board, these can produce a reasonable amount of bass. as for stereo connections, because you have a rover mini, you should already have iso connections on your original stereo, therefore your new unit will plug straight in
if your son is adamant on having a sub, then you will need an amp to power it. but also look at some of the compact under seat subs, these are a very compact design, with speaker and amp all built in. as for size of sub, like i said a 12" will just fit in the boot, so might be better looking at a 10". the likes of vibe, fli and fusion, plus others will do a 10" sub already fitted into a box, with an amplifier built in aswell. these tend to take up less space, and eliminate the need for buying seperate sub, box, and amplifier.

#4 nicksuth

nicksuth

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,631 posts
  • Location: Lutterworth
  • Local Club: Rugby Classic Mini Owners Club

Posted 02 January 2009 - 05:33 PM

Okay, pulled the old Rover stero radio casette player out to see if connections are the same as the Clarion? It does have the 8 wire ISO connector for the speakers but only wired up for rear speakers (outside connectors). i've put it back now and didn't really look at the spade type/size for the speakers, are they just "standard" type, i.e. can I just add the front speaker spades to the block then plug the ISO block back in?

I'm not running an extranl amp at this stage so I assume I leave the 4 x RCA leads/sockets capped and just tape them up out the way?

Set up will be..................

- Clarion DB288RUSB http://www.clarion.c...2387306212.html
- Retain 2 x original shelf speakers (for the time being?) as "Rears"???
- Install http://www.alpine-eu...akers/spe-69c2/ in underseat speaker board as "Fronts"??

Any guidence much appreciated???? >_<

Posted Image

Posted Image

#5 MGMT

MGMT

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,109 posts

Posted 02 January 2009 - 05:38 PM

All I can say is dont use the original speakers they will be pap.

Ive just bought and fitted some Kenwood 6.5" speakers in my doors and they sound alright - nothing special but ok just to have some sound up front.

I have now wired up my vibes to the amp and they sound AMAZING! Bass is soooo good!

Ive now spent just over £200 on my system and the quality is pretty good! well pleased with it

#6 nicksuth

nicksuth

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,631 posts
  • Location: Lutterworth
  • Local Club: Rugby Classic Mini Owners Club

Posted 02 January 2009 - 06:06 PM

Just had a quick look at whats already fitted in the parcel shelf and they are JBL GT and appear to have a little tweater fitted in them as well? (see pic). They sound okay(ish)

Posted Image

#7 nicksuth

nicksuth

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,631 posts
  • Location: Lutterworth
  • Local Club: Rugby Classic Mini Owners Club

Posted 13 January 2009 - 08:40 PM

.......................are JBL GT units any good and is that little thing a "tweeter"?

#8 Watso

Watso

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 227 posts
  • Location: Horndon, Essex

Posted 14 January 2009 - 04:03 PM

.......................are JBL GT units any good and is that little thing a "tweeter"?



JBL aren't bad at all. Certainly a massive improvement over the standard goodmans pap ;D. Oh and yes, that "little thing" is the tweeter ;D

Seeing as you've already got JBL in the parcel shelf, why not go with JBL for Front Components? http://caraudiosecur...ts_id/4890.html

#9 nicksuth

nicksuth

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,631 posts
  • Location: Lutterworth
  • Local Club: Rugby Classic Mini Owners Club

Posted 14 January 2009 - 04:19 PM

Already got some Alpine 6x9 http://www.alpine-eu...akers/spe-69c2/ for a speaker board under the back seat, can I connect them up to the front connections on the new head unit?

#10 Watso

Watso

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 227 posts
  • Location: Horndon, Essex

Posted 14 January 2009 - 08:19 PM

Yeah, by all means. I guess thats what a lot of people do when Amp's arent and early option. :)


My personal opinion would be to put these in the rear shelf (depends how handy you are with a Jigsaw...) and maybe move the Coax JBL's to the front to bring the sound forward. I had this exact set up my first mini and it was more than enough for most people.

Putting them under the rear seat is fine, but it does mean you need ears in your arse to get the full benefit :) :) Again a personal opinion, but, I think the under seat installation is best for Bass only as its a "non directional" sound and will be heard almost anywhere in the car.

#11 Saxo-Fiesta-Mini

Saxo-Fiesta-Mini

    Up Into Fourth

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,889 posts
  • Local Club: LCMOC

Posted 19 January 2009 - 06:39 PM

theres a jvc head unit for £89.88 at halfords may have gone up to £109.99 but basically is 50x4 has usb, aux input, cd / mp3and wma and has 2 preouts its cheap it good quality and for the price it v v good




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users