There has been another burst of discussion in the various forums recently about the Harmon/Harman(!) Kardon upgrade to the MINI. My MINI is unusual (but no longer unique since I made some HKenabler circuits for MikeyTheMINI in England) – I have upgraded the head unit but still have the HK amp and speakers.
The HK upgrade offers a number of benefits over the stock MINI sound system. There is more power and better speakers, and also various “modes” (MINI H/K, SPATIAL, ELECTRONIC, FESTIVAL, INSTRUMENTAL) that electronically process the sound and “customize” it to the MINI interior. I have found the system to have incredible clarity – cleaner than aftermarket systems I have heard.
The HK system has *eight* speakers, two more than the stock setup, but there are still only the six installed positions – in the top position in each door there is a tiny tweeter positioned in front of a midrange speaker. Additionally, the rear 6×9 speakers have “dual voice coils” which allows twice the power delivery from the HK amp, without the need for voltage boosting. Here’s a pile of pictures:
(UPDATE: the MINI convertible has different rear speakers)
People regularly ask what is the best set-up for the HK system – the answer of course is whatever you prefer! But this famous online discussion can be of some help in figuring out what to adjust and why. There is also a detailed review on MINI2.
Of special note is the fact that if you turn bass or treble above the flat/center setting, you will limit the maximum available volume – the HK system is configured to protect its speakers at the expense of lower overall volume!
Another interesting Harmon Kardon discussion is here, by tacotim who appears to work with developing car audio systems so has opinions worth noting!
There is a regular issue discussed with the Harmon Kardon system – a buzz or vibration from the passenger side of the car. My MINI had this issue and I attacked both doors with sticky felt to solve it. Now a MINI friend, Josh, has done the same thing and posted a how-to on his website. Another how-to is posted on the NAM forum.
This vibration appears to be a common HK issue and is easy to resolve if you are brave enough to remove the door panels (you could also try to get your MINI dealership to resolve it).
Another regular issue discussed is the speed compensation. Non-HK MINIs have a “SPEEDVOL” setting in the head unit menus which can adjust the amount of speed-related volume increase. The Harmon Kardon system does have speed compensation but it is a fixed algorithm in the amp and is not adjustable. It appears to compensate just enough so that with the windows closed, there is no need to turn up the volume at highway speeds but you don’t notice the compensation either!
So some people claim that there is no compensation (from my experiments with different stereo setups, I know that the HK amp does compensate for speed). Another confusion is that the stereo manuals still describe the “SPEEDVOL” adjustment although it is disabled in HK equipped MINIs (except, confusingly, a few early MINIs still had the adjustment in the menus but it had no effect!)
The speed compensation does not take account of interior noise levels (rumours of a noise-pickup microphone are wrong) so the speed compensation will not be effective when the windows are open …
It took me a long time to enjoy the Harmon Kardon system – my preference is for sound to come from in front and behind me, so the default “MINI H/K” mode (which is front sound-staged) did not suit me. I normally use the SPATIAL or FESTIVAL modes now (although FESTIVAL makes speaking voices very echo-ey).
My aftermarket head unit appears to sound better than the original stock unit – probably due to the better “loudness” compensation. But if you are seriously into car audio systems you probably should get the base stereo and replace all of it – amp, speakers, head unit, being sure to use a very competent stereo install company (not Tweeter!)
The best advice is always – listen to the MINI stereo before you order your car. Take some of your favourite CDs and play them. Is the sound clear and crisp? Is there enough volume? Too much or not enough bass or treble?
The very best MINI stereo I have ever heard is an aftermarket system in Jaysons car – but the cost of that system is much more than the HK upgrade, and it significantly impacts space in the trunk.
M&I / GBMINI 
Excellent summary of the HK issues and features!
I will have a how-to web page up soon with the fixes.
As much as I’d like to use MINI h/k mode I find I usually have it in Electronic, which seems to have more diverse highs and lows.
And this is pretty much the only system I’ve ever seen where I’ve need to turn the Bass DOWN…way down. and it still kicks!
Ian, I forgot to say thanks for the tip in the MINI2 thread, about not turning up the bass/treble over the “middle”, if you want to be able to turn it up…I don’t recall seeing that in the manual and it was a problem.
A fairly late comment, but I’ve noticed on my car (march 04 build) there is a SD-VOL option (or similar) in the ‘hidden’ menu on the head unit accessed by holding down the ‘m’ button for a few seconds.
I just bought a 2002 Mini with the stock stereo system. Where can I investigate the pricing and options for the HK upgrade?
I really would not recommend trying to retro-fit the HK upgrade – it is simply not cost-effective because of the need to source official MINI parts, disassemble most of the car, etc.
A good aftermarket upgrade is a better option.
I have a mini cooper 2004 with the stock stereo system as well, I just saw this auction on ebay and they are selling the Harman Kardon speakers and also the Amp. Do I need any kind of special wiring? that is for the amp, and for the speakers, if I just buy the HK speakers and not the amp and replace the stock ones for the HK, will the sound improve at all? please advise soon cause the auction ends in like 2 days! yikes!
The HK wiring in the car is completely different from stock; installing new wiring would require stripping all the interior of the car. Not recommended.
The HK speakers will be useless without the HK amp – the stock system will be overloaded by them!
I have the HK upgrade in a 2005 MINI. I am considering buying two subs to place in the rear of the HK rear speakers and attaching them to a separate 1000W amp. Would this make sense, or will it ruin my sound?
If you want deep “sub bass” adding subs to the HK might work, and will only “ruin” the sound in the opinion of people that don’t want the amount of bass that you want 😉
A fairly late comment, but I’ve noticed on my car (march 04 build) there is a SD-VOL option (or similar) in the ‘hidden’ menu on the head unit accessed by holding down the ‘m’ button for a few seconds.
Just stumbled across this post. Excellent write-up, thanks! Love the tip about bass/treble over the center setting.
Can anyone tell me what other options there are in the ‘hidden’ menu accessed by holding down the ‘M’ button?
Thanks again,
Steve
Steve, you found the “SPEED-VOL” adjustment but it has ZERO effect on H/K equipped MINIs, although it does work to adjust the amount of vehicle speed volume compensation on non-H/K MINIs.
Check out this NAM thread where 2miniacs retro-fitted the H/K system to his MINI – he has some great “afterwards tips” …
I just bought a 2003 MINI but have been told the amp is blown. I have the H/K system and the dealership told me a new amp will cost $750+. Does anyone know where I can go to purchase H/K products at a cheaper price? Also, There are several on EBay from BMW’s. Are these compatible and if only certain ones are, how would I know?
I doubt the BMW ones are exactly the same.
eBay has MINI H/K parts sometimes, also check the marketplace at NAM
Not having any luck. If I use a line level converter and utilize an aftermarket amp, what are the results going to be? I know it will probably depend on the amp I buy (you get what you pay for) but as far as sound quality will it be close to original, or does the H/K amp make THAT much difference? I want clear, classic sound. Louder is not better. Better is better.
The big plus of the H/K is clarity; it excels spectacularly in making every note audible.
If you replace the H/K amp with aftermarket, expect to also replace the front speakers (no crossovers in the front!) – I think you’ll pay as much as for a new H/K amp.
Also, make friends with a MINI dealership or contact Classic MINI – they advertise 20% discount to NAM …
Thanks so much. I really appreciate the information. The most I would ever know about electronics is where the on/off button is.
A few days ago, the Harman Kardon stereo system is dead on my 2003 cooper S. It happened when I started the car after I filled up the gas. No sound was coming out from all the speakers, but the HK head unit was still ON and looked like working normally where I could change radio channels and switch to play CD! Just no sound is out of all speakers! Adjusting the volume control to its Max. level and the speakers are still dead quiet. I felt like the amplifier was not being turned ON at all.
I have followed the amplifier pinouts from this link below and start troubleshooting it by myself since my car is out of the 4-year warranty(3 months over)!
http://gbmini.net/downloads/PGEN/hk-plug-grey.htm
http://gbmini.net/downloads/PGEN/hk-plug-black.htm
Here are my findings on the connector that plugged into the HK amplifier(black colour) which is located at the right side of the trunk:
Pin # (Description) ————— Measured Signal going into HK amplifier
5 (12 VDC supply) —————- +12.7 VDC (Always, when HK head unit is either ON or OFF)
26 (Ground) ————————- 0 VDC
10 (Remote “ON”) —————– +11.1VDC when head unit ON, 0 VDC when head unit OFF
27 (Serial Kbus) ——————– +11.7 VDC (Always, when HK head unit is either ON or OFF)
9 (Head unit output FR+) ——— +5.66 VDC when head unit ON, 0 VDC when head unit OFF
17 (Head unit output FR-) ——— +5.66 VDC when head unit ON, 0 VDC when head unit OFF
30 (Head unit output FL-) ———- +5.66 VDC when head unit ON, 0 VDC when head unit OFF
38 (Head unit output FL+) ———- +5.66 VDC when head unit ON, 0 VDC when head unit OFF
Also I can NOT see any ‘Harman Kardon Mode” when I press the setting button on the head unit!
Questions:
1) According to the above data, could anyone tell me if the HK head unit is sending the correct signals to the amplifier? How can I confirm the problem is caused by the amplifier?
2) For Pin #10, is +11.1 VDC a correct voltage to turn on the amplifier? Or it should be higher?
3) Could it be any wiring failure within cable hardness at the head unit?
4) If the HK amplifier is found out to be faulty, where can I get it repaired in Canada or US? I have checked with the MINI dealer that a new HK amplifier is TOO expensive!!!
Please, I really need some help from any car audio/electronic experts.
Your problem is most likely a fault in the H/K amp.
The only other possibility is that the “Kbus” is faulty. Do you have steering wheel controls? If so, do they successfully affect the head unit (change channel, for example)?
Thanks for your response GBMINI!
Too bad my Mini doesn’t have steering wheel control buttons. Are there any other ways to check if the “Kbus” is OK or not?
Also how can I confirm the H/K amplifier is faulty for sure? Because even the MINI dealer can only tell me they are 90% sure the problem is from the amplifier, and they don’t have a new amplifier in stock to hook up to my system to verify!
Only suggestion is to swap out K/K amp to see if problem is fixed or not.
Side note … Maybe check out this post on NAM
GBMINI,
Since I have confirmed my H/K amp is faulty, I want to buy an aftermarket 4-channel amp(40Wx4) to replace it. My questions are:
1) Do I need to add a line-converter between the H/K head unit outputs(FL&FR) and the aftermarket amp inputs?
2) I guess I need to use 2 channels to control 2 tweeters and 2 front door speakers, what is the best way to connect them?
3) My local car audio shop told me that I need to also add a crossover to each tweeters. Do you know what crossover frequency to match the H/K tweeters?
4) For the H/K rear speakers, since they are “dual coil”(4 wires speaker) at 2 ohms each, how should I connect them using the other 2 channels of the aftermarket amp?
Yes, you’ll need line level converters.
One channel will drive both speakers in one door – but as your shop said you’ll need a crossover for the mid/tweeter pair in the door.
I don’t know where the crossover is, but I think it’s quite low (memory says 900Hz but that sounds really low!)
Wiring the rears depends on the amp capability. Wiring in parallel will present a 1ohm load, too low for many amps. So then wire in series for 4ohm.
Your shop should easily be able to figure this out.
You might find a much easier / better result if you change all the speakers, too. The HK system is all custom parts, not the best place to start from if you want to change just some pieces.
If I buy an aftermarket amp which has speaker level inputs, I understand that there is no need to add the line converters. Is this true? Just wondering…… will this affect the sound quality noticeably?
To clarify on the connection of tweeter, crossover, and door using one of the amp channels, should I connect them all in series? in parallel?
By the way, I’m still searching for the matched crossover frequency of the tweeter on the Internet!! It doesn’t seem like anyone knows the spec. of the H/K tweeter.
Also I found a posting on NAM regarding Differential Balanced Signaling outputs on BMW head unit. Do you think our MINI H/K head unit is using this type of output signals?
Here is the posting:
“If I recall, BMW uses something called Differential Balanced Signaling for their audio system signals between the HU and the amp. Basically, each channel’s audio is simultaneously sent as both positive and negative frequencies. The BMW amp merges only the “mirrored” signals and passes that signalling on to the rest of the circuitry in the amp; any unmirrored signaling (unwanted “noise” picked up from the car’s other systems and, thus, NOT mirrored) is excluded. This technique produces a very clean and accurate signal and does a bang-up job of eliminating noise.
However, an aftermarket amplifier that is used with a DBS HU must be capable of deciphering this DBS signaling. If not, the clarity and quality of the recieved signal may be compromised.
Now, while this is true of the BMW audio systems in the E46 3-Series (including the E46 3-Series HK units), I cannot confirm that the HK system in the MINI uses DBS. It does, however, seem likely that this would be the case.”
My mini is an ’03 S purchased in Peabody. A week ago, the HK stereo died. Head unit appears to work, but no sound – just repeated amplifier pop!…nothing…pop!…nothing. Even if the head unit is off (strange! I pulled a fuse to make it go away…)
So I’m way out of warranty. I’d like to improve the head unit/amp/speakers, but don’t know much.
Where can I find spec sheets on the existing gear? head / amp power out per channel, speaker power handling etc so that I can make sure what I buy is actually better – without over-spending, of course!
hello
I was just wondering what the specifications (watt and amps) are for the stock MINI 2004 harman kardon car stereo and amplifier system? I replaced my car stereo with a Pioneer, and the amplifier was removed in order to do so. Now, I want to find an amplifier to replace the removed one but don’t know what watts or amps to look to put in.
HK specs were never properly published, but they claimed 320W, shared between all the speakers.
Thanks!
I have an 05 Mini Cooper S Convertible with the Harman Kardon stereo. The stereo system works great but I want to add an iPod adapter cable to eliminate the FM transmitter iPod adapter that I am currently using. The two wired adapters that I’ve found are mutually exclusive as one requires DSP and the other must not have DSP. How can I find what H/K system my Mini has without taking the car apart?
To the best of my knowledge, there is no CD changer – only the single CD player in the standard Head Unit.
The car does NOT have Nav installed and I don’t think there’s any Bluetooth capability.
If you press the tone button, you will see bass, treble, balance, etc – if you see “HK MODE” then you have the H/K system, and if you don’t then you don’t.
And DSP is just another name for H/K.