Even after the dreadful experience with Tweeter & GBMINI#2, I wanted a good aftermarket stereo upgrade in GBMINI#3 … this time I started with the base stereo (instead of the HK upgrade) and consulted Jayson Walker, who has the best stereo knowledge and best MINI system that I know – hopefully this will result in success this time!
Last Friday I properly installed the new Kenwood Keg, in the right side “pocket” in the trunk – I used the HK amp bracket because I knew (from GBMINI#2) that it worked, and again my work colleague Michel made a better/smaller lid for it so that it could fit:
Following Jaysons recommendation, I will be taking GBMINI#3 tomorrow to Jamie Perkins, “The Car Audio Specialist”, in Melrose (near Boston). The plan is for Jamie to install new speakers in the doors, subwoofers in the rear panels, and an amp in the trunk – the Kenwood head unit has separate RCA outputs for front (and rear) speakers and for a subwoofer channel. I assume Jamie will not have any trouble with engine whine, like Tweeter did two years ago.
In preparation, I removed the ’05 door armrests today – I checked with Brian at MINI Peabody earlier this week so I knew how to do it, and I was not sure that Jamie would know. The armrest covers one of the four screws that holds the door panel to the door, so it is necessary to remove it – using a thin non-scratch object to release a catch towards the front of the car (I used a wood stick like an oversized lolly stick):
