Octavia vRS MY16 Audio Upgrade

[leonocty]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forums as I recently picked up an ex-demo vRS MY16, however didn't come with the tech pack and keen on upgrading the stereo with an amp + sub. What are the options?

I am not overly keen on splicing the rear speaker wiring and using high pass inputs and keen to know how the upgraded Canton system works? Is there an ISO harness that I could purchase to plug into a the back of the Columbus head unit and then into a corresponding amp?

Has anyone else done amp + sub installs and if so, which method did you use?

[Rambo]

Are you planning to upgrade the speakers (fronts at least?)

[leonocty]

Hey Rambo,

I wasn't planning on upgrading the speakers as I am actually quite impressed with the bass response from the fronts. A little more bass would be great however. I was hoping I could leave the Columbus powering all existing speakers and connect line-out from the unit to another amp to power a single sub that I will mount in the boot.

However keen on any ideas to best line out to an amplifier. If heard of many different methods, but keen to know what people on these forums have done.

[LunchboxVRS]

The RNS 510 was easy to do as you could change the speaker outs to 5v pre outs. The Columbus is the same as the 8 inch screen stereos you can get in the VW range. Not sure how much it shares with the 6 inch from the golf but could be similar. Check the mk7 threads relating to audio. When I looked at the golfs you couldn't get the 8 inch screen unit but that may have changed.

[Rambo]

I upgraded the front speakers as well as adding an amp. For that I added an Addison bit ten to de-eq the signal from the Columbus. Then into a Hertz class D amp. I got a 4 channel, so I bridge 2 for the sub. Pretty of grunt and sounds great. I got that amp because it was small (fits under passenger seat) took high and low level inputs and also has auto on off based on signal which made life much better (rather than trying to find a switch wire which I tried for a bit and it was painful having to have the key in and turned to acc all the time). Check out a Hertz amp for sure. I got a JBL sub off gumtree, goes fine.

[leonocty]

Hi lunchboxGTI - Thanks for your information, are you referring to wiring up a harness cable that plugs into the back of the RNS510 that takes the same connections as the speaker outputs, and then changing the RNS510 from speaker to amp mode?

Hi Rambo - Thanks - sounds like neat upgrade. How did you splice the Addison into the Columbus? Just via the front speaker outputs? How is the sound quality? Figure if your running your fronts then sound quality must be fantastic? I have also been hesitant with high pass inputs buts I guess if you have a quality controller, then that makes all the difference? I know some amps have high level inputs but do they not do as good of a job? I'm thinking for a sub, sounds quality via high pass into amp might be ok??

Also, with powering your equipment, how did you splice into power and was there any issues with other car electronics having power issues? I read that the new Octy is pretty sensitive to power so didnt appear as simple as finding a 12v feed or connecting new amp fuse to the battery?

[LunchboxVRS]

Hi lunchboxGTI - Thanks for your information, are you referring to wiring up a harness cable that plugs into the back of the RNS510 that takes the same connections as the speaker outputs, and then changing the RNS510 from speaker to amp mode

Turns the speakers outs to 5v. I used a Bluetooth adapter which had genuine plugs to go out to the amp then back to speakers without cutting the harness.

[leonocty]

Awesome! Will check this out, thanks.

Turns the speakers outs to 5v. I used a Bluetooth adapter which had genuine plugs to go out to the amp then back to speakers without cutting the harness.

[Mysticality]

Turns the speakers outs to 5v. I used a Bluetooth adapter which had genuine plugs to go out to the amp then back to speakers without cutting the harness.

Does this then operate the amp and speakers through bluetooth? I'm a little confused, here.
Seems a tad clunky.

[LunchboxVRS]

Does this then operate the amp and speakers through bluetooth? I'm a little confused, here.
Seems a tad clunky.

No I just used the harness as an adapter.

[leonocty]

Awesome, do you have an example of where this can be purchased?

No I just used the harness as an adapter.

[Rambo]

I have power to my amp straight from the battery (fused). The amp has auto switch off with no signal. I had the power being triggered from the accessory output, but this was horrible. Get and amp with auto power for sure.

[wfdTamar]

I've done a pretty comprehensive upgrade on mine:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/planning-nice-audio-upgrade-rns510-octavia-94253.html?highlight=

Still haven't got around to putting the sub in.

[leonocty]

Great, thanks - this puts me in the right direction.

I've done a pretty comprehensive upgrade on mine:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/planning-nice-audio-upgrade-rns510-octavia-94253.html?highlight=

Still haven't got around to putting the sub in.

[readerr0r]

No I just used the harness as an adapter.

Very good quality install! That's exactly how I did it in my Polo GTI and Mk2 vRS, glad to hear it'll work in the Mk3 (with the new harness obviously).