Audio Upgrade Options - Help!!!

[chopper]

We have basically decided to order a 206TSI wagon. We have been given a Highline wagon to test drive over the weekend to make sure car seats etc. fit and make a final decision.

The car is great (even with the 140TDI engine)... but I'm shocked at how bad the audio is! My GTI has the standard audio package... and I had no complaints with it. I ordered it with the standard package because our Lexus has the $3,000 Mark Levinson option... and I couldn't tell the difference between it and the regular Lexus package (so I'm no audiophile!). But... the Passat audio is AWFUL... no bass, no clarity and a cheap, tinny sound! I've spent 15 minutes playing around with it, but no luck.

If the Dynaudio was an option, I would definitely have fitted it, but it's not... so I need another solution. It's not a deal breaker as the car is pretty good (and I imagine it can only get better as a 206TSI) but I don't think I can live with the sound.

Does anyone have any options / ideas about how to upgrade the speakers and sound while retaining the head unit???

[SMOKEY]

I read in the Tiguan section of the forum that VW Australia has dropped Dynaudio for all Australian deliveries as 'nobody ever ordered it as an option'. All other markets including the sheep shaggers in NZ get it.


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[ope126]

This could be an option for you; Passat Variant Plug-In Sound Upgrade Speaker Kits

Sounmatrix Speakers are Plug & Play and made in Germany!

I was about to put these speakers in an Opel Insignia that I once owned...but I sold it

[chopper]

This could be an option for you; Passat Variant Plug-In Sound Upgrade Speaker Kits

Sounmatrix Speakers are Plug & Play and made in Germany!

I was about to put these speakers in an Opel Insignia that I once owned...but I sold it

Cheers! This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for! Do you happen to know what the Bass level is like with them... that's the biggest problem with the factory set-up. The higher registers sound OK with the car... so I was thinking of just adding a sub under the boot floor, but it's a hassle.

When I drove the GTI last night, I had the realisation the sound system was also pretty rubbish. I guess I was always just focused on other things...

[kamold]

You're still going to need an amp if you really want to change the system.
The stock head unit just doesn't have the power to make upgrading the speakers worth it in my opinion.
You'll have a better result installing an amp and driving the stock speakers (and even better again if you also replace the speakers).

That really sucks that VWA have decided not to offer the Dynaudio system as an option.
I was hoping that in a few years there would be 206TSIs coming onto the second hand market with Dynaudio and digital display to replace my R36...

[chopper]

You're still going to need an amp if you really want to change the system.
The stock head unit just doesn't have the power to make upgrading the speakers worth it in my opinion.
You'll have a better result installing an amp and driving the stock speakers (and even better again if you also replace the speakers).

That really sucks that VWA have decided not to offer the Dynaudio system as an option.
I was hoping that in a few years there would be 206TSIs coming onto the second hand market with Dynaudio and digital display to replace my R36...

Thanks kamold!

If I'm honest, it's more the lack of bass I'm worried about. I've also been thinking of just installing something like this... Hideaway Powered Subwoofer | KICKER® under the concealed boot section (it should fit, if I've measured correctly!), directly behind the seat instead of replacing all the speakers. I was hoping to power it from behind the 12v plug in the boot??? I figured since it's powered, it's got its own amp and I just need to find an audio source to tap into. I also like I turn the bass up and down remotely, so it can go up with I'm alone and down when the kids are in it.

Thoughts? I'd get an audio shop to do it... I'm not about to play around with a brand new car!

[kamold]

A powered sub might work for you, but you'd want to ideally have a controllable crossover so that you're able to control approximately what frequencies are being sent to the sub. Otherwise if you just split out the front audio signal to speakers and sub the bass signals are still going to be handled by the woofers in the front.
A good set of woofers and amp often negate the need for a sub (totally depends on your preferences of course) such as the Dynaudio system in the B6/B7. With that said the B8 Dynaudio system has a sub as well, which is even better than not

I would go and talk to a reputable car audio installer, discuss your requirements and they will come up with something for you.

Don't just go to them with a particular piece of hardware in mind asking them to install it.

[chopper]

A powered sub might work for you, but you'd want to ideally have a controllable crossover so that you're able to control approximately what frequencies are being sent to the sub. Otherwise if you just split out the front audio signal to speakers and sub the bass signals are still going to be handled by the woofers in the front.
A good set of woofers and amp often negate the need for a sub (totally depends on your preferences of course) such as the Dynaudio system in the B6/B7. With that said the B8 Dynaudio system has a sub as well, which is even better than not

I would go and talk to a reputable car audio installer, discuss your requirements and they will come up with something for you.

Don't just go to them with a particular piece of hardware in mind asking them to install it.

Great advice! Thanks, I appreciate it.

Ironically, I mostly listen to AM talkback... it's just for those times you need to blast a bit of music!

I may end up getting lazy (or cheap!) and just leave the factory system. As I said earlier, I thought it was much worse than the GTI, but on reflection, they're about the same... and I lived with it for 5 years.

[Matt P]

VW Passat 3G B8 Variant Dynaudio Soundsystem Altoparlante Amplificatore | eBay

just going to leave this here

All you need are cables and coding which shouldn't be too difficult.

Im debating picking up just the speakers and an audiotech fischer amp (MATCH by Audiotec Fischer i already have this in my mk7 GTI and its quite an upgrade) and doing my own thing with the sub in the spare wheel well. After selling the sub/amp on ebay, buying a good sub and the audiotec fischer gear, i reckon you'd only be out of pocket the same amount as optioning dynaudio from the factory

[booba]

I read in the Tiguan section of the forum that VW Australia has dropped Dynaudio for all Australian deliveries as 'nobody ever ordered it as an option'. All other markets including the sheep shaggers in NZ get it.


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LIARS! I ordered it on my MY12.5, well i ordered everything except the grandpa woodgrain option lol. It's **** because VW only need to enter a PR code and magic, your car gets the option in germany, same with paint.

[chopper]

VW Passat 3G B8 Variant Dynaudio Soundsystem Altoparlante Amplificatore | eBay

just going to leave this here

All you need are cables and coding which shouldn't be too difficult.

Im debating picking up just the speakers and an audiotech fischer amp (MATCH by Audiotec Fischer i already have this in my mk7 GTI and its quite an upgrade) and doing my own thing with the sub in the spare wheel well. After selling the sub/amp on ebay, buying a good sub and the audiotec fischer gear, i reckon you'd only be out of pocket the same amount as optioning dynaudio from the factory

Cheers Matt! I wish it was that easy... but I recall reading somewhere, there's two different Discover Pro units. The ones fitted to Dynaudio cars have digital-out to the amp (plus the factory wiring harness for 10.1 speakers)... the regular system uses analogue (and the built in amp) and only has the eight speaker harness. I haven't read anyone who has attempted the upgrade who has said it's easy! I'd REALLY love to be wrong... it's the ideal solution!

LIARS! I ordered it on my MY12.5, well i ordered everything except the grandpa woodgrain option lol. It's **** because VW only need to enter a PR code and magic, your car gets the option in germany, same with paint.

You left the best option off! Nothing lifts a cabin, like a bit of dead tree! It's even better when it's fake plastic dead tree... so the quality lasts. I can only imagine what the dealer charges you for any 'off book' options...

[Matt P]

Cheers Matt! I wish it was that easy... but I recall reading somewhere, there's two different Discover Pro units. The ones fitted to Dynaudio cars have digital-out to the amp (plus the factory wiring harness for 10.1 speakers)... the regular system uses analogue (and the built in amp) and only has the eight speaker harness. I haven't read anyone who has attempted the upgrade who has said it's easy! I'd REALLY love to be wrong... it's the ideal solution!

If you find that, i'd love to hear it.

IIRC, in previous generation its a setting for amplified output or digital output through the cabling. I remember my RCD510 getting coded differently once i installed it in my mk5 golf gti and it made a surprising difference.

I've got a mk7 golf gti as well and i haven't heard anything similar about the stereos and Dynaudio and one would assume they're not dissimilar.

There is a place in QLD who claims to be able to do it btu charges $2500 for parts + more for install

[Matt P]

Also, you do realise we have 10 speaker units from the factory?

3-way in the front doors
2 ways in the rear doors

[chopper]

There's talk of a digital sound package in this thread here... http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...-95919-12.html I assume it's needed for the Amp for the Dynaudio package.

Also, you do realise we have 10 speaker units from the factory?

3-way in the front doors
2 ways in the rear doors

I've triple checked... the car specs say only 8 speakers in the car. I don't get our car until next week, so I can't check.

[Vexed]

This could be an option for you; Passat Variant Plug-In Sound Upgrade Speaker Kits

Sounmatrix Speakers are Plug & Play and made in Germany!

I was about to put these speakers in an Opel Insignia that I once owned...but I sold it

Soumatrix speakers are rubbish, total waste of money. I bought 4 Xtase speakers for my CC, they cost me $1200. The improvement was marginal, definitely not worth the money, and then one the exploded. I contacted support, they didn't even reply to me.

Save your money and stay away of Soumatrix.