Sound Quality in the A4

[SovereignDream]

Hello gents,

Just this September, I bought a used 2006 Audi A4 which I am pampering and treating right to the best of my ability (it's almost as if most of my income is now spent at AutoZone). I have a long to-do list of things I'd like to improve in the vehicle and chief among them is to upgrade the sound system. Can anyone who has upgraded their sound system recommend good speakers, units, etc.? The current speakers in my A4 are stock and aren't terrible by any means. However, I am a bassist and so greatly enjoy listening to music and singing when no one is looking (I particularly appreciate deep, rich bass sound). I'd prefer not to spend a fortune on new speakers and also would rather not need to install an amplifier nor change the radio if possible. During some songs, for example, the volume (which I usually set at most to 16) seems to clip (i.e. the volume decreases when I listen to certain parts of songs, presumably because the speakers cannot handle the volume). This is pretty annoying.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

[LINDW4LL]

To start, do you have Bose or non-Bose?

[SovereignDream]

To start, do you have Bose or non-Bose?

I'm pretty sure they're non-Bose.

[wyoa4b7]

i have the non-bose and honestly i think my system stock sounds badass i really have no clue if there is a difference between the s-line and base model though but if you want a good link for a badass box that looks good in our cars i have one

[SovereignDream]

i have the non-bose and honestly i think my system stock sounds badass i really have no clue if there is a difference between the s-line and base model though but if you want a good link for a badass box that looks good in our cars i have one

Sure, thanks. What are you referring to as a "badass box" however?

[LINDW4LL]

Okay, I recommend picking up an amp although it isn't necessary- it will sound better. For the door speakers I like the Polk DB6501s but you can go with any 6.5"

There is a good DIY article here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-writeup-(BWW)

[wyoa4b7]

look up audiointergrations.net they make a sweet custom box for our car for 330

[aluthman]

Details in my sig.

[yeoj112689]

I have the bose system and it sounds amazing to me. No need to upgrade. May eventually as a better subwoofer but to be honest when i turn on the bass a bit I can feel my door speakers moving my pant legs. I did however put in a pioneer deck as I had the plain jane stereo. Sounds amazing.

[Operator]

If you are set on keeping the stock HU, and having no amp:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-Gray-LC6.html
http://www.jlaudio.com/car-audio-oem-interface
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_161EPIC...160.html?cc=02
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...tails/3sixty.3

I went a different route though: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Audio-install

[SovereignDream]

I appreciate all the replies guys. I'll probably have to visit a car audio specialist in light of the fact that I have not the faintest idea of how to replace speakers, much less wire them to an amp, etc.

[aluthman]

I appreciate all the replies guys. I'll probably have to visit a car audio specialist in light of the fact that I have not the faintest idea of how to replace speakers, much less wire them to an amp, etc.

That's going to get expensive fast. I initially got a quote to buy my headunit and have it installed by a local place and they wanted $1500. I decided to not be lazy and bought the headunit from Crutchfield for $600, bought the wiring kits for about $100 and installed it myself. If you have the time and patience, it isn't hard to do. You can learn something and save a boatload of cash in the process, it's a win/win.

[Charles.waite]

I find it amusing that 1) people think our stock stereo is good, and 2) that adding bass to a shitty stock system is somehow "better" than stock...



The stock stereo blows nuts. The Bose stereo is marginally better. Neither is something I would ever brag about to anyone thinking it was good (except for a Subaru owner, because Subie stereos are a whole 'nother realm of terrible).

Best advice, get a 5 channel amp, and replace the door speakers. If you have a sedan replace the rear with something non shitty. Get one in a box if you want, but you can find decent ones that are direct replacements for the parcel shelf (sedan) and the side panel (avant) and retain the factory mounting.

Replacing the stock AMP with something non-shitty and upgrading the mids will be a LOT better than slapping a 12" sub on top of an already shitty system.

Spend $2-300 on a decent 5 channel amp and get some Polk DB6501 speakers and the sound will be mind blowingly better. Thats my plan once I finally get around to upgrading the audio system in my b7. My b6 has Bose which is good enough for me. The B7's stock setup is totally lackluster though.

[naiku]

If you have the time and patience, it isn't hard to do. You can learn something and save a boatload of cash in the process, it's a win/win.

Yep, it's really not that difficult in our cars, epecially if you are leaving the stock head unit and not installing an amplifier. The door panels come off very easily (6 or so screws) and then the speakers are easy to remove/replace.

I find it amusing that 1) people think our stock stereo is good, and 2) that adding bass to a shitty stock system is somehow "better" than stock...



The stock stereo blows nuts. The Bose stereo is marginally better. Neither is something I would ever brag about to anyone thinking it was good (except for a Subaru owner, because Subie stereos are a whole 'nother realm of terrible).

Best advice, get a 5 channel amp, and replace the door speakers. If you have a sedan replace the rear with something non shitty. Get one in a box if you want, but you can find decent ones that are direct replacements for the parcel shelf (sedan) and the side panel (avant) and retain the factory mounting.

Agree, I can't believe how many people are saying the stock system sounds good? I have heard worse, but it's far from a good system.

I would argue that just getting a 4 channel amp, replacing the front door speakers and running them off 2 channels, disconnect the rear speakers and then running a sub off the bridged remaining 2 channels will be a massive improvement over stock.

[aluthman]

I find it amusing that 1) people think our stock stereo is good, and 2) that adding bass to a shitty stock system is somehow "better" than stock...



The stock stereo blows nuts. The Bose stereo is marginally better. Neither is something I would ever brag about to anyone thinking it was good (except for a Subaru owner, because Subie stereos are a whole 'nother realm of terrible).

Best advice, get a 5 channel amp, and replace the door speakers. If you have a sedan replace the rear with something non shitty. Get one in a box if you want, but you can find decent ones that are direct replacements for the parcel shelf (sedan) and the side panel (avant) and retain the factory mounting.

Replacing the stock AMP with something non-shitty and upgrading the mids will be a LOT better than slapping a 12" sub on top of an already shitty system.

Spend $2-300 on a decent 5 channel amp and get some Polk DB6501 speakers and the sound will be mind blowingly better. Thats my plan once I finally get around to upgrading the audio system in my b7. My b6 has Bose which is good enough for me. The B7's stock setup is totally lackluster though.

This x1000. I may have spent more than I needed to, but not once do I regret gutting the stock stereo and replacing it.

[doady22]

Go to Cartoys and listen to some speakers, but absolutely don't buy anything from them. Instead buy them online. If your going to do it right, spend the money the first time. I bought a new Clarion NX603 Nav unit, JL C2-650 component speakers, and JL XD 400watt 4 channel amp. Will have everything installed by Friday to let you know how it sounds, but the speakers blew me away hearing them at Cartoys. You get what you pay for.

[geebus]

While I agree that the stock stereo is absolutely nothing to write home about, if you came from a car that had an even worse system, it's really not that bad. Obviously, if you're an audiophile, then yea, it sucks lol. I had a 1990 Toyota corolla station wagon ( 5 speed because racekar ) that only had 2 5"(!) dash speakers that made me cry all the time. Personally, I do want to change out my system but it's low on the mods to do checklist. Good luck op!

[geebus]

Also, love your setup Aluth !

[kegobeer]

I find it amusing that 1) people think our stock stereo is good, and 2) that adding bass to a shitty stock system is somehow "better" than stock...



The stock stereo blows nuts. The Bose stereo is marginally better. Neither is something I would ever brag about to anyone thinking it was good (except for a Subaru owner, because Subie stereos are a whole 'nother realm of terrible).

Best advice, get a 5 channel amp, and replace the door speakers. If you have a sedan replace the rear with something non shitty. Get one in a box if you want, but you can find decent ones that are direct replacements for the parcel shelf (sedan) and the side panel (avant) and retain the factory mounting.

Replacing the stock AMP with something non-shitty and upgrading the mids will be a LOT better than slapping a 12" sub on top of an already shitty system.

Spend $2-300 on a decent 5 channel amp and get some Polk DB6501 speakers and the sound will be mind blowingly better. Thats my plan once I finally get around to upgrading the audio system in my b7. My b6 has Bose which is good enough for me. The B7's stock setup is totally lackluster though.

True dat. The stock system sucks. Shit, the stock radio and speakers in my 99 Grand Marquis sounded better than what I have right now. Instead of Polk, I'm probably going with some Rockford Fosgate components for the front and rear, a Kicker sub, and a good quality 5 channel amp (or a 4 channel and a mono amp for a sub). This is, of course, after I get all the mechanicals ironed out...

[Charles.waite]

The polks are cheap and very good. But honestly any 6.5" components will be a huge upgrade from the stock speakers.

[4rings5stars]

I upgraded my fronts with CDT comps and built a box for an 8" sub that goes on the left side. I also put a 4 channel amp where the stock sub used to be. I love the sound now! I just need a bass knob now...

I know the wiring is a mess. These were taken right after the install.

[SovereignDream]

Unfortunately, I feel as if I have no other option. My knowledge on wiring/speakers in cars is so limited that I would literally need a video explaining each and every step carefully. I suppose I'm open to learning, however.

[Charles.waite]

Unfortunately, I feel as if I have no other option. My knowledge on wiring/speakers in cars is so limited that I would literally need a video explaining each and every step carefully. I suppose I'm open to learning, however.

That's what YouTube is for

[geebus]

That's what YouTube is for

^^^^^this. I watch youtube for all kinds of things! I even have 2 books on car stereo installations. Do you have any friends who could help? Offer some beer and pizza, and try to do as much as you can. You got this