B8 A4 straight speaker swap?

[Mrav]

I've been looking around all over this site along with a few others and I haven't seen anyone do a straight swap of the speakers in a B8 A4 with the Symphony sound system (stock, not B&O). Is there a reason for that? Are there any options for that even?

My top priorities in terms of sound:

1) Eliminate all rattling in the C pillars and rear deck where the current subwoofer resides
2) Better subwoofer for a deeper and crisper bass
3) Better range with higher frequencies on the tweeters

I want to do this all as painlessly as possible. That's why I'm looking at the straight swap as my plan A.



Thanks in advance.

[Mrav]

What's everyone's opinion on this subwoofer?

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ount/TS-SWX251

Looks like I'll need to buy an amp for this one too, but I'm not confident in that because I was searching for powered subwoofers when I came across this one.

[kegobeer]

You can replace the crappy stock speakers with good components and not have to replace the amp, but any sub swap would require an amp because the stock one won't cut the mustard. I'm partial to Alpine amps myself. To save a few bucks, I usually shop around for last year models on eBay and pick up gently used ones. I think people around here usually get a 5 channel amp so they can drive the 4 door speakers and an amp. I prefer to get a 4 channel amp for the speakers and a 1/2 channel amp for a sub.

[Mrav]

Thanks for that info! Why run an amp for the door speakers if they're a straight swap? Are you getting that little power to the door speakers or is it more just for future-proofing?

[kegobeer]

I just prefer amping my door speakers and my sub. Personal preference, nothing more. The cheapest way to improve the sound quality (in my opinion) is to upgrade the door speakers. Usually the bass is good enough (surprisingly good in my A4), but the stock door speakers are awful. That would make things 1000% better.

When I completely upgrade my stock system, I like to take everything out, install amps and all the wiring necessary, test it, then put it back together and never mess with it again. That's the only reason I haven't upgraded the speakers, because I don't want to go back later and do more stereo work, lol.

[Mrav]

Hahah makes sense. I'll definitely keep that in mind as I build this out. Thanks for the guidance.

And what about the front dash speakers? Are those not to blame for the sound?

[kegobeer]

From what I've gathered, most people don't bother doing anything with them, other than not using them anymore. It doesn't look like too much trouble to swap, but it's an added expense.

[Mrav]

Really? It's the door speakers that are the culprits for the weak sound? I'm assuming you're talking about the door tweeters as well as door woofers.

As for the amp, everyone seems to be favoring the Alpine ones over the rest. I'll go that route too. Why would you go for the 4 channel and 1/2 channel amps instead of just 1 5 channel one? I'd think the single amp would make the project much simpler.

[kegobeer]

The door speakers are the weak areas in my car - can't speak for anyone else. They really, really suck.

I like to install two subs, so a separate amp is necessary. For door speakers and a single sub, and you aren't planning on really cranking up your system, a single 5 channel amp will do the trick. And you are right, a small-ish 5 channel amp is easily tucked away and makes things much simpler.

One thing I can't stress enough - do not use the stock wiring to power the amp. Either buy an amp wiring kit or buy the stuff separately, and run nothing smaller than 4GA from the battery, through a fuse, and to the amp. Run another 4GA wire from the amp's ground to a good ground in the trunk area, or run another 4GA ground back to the battery. Unless the grounds are really shitty, it's not necessary to run back to the battery for ground.

[Mrav]

Good tip on the wiring!

I didn't think the door woofers were the culprits till you mentioned it. I'm looking into some door speakers right now. They appear to be 6.5" so my top options right now are Polk Audio DB651s

[kegobeer]

I'm probably going to install Rockford Fosgate P165-S 6.5 inch components in the doors, and a Kicker free air sub in the rear deck (so I don't have to make a box or do any rear modification work). The reviews are good for those, and the crossover is built into the woofer component so there's no need for an external crossover.

[Mrav]

Those were in the running too, so I'm glad I was in the right direction. Still going with your 2 amp setup?

[kegobeer]

If I just go with the one sub, I'll most likely use a 5 channel amp. I haven't really made up my mind yet.

[Project Pat]

Can anyone point me to where I can purchase 6.5" speaker adapters for the front doors? I'm having a hard time with that.

[prkieffer]

http://www.alpine-europe.com/index.p...el_num=product



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[prkieffer]

And use the spc-100
Speaker upgrades and amp all in one. Will change the sound night and day.


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