2015+ Audi B&O Speaker Upgrade

[jackal28]

Hey guys, I have already updated the subwoofer in my 2015 Audi A3 Premium Plus Quattro Sedan with B&O Speaker system.
I removed the factory 10" subwoofer (which looks more like a resonator in a small plastic enclosure) and used those output lines (retain factory control) to install a JL Audio LOC-22 to an Infinity K1000 dropped to 800RMS (lowest wattage I could get it with 2 volts input). Had to lower the LOC to 2 volts just to get 800 watts out of the amp, but I wouldn't go below that voltage.

I used an enclosed 12" Dayton Audio HO DVC subwoofer which is actually only rated to 700RMS, but handles the 800 watts just fine. Thanks to this forum, I found this woofer and am extremely happy with it, especially for the price. It sounds amazing, is fast and accurate, and complements the entire setup perfectly. You can see pictures of the install below and feel free to ask any questions if you'd like.

I made sure to use sound deadener (Noico butyl based) on the trunk, lid, under rear seat, and the rear deck. I still intend on deadening all of the doors. The deadening took some time, but was totally worth it in the end. It even sounds different when I simply close the trunk. I plan on getting custom exhaust that I had done on my earlier TT model so the trunk deadening was a necessity.

What I'm looking for now is speaker upgrades starting with the midrange and then the tweeters. For the midrange, I'm looking at the Hertz ML 700.3 which all told, will require 5 total, but I will be doing the center speake:Dr first as I am getting some speaker distortion from that specific one. Its actually more of a rattle, but I have read that SOMEONE has done this with good results.

For the tweeters, of which there are 4, I am going to attempt to adapt the ScanSpeak D3004/6040-00 berillium tweeters. Not sure if I'll be able to modify enough to fit them in the front pillars, but I will cutout, etc to get them in the rear door as those tweeters are almost exactly at ear level. Havent decided on a second option for the pillar tweeters, but if anyone has any ideas that are on par w/ the ScanSpeaks' I would like to hear it, but NO on the Focal Utopias as yes they are amazing, but Wayyyyyy overpriced.

I am also looking at Hertz Mille for the 6.5" and 8", which may require other modifications.

So, all said an done 13 more speakers to replace, and I will be doing it as money becomes available.

If anyone has any ideas or experience with upgrades to the B&O speaker system, please let me know.

The system sounds great right now, but, obviously, it could still use some work. I think the amp is fine, and it may have some issues with the MMI at 41000, but Ive made due using 48000 sample rates and it seems to have corrected most of the MMI issues.

Any ideas or experience upgrading speakers in the Audi B&O systems are welcome.

Also, if you've done any upgrades, I'd love to hear what you've done and see any corresponding photos.

Those who think the B&O system sucks and are using Bluetooth, I've heard it all before, stop using bluetooth or fix your gain. I am currently using the car's harddrive and 11GB of music to shuffle through is enough. I do wish it played lossless though. If your having issues with your MMI I may be able to offer some advice/ tweaks so feel free to comment. Hopefully we can stay constructive and help each-other out.:D

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[Chaoscreature]

Do you have a picture of the OEM subwoofer?
I have an A3 with the standard stereo and the lack of bass is pretty pathetic. My 2006 Jetta has more bass!
Is it possible to add the B&O woofer to a standard stereo vehicle?

[jackal28]

Do you have a picture of the OEM subwoofer?
I have an A3 with the standard stereo and the lack of bass is pretty pathetic. My 2006 Jetta has more bass!
Is it possible to add the B&O woofer to a standard stereo vehicle?

Looking at the picture w/ the wires labeled Fsubbottom, the wires are as follows from left to right: Negative 1; Positive 2; Negative 2; Positive 1 or as I installed them Left Negative; Right Positive; Right Negative; Left Positive. These were originally tested by Trade-N-Games over at DIYMA, and I personally confirmed and currently use them so its pretty solid.

You should be able to add a subwoofer to any factory system, as long as you find a source for your wiring. Given that its Audi, factory or B&O, both have a open ciruit protection feature which mutes the playback if no load is present on the wires which is why its always a best bet to get an LOC instead of just using a high level input on the amp. Surprisingly enough, I discovered later that Infinity Amplifies can handle up to 20 volts of High Input and have a "added load" feature, but I still would have used my LOC to ensure that I was getting the best signal possible to run to my amp.

If your system has a factory subwoofer, whether it is like mine, or in the spare tire wheel well, then to maintain your factory subwoofer settings and crossover you may want to utilize those signal wires to your LOC. Otherwise, you could splice into the rear speaker line w/o adding any additional load (10kohms normally) to the line out converter and utilize your own crossover with the amplifier. Either way it should be a fairly straight forward install. Again I highly recommend deadening, at least, your trunk as it will echo and possible rattle horribly. I used Noico on Amazon as its about the best butyl based deadener for the money that I've found. You could also check out Sonic Electronix's NVX deadener also as I've heard good things and the price is fair. Any butyl based would work great, just try and stay away from asphalt based, as it could melt in a hot environment and cause a horrific odor. I have never been affected by either having this on my TT during 2 Texas summers.

Finally, last answer, I believe it is possible to add the B&O subwoofer on an 2015+ A3 after the fact as it should already have the cutout in the rear shelf. You could always look in the trunk under the rear deck on the left side (facing the car) for a large 8-9" U shape w/ 3 bolt holes. The subwoofer is a dual 8 ohm voice coil (16 ohm total in series or 4 ohm total in parallel) and each coil is rated at 100 watts (200 watt total) so you would definitely need an amp, albeit, not a very powerful one. I would warn against this as while it does add a little bass, its nothing near an actual sub in an enclosure. I have read of others retrofitting an aftermarket subwoofer in the cutout, but about 75% of those still moved on to an enclosure as the trunk itself has wayyyy to many air gaps into the car, etc to perform as an enclosed subwoofer. I believe Infinity Kappa's 10" woofer is a free air for example, but for an actual 10" it would require more cutting. An 8" might fit, but still require some modding. Its really up to you how much bass you want.

I got exactly what I was looking for in my sealed 12". Acurate, tight bass which could hit the lower notes yet keep up with faster rock bass w/o sounding muddy. It also performs well with Hip-Hop, but if this was your primary listening variety, the a ported subwoofer may be best.

If you look at the Fsubbottom pic you'll see the strange U shape cutout in the rear deck outlined by the foam. Basically the B&O/faitalpro subwoofer sits on top of the rear deck.

[jackal28]

From what I've read, and given the specs, this is either the midrange speaker that B&O uses or one very much like it. It's a 3" speaker w/ the mounting holes being a little over 3.5" so I assume I could use 3 to 3.5" speakers to replace them.294-1100-faitalpro-3fe22-4-specifications.jpg

[Jesse S.]

2105! Damn you're living in the future! Edited your thread topic

[RSKYBET]

Are factory B&O speakers 2 or 4 Ohm?

[Chaoscreature]

Jackal,

Thank you for all of the information. I will go out in the parking lot at lunch and see what's up there on my car.

I used to love deep bass back in the 90's to early 2000's. My old Fairlane had a monsterous dual 12" ported enclosure running 1600 watts for listening to Sublime and Beastie Boys LOL.
Thanks again!

[Chaoscreature]

I found my subwoofer... it's definitely there, but it's very weak.
I also don't have the subwoofer control on my MMI that I think should be there.... or should it?

[jackal28]

I found my subwoofer... it's definitely there, but it's very weak.
I also don't have the subwoofer control on my MMI that I think should be there.... or should it?

Do you have the B&O system?
Either way, if you have a factory subwoofer in there then you should be able to add it to the MMI if its not there.

Sorry, its been awhile, I put off the speaker upgrade, but since all this covid crap, I've been renewing my projects. I'm actually updating the enclosed 12" in the next week or two to two 10"s. Although I do love my 12, I already have the 10s ready to go for my MK1 project, but that is wayyyyy off. So I figured I'd add them in the A3 instead with another, duplicate, amp. Also, I'm thinking of modifying the front door woofers too to hopefully bring out some of the midbass to match. I'll let you know how it goes.

[fischman]

I did a complete overhaul of the B&O system in my 2017 A3. Here's my initial build thread at DIYMA. https://www.diymobileaudio.com/threa...ld-log.417337/

I recently moved and now have a garage and plan to do a bunch of updates. Including using some Volvo Dynaudio 8.75" drivers in the front doors.

Here's my current setup:

HeadUnit: Stock Audi MMI (originally B&O)
OEM Interface: NAV-TV Zen-V Using Optical Out
DSP: Zapco DSP-Z8 IV
Amps: Zapco ST-4X SQ (Mids and Tweeters)
Zapco ST-4X (Bridged to Mid-Bass)
Zapco ST-1350XM II (Subs @ 1 ohm, gain turned way down)
Front Stage: Tweeters: Stock (Have Hertz HT25's to try out, waiting for some A-Pillar Pods), Mids: AudioFrog GB40 (Great Speakers), Midbass: Hertz Mille 1600.2 (upgrading to 8.75" Dynaudio's from Volvo).
Subs: 2 x JL 12TW3 in a custom Fiberglass enclosure under the trunk floor.

Fully sound deadened, and have a roll of MLV and CCF to do doors, trunk and rear seat floors.

I got rid of the center channel and rear channels as I'm more on the SQ side of things and find these aren't needed. If I upgrade to a 12 channel DSP sometime in the future, I might look into playing with the center channel and some rear fill, but don't feel I need it at this time.

I'll try and post some update pics later.

Josh

[jackal28]

I did a complete overhaul of the B&O system in my 2017 A3. Here's my initial build thread at DIYMA. https://www.diymobileaudio.com/threa...ld-log.417337/

I recently moved and now have a garage and plan to do a bunch of updates. Including using some Volvo Dynaudio 8.75" drivers in the front doors.

Here's my current setup:

HeadUnit: Stock Audi MMI (originally B&O)
OEM Interface: NAV-TV Zen-V Using Optical Out
DSP: Zapco DSP-Z8 IV
Amps: Zapco ST-4X SQ (Mids and Tweeters)
Zapco ST-4X (Bridged to Mid-Bass)
Zapco ST-1350XM II (Subs @ 1 ohm, gain turned way down)
Front Stage: Tweeters: Stock (Have Hertz HT25's to try out, waiting for some A-Pillar Pods), Mids: AudioFrog GB40 (Great Speakers), Midbass: Hertz Mille 1600.2 (upgrading to 8.75" Dynaudio's from Volvo).
Subs: 2 x JL 12TW3 in a custom Fiberglass enclosure under the trunk floor.

Fully sound deadened, and have a roll of MLV and CCF to do doors, trunk and rear seat floors.

I got rid of the center channel and rear channels as I'm more on the SQ side of things and find these aren't needed. If I upgrade to a 12 channel DSP sometime in the future, I might look into playing with the center channel and some rear fill, but don't feel I need it at this time.

I'll try and post some update pics later.

Josh

Your system sounds amazing, just now upgrading to two Alpine-R 10"s in the back, want to go with Morel Ultimos eventually, but after the bass is established I'm going for the rest of the B&O speakers, then possibly the amp. A garage does come in quite handy. Still in an apartment myself, but I managed to swing a garage for my MK1 TT (hobby car) so thats where I do most of my work. Congrats on the move.

Im not going to mess with the center channel if I upgrade the amp. I have done a lot of research regarding the matter and it seems like to much of a PIA for what its worth.

[AA-SQ5]

Hi guys, interesting topic and congrats for the build so far. I’m on a similar build; full sq install, replacing the factory B&O system by mainly Focal 3-way on the front + centerspeaker and 2x JL 8” subs. Good to see the Zen-v is recommended.

[949]

I do wish it played lossless though.

you like lossless music but you dont have the zen v?
bro you need to get a clean signal out of the head unit. thats the first way to fix any sound clarity.

otherwise, thanks for the sharing. its great to see audi people actually doing audio mods.

[jackal28]

you like lossless music but you dont have the zen v?
bro you need to get a clean signal out of the head unit. thats the first way to fix any sound clarity.

otherwise, thanks for the sharing. its great to see audi people actually doing audio mods.

You are correct. I am currently working on that, but I have to have EVERYTHING ready as soon as I get the ZEN. Great suggestion.

[AA-SQ5]

Hi guys, I did the B&O-swap using the Zen-V. Highly recommendable.

[949]

any video of the install or lotsa pics?