Recommendations? Q5 2018 Sound System Upgrade

**wunderfitz** · 03-10-2019 02:10 PM

Hi,

Any recommendations for Q5 2018 sound system upgrade? Can't find any info online on current specs. this is the basic sound system. What I found there is an existing 6 channel amplifier in the car (but where and specs?), subwoofer (brand?) and 10 speakers (brand)?

Looking to add / buy a subwoofer Pioneer 8.25" HVT-Sealed Subwoofer or Kicker 11HS8 8" 150W Hideaway Car Audio Powered Subwoofer for easy under seat installation.

Can you share your upgrades and experience? Thanks for your help.

**choppstixxx** · 03-10-2019 05:41 PM

Don't know if the B9's are laid out similar to the B8's sound system, but if your just looking to upgrade your subwoofer you can run off the wires from the factory sub pretty easy. Just get an aftermarket amp or sub/amp combo that has high level inputs to convert the speaker signal into usable signals for the aftermarket setup. Then just run your power/ground/remote turn on like any other system. Having the battery in the rear helps make this pretty simple. Also having an external sub control knob for whatever unit you buy is key so you can adjust it independently.

**wunderfitz** · 03-14-2019 06:15 PM

thank you. sounds good.

Also received some feedback from a car audio shop

>>The factory amplifier in that vehicle cannot be removed, as it is part of the data communication system of the vehicle. Many newer vehicles are now like this. European cars also use fiber optic technology to pass the audio info to the amplifier, also preventing removal of the amplifier. There are ways to correctly upgrade the sound in these vehicles that will not cause issues with the vehicle itself. I have done a number of upgrades of these types. They involve adding a multi-channel processor, adding multiple channels of amplification, replacing the speakers and tuning the audio system. While there is no inexpensive way to upgrade the sound in these cars (unless you just want to add a subwoofer), using a combination of the correct parts with a knowledgeable installation will allow you to achieve any type of sound upgrade you desire.

**choppstixxx** · 03-14-2019 06:18 PM

Yea like I said, just adding a better aftermarket subwoofer is the easiest/cheapest route. You can def. swap in new speakers/tweeters, but then I feel like your going down a rabbit hole of spending money and not really knowing if it'll work 100%

**wunderfitz** · 03-15-2019 08:35 AM

is this a quick solution and easy to install? anybody tried ?

Pioneer TS-WX610A : https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/products/ts-wx610a

JBL BassPro Hub

**choppstixxx** · 03-15-2019 08:48 AM

Many of the "spare tire" aftermarket subs are not a one size fit all and it's hard to say how well they will fit in your spare tire without buying it. Many people have either had a custom subwoofer box made to fit in the spare tire compartment or even removed their spare tire all together to gain the most amount of room. For me I am going with the Cerwin Vega VPAS10 because it fits in the storage compartment area without taking out the spare, allows me to pretty much keep everything accessible/factory.

**dobslob** · 03-15-2019 09:46 AM

There are a ton of options, but if you are really just looking for more bottom end and are happy with the rest of the system that is by far the easiest upgrade. As mentioned before, it is as easy as grabbing the wires to the factory subwoofer and using them as input to your new amplifier/sub. Replacing the factory amplifier is easy, extremely reliable, and a great way to start building a system in the Q5, but it isn't cheap at all.

**greasykid** · 03-15-2019 12:57 PM

As others have stated it is very difficult to upgrade to the B&O system or better. Believe me I have tried it. Depends how far you want to go & how much you want to spend. A good sub is a start. Beyond that is the big problem. You can upgrade all the other components as well. The B&O has more speakers in locations that will be hard,if not impossible to upgrade to. In 2015 I bought a $65k MB SUV that dealer had ordered for stock with the base system. $2500 & excellent installer could give me high quality sound but never the type of sound that has the proper ambiance.
My recommendation would be to make the basic upgrades for a max of $1000 & live with the results. For many yrs my business was high end audio. I will never buy a car again with the base system. Just depends on how critical you are. I am satisfied with the B&O in my 2016 Q5. Good sound for the $$$.

**wunderfitz** · 03-15-2019 07:17 PM

thanks for the quick feedback. Car audio shop called me back. Pretty much set on the JL Audio ACP108LG-W3v3 MicroSub+™ 250-watt 8" powered subwoofer

**BooBooKittyFk** · 03-15-2019 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by wunderfitz

thanks for the quick feedback. Car audio shop called me back. Pretty much set on the JL Audio ACP108LG-W3v3 MicroSub+™ 250-watt 8" powered subwoofer

JL makes some great subs and amps but their all in one systems do not last long.

I would recommend buying a amp and sub with a high low converter. Pac Audio makes some great high low converters, you find them on Amazon and a good sub box if you don't know how to fiberglass.

**choppstixxx** · 03-16-2019 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by wunderfitz

thanks for the quick feedback. Car audio shop called me back. Pretty much set on the JL Audio ACP108LG-W3v3 MicroSub+™ 250-watt 8" powered subwoofer

FYI if you plan on mounting it in the spare tire compartment (not removing the spare tire), I know some B8 guys that tried to use that exact all in one sub had some issues fitting it.

**wunderfitz** · 03-31-2019 10:34 AM

JL Audio ACP108LG-W3v3 MicroSub+™ 250-watt 8" powered subwoofer installed yesterday, worth every penny.

**Joncoulson** · 03-31-2019 02:41 PM

I did a JL AUDIO MX300/1 and a JL AUDIO CP110LG-TW1-2 and audio control LC2I in my wife’s 16 q5 tdi coupled with the factory B&O it sounds great and was a simple install.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk