So don't you get the Concert II/III over there?

 

The audio package includes Symphony II radio with 6-disk CD player with mp3 capability. You can get that only for $350 if you want. The extra $1000 (option is $1350) goes to much better speakers with subwoofer/amp and Sirius Satellite Radio. The radio does have a cassette as you said. The Symphoney radio looks a lot better in a A3 then the cheaper Concert radio.

 

Did you know that there is a Ipod interface that uses the cassette player that you can buy cheap at Apple Store. I wonder how the audio quality compares versus Dice interface and various FM transmitter methods.

$1350 = much better radio with 6 CD changer/w mp3 capability, Sirus Sattellite Radio (three month free pass), Bose speakers with subwoofer/w amp. Radio only option $350. All you have to do is listen to both and you will determine that the concert radio system has a lot more distortion versus the bose system.

Even though I am pro Mac but knows PC's completely, I have yet to need a Ipod, I use Itunes to manage large audio collection with all music imported as 192 kbit/s mp3's from Audio CD's. None of that protected 128 kbit/s AAC's! I can create a CD anytime with hours of music recorded and play them in my A3 changer. Who needs a Ipod? Unless you are wearing one at work or running/walking with one, I still haven't gotten excited about a Ipod. The lesser then DVD video quality doesn't impress me either. Ipod is a very popular toy, but so far not necessary item. Now with the iPhone that is like carrying a small computer combined with cell phone, that I could use.

 

I understand what you are saying. Not putting it down but I dont think the Bose name is worth 1200.

As a sidenote I am not an audiophile so Bose does not matter to me nor the satellite radio. The satellite radio is one more thing that I dont want to pay for on a monthly basis. I like the radio in the background and not that loud.

Regardless the car enviroment is not that good a place to listen to music if you are into high fidelity.

 

I think it sort of depends on the person. The dice adaptor is pretty good gear. I probably wouldn't even use my ipod if it wasn't for dice. Now it just stays in the glove compartment. I'm really happy with the whole set up and I haven't dealt with a CD in years, accept in those instance when sound quality demands one or some other form of analog.

On another subject, for those who are wondering, dice has a harness that will allow you to have both sat radio and the ipod but since the harness splits the signal between the two sources the ipod and sat radio both sound low and less punchy, I tried it out. But dice is still a good piece of gear, I just had to finally make the decision to do away with the sat, maybe better for the pocket book.

 

Agreed but that doesn't stop audio manufacturers working with various auto manufacturers from trying to please particular customers. [sm=smiley2.gif]
I'm not a Bose lover for home stereo, I hate small speakers that can't reproduce most of the audio frequency range without being overly directional and producing too much distortion. But to be honest the speakers used in this system aren't half bad. This system isn't huge on Bass, but its decent. With the stock system the distortion was much more noticeable, and if you commute a fair distance then it pays to have a better Audio system even if it isn't from Audi.[sm=smiley16.gif]

 

When I got my A3 in June '06the Concert II was standard fit and I got Bose with that for an extra £440. I don't think the Concert II looks cheap at all. I didn't want the Symphony/Autochanger package because I fully intended to fit my Sony MP3 player. Standard fit is now the Concert III (or II+) which now plays MP3 CDs


For all you i-poddies the Dension Ice Link seems to be the one to go for over here http://www.dension.com/icelinkplus.php

 

Thats better then they furnish in the USA models...thats a concert III radio. They furnish in the 2007's at the start of this year the older concert radio that is much smaller.


[IMG]local://upfiles/25886/4637ACC8BE374D08AA08332B9C021858.jpg[/IMG]
One I'm talking about

[IMG]local://upfiles/25886/3667EFAFAD58460EB01793BF4C0B5B0F.jpg[/IMG]
The Symphony that is part of Audio package

 

I hate to put salt on an injury but checking something else, I was on audi's site in Europe and the ipod integration is a little more than US$300... The cars are cheaper in the US but the options in general more expensive... Must be a boat thing.
BNTW, the level of options they have in Europe is incredible to what we get here.

 

I just picked up my A3 yesterday!! LOVE THE CAR SO FAR!!!

I guess I should have checked this forum before getting the car though cause I wound up getting the iPod mod installed by the dealer... Luckily I didn't waste the $600 though. I had a price from another dealer in the area and threatened to walk unless they threw it in! I guess I kinda lucked out with timing though cause the salesperson I initially saw was sick when I was supposed to pick up the car so I had the GM helping me.

None the less... I would not recomend paying any money for the system... the whole 5 playlist thing is annoying as hell!!! I am happy with the sound quality though which is great especially when I used to have a FM transmitter which works very poorly in NYC!