Hi,
I own a 2002 Audi A4 3.0 which came with factory receiver/ 6 cd (front) changer and Bose speakers (upgrade). Though I was somewhat satisfied with the sound when I purchased it, I am finding it's not quite there, I've heard better base on even some rental cars!

I've finally decided to get my self a better system but as a non-audiphile, I am not quite sure what the best system might be. My criterias are I want to spend less than $300 bucks. As far as sound quality is concerned, I want something that would outbeat the curent factory receiver and make full use of the Bose speakers.

I hope someone here can give me some suggustions on brandname and other technical specs I need to know in going forward with this.

Thanks,
apkesh

 

cant get much for $300. i would recomend just adding a sub, and leaving it at that. I installed one in my b5 in under an hour, altho, i have done quite a few before. stuff you want out of the sub is good sensitivity (i prefer in the 90db range).

Changing out the deck is out of the question w/o spending a fair bit more, as you'd have to also change out the speakers since it's bose unless there is a way to get the line out from the deck to the amp input, altho, i bet that too wouldn't sound so great, as you're only gaining a pre-amp.

i prefer non powered subs, and getting your own amp, as it adds flexability, but some people say that takes too much knowledge, you know, plugging a speaker wire from the amp to the box.

I have 2 8" fosgate woofers in mine and i'm quite happy. not a huge boom boom sound, yet, better than stock. i also removed the two 6.5" free air woofers.

 

add on -

I have heard good things about this http://www.crutchfield.com/S-AyMZAQ0...0&I=108BASSLIN

which is in your price range, but i've never heard it myself, and low cubic inch space for the driver makes me feel like it doesn't make a lot of bang, as you usually want a 1 cu inch box for a 10" woofer sealed.

 

Thanks for the info, it sounds like you are recommending I go with sub rather than change the reciever...With the budget I have, is that going to be a better option than buying a new reciver? I noticed some huge difference in sound for my old Toyotta I has when I replaced the factory reciever with a pioneer 200 dash reciever, hence the reason why I was inclining more towards a new reciever...Are receivers much harder/exensive to get installed than subs if you get it done professional?

 

regualr 2-way/3-way/component speakers are 8 ohms. Bose speakers are 2 ohms. Run an amp below it's recomended impedance, it'll burn out. The bose deck is just a pre-amp, the actual power amp is in the trunk. The bose deck has a funky eq pre-set which bose speakers really like. Same goes with the bose amp. People have swapped out just the bose amp and replaced it w/ another 4 ch amp. They do not recomend you do the same, as the results arn't that great.

The reason why in other cars, when changing the deck, you get much better SQ is b/c most factor decks are underpowered, and have shitty internal amps. Aftermarket decks tend to have more power, and better power. THus they sound a lot better.

On these cars, you cannot get away with changing one w/o changing the other. If you want a new deck, you're gonna have to also change the speakers. If you want to keep the visual appearance of your deck, you'll change the amp, and you'll still have to replace the speakers. (Not even sure if that would sound right w/ the funky pre-amp eq stuff. Essentially no matter what, you'll have to also replace the speakres. This will kick you way over your $300 price range.

However, if you add just a decent sized sub of decent quality, it'll fill out your sound, add the lower lows, w/o shaking the crap out of your car. bass addes presence. You run one power cable from the battery to the trunk, tap the bose amp for remote and signal, ground the amp in the trunk, and you're all wired up. You still not hapy w/ the sound w/ the sub, then go for the surgery, but you're gonna walk away spending at least a G.

 

Thank you lbraasch for taking the time to write a thoughtful reply. I will go ahead with your suggustion then on buying a sub. Is there any that you'd recommend? I am not looking for a sub that needs to deliver BOOOOOM, but just something that'll increase the overall performance/quality of the music in the car.