DAB Headunits

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stevethejambo

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Hi guys,

I was just wondering if anybody has fitted a DAB stereo to their A3? If so, is there anything specific that needs to be done to the car? I noticed that there is a big aerial that is needed and I dont know where that would have to go on my car.

Also, what unit do you have? Rough idea of a cost would be great!

Im sick of all the local radio stations lol.

Cheers,

Steve
 
I can't understand why Audi are still fitting damn tape players into their Symphony II unit.. Surely a better bet would be to retain the cup holder or add a DAB unit to it??????
What you guys think?
 
Symphony II wont be about much longer. Theres a new Version III coming out very soon. Somebody posted on here about it a few weeks back.
 
I had a Vectra hire car whilst my A3 was on order and that had a DAB radio - it was absolutely excellent
 
[ QUOTE ]
I can't understand why Audi are still fitting damn tape players into their Symphony II unit.. Surely a better bet would be to retain the cup holder or add a DAB unit to it??????
What you guys think?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree,but a fair proportion of Audi buyers are old duffers,whose music collection is still on tape.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I can't understand why Audi are still fitting damn tape players into their Symphony II unit.. Surely a better bet would be to retain the cup holder or add a DAB unit to it??????
What you guys think?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree,but a fair proportion of Audi buyers are old duffers,whose music collection is still on tape.

[/ QUOTE ]

don't be so hard on yourself mate /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You'll get used to modern technologies like CD's and DSG one day.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I can't understand why Audi are still fitting damn tape players into their Symphony II unit.. Surely a better bet would be to retain the cup holder or add a DAB unit to it??????
What you guys think?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree,but a fair proportion of Audi buyers are old duffers,whose music collection is still on tape.

[/ QUOTE ]

don't be so hard on yourself mate /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You'll get used to modern technologies like CD's and DSG one day.

[/ QUOTE ]

CD's work,DSG doesn't. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I've got SKY HD,I'm cutting edge me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile_smoking.gif

Out of interest,how old are you that 39 is considered old and,if you're younger than me,why you driving an old duffer's car ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I can't understand why Audi are still fitting damn tape players into their Symphony II unit.. Surely a better bet would be to retain the cup holder or add a DAB unit to it??????
What you guys think?

[/ QUOTE ]

Some strange people like tape players as they can plug an adaptor for something called an 'IPOD' into them - doesn't make sense to me though; definately sticking to my LP's...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Out of interest,how old are you that 39 is considered old and,if you're younger than me,why you driving an old duffer's car ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I am younger than you (by almost 10 years)
I don't drive an Audi, i drive a MK V GTI... i just like to come by here sometimes to make myself feel better /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I can't understand why Audi are still fitting damn tape players into their Symphony II unit.. Surely a better bet would be to retain the cup holder or add a DAB unit to it??????
What you guys think?

[/ QUOTE ]

Some strange people like tape players as they can plug an adaptor for something called an 'IPOD' into them - doesn't make sense to me
though; definately sticking to my LP's...

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't get me started on I-PODS in cars.

It's against the law to use a phone in a car,because of the 'distraction-factor',yet it's not against the law to have music blaring directly into your ears ?

Every morning I see people driving with the tell-tale white wires coming out of their ears.

Most of the cars concerned are equipped with perfectly decent stereos too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/noidea.gif
 
They are not wires, it their brains dribbling out...
 
[ QUOTE ]
They are not wires, it their brains dribbling out...

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice one!!

Do they have DAB in Europe? if not, that may explain why they don't do a DAB option on the Audi's (or BMW)

They have satellite radio in the US instead of DAB (I suppose they'd need too many masts to cover the US!!)
 
I've been using a Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB54 for 6 months now in our A4 Avant. It was £299 including the Blaupunkt aerial which just sticks to the windscreen. I hate driving our other car now as DAB is just so much better. The Woodstock also plays mp3 CD's and has an SD card slot as well which you can record onto from the radio or play mp3's from.
The only disappointment is that it only has front & rear pre-outs. It claims to have a sub pre-out but no obvious way of fading the sub independently of the front & rears, but I can live with that.
It's also a straight plug & play with the Audi wiring (not that I'm using any of that crap).
 
What do you listen to on DAB? I can't stand the waffle of the dull DJs and adverts - I just want music. Whats reception like on them as my parents have one in their house and its /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/swear.gif you can only get about dozen stations
 
Its superb CD quality audio and there are so many specialist stations only available on DAB.

I've got a TEAC reference DAB at home - it's actually better than the CD player and about 80+ stations.

I really miss not having one in the car.
 
audi upgrades
Reception is actually better in a car as you're more likely to be in an open area like a motorway. I get occasional 10 second dead zones when you're in a dip somewhere but it's quite rare on motorways. There are so many channels you can just keep switching till you find something you like, and apart from music there is some good comedy on BBC7 and some good stuff on talksport.
 
Ive been using a Blaupunkt woodstock DAB 52 for several years now and transfered it to my A4 in september i really cant live without my BBC6 music but even so ive put a Blaupunkt Ipod adapter on it and have access to all my songs on my Nano which is safely stored in my glovebox. My only problem is that the unit is getting old now and i would like a nice replacement but the selection of all in one DAB headunits is thin and DAB add on boxes for after-market stereos are excessively expensive.
 
So if you buy a DAB, does anything need to be added to the exterior of the car which might look ugly?
 
What apart from the 3 twelve foot whip aerials & the satellite dish?

Sorry, no the DAB aerial is just a tiny little box that sticks to the inside of the windscreen with a single very thin element like your rear demister
 
[ QUOTE ]
What apart from the 3 twelve foot whip aerials & the satellite dish?

Sorry, no the DAB aerial is just a tiny little box that sticks to the inside of the windscreen with a single very thin element like your rear demister

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats not so bad then! I might need to start shopping around for a good DAB stereo then.

Cheers!
 
But as Willod said there are very few all in one units, most provide an add on box, so you have to buy a DAB ready HU + the seperate DAB tuner=expensive.
The Balupunkt unit does everything and is only £299 including the aerial.
 
Best one ive seen all in one (and believe me because i work with HU) is the Blaupunkt DAB 54 but thats a couple of years old and Blaupunkts product launch for the year is this week so im waiting and seeing.

Other wise you can add DAB to....
JVC with changer controls £150
Pioneer with changer controls £300
Kenwood with changer controls £300
Alpine but they have discontinued the add on box £500

There are all in one units from Blaupunkt, Sony and JVC

and the is of course the cheap crappy REVO unless you really cant change you HU avoid this one.
 
Looks like I might need to wait until after its had its first service then. Need to start saving the pennies haha!
 
I'm looking to switch to a DAB tuner in about three months time. Like Stevethejambo, I've got to get some pennies together for it.

I'd pretty much made up my mind to get the Blaupunkt Woodstook 54, with the appropriate iPod link. But if they're launching new models any time, it could be that I'll end up with a newer version.
 
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