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What is the sound quality like for a circa 1999 A6 sat nav system?
Are they all Bose or do I need to look out for a certain Sat Nav system over another when buying an A6.
On last thing, can you upgrade the software and play CDs while navigating?
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Go for the RNS-E, the DVD version unit, this will allow you to play MP3 using SD cards in the unit and will give you loads of info on the screen too. You can play cds in the unit but you need a changer or if you use the haed unit you can't than navigate. I have not bothered with a changer and the only time I put a cd in is if I want better quality than an MP3 can provide. Having said that it was only because MP3 can be a little harsh on the stock system.
I just changed the front speakers and was going to put a Genesis Profile 2 amp in as well, but so happy with the results I may not bother now. I wrote a small review on tyresmoke about the speakers, they are Rainbow SLC-265's, this is what I had to say about them......
Putting the mid driver in was really easy, these are designed to fit in the original spaces and have loads of holes pre drilled so it was just a case of mathing them up with the fixing points in the door panel and using the screws from the original speakers.
The crossover is not too deep and I just used some strong double sided sticky foam and stuck it just above the speaker.
The tweeters in the A6 are held in place with a metal clip, and the new ones fitted in perfectly.
If it had not been dark I reckon the whole thing could be done in 40mins to an hour, in the dark it took a little longer, nearer 2!
The crossover has 3 setting for the tweeter, -0db, -3db and -6db. I left it at -0db but I may set this to -3 and see how it compares. -6db is really only for when fitting them in the rear so you get full range in the back but it won't interfere with the front soundstage.
So how do they sound?
I better just say that I have already disconnected the rear tweeters, which gave a much better soundstage, just the rear mids work and the crappy sub, but is good enough for rear fill.
Well I listened to a Diana Krall track that I know well on my home setup before putting the speakers in and it sounded OK, listenable but a bit too shrill and nasal sounding, and no weigtht to the double bass at all.
I then listened to the same track again with the new speakers in. First thing I noticed was how clean her voice was, no longer sounded like she had a cold, the bass came in and it had proper weight to it, and not only that you could actually hear when the notes changed properly. Then when the percussion kicks in the soundstage just opens up, although these tweeters are smooth there is so much more detail there it is amazing.
The standard speakers start to drop off around 80Hz, these things start to drop off around the 50Hz mark, so a much fuller sound altogether.
I tried a variety of tracks from The Zutons, James Zabelia, Sasha, Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum, Bowie, Einaudi and then the radio, they all sounded great in fact the radio sounded excellent with studio chat, you can really tell if a speaker is good when people are just talking and when you hear applause it either sounds right or wrong, these do a pretty good job.
To be honest I am so pleased with the sound as it is at the moment that I may not bother adding an amp. For just over £150 I am really pleased with the results.
