Just wondering how good the standard sound system is in the new A3, and whether it's worth getting the Audi sound system upgrade? Obviously having a separate sub will give better bass, but has anyone had a chance to do a back to back comparison to see how much of an improvement there is in the other speakers and the overall sound?The B&O is too expensive for me, but I could stretch to Audi sound system if it's a big improvement over the standard fit.Thanks in advance for any thoughts/experiences!
Standard audio vs Audi sound system
- Thread starter AJB
- Start date
Less than £250? I'm not too fussed about that personally (don't know about AJB) - I'm just interested in the difference between the 2 if anyone knows
Last edited:
having a not having a sub already makes a big difference IMO. The Audi sound system also incorporates a central speaker in front-center of the car. I think it's worth upgrading to the Audi Sound System. You're buying a premium car with a flat and boring sound system? Nahm i would get minimum the Audi sound system upgrade 
having a not having a sub already makes a big difference IMO. The Audi sound system also incorporates a central speaker in front-center of the car. I think it's worth upgrading to the Audi Sound System. You're buying a premium car with a flat and boring sound system? Nahm i would get minimum the Audi sound system upgrade
Thanks for the reply! Is that based on having listened to them, or on the spec in the brochure? I completely agree that I don't want a flat sound system, and I'd happily pay £250 to turn a flat one into a good one. But, I don't need thumping bass and if the 8 speakers in the standard system are of similar quality to (or even exactly the same as) the Audi sound system ones then I don't think I'd gain much for my money. I know it gets a centre speaker too, but I think quality counts a lot more than quantity for loudspeakers!
(Yours looks very well specced by the way!)
Personally I think the standard spec is quiet good. Haven't hear the audi sound system yet but happy with the standard one. In fact, there is a centre speaker in the middle of the dash close to the windscreen for the standard one.
I was under the impression the speaker grill on the dash is there on all versions, but they only put a speaker in it for the Audi Sound System and the B&O.
Another vote for the standard system here. I have found it gives excellent sound quality, provided the bass control is turned up a few notches in order to give a natural tonal balance. I had the Bose system in my 8P A3, and frankly I don't miss it.
My understanding is that the standard and upgraded sound systems are largely the same, with 4 x 20W for the main speakers (passive split to the tweeters) in both cases. The upgraded system gets a 20W centre speaker and 80W subwoofer, so 6 rather than 4 amplifiers.
My understanding is that the standard and upgraded sound systems are largely the same, with 4 x 20W for the main speakers (passive split to the tweeters) in both cases. The upgraded system gets a 20W centre speaker and 80W subwoofer, so 6 rather than 4 amplifiers.
I have the upgraded Audi system, which i think is great. It has a really nice depth to it when you turn up the bass a bit.
Unfortunately though I can't answer your q re the difference between both, as I only briefly heard the std system in the dealership. I'm sure it's great too, but I felt that as I couldn't really stretch to the bose, then the upgrade was best option.
Unfortunately though I can't answer your q re the difference between both, as I only briefly heard the std system in the dealership. I'm sure it's great too, but I felt that as I couldn't really stretch to the bose, then the upgrade was best option.
Even if you could, would you really put your warranty in jeopardy by retrofitting aftermarket audio to a brand new car? You might get away with it but, should you have any problems with anything electrical (of which there's a shedload in the A3) and Audi would take one look at your aftermarket sound system and be well within their rights to tell you to take a hike.
get the audi sound system!
i think its reasonable priced and personally i dont want to mess with after market solutions , cables and removing car parts will always leave some kind of mark on your car.
i think its reasonable priced and personally i dont want to mess with after market solutions , cables and removing car parts will always leave some kind of mark on your car.
I've only listened to the Audi system sound, not the standard, so can't really compare sorry. I think the best you could do is try to listen to both audio systems and compare by yourself. Every person has it's hearing, so what could be flat for me can be good enough for you, or viceversa. As I said, IMO, and based on my assumption, having bass and not having makes a big difference. And I'm not talking about loudness, in fact I'm talking about quality. The bass will give you the low frequency sounds, something you would lose without them. The sound will be more complete...
Thanks
number3
Registered User
no no no , that's where my woofer is!!!! Lol I'd thought I'd say before you or vertigo did
I have an Audi A3 S-Line 8V with the standard system and previously had an A4 which comes with the Audi Sound System (bass speaker etc.) as standard. I would defiantly recommend the upgrade as I do miss the quality of the system in the A4. I find the standard system in the A3 rather disappointing in comparison and wish I had upgraded. It also seems to have some sort of volume limiter in place which is annoying. You will find that although you turn the volume up, it does not actually get louder depending on what sort of music is playing.
Defiantly spend the extra money on the upgrade.
Defiantly spend the extra money on the upgrade.
97catalunya
Registered User
I had a quick listen to the standard sound system in the A3 and found it very, well.... "standard" it didn't offend me like banging a saucepan with a wooden spoon, but didn't inspire me and left me bored.
Coming from a background selling and installing home cinema equipment wanted to try the B&O..... I was blown away, it sounded great, it's not just about bass, it is very wide well balanced and full sound. The only car they had with B&O to listen to was an A5, I did my homework thinking they prob just demo'd me a £1500 upgrade but its actually got less power, only 500W not the 700W of the A3!!
But like Miketrix said everyone's taste in sound is different (some people like Brussel Sprouts some don't) and yes you could get a custom system installed but I don't think you could better it for £700 and certainly not as neatly integrated into the car and the MMI.
Oh and the lights on the speakers look pimp
Coming from a background selling and installing home cinema equipment wanted to try the B&O..... I was blown away, it sounded great, it's not just about bass, it is very wide well balanced and full sound. The only car they had with B&O to listen to was an A5, I did my homework thinking they prob just demo'd me a £1500 upgrade but its actually got less power, only 500W not the 700W of the A3!!
But like Miketrix said everyone's taste in sound is different (some people like Brussel Sprouts some don't) and yes you could get a custom system installed but I don't think you could better it for £700 and certainly not as neatly integrated into the car and the MMI.
Oh and the lights on the speakers look pimp
grantDUBshaw
Registered User
I have the a3 8p s-line with the subwoofer in the boot etc.. Ordered my a3 8v on Saturday and never thought about Audio till I had a look on here.. Not realising that you don't get the subwoofer as standard so I popped up to audi today and had a listen to a standard system and I found it nowhere near as good as mine and knew if I was to keep for 3 years then I had to upgrade the system
So I did amended my order and added on audi sound system, I haven't heard this yet but have heard its apparently up to standards with Bose. The speakers were good but in the standard system but just needs a subwoofer to take some bass off the speakers to make it more clear!
So I did
amended my order and added on audi sound system, I haven't heard this yet but have heard its apparently up to standards with Bose. The speakers were good but in the standard system but just needs a subwoofer to take some bass off the speakers to make it more clear!
number3
Registered User
Have noticed this also!! Though I'm happy with the standard set up, miles better than the system in the BMW, just feel like I need an extra notch sometimes !!! ..... These go to eleven!!!! Lol
Heard the standard, Audi, & B&O when ordering mine. Def get the Audi, well worth the £250. B&O nice but too much £££
number3
Registered User
Just a little update on this, Iâve mentioned before in another thread i think, that my brotherin-law picked up a new A4 allroad with B&O upgrade. Was out in his car for most of Sunday last weekend and found that for normal listening , my standard setup sounded so much better, richer and clearer.
Canât compete with how loud it can go but generally speaking â¦just better.lol
I think Audi have really upgraded the system well in all the trim levels, so I donât think you would be disappointed with any spec of system.
Canât compete with how loud it can go but generally speaking â¦just better.lol
I think Audi have really upgraded the system well in all the trim levels, so I donât think you would be disappointed with any spec of system.
The standard system is pretty decent for what it is.
If you turn the bass up, the highest volume will be cut down to stop the system damaging itself. Lower the bass you'll get more volume but obviously no bass.
The clarity of the standard system is great in my eyes, pretty impressive for being fairly simple.
Id of loved the *** or b&o but I'm going for a custom install soon anyway
If you turn the bass up, the highest volume will be cut down to stop the system damaging itself. Lower the bass you'll get more volume but obviously no bass.
The clarity of the standard system is great in my eyes, pretty impressive for being fairly simple.
Id of loved the *** or b&o but I'm going for a custom install soon anyway
Got the *** in my S3. It's utterly awful. I thought it would be on a par with the BOSE I had in my TT's, it isn't. B&O is a no brainer, sadly I thought Sod that for the price Audi wanted to charge me when I ordered the car and now I regret that decision. Take it from me, the *** is pants.
Its not really, just not as good as YOU presumed it would be.
Psyman79
Sarcasm is hard on a forum ;)
The S3 demo i borrowed from Aberdeen Audi had the *** upgrade and i thought it was pretty good.
The main reason i opted for the B&O was that i never thought the wife would actually let me get an S3 so wanted to spec it up as much as possible so she knew the figures before making her decision. If it hadn't been the S3 it would've been the Leon Cupra with its upgraded sound which i'm guessing is the same as ***. Can't say i would been unhappy after having a demo of that too
The main reason i opted for the B&O was that i never thought the wife would actually let me get an S3 so wanted to spec it up as much as possible so she knew the figures before making her decision. If it hadn't been the S3 it would've been the Leon Cupra with its upgraded sound which i'm guessing is the same as ***. Can't say i would been unhappy after having a demo of that too
Abrown
Registered User
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2015
- Messages
- 117
- Reaction score
- 9
- Points
- 18
B&O is also £500 more then *** so I wouldn't doubt for one second it's going to be a lot better. I would of just thought it would still be a nice step up from standard? Specially with a woofer to add more depth and more speakers
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2015
- Messages
- 4,323
- Reaction score
- 10,315
- Points
- 113
You don't like your S3 Mark, we get it we really do. We heard you loud and clear on other threads running down various aspects of the car you don't like which is fine, it's only your opinion after all
.....but I have to say suggesting the audio sound system is utterly awful is just plain rediculous and misleading for others who are considering speccing it.
I'm reasonably fussy about audio and to me it sounds great for the price. But don't take my word for it, try it out
(and Mark, *** just get that bleedin RS3 and stop trying to make everyone else feel like they've made all the silly mistakes you have!!)
All down to what you are looking for in a car, or an audio system really and why anyone would think that the *** would be on par with the Bose system obviously doesn't understand the different specs and why audi have the three different setups avaliable to order. Its all about choice...
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2015
- Messages
- 280
- Reaction score
- 188
- Points
- 43
I have *** in my S3 and think its excellent.. If you really think its "utterly awful", you need to spend some time adjusting the settings. The loudness of B&O is overkill other than for the showing off factor.
Agree with @Simon L and @cuke2u in that *** is a good system. It is subjective so one persons's good is someone else's ok, but I don't see how it can be regarded as 'awful'. Ultimately you have to try the options out for yourself and decide.
I like my music and *** is plenty for me.. It can be played louder without distortion than is comfortable for my ears to handle. B&O is undoubtedly better (apart from the crackles) but it was more than I needed.
I like my music and *** is plenty for me.. It can be played louder without distortion than is comfortable for my ears to handle. B&O is undoubtedly better (apart from the crackles) but it was more than I needed.
Zache
Registered User
I tell you what I've had my car now two weeks nearly and I'm completely impressed with the standard unit and I'm glad I didn't spend xtra on the upgrades , maybe if I had Bose or BaO b4 hand I would notice the difference , completely happy with it .
*** in my S3 is good enough for me (51yo ears). I'm noticing more of a difference in the audio source than the weakness in the sound system - SirusXM vs Bluetooth vs FM radio for instance. B&O was part of a $3,500 upgrade package - easy for me to skip, and I was coming from a base Honda Fit/Jazz radio. I'm more disappointed in the lack of Android/Spotify integration - although at least we can skip forward/back now. I'm sure B&O sounds fantastic.
Everyone who has been in my car with the standard system has been impressed for what it is. Don't get me wrong it has its flaws but I imagine it will be good enough for most.
For me it's not that the standard system is bad, I just want more. Will sort that out soon enough
For me it's not that the standard system is bad, I just want more. Will sort that out soon enough
I've found the standard system OK as well. Not great, but OK. It struggles with deeper bass levels (i.e. rumbling bass) and will probably distort if you turn it up too loud. But apart from that it does the job. I ALWAYS listen to music when I drive and the standard system is one of the better standard car audio systems out there...especially in the A3 class range.
In hindsight I would've gone for at least ***.
