S3 audi sound system no sub?

Bradks3

Bradks3

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Hi,
I'm new to the fourm but already looking for some advise.
I ordered my S3 Sportback last week and originally went for the B&O system, however I'm still a little undecided and have been playing around on the online configurator. I noticed that with the S3 and S3 sportback the Audi sound system now comes with 9 speakers, not 10, as it does with the A3. And no mention of a sub? And with a power output of 140w not 180w. Does the mean the system has no sub? Possibly due to the smaller boot due to the Quattro? If this is the case, I will definitely be opting for the B&O.
Can anybody shed any light on this? Thanks in advance.
 
I hope it does! Mine is due to be built this week and opted for the Audi sound system due to the subwoofer thats supposed to be where the spare wheel is. Surely they would have to inform anyone who ordered before the change?
 
I have *** and there is a sub in the spare wheel.

Not sure if this has changed now though.
 
I have the *** and it has a sub in the boot same as RYill has noted
 
Yeah I had one in my a1. However the following is taken from the configuator for an S3..
"Includes 9 speakers in total including centre speaker in the dashboard. 6-channel amplifier with a total output of 140 watts"

And for the A3..
"With 10 speakers including subwoofer (180 Watts)"

And what is also worrying is that there is no spdescription of the B&O for the S3 but is for the A3. Surely they wouldn't loose the sub on the £700+ B&O??
 
Think the Configurator is incorrect.

The December 2014 A3/S3 brochure notes the *** system has 10 speakers, sub in spare wheel and 180 watts.

B&O is 14 speakers, 705 watts and sub in spare wheel well.

Haven't seen or heard of a A3/S3 being any different to as described above.
 
Pulp84 said:
Think the Configurator is incorrect.

The December 2014 A3/S3 brochure notes the *** system has 10 speakers, sub in spare wheel and 180 watts.

B&O is 14 speakers, 705 watts and sub in spare wheel well.

Haven't seen or heard of a A3/S3 being any different to as described above.
Click to expand...
It's not like the configurator has been wrong before ;) By the way, on the saloon the sub is under the parcel shelf not in the spare wheel. Yes I know I am being pedantic...
 
OP has ordered the Sportback ;)
 
I hope it is incorrect. I'm sure when I looked last week it said 10 speakers and 180w. Why would they change it?
 
OP - not sure why your so hung up on the Configurator?

It's clearly an error. If it was to change it would be when the model year changes which is week 22
 
I don't think it is an error. It has changed on both models, and is specific saying 9 speakers and 140w. I will enquire at the dealers tomorrow and report my findings for anyone that is interested.
 
Why do you not think it's an error? You might be getting worked up over nothing here. The dealer will refer you to the brochure for sure.

MY15 cars have speaker set-ups as per the brochure and (if) it were to change it would happen from build week 22. That's how Audi / VAG work - spec changes don't happen overnight.
 
Just checked the current online brochure's for the A3/S3 Sportback (current December 2014 issue)

Page 66 showing the 10 speaker, 180w + sub for the ***

Wouldn't be the first time the UK configurator has had probs. It wasn't too long ago it was showing different lower grille sections on the S3 saloon which turned out to be a software prob on the config
 
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It just seems strange to change something that was apparently correct beforehand, and on two different S models. There was a similar problem with dab radio when I ordered my A1. All of a sudden dab was not available after being standard for some time. Loads of people ordered expecting dab but found they didn't have it when the car arrived! My self included. It also suddlenly went missing of the configuator.
Thanks for your input, I really hope your correct and it is a mistake. I'll certainly be making 100% sure before my order goes any further.
 
Yeah I suppose the latest brochure has to be the most reliable source to go by. Thanks
 
There's no logical reason why they'd remove the sub. There's also no space related issues as it sits completely within the spare wheel and is flush with it so whether it's there or not makes no difference to the space used.
 
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Just looked on the configurator, on all the A3 engines (including Quattro models) it states 10 speakers, 180W. On the S3 models it says 9 speakers 140W.

Seeing as there's no difference in boot space between a quattro A3 and an S3 its more than likely a mistake in the configurator. As said above, stick to the brochure, at least that's usually 75% correct ;)
 
My *** has a sub ... not that it matters as the sound quality is so damn poor. A mistake I won't be making again when I order an RS3. Get B&O ...
 
Pulp84 said:
OP has ordered the Sportback ;)
Click to expand...
I know that too, however if someone who was reading it had a saloon on order they will know to look under the parcel shelf and not think, because the sub isn't in the spare wheel, that the factory had forgotten to fit it. It's happened before...
 
Think I'll go with the B&O anyway. It's a bit worrying about the crackling that apparently affects some though..
 
I ordered a S3 sportback last week and there is definitely a sub with the Audi system. As you say I avoided B&O as lots of people still having crackling even after amps and mmi control modules replaced :/
 
Picked up my A3 Sportback S Line on Sunday with the *** fitted and after having a play today I think it sounds fantastic. Definitely got a sub in the spare wheel.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'm really torn between the two now. I had the *** on my A1 and thought it was great! But would hate to regret not getting the B&O later on. But this crackling thing is really bugging me, especially as I use Bluetooth streaming quite a lot. I hear it's can be particularly bad from a Bluetooth source. Can anyone with the B&O comment on this? I understand it has been discussed in previous threads, I just want to be as sure as I can be if I end up going with the £500 premium of the B&O. Over my original budget anyway really!!
 
Are you bothered by how loud it goes? Or can live with crackling?

Having had a chance to do a ABX comparison with Audi Sound System and B&O, the *** is a very good system, neutral (transparent), adequate volume levels, whilst the B&O has slight colouration (this can be EQ'd out), but offers much more power (volume). It is much louder than ***.

Unless the "surround" feature is turned off, the B&O has a vague stereo image.
 
veeeight said:
Are you bothered by how loud it goes? Or can live with crackling?

Having had a chance to do a ABX comparison with Audi Sound System and B&O, the *** is a very good system, neutral (transparent), adequate volume levels, whilst the B&O has slight colouration (this can be EQ'd out), but offers much more power (volume). It is much louder than ***.

Unless the "surround" feature is turned off, the B&O has a vague stereo image.
Click to expand...

I've seen you post this comment a few times (not a criticism BTW!) and I'm interested to see how you EQ out the colouration on the B&O, i.e. what settings you use?

I have the surround turned off but have between a few clicks of sub & bass added up to full sub for some music.
 
veeeight said:
Are you bothered by how loud it goes? Or can live with crackling?

Having had a chance to do a ABX comparison with Audi Sound System and B&O, the *** is a very good system, neutral (transparent), adequate volume levels, whilst the B&O has slight colouration (this can be EQ'd out), but offers much more power (volume). It is much louder than ***.

Unless the "surround" feature is turned off, the B&O has a vague stereo image.
Click to expand...

Thanks that helps a lot. I'm going to change back to the Audi system. Volume is not a big concern for me. A decent neutral sound will do me fine. I certianly could not live with crackling. Thanks again
 
a3_phil said:
I've seen you post this comment a few times (not a criticism BTW!) and I'm interested to see how you EQ out the colouration on the B&O, i.e. what settings you use?

I have the surround turned off but have between a few clicks of sub & bass added up to full sub for some music.
Click to expand...


I can't remember off the top of my head, but it was something like a 2 or 3 clicks of treble, 2 or 3 clicks of sub, and 1 or 2 of bass. Zero surround. L-R centre, but Fader slightly to the front. I haven't got a B&O car to hand to can't nip out to check.

One of the tracks I use is Daft Punk Get Lucky - music taste aside, it's one of the best produced albums in recent times, that gives a very wide dynamic range, and real depth that works the sub well:
http://productionadvice.co.uk/daft-punk-mastering/
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul13/articles/daft-punk.htm

It also helps that I have a couple of tracks that I recorded live - so I know how it went down onto the master, so can easily aim to reproduce this as closely as possible in the car ;)

Also - obviously - the LF eq will be different when the car is stationary, cf. the car moving. So if you've eq'd the sub correctly with "Get Lucky" - it will almost be too boomy with the car stationary, but correct on the move :)
 
Last edited:
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Trevolly said:
Picked up my A3 Sportback S Line on Sunday with the *** fitted and after having a play today I think it sounds fantastic. Definitely got a sub in the spare wheel.
Click to expand...

Daft question but do you still get a spare wheel with *** if the sub is where the spare wheel is ? any one got a pic of it ?
 
Yes, the sub sits inside of the spare wheel
 
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veeeight said:
One of the tracks I use is Daft Punk Get Lucky - music taste aside, it's one of the best produced albums in recent times
Click to expand...

Thought this track may be more of your taste V8! ;)

:p :laugh::laugh::laugh:



Joking aside, I will try the Daft Punk Get Lucky track in my S3 whenever I get it :thumbs up:
 
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Bristle Hound said:
Joking aside, I will try the Daft Punk Get Lucky track in my S3 whenever I get it :thumbs up:
Click to expand...


I expect at least 2 more colour changes and order cancellations before that happens :p

Obviously, make sure it's a WAV or other uncompressed version, not a compressed mp3 or AAC version.
 
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veeeight said:
I expect at least 2 more colour changes and order cancellations before that happens :p
Click to expand...
I must admit, I do rather like the glacier white S3 saloons & oh those RS4's are rather loverly too ;) :D

:undwech:
 
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@Bradks3 If u still want a picture of the wheel with sub in it I can take one tomorrow morning.
 
audi upgrades
With 9 speakers versus 10 speakers.

As I understand it, the difference is the centre speaker in the dash (the centre voice channel in terms of your TV sound surround)

Both have a sub in the boot.
 
I collected my A3 Sline with B&O on Sunday, no sub in the spare wheel well. I think it's built into the parcel shelf, there's one open back speaker there. The MMI has the sub adjustment option, and I can hear a difference when you turn up or down, so all sems to be working OK.
 
If its a Saloon @r6ymy then it will be attached to the base of the parcel shelf.
HB and SB are in the spare wheel ;)
 
audi upgrades
Thanks elpaulio, thought it was that, but panicked a bit when I first lifted the mat to find the spare wheel. At least I found it before ringing the dealer to complain!
 
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