Audi sound system bass "upgrade"

[kpm278]

I posted this in A3 section but no love so will try here:

I’ve recently installed the factory sub and centre channel in my standard sound system. Have found it a bit wanting, mainly with the sub. It doesn’t carry a bass note very well. It punches fine, enough for my needs, but unless the song is bass heavy, it’s a bit lacking. Also find myself fiddling the settings from song to song to get the best out of it. Modern songs are clear and full, but older it’s almost like I don’t have any bass.

Is this because the speakers are factory; or

the mmi is powering 10 speakers and I should get an amp for the sub; or

I need a dsp to improve the sound?

For comparison the sound I get from a pair of sonos play ones, all my music sounds great.

Thanks

 

[leonwilliams]

I posted this in A3 section but no love so will try here:

I’ve recently installed the factory sub and centre channel in my standard sound system. Have found it a bit wanting, mainly with the sub. It doesn’t carry a bass note very well. It punches fine, enough for my needs, but unless the song is bass heavy, it’s a bit lacking. Also find myself fiddling the settings from song to song to get the best out of it. Modern songs are clear and full, but older it’s almost like I don’t have any bass.

Is this because the speakers are factory; or

the mmi is powering 10 speakers and I should get an amp for the sub; or

I need a dsp to improve the sound?

For comparison the sound I get from a pair of sonos play ones, all my music sounds great.

Thanks

Do what I did went android. Added amp and sub alongside Mr existing system which is none bose. Now my system is awesome.

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[kpm278]

Should add I have an 8v with MMI, looking to keep that bit standard. Is the amp the bottleneck in the standard setup?

 

[leonwilliams]

Should add I have an 8v with MMI, looking to keep that bit standard. Is the amp the bottleneck in the standard setup?

Yeah. It was lacking that kick . Like I said it's jbl 12" sub and amp cost me £35 wireing free off mate took me about 2hours all done.

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[kpm278]

Ok, I'm tempted to get an amp and wire it into the standard sub and see what happens....

 

[leonwilliams]

Ok, I'm tempted to get an amp and wire it into the standard sub and see what happens....

Dont think that will work mate. It's different configuration . Is yours none bose

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[kpm278]

yes, none b&o. its the 10 speaker audi sound system. i don't know what outputs are on the back of the mmi - i doubt it has rca's.

can i connect head unit > sub speaker wire > amp > speaker wire > sub?

 

[leonwilliams]

yes, none b&o. its the 10 speaker audi sound system. i don't know what outputs are on the back of the mmi - i doubt it has rca's.

can i connect head unit > sub speaker wire > amp > speaker wire > sub?

Ok you possibly need to pull head unit out see what outputs it has. If it's got rca's it's all good just case of running remote to switch amp on. Then your gonna have to run power from battery to amp. If you look through my posts

I'm sure I did a write up of my install. There's others guys on here that have other ways of sorting. I had a concert11 head unit. Thata why I went android.

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[kpm278]

did a bit more reading, i think i just need to convert the speaker wires to rca's a la

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/acc...line-level-converter-including-remote-turn-on

or given that i'm using the dedicated sub channel on the head unit i could get away without a high/low level adjustment

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/acc...sgate-rfi2sw-speaker-line-to-male-rca-adapter

then a small amp and run the power/sensor/ground cables

 

[leonwilliams]

did a bit more reading, i think i just need to convert the speaker wires to rca's a la

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/acc...line-level-converter-including-remote-turn-on

or given that i'm using the dedicated sub channel on the head unit i could get away without a high/low level adjustment

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/acc...sgate-rfi2sw-speaker-line-to-male-rca-adapter

then a small amp and run the power/sensor/ground cables

Yeah thata a better plan mate. See how it goes at least you got option of bigger amp if needed. Where you based ?

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[teamspb]

Thats one way you can do it, or these days, brands such as Gladen Audio, Helix, Zapco, allow speaker level inputs and will also have autosensing meaning they will switch on and off with the headunit rather than having to find a switched ignition lead or a remote output from the headunit

Also, you will not need to use a huge size subwoofer, the RIGHT 8inch/10inch subwoofer will provide lots of bass especially if you have stock door speakers

If you need any help, please feel free to give me a shout

In our own Audi, we will be using the standard headunit MMI system (Audi 8V Saloon 2015), integrating into it, using Zapco amps with in built DSP, unsure of what front speakers yet, and using an Adire Audio Tempest subwoofer which will be mounted to the rear shelf with no box (infinite baffle installation)

Once we get round to building it, I will put up a build thread

 

[PGunter]

One thing to consider. From an acoustic view point. Excuse the tech jargon..

Speakers are set up with crossover points for frequencies. Most cars will only use the sub to add to the lower end of the spectrum. Most music from the 90’s was around 63hz— 80hz on the lower end. Modern dance and drum n bass are around 40hz— 63hz with a sweet spot of about 50hz. Your standard equipment can handle the 50hz but lower and it’s just not worth it. Adding a larger cone, such as a 12” sub will get you down lower to 25hz— 40hz if set up right.

So powering different speakers from the head units needs setting up of the crossovers. If you have say a 6” speaker with separate tweeters you might be lucky to get a good 63hz bass. But lower without the head unit being set up even if it has a sub bass output would sound just.. well dead..

So what you need to consider.

Headunit where you can do a pro set up and move the crossover points to see what the sweet spot is on your sub. Also try to get your midrange sounding good too as too much tweeter sounds like a 80’s radio. The android will be amore modern unit set up to take advantage of the modern speakers and lower bass end. The standard units when shipped with some earlier cars would not. Look at the frequency range when you buy speakers too. Not all are the same and you might be surprised at the sound you get out.

Don’t them blame the sub for sounding rubbish just yet. As if it’s not set right it will not be getting the signal it needs to actually give you that rich bass. Adding an amp would only amplify the lower quality signal not improve it.

Hope that helps you someway. Happy to chat on a pm if you need pointers.