My only issue with my S3 is...

Mr.G

Mr.G

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The Audi standard hi if is absolutely terrible, I'm in a conundrum about what j should do about it.

I came from a B&O system to this, I didn't have a choice to specify it as the S3 was from stock, not an order car.

What have others done? I know one person here has added an Audi Subwoofer into a standard car but does that make a big enough difference.

I'm far far from the Scene of modified head unit and 12" subs in the boot so really want to have the "part of the car look".

I'm disappointed and while the car is amazing, I love driving it, I'm left with a want for something like I had previously. I don't want to retro fit too much so a small couple of changes would be great if anyone knows of had any good ideas. I don't want to tear the panels off and make it rattle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I'll offer free detailing advice (or help if local) in return if anyone has a need for any.

Thanks

G
 
Mr.G said:
The Audi standard hi if is absolutely terrible, I'm in a conundrum about what j should do about it.

I came from a B&O system to this, I didn't have a choice to specify it as the S3 was from stock, not an order car.

What have others done? I know one person here has added an Audi Subwoofer into a standard car but does that make a big enough difference.

I'm far far from the Scene of modified head unit and 12" subs in the boot so really want to have the "part of the car look".

I'm disappointed and while the car is amazing, I love driving it, I'm left with a want for something like I had previously. I don't want to retro fit too much so a small couple of changes would be great if anyone knows of had any good ideas. I don't want to tear the panels off and make it rattle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I'll offer free detailing advice (or help if local) in return if anyone has a need for any.

Thanks

G
Click to expand...
Don't know if it helps you but I have noticed a chap on the 'Bay' who is selling A pair of A3 8V Bang and Olufsun speakers for£15.00 each....
 
Not sure what difference they'd make on their own though without the rest of the 'kit'
 
audi upgrades
Yep you'd also need the amps to beef up the clarity. I know how you feel though I lived without it for some time and ended listening to talk radio.
 
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I have absolutely no problem with the standard hi-fi, payed with the settings a bit and not to bad IMO for what it is. Haven't had B&O bad did have Hardon Karmon in one of my previous BMW's and considered them a complete waste of money in all honesty. Yes the standard system could do with a bit more bass, but then I didn't buy my S3 to listen to the stereo.

Changing the speakers and amps won't do much anyway, as the wiring to the speakers is cheap and cheerful wire any case, so first thing I'd do is replace all the standard speaker wiring with some decent wire if I wanted good sounds.
 
I agree entirely Mr. G. It's appalling and the worst part of the car. You're not going to be able to avoid ripping the car apart, but I did get a quote on a micro amp that fits in line with the existing head unit. You still need a bass speaker and replace the standard speakers as they are made out of cereal boxes. The quote I got was around £1200 fitted and they needed the car for 3 days. The resulting look (and MMI features etc) was completely standard and I was assured the sound quality would be amazing. I'm putting up with the old transistor radio quality for now but I'll probably splash the cash soon.
 
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HawkeyeS3 said:
I have absolutely no problem with the standard hi-fi, payed with the settings a bit and not to bad IMO for what it is. Haven't had B&O bad did have Hardon Karmon in one of my previous BMW's and considered them a complete waste of money in all honesty. Yes the standard system could do with a bit more bass, but then I didn't buy my S3 to listen to the stereo.

Changing the speakers and amps won't do much anyway, as the wiring to the speakers is cheap and cheerful wire any case, so first thing I'd do is replace all the standard speaker wiring with some decent wire if I wanted good sounds.
Click to expand...

I agree, the standard audio is fine. Unless you need everyone else in the road to hear - then it certainly lacks any thumping bass.
 
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I didn't expect it to have any thumping bass, otherwise I would have upgraded, but I did expect the sound quality to be better than it is at normal volumes. Radio is fine, but anything that you expect to be reasonable quality sounds dreadful, especially if you want to turn up the volume a bit. I'm not talking about anything people would hear out of the car, just a bit above normal when your favourite track comes on. This has been discussed before and tends to get the kind of reaction that stronic vs manual does, mouth foaming. But I genuinely hate the standard stereo and think it's an insult in a car costing upwards of £30k.
 
See, that's the problem. ;)

A S3/RS3 is fundamentally the same a car as a 1.2 TFSI A3, with the vast majority of the bits carried over, save for a larger engine and different suspension. And some go-faster plastic body kit bits :p
 
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veeeight said:
See, that's the problem. ;)

A S3 is fundamentally the same a car as a 1.2 TFSI A3, with the vast majority of the bits carried over, save for a larger engine and different suspension. And some go-faster plastic body kit bits :p
Click to expand...

You have hit the nail on the head sir. I'm off to buy a Porsche.
 
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My test drive car had the standard system and agree absolutely awful.
Think mum's mini standard system was better.

Even at low volumes the clarity was extremely poor. Turned it up a little and it got even worse.

*** should be standard in S-Line/S3.

As I'm really into my music B&O was always going to be specced and I think for the price it's really good value. Better than my home system and now love listening to music in my car.
 
pburv said:
Don't know if it helps you but I have noticed a chap on the 'Bay' who is selling A pair of A3 8V Bang and Olufsun speakers for£15.00 each....
Click to expand...

Hmm, if its the ones Ive seen, they are listed as B and O speakers but the pics are standard speakers.....
 
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The_Ironist said:
My test drive car had the standard system and agree absolutely awful.
Think mum's mini standard system was better.

Even at low volumes the clarity was extremely poor. Turned it up a little and it got even worse.

*** should be standard in S-Line/S3.

As I'm really into my music B&O was always going to be specced and I think for the price it's really good value. Better than my home system and now love listening to music in my car.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more! When paying upwards of £30k you should get a better sound system standard.

Bit of a joke as most people think highly of sound systems, i love music and im a drummer too so the b&o meant my budget has been pushed out but its worth it over what i've heard from the standard system.
@Mr.G i hope you get it sorted mate!
 
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All about expectations of course. I was expecting the standard system to sound horrible but it's not too bad. I love music but would rather listen to it on Bose at home or through a decent set of 'phones.

Where the standard system is shockingly bad is at higher volumes or when there is a lot of ambient/road noise - it gets drowned out very easily.
 
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On a similar note, does anyone know where the subwoofer is on a saloon with B&O? Someone online mentioned the parcel shelf but I wasn't sure

Dealer thought it was in spare wheel but it seems that is for hatch and SB only
 
Comparing BMW HK with Audi B&O systems is like comparing night with day.

The B&O is most certainly worth the money and the sound quality is excellent, I wouldn't buy any Audi without it.
 
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I've fitted the audi subwoofer to my system and amplified the front two speakers and its improved quite alot, I have a thread somewhere where i installed this. As I am getting an S3 with the b&o system, I wouldn't mind selling you my current setup (pm me). cheers
 
@ All thank you for all the advice and opinions. I think i'll be ordering some speakers soon, possibly higher gauge wiring to go with. I'll let you know how I get on.

@ Rajeevx5 I've written on your profile...let me know mate.

G
 
The subwoofer is attached on the rear parcel shelf on the saloon.
 
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