HOW TO IMPROVE STOCK RNS510 SOUND?

[993BOY]

I've got the RNS510 (early model) fitted and must admit it is better than an RCD300, but quite disappointing compared to the standard unit in my MK7
Come to think of it, the RNS315 in the Yeti sounds better too!!

It just seems to lack any base and the fidelity isn't that hot either!

Just wondering whether there are any VW/Audi parts out of the common bit than are a simple plug & play to improve matters?

Maybe new speakers, tweeters and a sub under the seat or something??

Don't really want anything that is obviously different like a sub box in the boot, but up for any refined improvement that looks OEM?

Your guidance would be much appreciated 

[slix]

Main thing is change the crappy door speakers as they are the paper type. Maybe rear doors ones too.

Also as a quick fix have you played around with the tone button? Can adjust treble and bass etc and change the area of sound forward back left right etc.

[993BOY]

Excellent, any recommendations on the make/type of speakers? I have a 3 door, so none in the rear doors, but guessing in the side panels in the rear?
I presume that I can get speakers that are the correct size and designed as replacements?

Is it also worth considering some stick on sound proofing to the doors as I will be in there?

Tone adjustments have improved things a bit, but not enough for me to be happy :-(

[white91]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[slix]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My fronts rattle on big bass tones, so need to take to door card off to investigate.

If that's the case maybe try fitting an amp under the seat maybe. Give them a bit of a boost in power.

[993BOY]

Didn't realise they are only 20w  ..........and this is supposedly the best factory fitted system for the MK5!!!!

Is there a small amp that I could get to improve this without it being over complicated? don't mind replacing the speakers if they are a straight swap with no hassle, they are cheap enough.

[flashp]

I had an RNS510, as a unit I thought it was quite poor. CD's were at best only OK, compressed audio from the SD card was terrible, tuner was OK. The navigation was very dated and legitimate maps stupidly expensive.
OE equipment does look good granted but a great performer this unit isn't sad to say.

[993BOY]

Like you say, it does look good, such a shame that it doesn't perform that well :-((

[FJ1000]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

THIS.

Amp first.

The biggest improvement will come from adding an amplifier so that the speakers are getting a clean signal at higher volume. Try it and I bet you'd be surprised how well standard golf speakers can perform.

My audio installer rates the mk4 golf and mk5 golf speakers highly, better in his opinion than the Bose that were in my other car.

Also consider disconnecting the rear speakers altogether. You don't need them. When you listen to a hifi or go to a concert, you have the music soundstage in front of you. The rear speakers are not needed in a small car.

In my mk4 golf, I ran a pioneer HU, OEM front speakers, disconnected rears, a 12" JL W6 in a custom box, all powered by a pair of genesis amps...sounded great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[993BOY]

Any suggestions on a simple small amp?

[GTIEagles]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

THIS.

Amp first.

The biggest improvement will come from adding an amplifier so that the speakers are getting a clean signal at higher volume. Try it and I bet you'd be surprised how well standard golf speakers can perform.

My audio installer rates the mk4 golf and mk5 golf speakers highly, better in his opinion than the Bose that were in my other car.

Also consider disconnecting the rear speakers altogether. You don't need them. When you listen to a hifi or go to a concert, you have the music soundstage in front of you. The rear speakers are not needed in a small car.

In my mk4 golf, I ran a pioneer HU, OEM front speakers, disconnected rears, a 12" JL W6 in a custom box, all powered by a pair of genesis amps...sounded great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ahh Genesis amps, probably the best money can buy, just a shame the company folded now. I had a Genesis Series 3 4CH amp connected to Focal speakers and sub in my old Corrado and couldn't fault it. I seriously regret getting rid of it now. When you have had a decent sound system in a car it really highlights how rubbish the system is in the Golf!

[golfmck1980]

Thats what i want to do nxt is a headunit change and improve the sound cant live with this rcd300 much longer

[pudding]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

THIS.

Amp first.

The biggest improvement will come from adding an amplifier so that the speakers are getting a clean signal at higher volume. Try it and I bet you'd be surprised how well standard golf speakers can perform.

My audio installer rates the mk4 golf and mk5 golf speakers highly, better in his opinion than the Bose that were in my other car.

Also consider disconnecting the rear speakers altogether. You don't need them. When you listen to a hifi or go to a concert, you have the music soundstage in front of you. The rear speakers are not needed in a small car.

In my mk4 golf, I ran a pioneer HU, OEM front speakers, disconnected rears, a 12" JL W6 in a custom box, all powered by a pair of genesis amps...sounded great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ahh Genesis amps, probably the best money can buy, just a shame the company folded now. I had a Genesis Series 3 4CH amp connected to Focal speakers and sub in my old Corrado and couldn't fault it. I seriously regret getting rid of it now. When you have had a decent sound system in a car it really highlights how rubbish the system is in the Golf!

Hmmmmm, yeah I had a pair of Series 3 Dual Monos, Seas Lotus speakers and some sub I can't remember the make of now.....also in a Corrado, with Audioscape door pods.  They were the days.  Regret selling my DMs as well 

The RNS 510 sounds boomy and muddy in the bass, there's no depth at all in the 40-60hz region, it's all tuned for 100hz.  I don't like any of the aftermarket units except the crazy money ones.

Anything comparable to Genesis for amps these days?  I can see myself getting back into all this!

[GTIEagles]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

THIS.

Amp first.

The biggest improvement will come from adding an amplifier so that the speakers are getting a clean signal at higher volume. Try it and I bet you'd be surprised how well standard golf speakers can perform.

My audio installer rates the mk4 golf and mk5 golf speakers highly, better in his opinion than the Bose that were in my other car.

Also consider disconnecting the rear speakers altogether. You don't need them. When you listen to a hifi or go to a concert, you have the music soundstage in front of you. The rear speakers are not needed in a small car.

In my mk4 golf, I ran a pioneer HU, OEM front speakers, disconnected rears, a 12" JL W6 in a custom box, all powered by a pair of genesis amps...sounded great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ahh Genesis amps, probably the best money can buy, just a shame the company folded now. I had a Genesis Series 3 4CH amp connected to Focal speakers and sub in my old Corrado and couldn't fault it. I seriously regret getting rid of it now. When you have had a decent sound system in a car it really highlights how rubbish the system is in the Golf!

Hmmmmm, yeah I had a pair of Series 3 Dual Monos, Seas Lotus speakers and some sub I can't remember the make of now.....also in a Corrado, with Audioscape door pods.  They were the days.  Regret selling my DMs as well 

The RNS 510 sounds boomy and muddy in the bass, there's no depth at all in the 40-60hz region, it's all tuned for 100hz.  I don't like any of the aftermarket units except the crazy money ones.

Anything comparable to Genesis for amps these days?  I can see myself getting back into all this!

I had the Audioscape pods too, best mod you could do to the speaker housing on the rado!

I think DLS are very comparable to the Genesis stuff but obviously without the handcraft quality. Me too, I have already been searching on eBay for a decent setup!

I think this time round I will go for a decent 3 way component minus the sub as boot space is at a premium with kids now! It's handy to have enough space under the front seats for a decent size amp on the Golf!

[pudding]

The problem is the the 510 only has 20w of power, the stock speakers are actually quite good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

THIS.

Amp first.

The biggest improvement will come from adding an amplifier so that the speakers are getting a clean signal at higher volume. Try it and I bet you'd be surprised how well standard golf speakers can perform.

My audio installer rates the mk4 golf and mk5 golf speakers highly, better in his opinion than the Bose that were in my other car.

Also consider disconnecting the rear speakers altogether. You don't need them. When you listen to a hifi or go to a concert, you have the music soundstage in front of you. The rear speakers are not needed in a small car.

In my mk4 golf, I ran a pioneer HU, OEM front speakers, disconnected rears, a 12" JL W6 in a custom box, all powered by a pair of genesis amps...sounded great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ahh Genesis amps, probably the best money can buy, just a shame the company folded now. I had a Genesis Series 3 4CH amp connected to Focal speakers and sub in my old Corrado and couldn't fault it. I seriously regret getting rid of it now. When you have had a decent sound system in a car it really highlights how rubbish the system is in the Golf!

Hmmmmm, yeah I had a pair of Series 3 Dual Monos, Seas Lotus speakers and some sub I can't remember the make of now.....also in a Corrado, with Audioscape door pods.  They were the days.  Regret selling my DMs as well 

The RNS 510 sounds boomy and muddy in the bass, there's no depth at all in the 40-60hz region, it's all tuned for 100hz.  I don't like any of the aftermarket units except the crazy money ones.

Anything comparable to Genesis for amps these days?  I can see myself getting back into all this!

I had the Audioscape pods too, best mod you could do to the speaker housing on the rado!

I think DLS are very comparable to the Genesis stuff but obviously without the handcraft quality. Me too, I have already been searching on eBay for a decent setup!

I think this time round I will go for a decent 3 way component minus the sub as boot space is at a premium with kids now! It's handy to have enough space under the front seats for a decent size amp on the Golf!

Hmmmmm.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genesis-Five-5-Channel-Amplifier-Good-Condition-Boxed-with-Birth-Certificate-/232117127895?hash=item360b424ad7:g:JSEAAOSwLF1X3ucH

Reckon that would fit under a front seat?