Improving standard stereo sound

[Santaslonecruzer]

I have a standard stereo and speaker setup (rcd300?) in my 2006 GT. My wife's A4 stereo (standard) sounds so superior!  What would I have to do to mine to improve the sound? Sorry for the basic question but when it comes to stereos I know nothing!!!!

[xjay1337]

Have you tried altering the fader, bass and treble levels?
The standard set up (10 speaker one at least) is more than adequate.

As a first step you would want to sound deaden your doors with a sound deadening material, Dynamatt or similar, and fit either an amplifier for your standard door speakers and standard head unit (long city) or buy a decent aftermarket head unit.

Many look out of place in a Mk5 - I found a Pioneer AVH2500-BT for a good price and fitted that, along with sound deadening the doors, it made a huge difference. I wanted more so a friend built a custom subwoofer enclosure for me.

You can read about my personal audio build here: www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,67735.195.html

If there are any questions or you need help getting stuff done give me a shout and I can point you in the right direction.

[Karl_mac_]

Have you tried altering the fader, bass and treble levels?
The standard set up (10 speaker one at least) is more than adequate.

As a first step you would want to sound deaden your doors with a sound deadening material, Dynamatt or similar, and fit either an amplifier for your standard door speakers and standard head unit (long city) or buy a decent aftermarket head unit.

Many look out of place in a Mk5 - I found a Pioneer AVH2500-BT for a good price and fitted that, along with sound deadening the doors, it made a huge difference. I wanted more so a friend built a custom subwoofer enclosure for me.

You can read about my personal audio build here: www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,67735.195.html

If there are any questions or you need help getting stuff done give me a shout and I can point you in the right direction.

I added the same HU and its made a massive difference. Considering fitting a sub next as the door speakers can get overwhelmed at high-ish volume. They don't distort, just the sound seems to lose its definition. 

[paulw123]

I replaced mine with an rcd510, amp is much better, and sound quality much improved, has SD card as well, even a DAB version if you want.

[xjay1337]

I replaced mine with an rcd510, amp is much better, and sound quality much improved, has SD card as well, even a DAB version if you want.

An RC510/RNS510 will provide better quality than an RCD300 however still not as good as a decent aftermarket Head Unit - they also cost far more, especially if your car is pre 07 where you need a Canbus upgrade as well. I paid £100 for my head unit and £3.80 for a wiring block for Jairm to do the loom.

[biffobear]

Fit a decent head unit, alpine etc, then decent speakers, then amp and sub, or fit the lot  at the same time

[GLIDN]

your first hurdle you face is the fact the A4 has a subwoofer and rear speakers amplified.
your golf has neither.

Replacing your stock radio with an RCD510, for about 85% of people this is more than enough of a very worthwhile upgrade.
Especially if you use the DAB or MDI (usb/Ipod)

Replacing the OEM radio with a aftermarket radio is a very worthwhile upgrade indeed. Overall your sound will be improved. It will lack the low end as per OEM RCD310/510 range.
They have a factory sub bass bump at 50hz. Again making 85% of people happy and leave it just like that.

If you really do not want to replace the radio at all. Simply install one of these, just depends on how much space you are willing to sacrifice.

Option 1 - This is a really astonishing little sub that takes up almost no space at all
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/r2s-1x10

Option 2 - ease of install, with quick removal as well
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/p300-10

But otherwise not sure how far away you are from a member called Squeeguk
Or even sending him a PM. He will surely be able to assist you with getting your stereo sounding really good.

[xjay1337]

I have that exact Sub except my enclosure is much more tiny :)

Needs some careful calculations and some testing when constructing due to air restrictions but it is very basy  especially for such a little unit.
Paid £85 on Ebay for mine so well worth it!!

Good info in post above :)

[GLIDN]

I have that exact Sub except my enclosure is much more tiny :)

Needs some careful calculations and some testing when constructing due to air restrictions but it is very basy  especially for such a little unit.
Paid £85 on Ebay for mine so well worth it!!

Good info in post above :)

I loaned one from a car audio shop a few years ago. I bought it only 2 days later. As I never liked the small space saving units.
I gave this crack and well impressed. Even thou I was going to use mine in my mk5. I have decided to go full system in my car from the OEM radio.

Actually come to think of it. on the RCD310/510's you can actually change the default EQ and curves in the radio via VCDS.
I found in my golf with leather seats, the Skoda Superb eq sounded the best. Well for my taste anyway.

[xjay1337]

Problem is the OEM radio simply can't provide the same quality of output. You can play endlessly with the EQ but it'll never sound as good. That's why no high end stereo set up of any of the audio cars has a stock HU.
Most aftermarket ones look crap but the standard looking touch screen HUs look really good. Pioneer and Kenwood make some nice ones.

[biffobear]

You would need a lot of fuel in your car to visit squeeguk hasn't he moved back to south Africa or oz

[GLIDN]

Problem is the OEM radio simply can't provide the same quality of output. You can play endlessly with the EQ but it'll never sound as good. That's why no high end stereo set up of any of the audio cars has a stock HU.
Most aftermarket ones look crap but the standard looking touch screen HUs look really good. Pioneer and Kenwood make some nice ones.

That is correct, but if you use an Audison Bit.One, rockford fosgate 360.3 or JBL MS-8/
It de-EQ's the signals and than applies EQ on them.

However, if you use the low level output on the RCD310/510 or RNS510 you can set the EQ to linear. So there is no processing at all.
Which will help you start with as clean a signal that the OEM radio's can offer.

I completely understand what you are trying to say however. If I was able to get Bluetooth handfree to work via RCA output on radio's I would.
Double DIN unit's I really do not like at all. The only other solution I have found that sort of works is the Alpine CDA-9887 With KCE-BT400 bluetooth.
It's sound output however is no where near that of the older 9815/35 or even 7998 Units.

If I could get my OEM steering wheel buttons to work with my 7998, I would be running that unit for sure.

You would need a lot of fuel in your car to visit squeeguk hasn't he moved back to south Africa or oz

Really? I have not spoke with him for a at least 2-3 months. It would be a shame.

To the OP - Let us know how you get on.