Sound System
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
"SteveH" wrote
>
> Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> to listen to music,
Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
> so it's not really worth spending silly amounts of
> money on 'improvements'. You'll only actually get more volume, not
> better quality.
I think many will argue with that, but it's really personal preference
as to what it's worth or what it's not.
Cheers,
Pete
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
Pete <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SteveH" wrote
> >
> > Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> > chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> > to listen to music,
>
> Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
> a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
> mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK, I
bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far and
drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
> I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
> clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
> up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
> power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
> trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
> speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
> nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
> hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
I suppose it depends on how loud you consider loud to be. If I turn up
my Gamma system, my ears hurt before it distorts.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
> "SteveH" wrote
> >
> > Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> > chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> > to listen to music,
>
> Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
> a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
> mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK, I
bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far and
drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
> I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
> clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
> up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
> power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
> trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
> speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
> nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
> hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
I suppose it depends on how loud you consider loud to be. If I turn up
my Gamma system, my ears hurt before it distorts.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
Pete <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SteveH" wrote
> >
> > Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> > chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> > to listen to music,
>
> Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
> a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
> mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK, I
bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far and
drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
> I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
> clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
> up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
> power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
> trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
> speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
> nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
> hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
I suppose it depends on how loud you consider loud to be. If I turn up
my Gamma system, my ears hurt before it distorts.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
> "SteveH" wrote
> >
> > Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> > chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> > to listen to music,
>
> Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
> a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
> mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK, I
bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far and
drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
> I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
> clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
> up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
> power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
> trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
> speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
> nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
> hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
I suppose it depends on how loud you consider loud to be. If I turn up
my Gamma system, my ears hurt before it distorts.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
Pete <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SteveH" wrote
> >
> > Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> > chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> > to listen to music,
>
> Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
> a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
> mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK, I
bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far and
drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
> I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
> clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
> up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
> power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
> trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
> speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
> nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
> hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
I suppose it depends on how loud you consider loud to be. If I turn up
my Gamma system, my ears hurt before it distorts.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
> "SteveH" wrote
> >
> > Well, speaking as what you'd call an 'audiophile', the OEM setup in B5
> > chassis VAGs is pretty damned good. A car is a pretty crap environment
> > to listen to music,
>
> Well, the B5 in itself does not isolate outside noise too well and after
> a few years of ownership it can be a real rattle cage, but it doesn't
> mean it can't be fixed with proper sound deadning materials.
There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK, I
bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far and
drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
> I have the OEM Symphony setup in my B5 and I find it lacking in power,
> clear treble and bass. The sound is very distorted when you crank it
> up - either the stock amps are very weak or the speakers can't take the
> power, or both. As a quick fix, I threw a self-powered sub in the
> trunk, but it was really a half-assed solution as I hooked it up to rear
> speakers for input. I also didn't want to replace the OEM head unit as
> nothing aftermarket that I've seen looks as good as the OEM. But I did
> hear aftermarket setups in my friends' B5s - night and day.
I suppose it depends on how loud you consider loud to be. If I turn up
my Gamma system, my ears hurt before it distorts.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
"SteveH" wrote
> There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> I
> bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> and
> drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
Pete
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
"SteveH" wrote
> There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> I
> bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> and
> drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
Pete
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
"SteveH" wrote
> There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> I
> bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> and
> drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
Pete
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
Pete <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SteveH" wrote
>
> > There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> > I
> > bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> > and
> > drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
>
> I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
> are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
> either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
>
> FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
B5 platform produced the A4, A6, Skoda Superb and Passat.
HTH.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
> "SteveH" wrote
>
> > There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> > I
> > bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> > and
> > drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
>
> I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
> are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
> either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
>
> FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
B5 platform produced the A4, A6, Skoda Superb and Passat.
HTH.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
Pete <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SteveH" wrote
>
> > There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> > I
> > bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> > and
> > drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
>
> I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
> are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
> either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
>
> FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
B5 platform produced the A4, A6, Skoda Superb and Passat.
HTH.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
> "SteveH" wrote
>
> > There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> > I
> > bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> > and
> > drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
>
> I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
> are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
> either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
>
> FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
B5 platform produced the A4, A6, Skoda Superb and Passat.
HTH.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sound System
Pete <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SteveH" wrote
>
> > There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> > I
> > bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> > and
> > drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
>
> I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
> are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
> either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
>
> FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
B5 platform produced the A4, A6, Skoda Superb and Passat.
HTH.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
> "SteveH" wrote
>
> > There's something wrong with your B5, then.... my B5 Passat (yeah, OK,
> > I
> > bought the cheap version of the A6....) is showing 145k miles so far
> > and
> > drives as well as a new one, with no rattles etc.
>
> I suppose it's the crappy pot-hole infested roads here in Poland that
> are responsible. 17" rims and sport suspension don't exactly help
> either. The interior was relatively rattle-free back in the US.
>
> FYI, B5 Passat is the same platform as B5 A4, not A6.
B5 platform produced the A4, A6, Skoda Superb and Passat.
HTH.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Golf Cabrio
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark - Alfa 75 TSpark - Passat 1.8T - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #