Looking for advice on upgrading stereo on my 2005 (B6) S4

[trlengle]

I currently have the Symphony system and it sounds pretty good. However, I was thinking of making a minor upgrade. The plan is to just get a 5 channel amp and a 10 inch sub for trunk. I'm thinking that if I gave the current speakers more amplification they might sound better and the sub will definitley be an improvement over the stock sub. Has anyone done a similar upgrade? Is a 10 inch sub too big, do you think I can get away with a 8 inch sub? Any amp brands I should stay clear of? Thanks.

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[tonyguy]

I have done the same upgrade in my 08 jetta and it worked out great. Except for the fact that I have 2 amps (a 4 channel and a mono amp) it is exactly what you describe. The current speakers can take a good bit of more power as long as you set the crossovers on the amp correctly. The only issue you may have will be integrating the new amps with the stock symphony system, which is more than likely run by a stock amp hidden somewhere in the car. If you plan on taking it to a stereo shop, they should be able to handle it fine. As far as the size of subwoofer to go with, it all depends on your msical preference. Is space an issue? Or is sound your main concern? And as far as amplifier brands, there are many to choose from, it all depends on your budget. So what do you plan to spend?

[trlengle]

Thanks for the reply. In regards to the Symphony system I was talking to a Car Toys (local shop) sales guy and he said some of the Symphony/Bose systems in Audi's can't even be set up up with additional ampage. He said they have to look at the factory deck to see if the speakers could be hooked up to a new amp. So, I'm going to have this investigated.

Did you notice a considerable difference in your mids/highs when you added the 4 channel amp?

My music preference is pretty eclectic but what I really want is some better bass but super tight vs. overally bassy, I don't need to have everyone hear me coming I'm leaning towards a single 10 inch sub with a custom box, probably ported.

I have a gang of Best Buy gift cards so I'm trying to outfit the system there but they don't even sell 5 channel amps so if I can power mids I would have to do a 4 channel and a mono for the sub. I might even just do the sub an mono to see how it sounds with mids on factory power. However, if you tell me by adding the 4 channel the mids now sound a lot better I might do the upgrade...if the deck allows for it.

Did you dyna mat the truck or doors? Audi's are pretty tight so not sure it is necessary.

Thanks.

[tonyguy]

As far as Cartoys telling you that, they're full of ****. I worked at a shop that had done plenty of Audi's, BMWs, Mercedes, Bentleys and so on. It can be done. And when I added the 4 channel amp, I noticed a night and day difference. The only thing is that it took some time to get it tuned right. But now that I got it set, it sounds great. Most people who have heard my system think I replaced my mids and highs. Also, I didn't do any dynamat yet as it is a lease and i'm bout to give the car up. I had plans to do it all over again, but I lost my job so there goes that. But dynamat can really make the system that much better. It really does improve everything. The more you add, the more you'll notice the difference. So don't go light. And lastly. as far as sub choice goes, personally I run a JL Audio 10w6v2 in a sealed enclosure and I love it. It is one of the best subs out there as far as sound quality goes, at least without spending a couple grand. I suggest JL audio subs. But also some good subs to consider are any by Focal, Image Dynamics and Dynaudio. And as far as amps go, I am also running JL Audio 300/4 4 channel and the 500/1 mono amp. They do great, although there are many more amp choices that would do. Since you mentioned Best Buy, The only thing I recommend from them are the Alpine PDX 4.100 and the 600.1. They are great amps that are super small and produce a lot of power and clarity. Other than those 2 amps, i'd wouldn't look at anything else from BB, especially their install. It is horrible.