manku

I just picked up my fourth A4 (previously had a 1996 A4 2.8 stick,2001 1.8stick, 2008 2.0 convertible)...my previous models all had upgraded music systems, but due to lack of availability/desire to keep costs down/timing/lack of inventory at ALL dealers in SoCal, I bought a 2011 A4 Avant with only the premium package (it does have bluetooth/homelink/ipod/heated seats).

I love the car...having quattro again is great, as is getting rid of the cvt tranny (blech!)...however, the standard "concert" system is awful, so far.

Is there anything I can do to improve the sound (I'm leasing, so putting in 2K in upgrades is not an option)...tuning, adjustments?

Thanks.

Old Dog

You are in the same boat as myself when I first got our leased 2011 Tiguan 2.0T. I hated the sound system so much I was hardly using it. The sound from the front speakers was sooooo tinny sounding.

However, I persisted and finally found a combination of fade/treble/bass that makes me now enjoy listening to music and is much easier on the ears.

I reduced the treble, increased the bass and what worked the most was the fade. I have it set to about 70% rear/30% front. It may not be the ideal arrangement for some, but for me personally it did the trick.

It does not compare tho to the sound system we had in our 2007 Audi A4 2.0TQ. I never had to mess around with anything and it had great sound IMHO.

Give this a shot first. It may take time getting your preferred combination of settings, but it isn't going to cost you anything.

Good Luck!

gunsmoker

Yeah right. It ain't gonna wake up the neighborhood and it ain't the crispiest of all, but it certainly doesn't deserve such bashing.

KremlinGremlin

Granted I am not an audiophile, but I think it is a good system. Maybe I do not know what else is out there though..

Bayman48

i dont think the standard music system is that bad....i think its fine, and i am no audiophile myself either.

gat821

To the OP, the fact that you came from the upgraded/premium sound systems will make the stock sound that much worse. Though I wouldn't call it terrible either, it's still quite far from the B&O IMHO. That's why I included the B&O in my A4 order

Nostromo

I had really wanted the upgraded stereo, but the deal I got was too good so I have the Concert. It's not that bad. Especially coming from my Toyota. It's way better than my wife's BMW too.

I found I had to turn down the mid's by about 3 notches to get rid of the brashness. Left the treble dead center. Bass up 4-5 depending.

There IS a tendency to get door rattle when listening to audiobooks or talking on the bluetooth. Music is great though. You can get it good and loud without sounding distorted.

aqaqaq123

Oh, yes it does!

I have a 2011 Premium Plus and, while I don't know if it's the same stereo as the one that comes with the Premium (likely it is), it's absolute garbage. I don't count myself as an audiophile, but I do have a whole bunch of music that I just cannot listen to in the A4.

Yes, one can tweak the treble/bass/fader to make it a tiny bit more tolerable, but there's no way around the fact that it's a terrible-sounding stereo for this price range.

iflywoe

e few have replaced the speakers with aftermarket ones, but check on ebay and classified ads and see if anybody is selling their b&o speakers.
ebay.de is a good place too.

i dont think its the radio itself, i think the speakers are the problem.
if you listen to music from ipod interface you will find that a cd or using the sd card will sound better. at least thats the case for me.

and like other have said playing with settings a little can make a difference.