I just ordered a '00 A4 2.8 with Bose. I compared the Bose and Standard stereo and I thought the Bose was better but the bass is boomy and a bit muddy sounding.

In high school, I had a '72 Dodge Dart. For the stereo I installed an underdash "Pioneer Supertuner" and a pair of Jensen Coaxial 6X9 speakers on the rear deck. The stereo was maybe $110 and the speakers about $50. Very easy to install. Man, that system would rock. I didn't need to add an amplifier. It was rated for 10 W/channel, but it really had more power than I needed. I would crank up my Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Genesis, sometimes even Spyro Gyra and it sounded like I had a live drummer in my back seat. The drums were very deep with great dynamic range. The cymbals were crisp and clear. The sound spectrum seemed very flat. From what I remember, this would blow away the stereo in my new audi, and this was several years before CD players. Maybe it was because of what I was smoking at the time?? Anyone else have a killer car stereo in high school?

4 amplifiers: 2 Orion 225HCCA, each bridged mono into a 1 ohm load; 1 Orion 80wx2; 1 Alpine 40wx4.
4 12" subwoofers: 2 Orion 12" 2-ohm; 2 Kenwood 12" DVC.
4 6x9 full range sound in the back (could fire out the windows for parties).
2 pr. JVC 6" separates w/hard dome tweeters.

It could have sounded a lot better, but still sounded pretty good (actually it was fairly balanced) and was definitely loud (it was in a Suburban).

I did up an Eagle talon tsi '91 with:

Kenwood 1000 watt on a Bandpass Box w/ 2 12" kicker comps... in the hatchback, would stop your heart.

and a Kenwood 4x150 running 5 1/4 and tweets on the doors and Kenwood 6X9's in the rear...

running off of Kenwood in-dash and EQ, with dancing display...

not bad, but I hurt my ears

WHAT!!!!!!

I think you're waxing nostalgic a wee overboard. I had the same set up in my '76 Grand Prix. It was fine at the time but I don't think it sounded better than current systems, especially the Bose in the new Audi's. I agree with you about the muddy bass though.

Hi all,
Hehehe, my Audi IS my high school stereo...it's a Concert though. In my first car (Honda Accord), I had Polk Components in front and Polk 6.5's in the rear. Alpine deck (crappy one), and a huge Alpine V12 amp powering 2 MTX Thunder Subs (10 in.). This system sounded very good, IMO, since the amp was not only powering the subs, they were also connected to the crossovers (connected to the components). I had a well rounded system with CRISP highs, mids, and booming bass.

When I got the A4, I was somewhat satisfied with the system...I would just fade to the rear speakers. But that didn't last me long...

Now, I moved the subs and the amp to the A4, with Boston Acoustics Components in the front. The Alpine amp is bridged, powering only the subs. I haven't installed the crossovers for the BA's yet, because I haven't installed another amp to power the fronts. I'm satisfied with the sound, but the head unit sucks and the bass is too boomy, even at 0. BTW, I did the FAQ install, which was realtively easy. Later, if there is a head unit that is red that can fit the DIN perfectly, I'll get it. The only thing I'll miss is the radio display in the trip computer. Otherwise, it's ok.

Chard
99.5 1.8TQMS Silver, BA components, MTX subs, Alpine amp, Monster Cables all over the place...