I have seen many people mention that they can fit a 5.25" mid in the front door of an A4. Is the only benefit of this (vs. a 4") to get more bass from the front? Isn't that what the rears and/or sub is supposed to do?

Russ
'00 1.8TQXC

A 5" will get a fuller and richer sound with more midbase, plus handle more power. Use 5"s if you can. Bad10

I haven't listened to them, so I have no first hand experience.

but when I a/b'd them with Boston pro's, (the other highly recommended speaker of choice around here) the Quarts seemed to be a little more lively than than the BA's. I can't decide if I like the flatness of the BA's, or the liveliness of the Quarts. I think it's fair to say that the Bostons have a flatter response, and the Quarts have a little more presence in the tweeters. If you get the musicomp crossover though, I think you can tone the tweets down a little.

I would say my MBQuarts are quite precise in replicating the music I listen to. Now for the caveats:

1) I have the Referenz Premiums (these are not their top-of the line Q-series, but the next step down). There are 2 models below the Referenz Premiums: the Referenz series and the Autobahn series. These lower-end models use a .75" or .50" (depending on the year/model) tweeter and a higher crossover point than the Premiums that have a 1" tweeter. Especially with the high mounting point of the stock tweeter location, a lower crossover point helps dramatically with the imaging and soundstage. The sound is drastically different and I personally would not buy either of the low-end models.

2) I have either 98 or 99 model MBQuarts (not sure which) and have heard the new models. The shop where I listened to them said the quality of the sound is not as good as in years past and I would have to agree (at least one other person here on the forum had the same opinion I remember reading). I also know that MBQuart, Germany was placed in receivership 2 years ago (similiar to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US) and this may have lead to cost-cutting measures that have reduced the quality of their speakers.

3) The "sound" that you'll experience from the MB's are like being at a Nirvana concert: crashing cymbols and screaming guitars. I have Infinity Overture series speakers in my home theater which are much more "warm" and "musical" when compared to the MB's in my car. Much easier to listen to in the background at lower volumes. The MB's want POWER and want to be driven (just like the A4) which is why I like them in the car - great for driving music.

So after all that, the only MB's I would recommend are the higher-end models from a couple of years ago or earlier. I didn't listen to the BA Pro's but many, many folk here on the board love them (check the archives for more).

Hope this helps,
GaryJ

I just order an A4 and planned to have my CDtech 5.25" in the front door. Is the MB Quart adapter generic? Is it possible to install them without altering the door panel? Where can you buy them?

Thanks in advance,
Robert