Ok I'm going to visit a high end audio shop with my rs6 and would like to turn up moderately informed.

The RS6 (aka 2003 A6) will get a Navi+ replacement for the bose symphony, (I've already bought that) so I'd rather keep it stock at the head unit for the look and the navi+. But from there back: what ?

I've don't like the sound from the stock head unit and "215 watt" bose system. It grates. My budget: a couple of grand? or wherever the sweet spot is before you get diminishing returns.

options:

a) replace the speakers only (with what? bose amp expects odd impedences?)

b) add a trunk mounted powered sub (enclosure) only - with the battery back there, the space is screwed anyway.

c) combine (a) and (b)

d) replace the whole amp, wiring and speakers from the Navi+ HU back, ... with .. what do you recommend?

thanks!

I left the stock HU and replaced everything after that for $2500. I think that was the best and cleanest way to go about it. Nothing about the stock bose system was worth saving or trying to re-use. Your options for brands of speakers/amps/subs kind of depend upon the shop you'll use for the install. Unless they'll install stuff you purchase elsewhere. Its worth asking.

I ended up shopping at a couple of different high-end shops in the area and deciding which speakers I liked the best. That's what drove my decision on where to get it installed. Both shops had excellent, high-quality reputations so I wasn't concerned about either messing up the car.

Some of the brands of speakers I would recommend you look into include a/d/s, dynaudio, diamond, focal, and possibly MB Quart (although I personally don't like their sound.) IMO speakers should drive your installation moreso than amps or subs.

I ended up with the following installed for $2500:
Front = Dynaudio system 220 MK II
Rear = Morel 5.25" coaxial (dropped rear tweeter pointing into my ear.)
Amp = Zapco Reference 650 (6-channel)
Sub = Alumapro Alchemy 12" in custom box (including sub volume control integrated with Zapco amp hidden under steering column.)

Good luck and if your in the philly area let me know and I'd be glad to pass along some shop recommendations.

Later,
Eric

went with McIntosh and Focal. For Speakers, I went with focal K2 130KS components that run about $550 per set (550 for fronts and 550 for rears so about $1,100 total for components). I, however, decided not to run rear components because their location in the TT is right next to the ears of the passenger and driver, so the gain would be all the way down to a nearly inaudible level to maintain proper balance. The K2s, most say, sound better than Focal's current Utopias, despite the utopian flagship's price tag. The reason being that Focal recently updated the K2. but left the utopias obsolete. For bass, i went with four Focal K2 power 5" subwoofers(13Ks) subs. They run for about $360 a pop, so four comes out to $1440 (total for speakers (1 set component and 4 subs= about $2000)). Four subs is a rather unusual number. One generally sees people going with 1 or 2. But, remember, 5 inches is a rather unusual size for subwoofers--pretty small. But, four five's equates to about 2 tens, a pretty good number. the 13KS subs draw about eighty watts each, so they are not bumpin' but I don't need them to be. For sources and amplification, McIntosh was my brand of choice. They are known to be one of the best manufacturers of car audio equipment (like focal) as well as home hi-fi equipment. I went with their MCC406M. This is the 1999 version, which, supposedly, sounds better than their more recent versions. That amp should set you back maybe a couple grand (I'm sorry, I don't quite remember. this is just a guess.) The 406M is a 6 channel amp that had four 50 watt channels and 2 100 watt channels. I get this to work with my foacks by bridging channels 1&2 (50 each) to power left front components and 3&4(50 a piece) to power the right fronts. The 2 subs take channel 5 and 2 take channel 6. It works pretty well. The 6, however, would require rear components and subs that are bigger. Or, you can mount the subs with the mains or somewhere in the main cabin. That would result in some really clean awesome bass! (I don't mean bumpin', I mean real clean bass). I chose the MX406 for a head unit. It sports a digital converter with Dual 20-bit D/As, fiber optic input, and an analog aux rca input. As for sound output, the 406M has 4 line level outs with 4 volt carriers. This HU, if my memory serves me, sets you back about 1k. This set-up is top of the line and should sound unbeatable. The total damage is about $5,000 without cables or installation. I know you don't want to replace the stock HU, but it will degrade the quality of your entire system...

a jl 300/4 amp for the internal speakers and a jl 500/1 for the subs and some sort of jl sub in the trunk depending on what yor looking for. whatever you do make sure you replace your interior speakers because they are not so great even on the premium packages. aftermarket is the way to go.


EN

PS: I prefer to keep the HU. Although the pioneer avic-n1 is extremely nice!

I'm looking at an extremely high end shop because I can get a bunch of special stuff done all in one shot with no hassle and have it look perfect. They also do custom trim, tuning, everything.

But it will be very interesting to see even with the high labor charge per hour, the components at least match your list. I'll get the quote soon and know more.

wow. Thats a hell of a system!!
and very helpful.
I'm hoping the head unit won't impact me too much because my primary sound source will be phatbox and perhaps XM. Hence (I hope) the amps and back will be 95% of the sound of the system.

I just did it in my 2001 A6 (TMC/CAN, GPS etc)....it was very easy.

-ted
basile_edward@emc.com