RS4 Audio Overhaul.... Finished Finally

[brianja]

We all know that the stock Bose system in the RS4 is OK, but nothing great. I decided to take it all out and start fresh...

Equipment list:

Audi RNS-E factory nav / HU
DLS Ultimate A7 5-channel Amp
Focal 165 K2P Components in stock locations
(changed from DLS Ultimate Iridium 6i Midbass &
Seas Performance Tweeters PT27f)
DLS Ultimate Iridium 10i subwoofer
Audiocontrol DQT Processor with DDC remote display

All the equipment (with the exception of the AudioControl) was purchased through Bing at Simplicity in Sound ( www.simplicitysound.com ). He is awesome to work with and was extremely helpful.

Installation was done by the Exotic Auto Boutique in Brooklyn, NY. Junior, Benny, Juan and the rest of the team there do great work. I don't hesitate sending anyone to them for work. They take their time and do things right. The car was with them for approximately 2 weeks.

The system sounds fantastic already, but needs a final tune which will happen this week.

Front component speakers are running on an active crossover in the stock speaker locations.

A 5 channel DLS A7 amp, under the rear deck, powers the front components and the subwoofer.



Amp covered with facia panel.



Detail of stitching on amp facia.



DLS Iridium 10" in a fiberglass enclosure buried in the corner of the trunk.





Overall of trunk.



All adjustments and wiring can be accessed by folding the rear seats down. Otherwise, they are hidden.





All connections are install-specific labeled.



AudioControl DQT under trunk floor.



More labels.



AudioControl remote interface in armrest so that adjustments can be made from the driver's seat.



The stock rear seat speakers were kept running off of the factory RNS-E HU. I don't like rear fill so I have them faded completely out. If I ever need to run them for rear seat passengers, etc., I can just fade them back in a little bit.

I'm extremely pleased with the results and can answer any questions.


_______________________

Update 06/28/08:
The newest Audi nav disc enables an auxiliary input. With a little VAG-Com recoding I did the option is visible in the menus.

The stereo shop that did my entire system tied into the pins on the back of the head unit and ran them to a headphone jack in the console. Now I can connect up anything with a line level or headphone output.

Just picked it up this afternoon, but I am pleased so far.

Pics:

The input jack next to my sub remote gain control.


iPod nano connected up.


XM Inno connected. xm AND Sirius at the same time!


Aux active.

[Reggie]

[MARKNMTT]

[Vijay]

I would love to do a comparison between a full system as you have done, and what I did which was to add a high end sub with proper enclosure and amp to the existing Bose system. To my ears, the results were simply astounding and surpassed all my expectations. I'm just curious to see if a complete overhaul would make much more of a difference. I do have a full $5000 system in my Nissan 350Z, and I must say, my RS4 set up sounds just as sweet except for maximum attainable volume.

Either way, looks very nicely done!!

[brianja]

This system was much better planned by me and installed very well.

The sub only vs. Full system test with two RS4s might be interresting.

[brianja]

[Vijay]

especially as volume increases. I'm just curious as to how well my approach stacks up. Like I said, I was totally blown away by the difference the sub made. And it's not so much the obvious low end stuff, but the even the the subtle differences in vocals, etc.

[Reggie]

[brianja]

[Reggie]

Sorry for the questions. I love your system and the work that was done. I'm jealous