Sound system upgrade recommendations

[A-Kai]

Hey all,

So I had the pleasure of driving the new A5 on a road trip across the Balkans last week. Didn’t like the car but the sound system was great, even at low volumes. I seemed to have gotten used to my trashy stock speakers in my car, and when I returned the difference was night and day… to the point where I can’t really live with them anymore (first world problems, I know…)

I was wondering whether anyone upgraded their stock sound system or had any recommendations? Id like to keep the OEM look and maybe explore one of those spare wheel (Helix?) subs. Wouldn’t mind getting a new system installed if it’s not crazy money.

Would be grateful for any thoughts or recommendations. Thank you!

[Jay166]

Hi A-Kai,
I have a 18 GTD estate. The stereo is standard Discover Media head unit and speakers but I installed a Helix Sub (with signal processor built into the amp). I am so happy with it. I think it sounds amazing, the sound stage is set (using a programming dongle i rented on ebay) so that the drivers seat is centre, the music is in perfect stereo in my ears. The bass is brilliant (I listen to a lot of DnB) but not overpowering and mid and treble are clear. I would really recommend this upgrade if you want to keep the functionality of the standard unit.

[A-Kai]

Thanks Jay, your feedback pushed me to actually picked up a second hand Helix sub from a bloke last night. Going to get it installed in the next day or two. It came from a Golf R with 5 doors so hoping that I won’t need to re-programme the sub!

[Wayne.R]

I've recently upgraded my speakers, to Focal components with tweeters and cones.

Find the rear door speakers to be fairly non-existent, because the fronts are dominating the sound.

Wouldn't mind a sub, but being a metal-head, probably wouldn't benefit from one, plus wouldn't want all of my boot space taken up by the box.

[Jay166]

That's the thing Wayne, a helix sits on top of the spare, under the boot floor, taking up no boot space! You would definately benefit from it as a metal head, the inbuilt digital sound processor makes every type of music sound even better!!

[A-Kai]

I’ve had the helix sub installed for a week now, and the programming dongle is arriving today. As Jay mentioned, the sub comes with a built in DSP and amplifies the speakers as well. It’s a pretty dramatic difference I have to say, but the sub does require programming as it distorts at higher volumes even with a flat EQ. Will have a crack at programming and see if the difference really is as crazy as people have claimed.