GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: matthewsimone on 15 March 2009, 17:05
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hi just a quick 1 as im confused as ive read on quite a few threads on here that the standard mk5 gti sound system is total pants,
but ive had my gti 2 months now and i think the sound system is one of the best ive heard, and ive owned many cars with uprated systems etc, unless the only other thing that i can think of is that mine has optional extra better components or something but i dont think it has anything like that no sat nav etc :undecided:
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Its a fantastic standard system. An ok aftermarket sytem will be better though. Its an upgrade for me in the future for sure!
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i thought the gti one was ok, not great
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I can only speak from my own standards. As a record producer and engineer, I set em pretty high :grin:
Suffice to say, on both of my VW test drives (08 GTI & Scirocco), I had to turn the stereo off, it was that bad.
My current Audi has a Bose system, and well, it's rather good!!
My conclusions are that in comparison with most marques, the VW is average at best. My Scoob's were just as awful too.
Suffice to say, as soon as I get my Golf, either a Pioneer F900 or Kenwood DNX5220 will replace the OEM unit. I'll allso be changing the speakers and I've got a rather nice 12" sub to fit in the wheel arch in the boot :)
Each to their own though - I personally think that the OEM system is pants.
Dan :)
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hmmm after speaking to a good friend he seems to think i may have a bose sound upgrade, which is a optional extra apparantly, im going to speak to dealer and scroll through some of the purchase paperwork from the original owner as i never bought it from new its a 2006 plate, but after what you guys have said, there is no way it can be a standard system as it really is spot on and as ive said ive had many cars with subs/amps etc etc so think my standards are quite high lol and friends have also commented on the sound quality also especialy with prodigy on it :laugh:
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There was an optional 'vw soundpack' which I think basically involved an amp and a sub. I don't have it so could be wrong on the sub front but have a look under your front seats for the amp - I believe its under a plastic cover. If you've got it - :cool:
I think VW speakers are generaly pretty decent, its often the HU that lets the system down.
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Mines ok in the 32, im getting some focals though and the rns510 :evil:
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yeah now i think of it ive actually seen a black plastic box under the passenger seat, il have to have a look tommorrow and let you no and yeah thats what my mate said earlier a optional sound pack bose or sumit cheers, :rolleyes:
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The optional soundpack on the MKV isn't a BOSE system. The newer VW cars have an option of the Dynaudio upgrade, but I don't think this was offered with the Golf MKV.
The soundpack upgrade is at best adequate. Even a well set-up, cheap-ish aftermarket system would blow the VW upgrade into the weeds.
If you are happy with the sound, then that is all you need :smiley:
You need to directly compare back-to-back for a real feel for the difference in sound set-ups :wink:
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The GTI audio is terrible.
High frequencies are so wrong it's funny.
The Harmann Kardon system in the Jag was just superb, I miss it.
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Its not very good. Period.
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Correct, in standard form its not very good.
Aftermarket upgrade ftw.
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You'll have to replace the speakers too.
My alarm clock radio sounds better.
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and drill the speaker rivets out!!! :grin:
Oh I'm SOOO looking forward to this!!
Dan :)
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It all comes down to what you are comparing against, compared with my cars that have had standard systems - Civic Type R, Golf Mk4, Smart Roadster, Saab 93, the system is pretty reasonable (though i think i have the 10 speaker system as its an early GTi if it makes any difference) but compared with my full Alpine set up i had in my 'cough cough' Escort (which was blatantly worth more than the car) it isnt too impressive.
I think if you arent an Audiophile and just eant to listen to the radio and cd's in reaonable quality its fine, if you love your music i'd upgrade, the main reason i havent is that i really cant be arsed with having to take the facia off the headunit everytime you get out, and i use my boot space more now,
Cheers,
R
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I think the sound is alright. Not spectacular, but it's grand. Kicks my mate's Colt in the teeth. Likewise with another friend's Almera.
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I think if you arent an Audiophile and just eant to listen to the radio and cd's in reaonable quality its fine, if you love your music i'd upgrade, the main reason i havent is that i really cant be arsed with having to take the facia off the headunit everytime you get out, and i use my boot space more now,
Cheers,
R
I had a sub box in the boot at first, but then simply built my own arch install. It loses very little floor space. :smiley:
Before
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/hurdy_album/BBW1.jpg)
After
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/hurdy_album/BBW37.jpg)
As for the head unit. You could always do what I did.
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/hurdy_album/DirtyED30005-1.jpg)
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/hurdy_album/DirtyED30002.jpg)
Will fool most people at a glance :cool:
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The false H/U is one of THE cleverest things I've seen in a long time!!! :smug:
So much so, that I'm looking for a fubar'd RCD300 to butcher ;)
Also looking at the sub install too :)
Love it.
DAn
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Thats quite funny, i did the same thing with my Ford, had a fake cover for the Alpine from the standard ford HU, used Velcro dots to secure it, worked a treat. didnt htink it would be possible with the VW one, good job
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Hurdy - how do you secure it on??
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I love my RNS510 system except that I agree that the sound quality is pants. Can I get a decent improvement by just upgrading the speakers? I don't want to mess with the head unit at all.
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Hurdy - how do you secure it on??
The false front has 2 pieces of thin plastic which are attached to the top and bottom of it. It is then simply a matter of sliding it into place :cool:
Here's a pic of the back.
(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/hurdy_album/DirtyED30004-1.jpg)
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I love my RNS510 system except that I agree that the sound quality is pants. Can I get a decent improvement by just upgrading the speakers? I don't want to mess with the head unit at all.
Upgrading the speakers will give you better sound quality, but the RNS still uses the DSP and so will cut certain frequencies at certain volumes.
Think of putting in speakers as putting twin turbo's on the R32 and then saddling it with a 5mm intake and 10mm exhaust :shocked:
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LOL - good analogy :)
IMHO, and as a comparison, my Scooby had THE worst stereo I've ever had the misfortune of hearing (and that's after hearing the VW system ;) ). So much so, that I only lived about 30mins away from the dealer. By the time I'd got home, I'd already bought a new H/U and speakers :grin: They were fitted within the hour!! :laugh:
My take is that I've currently got a VERY nice Bose system, so the failings of the VW system (regardless of how shiny the H/U is) are blatantly obvious :(
Change the H/U first, see how it sounds. THEN change the speakers. IMHO, whilst both are pretty awful, the H/U is the major culprit.
Dan :)
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I've just come from a Mazda with a Bose system so the difference was pretty shocking for me too. What exactly does changing the head unit mean? Can I literally change just the heads and keep the overall RNS510 system, or do I have to swap out the RNS510 itself?
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The head unit is the entire unit - so changing your head unit would mean changing the entire RNS510 unit.
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The head unit is the entire unit - so changing your head unit would mean changing the entire RNS510 unit.
Hmm, in that case I'd like to try changing just the speakers for starters, though I do understand that's not the perfect solution. After 10 years in a company car I have no idea what's out there anymore. How much might I have to spend to replace all 8 speakers with something good?
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The HU really isnt hard to change, do a search and there is a nice simple "How To" guide for replacing it. Upgrading the HU will give you more wattage (power) to the speakers thus giving better sound. Add a small sub (or big lol) and amp in the back and your sorted, all for a fraction of the cost (depends what HU you buy) of buying JUST an upgraded VW unit.
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Is that "How To" guide on this site somewhere? I'm awaiting delivery of an Alpine CDA-105Ri that I'm going to swap with my original RCD 300. I've also ordered the single DIN dash converter part from VW. I'll want the iPod cable coming into the glove box. How easy will all this be to do, without any experience or tools?!
I could just bring it to the local car audio place and get them to do it for about £80???