Retrofit Dynaudio & DAB?

[spenny_b]

Hi folks, newbie here....Been reading various posts on this forum for the last week or so in anticipation of ordering my next company car.

After a 3 day test drive, pretty sure I want to go the GTD route, and have quite possibly secured a model that a dealer has already got in stock (as opposed to a 28wk leadtime!!...no orders can be placed over the allocation for 2009, which has now been reached, until the new year)

The model in question in 90% the spec I was wanting anyway; eg. it has the RCD510, but it doesn't have the Dynaudio option, nor DAB.

DAB I can live without - was going to spec it for the sake of £165 simply to play with new gadget, and now I read you don't have to sacrifice the MDI, even better.

The Dynaudio upgrade (or lack of), is a pity - not a show stopper, but something I want to look at overcoming.

I'll have the car on a 4yr lease, so don't mind dipping into my own pocket to upgrade (and not paying BIK for the next 4yrs on it!).

The question is, to spec the Dynaudio from the configurator is +£340.  Is it possible to buy and retrofit the compoents from VW after taking delivery of the car? If so, does anyone have an idea on cost for the parts (don't mind installing myself, done many installs over the years)

From what I read, it's speakers and amp(s)....

1) is it a single amp that's multichannel (I read 8 channel?).
2) Does the speaker pack include subs, or is it combined woofer/midrange + tweeter upgrades?
3) I know Porsche have been using optical MOST bus for some years to link up amps and CD Changers to the head unit - Is that the same for the Mk6 HU to amp, or is it still good old RCA's?

Likewise, can a DAB kit be added after the car has been built?

Many thanks in advance,
Spencer.

[R32UK]

Welcome to the forum Spencer!

Cant say i know the answer to either of your questions, but I would imagine that any ICE specialist would be able to build you a custom set up for a similar price. Something that I have wanted to look into previously, but never got around to.

I would have thought you could achieve something similar if not better with a amp under the passenger seat and upgraded speakers.. so not to spoil the original look. Dynaudio badges probably available from ebay

[gossa]

Spencer, I know the guys that have Dynaudio reckon it's the biz but they have just ponied up for it.  The standard stereo sounds great and I have driven demonstrators with Dynaudio which sounded only marginally better. I wouldn't worry about it.

An ICE specialist will probably be able to come up with something even better than the Dynaudio if you're an audiophile.

[VWKev]

Spencer, I know the guys that have Dynaudio reckon it's the biz but they have just ponied up for it.  The standard stereo sounds great and I have driven demonstrators with Dynaudio which sounded only marginally better. I wouldn't worry about it.

An ICE specialist will probably be able to come up with something even better than the Dynaudio if you're an audiophile.

there's always something better, but a Blaupunkt rcd 510 with dynaudio for the money is a superb buy.

[percymon]

I'm sure Dynaudio wouldn't put their name to any old rubbish, but i wonder how good the components are ? - lets be honest it doesn't take much to better the paper coned, foam suspended, minute coiled stock speakers.

Buying the components from parts department is going to be silly money - if the factory want £340 extra you can bet the parts will be £500+

People say the amplifier in the head units are poor, and invariably they are compared to a Pioneer or Alpine HU, but its always the speakers that are the weakest link.

Whether i'll bother to change my speakers i don't yet know - i have a set of DLS components that will probably fit very nicely in the front doors. Time will tell

[simonpolly]

I like some of the other members on here have the Dynaudio and dab fitted to my car,its better than standard but like has been said if you go to a ICE specialist they will be able to supply and fit something as good or better for no more than £500.I had a sonyhead unit and alpine  component speaker set in my old car,it cost me £500 supplied and fitted about 10 years ago and was of equal quality.

[mac7]

I like some of the other members on here have the Dynaudio and dab fitted to my car,its better than standard but like has been said if you go to a ICE specialist they will be able to supply and fit something as good or better for no more than £500.I had a sonyhead unit and alpine  component speaker set in my old car,it cost me £500 supplied and fitted about 10 years ago and was of equal quality.

Agreed. I've used Alpine headunits on and off for 15 years - far superior to anything VW have ever supplied. Having said that the RCD510 + Dynaudio will be more than adequate for me. You only really notice the difference between sounds systems if you compare them back-to-back. Which you're never going to do in a car.

[spenny_b]

Thanks for the info guys.

I went across to the dealer I'm negotiating with, yesterday afternoon. I think it's a pretty reasonable assumption that swapping out stock speakers for Dynaudio pack is not a simple or cost effective mod.

The lady there (who was remarkably clued-up - prob the best dealer rep I've spoken to!) was saying it'd also be door card swaps to accommodate the additonal pair of speakers (and by the way she was describing it, she was referring to tweeters)

Nonetheless, I've asked her to hassle her parts dept to dig around and get back to me with prices.

I'll give Car Audio & Security a buzz and see what they recommend in terms of aftermarket speakers/amp.

Agree with thoughts that it's the speakers that are the weakest link in *most* systems - the headunit (RCS510) I love, integrates well with iPod, and above all I want to keep it stock looking, so that isn't going to figure in any upgrade plans unless I look at the RNS510 (unlikely).

[avalon]

 You only really notice the difference between sounds systems if you compare them back-to-back. Which you're never going to do in a car.


In my opinion, Mac makes a great point here. Notwithstanding I'm as deaf as a post, I feel you can only compare when you hear one system and then another with the same media. Of course volume, filters, speakers and indeed the cabling do have an input [and cost money] but is it worth it?

Selfeshly, for me, no - I'll be lucky if I cover 5K/year and my commute is pretty short so I won't necessarily /notice/ much difference. But, you guys who are in your cars a lot, are not corned beef and do like your music will go up the audio ladder.


Ava

[VWKev]

 You only really notice the difference between sounds systems if you compare them back-to-back. Which you're never going to do in a car.


In my opinion, Mac makes a great point here. Notwithstanding I'm as deaf as a post, I feel you can only compare when you hear one system and then another with the same media. Of course volume, filters, speakers and indeed the cabling do have an input [and cost money] but is it worth it?

Selfeshly, for me, no - I'll be lucky if I cover 5K/year and my commute is pretty short so I won't necessarily /notice/ much difference. But, you guys who are in your cars a lot, are not corned beef and do like your music will go up the audio ladder.


Ava

Can't agree with that at all, I used to drive a Saxo VTS, I know that GTI drives better and its impossible for me to drive 2 cars at once to compare. I used to have a £500 quid Technics Hi-Fi stereo, I now have thousands of pounds worth of seperates and I know they are better, I didnt have to listen to them side by side to tell.

The dynaudio speakers and amp upgrade is already an upgrade to the standard system, its just VW are fitting it. You could technically class it as aftermarket as nothing from the system is standard VW.