Improving the Sound Quality of an RCD-510?

[am1w]

Thanks R32UK. I'm going to pop into the dealer tomorrow.  am1w's right to suggest just to start with a sub, but as I need to replace the rears (one's blown / buzzes) maybe Infinitys are the way to go.

Make sure any replacement speakers have similar sensitivity. If they are less sensistive, then you might have to buy a more powerful amplifier, as the 20 x 4 watter in the RCD/RNS 510 will struggle to provide adequate volume.

[ferris]

How would the infinitys match up against the dynaudio option??

[am1w]

No idea Ferris. But Infinity's have a very good worldwide reputation.

[Snoopy]

If you have blown the standard speakers you must like it loud as its the only way to destroy them.

So with that in mind the amp and speaker upgrade to get more volume is needed and probably a subwoofer or high pass filter at least.

If you had simply said about your tastes and what you listen too i would have suggested a different route of tailering the frequency responce of the current system using something like the JBL MS8 but the destroyed speakers tell me a different story.

Dynamat adds mass to the door skin so changing the resonance frequency of the metal, this helping to improve the midbass responce of the system. Its often incorrectly called sound proofing.

[am1w]

He must have turned the gain up to such a level that the amplifiers in the RCD510 clipped and blew his rear apart!

[DDg]

Quick update. Made some progress and have settled on Audison Voce speakers, amp and sub, but it's also been suggested to me that I need some sort of processor to override the RCD-510's inbuilt equalising. It's an expensive option, though, and I'm wondering if it's necessary.

As I understand it, it's possible to recode the RCD-510 to give line level outputs and cancel it's inbuilt equalising, simply by using Vagcom? Can anyone confirm this method is possible, will work and give me the same quality as the processor route (or near enough)?


Oh, the rear speakers. One is definitely buzzing, shows up mainly when listening to Radio 5, oddly enough. None of the settings have ever been more than one or two clicks from Norm, and it's only been on rare occasions that the sound's been turned up loud and nowhere near it's max. Anyhow, they're on their way out 

[The Doc]

I put the fader to full front as the rear speakers sound terrible IMHO so try that first!

Has anyone retro fitted the dynaudio speakers and if so at what cost?

I quite like the idea of the under seat sub btw

[DDg]

I searched for retro fitting the Dynaudio system but came up with nothing, Doc. If I'd ticked the Dynaudio box when ordering I may not be here now, as my intended aftermarket install will be quite a bit more.

The oem is quite good at some things - womens vocals on acoustic tracks sound nice, but as more and more instruments come in, it all gets a bit muddy and boomy. I think the rears dont help, but feel the fronts aren't up to it either.

[am1w]

There is a long thread started by Froggy about sub woofers.

I have installed a Pioneer sub under the passenger seat and it made all the difference. I can now turn down the honking, booming bass of the RNS to one notch above minimum and let the sub take over.

The problem of flappy bass does not occur with the RCD310. However, the moment you 'upgrade' to the RCD510 or RNS510, the bass goes to pot and so does the lower mid-range. Hence it is essential to go for the Dynaudio upgrade with the head unit upgrade. I wish I had known this when I ordered the car.

Seems a bit like feeding the donkey through its arse.

I will try and post a picture of my sub location.

[am1w]

Oh, and to add slight insult to injury, my system still does not sound quite as good as when it was the standard set-up if I 'remember' correctly. It is good but could be a bit better.
I think this possibly calls for an amplifier upgrade as a starter! Under the driver's seat this will go.  Urrghh!