Improving the Sound Quality of an RCD-510?

[DDg]

Hi all. I'm wondering if anyone has managed to get a nicer sound out of the RCD-510, maybe by changing the speakers or adding an amp?

- Is the bottleneck the head unit (which I'd like to keep as it looks nice and OEM), or the speakers?

- Would adding an amp only benefit 'bangin choons', or would it improve the R2, R4, Classic FM and 'Dad Rock' stuff I listen to, at normal volumes?

- Ditto subwoofers. Are they for anything other than thumping bass? Like adding richness to the spoken word of R4?

I spoke to an ICE retailer who suggested Infinity speakers, and adding "an amp". But before I blow £400 if anyone's got any experience / suggestions / recommendations I'd be really interested to hear. Ta'! 

- oh, and if the door panels are coming off to fit new speakers, is it worthwhile putting in Dynamat type material, or is all that stuff a case of "the Kings clothes"?

[am1w]

There is a dedicated thread on this started by FroGTi. You'll have to troll through the forum to find it.

How old are your speakers? They need around 40 hours to run in. However, the problem is the the mid-bas drivers are overworked by trying to produce bass, so the most cost effective solution is to install a sub-woofer. I had a Pioneer underseat one installed (see my signature) and it has changed the overall quality of the system radically. I don't feel the need to upgrade anything else for now at least.

I mainly listen to Radios 1, 3, 4, Classic FM and a host of Classical music CDs and I am delighted with the overall sound. It could be improved, but I don't feel the cost-to-benifit ratio is acceptable.

[DDg]

Thanks am1w. The car's a year old so the speakers have definitely had enough time to bed in, plus I have to do something as one of the two rears has blown - it 'buzzes' ever since I over-indulged Pendulum on the motorway  .

So your sub isn't just for "thump thump thump" then? That's good to know. The under seat location sounds ideal. If you don't mind me asking, how much to buy and install, and does it affect your under seat storage (if you have one fitted)?

I'll have a search for the FroGTi thread, but still welcome any more reponses. Ta'.

[am1w]

Hi DDg.

The sub-woofer has been installed under the passanger seat and is a perfect fit. Even when the passanger front seat is pushed right back, it is hardly visible. There is no room under the front passanger part of the seat as it sits neatly in the ledge, filling it perfectly.

You are right to ask if it is a thump, thump job. Far from it. Just cleans up the sound and allows the mid/bass door speakers to do their job properly by producing upper bass and mid-range sounds. Yes, there is more bass extension, but it is clean and sounds very integrated.

Total cost including installation £250, if I remember correctly.

Go for it, it makes a worthwhile difference. However, give it some time to run-in.

[am1w]

Here it is!

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=163647.0

[DDg]

Cheers am1w. I was just about to post I'd found it too!  But anyway, that's the sub woofer decision sorted.

Any views on replacement speakers? The ICE dealer suggested Infinity because I said I listened to spoken word and quiet music the majority of the time.

[am1w]

Cheers am1w. I was just about to post I'd found it too!  But anyway, that's the sub woofer decision sorted.
Any views on replacement speakers? The ICE dealer suggested Infinity because I said I listened to spoken word and quiet music the majority of the time.

Sorry, can't help you there. But try the sub-woofer first. You might not need to change the rest of the speakers. Best to do these things in stages so you can identify the problems in a more accurate and considered manner and thereby avoid upsetting the overall balance in such a way that you won't be able to see the wood from the trees!

All the best.

[RickS]

Hi all. I'm wondering if anyone has managed to get a nicer sound out of the RCD-510, maybe by changing the speakers or adding an amp?

- Is the bottleneck the head unit (which I'd like to keep as it looks nice and OEM), or the speakers?

- Would adding an amp only benefit 'bangin choons', or would it improve the R2, R4, Classic FM and 'Dad Rock' stuff I listen to, at normal volumes?

- Ditto subwoofers. Are they for anything other than thumping bass? Like adding richness to the spoken word of R4?

I spoke to an ICE retailer who suggested Infinity speakers, and adding "an amp". But before I blow £400 if anyone's got any experience / suggestions / recommendations I'd be really interested to hear. Ta'! 

- oh, and if the door panels are coming off to fit new speakers, is it worthwhile putting in Dynamat type material, or is all that stuff a case of "the Kings clothes"?

I take it you didn't go for the dynaudio option? Mine sounds very good, I listen to a mix of classical, rock, prog rock etc

[R32UK]

Infinity make very good quality speakers! you wouldnt go far wrong with a correctly set up pair of those.

[DDg]

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.