dohjoe

Just picked up a new A3 here in the US w/sport, open sky, and cold weather. I love the car, but would like to upgrade the audio system since it only has the base package.

I'll be adding xm & an ipod to the car, and am wondering if there are recommendations on what to replace. I don't want to lose the steering wheel functions, but I'm not sure if replacing only the speakers will yeild a good result with stock head unit. Any suggestions are greatly appriciated!

PD Performance

But it messes up alot of smoothness of the stock dash and also the integration you mentioned you liked. You will still see good results with just speakers and possibly an amp or two, I'd start there. A new head unit can make the stock speakers sound better but you'd probably have better results speakers.

vplaza

Second, if you want to keep the steering wheel functions, I'm not sure there are many aftermarket head units that would utilize them, so you may be stuck with the base unit or upgrading to an Audi unit.

Adding XM and the ipod should be easy with the base unit, so you may want to consider the speakers. However, the trick is power, and the base unit does not have too much, so you may not get a noticeable bang for that buck unless you add an amp.

I think any stereo shop worth it's salt should be able to add an amp and good speakers for you, but if you want to retain the steering wheel functions and easily add XM and ipod later, you should stick with the base unit.

Just my $0.02. Others with more experience may have better suggestions.

April

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/audio/">by visiting this forum</a></li></ul>

kb5ql

<center><img src="http://www.zaftig.net/images/articles/a3/ipod-install-3.jpg"></center><p>I have details on my upgrades at my site. I upgraded both sets of component speakers to alpine. Sounds better with less bass "thwaping" I should have bit the bullet and purchased an amp too, though. As it is I have to drive the speakers fairly loud to get a good result.

I also installed an ipod adapter. Not sure if it's compatible with the satellite, though.<ul><li><a href="http://www.zaftig.net/node/327">iPod Install</a></li></ul>

brat2.ua

XM is good. But all u need is an MP3 player in ya car. Than, maybe think of the iPod...

dohjoe

I have a commute to work and listen to satellite radio in the car, so its a necessity. I'm planning on installing an xm tuner &amp; replacing the stock speakers now, and see if I am happy with the quality then.

Does anyone know the speaker sizes needed for the front back components?

pmax

I spoke with a local audio shop, regarding just getting a line-in jack for an MP3 player (not an iPod, mind you). He did some research and mentioned the new base units are incompatible with most of the adapter kits? Can this be true? I just want to get two RCA feeds. I do not plan on keeping XM either.