nwong

Anyone have any tips/tricks/steps/mounts to installing an amp and sub for the 2000 A4 with non-Bose system? I saw the FAQ, but that was on a pre-2000 A4. Same?
I've got a PPI amp that accepts high level signals and 2 10" RFP DVC subs, but I probably will only use one. Thanks in advance!<p>2000 Audi 1.8TQCS
Wetterauer 1.0 bar chip

eh-fow

The subwoofer FAQ is still accurate. I did the install on a MY2K 1.8TQ w/ a nav system and it worked perfectly (colors of the wires are still the same). As for hooking up the amp, tapping into the line level rear wires will give you the best results. Line levels put out much cleaner signals than Hi-level and you probably don't want to draw extra current from the hi-level lines going to the rear speakers. You could also run a new set of patch cables from the front line-outs on the headunits (what I would suggest if your not going to modify any other parts of the sound system). Doing the wiring is really easy (routing and such), but getting the headunit out is a real pain (I couldn't figure it out).

HTH,<p>Dan
99 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/danh-sig.jpg">
<a href="http://a4q.tripod.com">a4q.tripod.com</a> -- My Website (way out of date)

CKRyan

Please shed some light on 2000 A4 installs... the weak Bose system is making me insane with all of it's whack sound quality... any nitty-gritty details of the install would be much appreciated, as I would love to start upgrading as soon as possible, but I can't figure out what the best plan of attack would be. I guess I'm stuck with the Symphony head for a while, but I don't know what the best way to get a clean signal to my amps would be, or the best way to run power, ground, speaker wire, turn-on, ect...

Please help... I really can't stand it any longer.<p>Christopher Ryan
2000 A4 1.8tqm Santorin Blue

eh-fow

NOTE: The following is my preference for a sound system. I don't like rear speakers (rear fill) that much and therefor like running 3 channel systems. The system I installed 2 days ago was a 5 channel system (it was actually my old equipment that I sold) and it sounded pretty damn good... it really depends on your taste.

The stock symphony head seems to me to be a pretty good unit. It has 2 sets of line outs built in (front + rear) which is rare on an OEM unit. I wouldn't worry about changing it out right away especially because your talking major $$ for a nice looking DIN adapter.

My first suggestion would be to add a subwoofer and amp. I like the new JBL power series sub amps and the Infinity Perfect series subwoofers. You can temporarily wire these up using the Subwoofer FAQ in the Audiworld FAQ section.

After that I would go get some new front speakers, disconnect the rear speakers, and run new RCA cable back for the subwoofer amp. I would definatley get some 5.25" speakers in the front doors (4" in the front doors will do very nicely with rear fill though). The new Infinity kappa 50.2 are very nice. I also really like the MB Quart Q series. I also hear that the Diamond Hex's kick ***... but I haven't listened to those so I don't know for sure. I also really like the new Xtant coax speakers (I haven't listened to these yet either but they should be pretty damn sweet). Mount the tweeters in the stock kick panels for the best imaging and SQ (see my post from about a week or two ago for pics). You can run a nice set of patch cables from the front line-outs on the Symphony headunit to the amp.

Make sure you run good power up front, at least 100 watts a channel. PPI, Xtant, etc... will do fine. Make sure that you buy the best amp you can afford... it makes a big difference. Also run some good wire, once again this makes a pretty big difference. I have my amps mounted on a rack that hangs down from the top of the trunk. I think this is the best way to go.

Run a nice set of patch cables from the rear line-output on the headunit to the subwoofer amp. This sets it up so that your fader control on the headunit acts as a subwoofer level control which is a nice thing to have.

Make sure you take it too a shop that knows what they are doing. Look at their bay and make sure it is clean. Ask to see some of the cars they work on a pics of what they have done. Try and find other people that have had work done at that shop and listen to their stereo's to make sure they're good enough. I recomend Sound Solutions in Chantilly, VA... Chris does a great job and is really nice to work with. I don't know where you live though, so that may not work out perfectly.

Expect to shell out a good amount of money for a really nice system and install. But, remember you can get a good stereo for really any budget. The one I put in Pat's car cost him $650 for all of the equipment (bought used from me) and $100 for the wiring and sounds really really good. And since he and I installed it there was no additional cost involved.

Make sure to do a lot of research... putting in a ton of money and being disappointed is really anoying.

HTH,<p>Dan
99 1.8TQMSX K04 Santorin
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/danh-sig.jpg">
<a href="http://a4q.tripod.com">a4q.tripod.com</a> -- My Website (way out of date)