dave s

I have been trying to decide what to do to my 2000 A6 for a while now and I have a new idea. I don't know very much about stereos except from what I have learned from some of you, but I am an EE and know electronics. I have not found an installer or specific brands and models but I was just trying to think of a different way of doing things with what I have.

I will start with removing the rear powered speakers and replacing the 4.5 in (I think) factory for some decent brand seperates. Hopefully the Quart adapters will let me put in 5.25in. Then I wll add a 4X40 or 4X50 amp and put the amp in one of the rear side stows ( I hope that it fits, I have seen it before.). Then I will run the two factory powered signals from the Symphony head unit to the two factory subs in the right cubby. I thought of this in order to utilize all of the available power without having to get a 5 channel amp, bigger and more expensive. I think that they are either 4 or 6 in. I might also run a cross over to cut off the high end. If I still have money I will get some decent seperates 5.5 in in the front too but that will unfortuneately come last.

I don't want anything to stick out in my trunk. I prefer to throw my bike, snowboard, and other stuff in the trunk without worring about an amp or a box. I also don't need a booming system just something that is almost full sounding. I will probably pick ads, focal, diamond, or BA for the speakers and choose from the upper middle range. Any reccomendations will be appreciated. I don't want a great system just a good one and I am only thinking of spending $1000 (I'm in northern bay area) and will have an installer do it. I will help if I can but I am a novice and worried about hurting my baby. I will also be installing the hands free for my Samsung 3500 at the same time so I have to save money for that. Does anybody know a bout a dual coil in the right front speaker that the addition of an amp might disturb?<p>David
<a href="mailto:seiler_d@hotmail.com"><img src="http://www.netdrive.com/MyDrive/getpic.jsp/%7Edseiler/My%20Pictures/025_23a.jpg?NDNOGEN=YES" border="0" alt="The Blue Bomber"></a>
A6 2.7t Ming/Melange
S4 wheels, Nav, Conv, Cold, Xenon

audiquai

to starting with the front speakers, I would rethink your choice of amp locations. I am not familiar with the "cubby" in the trunk of an A6, but it sounds to me like a fairly enclosed area. An amp should have plenty of open airspace around it to cool it off. Trust me, my amp has gone thermal before and it's a pain in the ***. I like the brands you mentioned for speakers, but you should add MB Quart to your list.

As far as no rear speakers, I wholeheartedly agree. I run 5.25 MB Quart Reference separates in the front, and a single JL10W3D2 subwoofer in the trunk. I have actually removed the stock speakers from the rear deck in order to vent more bass into the car. I have never gotten any complaints from back seat scrubs about not hearing the music (and believe me, I ask).<p>99.5 A4 1.8TQMS APR Stage 1

MikedaPimp

I agree with mark and audiquai in that you need to pay more attention to the front speakers. They are very important with the overall sound quality. If you want a "full" sound, you need to balance the speakers.

For $1000, you can do quite a bit. Actually, you could add 2 component systems and buy an amp, and still probably have it installed. Component systems usually consist of a midrange speaker and a tweeter. I bought a 5.25" set for the front and a 6.5" for the back, and I run a 600a4 amp to those, (75Wx4). You may want to do something similar, but that might be overkill. I really like my Rockford Fosgate Fanatic Q's, but you can go with whatever you like. I have heard great things about MB Quart and BA.

If you go for prices, just to give you a estimate:
5.25" components: $200up
6.5" components: $225up
4 Channel amp....$250up
Installation....$100-200

It really all depends on what you buy. Everyone has their own preferences. You might want to go with a component system up front and just mids in the back. It's up to you. The installation really should not be too much because you are just replacing speakers, not really redoing the entire car. You most likely will need adapters, and do use new speaker wire. There are a LOT of ways to go with $1000. If you want good sound quality and balance, add front speakers.<p>~Mike
<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=5694"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/mycar.jpg" border="0" alt="98.5 A4 2.8MS 30v Silver/Black"></a>

audiquai

<p>99.5 A4 1.8TQMS APR Stage 1

MikedaPimp

Everything is sitting in my garage. This weekend I am going to start build a box for my 2 12" RF HX2 subs, and after that's done, I will start with the install.

As for the amp, I really wouldn't know. I know some people with RF amps, they are very happy with them but never mentioned anything about going thermal. I plan to leave plenty of space to cool as well as adding some fans (running the 600a4 and a power 800a2 - lot of power and heat)

So, I could tell you in a couple weeks =) Sorry<p>~Mike
<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=5694"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/mycar.jpg" border="0" alt="98.5 A4 2.8MS 30v Silver/Black"></a>

audiquai

<p>99.5 A4 1.8TQMS APR Stage 1

ciccone

when I competed in IASCA competitions the front stage was the most imprtant..I never had rear speakers, maybe 10% of GOOD competition cars had any rear fill....

however, this does not meant that everyone like the sound of a dedicated front stage, nor is it easy to emulate a "full bodied" sound with just fronts without getting pretty serious.

I recomment doing GOOD fronts...also, too much power is never enough...it is always better to have more power to work with...then get some decent rear fill...you can always fade them out if necesarry, but you will have them for the rear passengers.

been along time since I competed;-) If any of you have old copies of Car Audio and Electronics..I was in the June 98 (I think) issue...Blue Honda Civic featured in "Choices" section...one of the first cars in VA. to use Xtant...before they were owned by MTX.

later,
Chris

siberian

I was not aware of that. Interesting.

I might have the issue of the mag you mentioned, but it's probably buried in a box somewhere with all the other tons of old car audio mags I've collected over the years. I'm a pack rat, what can I say!!!

CDNA4LOVR

I know in my a4 the rear seat is easily removable (pull it up), if the a6 is the same, there's lotsa room in there for an amp or two.<p>Jonathan Fingold
Pearl White 1998 2771cc 30 Valve Quattro