The definitive stereo and subwoofer upgrade thread

[Cooper993]

I'd like to fill the wheel well liner with more batting of some sort......Any ideas?? The car is much more quiet now, the Audi fart sounds like a one-cheek-sneak now

Stuff some garbage bags in the empty spaces and fill them with expanding foam. Works just like the packing material in boxes.

[fmzip]

Stuff some garbage bags in the empty spaces and fill them with expanding foam. Works just like the packing material in boxes.

Interesting....I thought the canned foam you find at the store needs air to expand? That's some messy stuff though, I'd rather not mess with it.

[Cooper993]

Interesting....I thought the canned foam you find at the store needs air to expand? That's some messy stuff though, I'd rather not mess with it.

Unless the car is in a vacuum, there's air in the bag.

The Loctite foam is 4 times the density than the standard stuff

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/tit...am-Sealant.htm

Or you can get this but costs more:
https://www.amazon.com/Instapak-Quick-Bag/dp/B0185R54KK

[fmzip]

My question would be, how much of this stuff to use? How would you know it's too little or too much to adequately fill the space? Good concept


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[Cooper993]

Instructions say fill 1/2 way. Less is better as you can always add more if needed, but it is sticky. So cover the area well

[miztahsparklez]

I'd be careful... Too much stuff in a tight area can cause bulging of body panels.

That being said. I completely foamed the inside of my old car. Any time you knocked on the outer panel of the car, it was like knocking on wood

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[phanker]

Can you snap a photo to show how much it sticks down below the rear deck in the trunk?
Would be very helpful.
Please offer more feedback compared to stock sub. Louder? Lower?
Greatly appreciated.

I am using that sub and it is fantastic; dead flat from 15hz to 100hz at 90db use REW as the measurements system. I have it mounted in the stock location facing into the cabin with dynomat on the deck as the only modification. Stock amp as well as this thing is insanely efficient.

2 unrelated questions.

1) any feedback or experiences with the image dynamics components and coaxial speakers?
2) advice on 4 and 5 channel amplifiers.

I have used the search engine and read the majority of the posts and the themes are a bit pricey.

Any feedback or questions are welcome.

[drmonkey]

In this case it should be a stronger bass and more sound, with everything else being equal...

The 6.5's Voce's range is 50-7khz @ 91 sensitivity
The Ap 8's range is 35-5khz @ 93 sensitivity

You're talking different speakers, different builds, different dynamics, different everything. Speaker designers build and tune their speakers for specific roles.

I disagree. all things being equal, a 8 inch should offer more bass than a 6.5 driver. Not sure why you are mentioning enclosure or audio source because the only things that changed is the driver. same amp and same audio source and same door enclosure.

I mention enclosure because at true SQL setup would include enclosures built into the front doors...the reason no manufacturer does this is because it costs weight and now you have to build it around the window, etc. So they throw in some foam baffling around the speaker and call it a day. An 8" doesn't mean more bass or sound than a 6.5"...I used to enter into SQL competitions back in the day and I was running a custom active 3-way setup up front and 2x Resonant Engineering 8" subs in a custom built box with tuned ports and with a total of 500w RMS. I was louder than a 12" Brahma with a 1000w RMS pushed to it...but in a pre-fab box. Enclosure is a key component in SQ/SPL.

I digress, if it sounds good to you and you're happy with it then by all means...enjoy it.

[fmzip]

I digress, if it sounds good to you and you're happy with it then by all means...enjoy it.

And that is the reason to tweak.

If it doesn't sound better, out with the new and back in with the old. The B&O sounds awfully nice already, just would like a little more clarity and tighter mid bass. Hopefully the Audison AP8's deliver

[fmzip]

Deadened the rear doors today:

[Strong Man]

Popped in the Audison Voce's in the dash. Big improvement!

Man , I need your help! So, the sub has been installed today....First impression : WOWWW...I was missing that!!!!That is exctaly what I was looking : not too loud, bass is much more deep and accurate with the good balance with B&O .

Since we have (more or less) same vision for SQ and sound in general can you describe in words what the difference is with Audison Voce's ?

[fmzip]

Man , I need your help! So, the sub has been installed today....First impression : WOWWW...I was missing that!!!!That is exctaly what I was looking : not too loud, bass is much more deep and accurate with the good balance with B&O .

Since we have (more or less) same vision for SQ and sound in general can you describe in words what the difference is with Audison Voce's ?

SO glad to hear it!

The dash speakers will provide you with a much better soundstage. Vocals sound clearer, not harsh, less muddy. You will love it, like a veil is lifted. Sounds close to my home stereo, has that B&W unaltered sound. It sounds just right, like the sub, just a bit more of what was missing.

Unaltered sums it up! That's what I am after. If you do buy them, I think it would make sense to add the third to the center speaker. If you want to split a set, let me know.

Did you skip work today too??

[Strong Man]

Too ?! Who did know it :)))) I was "working " from home today.

[fmzip]

Too ?! Who did know it :)))) I was "working " from home today.

I was working too.....on my car :)

[BKE]

Can you snap a photo to show how much it sticks down below the rear deck in the trunk?
Would be very helpful.
Please offer more feedback compared to stock sub. Louder? Lower?
Greatly appreciated.

Apologies for the delay. Much lower than stock, dead flat from 15hz to 100hz. I will measure below 15hz for entertainment purposes. Much faster, you hear the instrument vs a muddled boom. Low notes are a chest crushing- depending on how high you up the bass. It blends into the system very well it doesn’t stand out just adds significantly to the music. It is so efficient that you will lower the bass adjustment, it is designed for tube amps.

It takes up some space in the trunk, however the magnet is monstrous and will likely damage other items before it is harmed. Can’t remember how to upload pictures - I’ll figure it out shortly

[Dobbler]

SO glad to hear it!

Unaltered sums it up! That's what I am after. If you do buy them, I think it would make sense to add the third to the center speaker. If you want to split a set, let me know.

Did you skip work today too??

Will the Audison 3.0 fit in the center speaker location?

[Strong Man]

fmzip how did you connect the sub ? I've had some strange impression that sub-sound moved a little bit back. Like before I install the sub it it was exactly on a dashboard , and after it has moved tothe back of front seats.
I've already tried to change polarity , and brought some sound-test discs with sound level meter, but be honest with couldn't find any difference between different polarities, as well sound level meter showed the same numbers in both connections. I just noticed that with stright polarity bass sounds better. Probably sub needs more time to settle down!?

[fmzip]

fmzip how did you connect the sub ? I've had some strange impression that sub-sound moved a little bit back. Like before I install the sub it it was exactly on a dashboard , and after it has moved tothe back of front seats.
I've already tried to change polarity , and brought some sound-test discs with sound level meter, but be honest with couldn't find any difference between different polarities, as well sound level meter showed the same numbers in both connections. I just noticed that with stright polarity bass sounds better. Probably sub needs more time to settle down!?

This is how I wired it

[fmzip]

AP8's came in today, 4 days from Germany:

[Strong Man]

This is how I wired it

Yaaaa ... I know that, but have you tried the different polarity?!

[fmzip]

What do you mean? Reversing the polarity? Taking the blue and yellow and attaching it to negative instead? No I haven't, should I?

When you asked, "how did I connect it", I connected it as pictured

[Strong Man]

What do you mean? Reversing the polarity? Taking the blue and yellow and attaching it to negative instead? No I haven't, should I?

Yes, it can be interesting to know your opinion about it.

[fmzip]

Yes, it can be interesting to know your opinion about it.

I will play with it tomorrow

[Strong Man]

Keep me posted...I'll wait for your results! Remember , that only during the first 15-20 minutes you can hear sound properly and make a correct decision, after that your ears are getting tired ...

[phanker]

Damn. This sounds too good to be true powered by the 80W stock amp. How is this possible?! Time to upgrade.
Please upload that photo. Email me plz. PM sent. Thanks again.

Apologies for the delay. Much lower than stock, dead flat from 15hz to 100hz. I will measure below 15hz for entertainment purposes. Much faster, you hear the instrument vs a muddled boom. Low notes are a chest crushing- depending on how high you up the bass. It blends into the system very well it doesn’t stand out just adds significantly to the music. It is so efficient that you will lower the bass adjustment, it is designed for tube amps.

It takes up some space in the trunk, however the magnet is monstrous and will likely damage other items before it is harmed. Can’t remember how to upload pictures - I’ll figure it out shortly

[fmzip]

Installed one of the rear Audison 6.5 Av-x. Bought a few 6.5 MDF speaker rings and cut the mount out of my wife's plastic cutting board




The rears door panels had no insulation so I made myself some out neoprene closed cell foam. Zero rattles, car is super tight now





Sound test.......

Mid bass is considerably tighter compared to the other rear door speaker. Volume output is slightly less but sound is much cleaner and less harsh. These will likely be keepers too.

[sq_A4]

Sorry if this has been covered.... What are the speaker sizes and depths on a 2012 S4 with B&O system.... ?

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[Strong Man]

Installed one of the rear Audison 6.5 Av-x. Bought a few 6.5 MDF speaker rings and cut the mount out of my wife's plastic cutting board



Sound test.......

Mid bass is considerably tighter compared to the other rear door speaker. Volume output is slightly less but sound is much cleaner and less harsh. These will likely be keepers too.

Nice ..but one thing I'd like to tell you : be careful with stock amp . You almost changed all speakers in your system , but you're running with stock amp. I don't know a tech. data of the stock amp, but looks like it might be overloaded!

[fmzip]

Nice ..but one thing I'd like to tell you : be careful with stock amp . You almost changed all speakers in your system , but you're running with stock amp. I don't know a tech. data of the stock amp, but looks like it might be overloaded!

I am not concerned, the speakers are all very efficient. Worst case, give me a good reason to throw some real power at it :)

[Strong Man]

Crazy :))))) I ordered Voce 3 :)

[fmzip]

Sorry if this has been covered.... What are the speaker sizes and depths on a 2012 S4 with B&O system.... ?

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Dash, look at the specs on the Audison Voce's 3", can't fit anything bigger than that in there.

Front doors are 8", 3inch depth max is safe
Rear doors are 6.5" 3 inch depth max is safe

I didn't measure the rear deck one's when I installed the sub

[fmzip]

Crazy :))))) I ordered Voce 3 :)

You will love it more than the sub....

:)

[sq_A4]

Dash, look at the specs on the Audison Voce's 3", can't fit anything bigger than that in there.

Front doors are 8", 3inch depth max is safe
Rear doors are 6.5" 3 inch depth max is safe

I didn't measure the rear deck one's when I installed the sub

Thank you !!!

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[Strong Man]

Front doors are 8", 3inch depth max is safe

BTW..Just yesterday came to my attention that the front woofers have size of 8!!! inch ....so I went to my car (s5) measured the front grill size.
As you can see from the pic below that the silver ring size is ONLY 4!!! inch... FOUR INCH!!! FOUR INCH grill size for woofer size of 8 inch!!!



To whom who is looking for better sound quality - CUT THE fu^&*ing PLASTIC and you'll improve your sound quality with NO cost.

[fmzip]

To whom who is looking for better sound quality - CUT THE fu^&*ing PLASTIC and you'll improve your sound quality with NO cost.

LOL, if it were only that easy :) Just happen to have my rear grilles off. But yes, the door panel itself is blocking part of the speaker in each door

[Strong Man]

LOL, if it were only that easy :) Just happen to have my rear grilles off. But yes, the door panel itself is blocking part of the speaker in each door

Dam it ...I want to kill B&O engineers...

[Cooper993]

If anyone is interested, I made the equivalent of an angled ring to have the Pioneer sub site more level in the rear deck.

The front portion is 3/4" and the rear is 2 1/4". That's brings the sub as close as possible to the speaker grill. If anything it maybe even touches a little, so maybe 2" would be perfect.

The other thing I experimented with was changing the polarity of the wires. Maybe it was my imagination but I think the sub is more evident with the polarity reversed.

I want to play with it some more, but wanted to share while waiting for feedback on those 8" Audisons

[Strong Man]

I will play with it tomorrow

Any news? Did you get a chance to try it?

[fmzip]

Any news? Did you get a chance to try it?

If anyone is interested, I made the equivalent of an angled ring to have the Pioneer sub site more level in the rear deck.

The front portion is 3/4" and the rear is 2 1/4". That's brings the sub as close as possible to the speaker grill. If anything it maybe even touches a little, so maybe 2" would be perfect.

The other thing I experimented with was changing the polarity of the wires. Maybe it was my imagination but I think the sub is more evident with the polarity reversed.

I want to play with it some more, but wanted to share while waiting for feedback on those 8" Audisons

Looks like Cooper feels reversing them is better too?? I haven't tried it yet, worked on making adapters for the 8 inch Audison Prima's for the front doors this evening. Hope to have them installed this week

[fmzip]

One Audison AP8 installed. Huge difference in mid bass, much tighter and much more accurate than the stock B&O. The tradeoff is the AP8 has less volume output in comparison to the stock speaker. This has been consistent with each speaker swap. It's obvious when you look at the quality of the stock speakers, you could drive them easily, there is nothing to them.

Audison offers a one inch tweeter in this series as well, an AP1. Think I am going to order a pair to see how they sound in the front sail panels.


http://www.audison.eu/index.php?page=product&id=55

Still need to tweak the mount I fabricated to get the door panel back on. For reference, I used two 8" rings which are 3/4" thick and sandwiched them together. I mounted those to a plastic ring I made from a cutting board which is about 1/2" thick. Ideally, if I had a slightly thinner piece of plastic, it would have made my life a little easier. This speaker is right near the door panel without much room to work with.