Guys

There are loads of posts about the poor quality of the Stream and speaker combo in the VRS.

The thing is I reckon its a load of old cobblers!

I am deeply impressed by the sound quality delivery by the factory fit - nice and punchy, clear and dynamic not to mention quite powerful. Now before you call me cloth ears, I'm a dyed in the wool audiophile with a Gyrodec, SME V, Audio Technica OC9, Audio Innovations monoblocks and some very nice Usher monitors. Basically I've been listening to audio kit for years and I can tell the difference between good, bad or indifferent and I genuinely think that the Stream MP3 and standard speaker install sounds remarkable.

Either some of you lot are deaf or Skoda have done some improvements......

Discuss.........

:+1: stream non mp3 sounds ok to me.

I listened to my old Stream MP3 and the Columbus I replaced it with, back to back, and the Columbus is miles better. I had a couple of grand's worth of quality oriented ICE in my last Octavia, but the sound of the Columbus with standard speakers is good enough with no extra messing with upgrading speakers, sound deadening and amping.

Moving from the non-MP3 Stream to the Bolero I noticed a marked improved in quality, punch and clarity. So if you think it sounds good now, try a Columbus or Bolero in there

Steve

Guys

There are loads of posts about the poor quality of the Stream and speaker combo in the VRS.

The thing is I reckon its a load of old cobblers!

I am deeply impressed by the sound quality delivery by the factory fit - nice and punchy, clear and dynamic not to mention quite powerful. Now before you call me cloth ears, I'm a dyed in the wool audiophile with a Gyrodec, SME V, Audio Technica OC9, Audio Innovations monoblocks and some very nice Usher monitors. Basically I've been listening to audio kit for years and I can tell the difference between good, bad or indifferent and I genuinely think that the Stream MP3 and standard speaker install sounds remarkable.

Either some of you lot are deaf or Skoda have done some improvements......

Discuss.........

I could not agree with you more. I thought I just had crap hearing. I remember loads of threads a while back about people banging on about ' quacky tweeters etc ' Well, I have had two vrs' now. I thought I had a freak Stream unit in mine after reading those threads. So it came as a relief to find that my New Octy' Stream mp3 had the same sound as the last. My mate had an Audi with the Bose system in, or is it Harmon Kardon??, anyway whatever. To be honest I could not tell the difference, I wet it cost a hell of a lot more than a standard Stream. ( I wonder who makes them?)

I had an Insignia as a courtesy car a while back, and that radio was diabolical, as indeed was the rest of the **** heap.

Moving from the non-MP3 Stream to the Bolero I noticed a marked improved in quality, punch and clarity. So if you think it sounds good now, try a Columbus or Bolero in there

Steve

I am trying to buy a Columbus but I just can't get the trader on ebay to respond with version of unit and map version etc. I am SO frustrated - I've got the moeny sitting there ready to go. I've ordered the fascia, I have Stu "on standby" so to speak but I can't buy a bleeding unit for love nor money!!!

Seller is naviandbmwparts but the guy simply doesn't want my money!!!!

Siemens VDO make them iirc. Same as the Bolero / Columbus.

I think the Audi Bose systems sound miles better, with proper processing and an amp, but there you go

Horses for courses.....

Steve

I listened to my old Stream MP3 and the Columbus I replaced it with, back to back, and the Columbus is miles better. I had a couple of grand's worth of quality oriented ICE in my last Octavia, but the sound of the Columbus with standard speakers is good enough with no extra messing with upgrading speakers, sound deadening and amping.

I agree. My Stream MP3 sounded very harsh in the mid range, but the Columbus sounds much more rounded.

I've never had anything to complain about in mine. Got the MFD2 unit in and I love it.

Love the avatar too.....

I drove my 2008 VRS for the last week I had it with the factory fitted stream refitted as I removed the retro-fitted Colombus so it could be fitted it into my Limited Edition.

That was one of the longest weeks of my life - the Stream is not in the same ball park as the Colombus, the latter being far superior for sound quality

I drove my 2008 VRS for the last week I had it with the factory fitted stream refitted as I removed the retro-fitted Colombus so it could be fitted it into my Limited Edition.

That was one of the longest weeks of my life - the Stream is not in the same ball park as the Colombus, the latter being far superior for sound quality

Yes yes but all this is doing is winding me up even more that I can't find one to buy!!!!!:mad:

I am trying to buy a Columbus but I just can't get the trader on ebay to respond with version of unit and map version etc. I am SO frustrated - I've got the moeny sitting there ready to go. I've ordered the fascia, I have Stu "on standby" so to speak but I can't buy a bleeding unit for love nor money!!!

Seller is naviandbmwparts but the guy simply doesn't want my money!!!!

There's been quite a few who've bought from them - oh well, weird! :confused:

How about:

Skoda MFD3 rns510 columbus navigation sat nav octavia on eBay (end time 11-Sep-09 21:30:36 BST)

Steve

Oh, and keep an eye on this thread:

http://briskoda.net/ice-security-insurance/those-looking-skoda-rns510-ebay/134292/

It's helped quite a few out! Some good deals have been had

Not been many updates in the past couple of weeks though...

Steve

Want to buy mine? Following a recent upgrade incident, the hard drive won't work until you find an elusive firmware 1004 disc and if you want to upgrade it, you'll need to find an enterprising eastern european chap with l33t skillz.

I'll do you a cracking deal. :handshke:

Yes yes but all this is doing is winding me up even more that I can't find one to buy!!!!!:mad:

Which one is not responding - more than one seller at present on flea-bay??

Skoda MFD3 rns510 columbus navigation sat nav octavia on eBay (end time 11-Sep-09 21:30:36 BST)

Skoda COLUMBUS rns510 rns 510 mfd3 gps sat navigation on eBay (end time 07-Sep-09 22:00:00 BST)

SKODA MFD3 RNS510 Navigation system Vers. A Touchscreen on eBay (end time 08-Sep-09 22:25:50 BST)

There's been quite a few who've bought from them - oh well, weird! :confused:

How about:

Skoda MFD3 rns510 columbus navigation sat nav octavia on eBay (end time 11-Sep-09 21:30:36 BST)

Steve

No mention of the version - I need a Z1 = octy VRS 2009 and Maxidot. This could be a 3TO which would cause issues

I drove my 2008 VRS for the last week I had it with the factory fitted stream refitted as I removed the retro-fitted Colombus so it could be fitted it into my Limited Edition.

That was one of the longest weeks of my life - the Stream is not in the same ball park as the Colombus, the latter being far superior for sound quality

So. If you upgrade to Colombus, do you need new speakers as well? Or do the standard ones benefit from the improved amp.

I understand what you mean. Stream can sound very aggressive, but the thing is, it hardly ever distorts, even at lunatic volume. You can rattle the door mirrors and the music still hangs together. I would wager you could not do that in many other cars of similar price.

The Insignia had an awful unit. I thought it was just set up wrong, but no amount of tweaking could make the radio sound anything less than wooly and vague. I also drove a Focus that had a pathetic radio.

So. If you upgrade to Colombus, do you need new speakers as well? Or do the standard ones benefit from the improved amp.

I understand what you mean. Stream can sound very aggressive, but the thing is, it hardly ever distorts, even at lunatic volume. You can rattle the door mirrors and the music still hangs together. I would wager you could not do that in many other cars of similar price.

The Insignia had an awful unit. I thought it was just set up wrong, but no amount of tweaking could make the radio sound anything less than wooly and vague. I also drove a Focus that had a pathetic radio.

Standard speakers cope with the Colombus no problem

The Columbus just makes the standard speakers sound a whole lot better. A lot of people complain about the tweeters in the mk2 Octavia, but they actually sound ok with the Columbus - assuming they're working correctly. Shortly after I got my Columbus, I realised my drvier's door tweeter was distorting / sounding harsh at certain frequencies. I had it replaced under warranty and now, it's spot on. I wonder how many people who complain about the tweeters have got a similar fault.

Which one is not responding - more than one seller at present on flea-bay??

Skoda MFD3 rns510 columbus navigation sat nav octavia on eBay (end time 11-Sep-09 21:30:36 BST)

Skoda COLUMBUS rns510 rns 510 mfd3 gps sat navigation on eBay (end time 07-Sep-09 22:00:00 BST)

SKODA MFD3 RNS510 Navigation system Vers. A Touchscreen on eBay (end time 08-Sep-09 22:25:50 BST)

The only one that states version is the middle one however it does not state "code card" only "code supplied". This >can< signify a stolen unit (I'm not in any way saying it actually does or that the seller is in any way passing off goods but it has been known as an identifier of dodgy units in the past and I'd rather not benefit from somebody elses misfortune)

navandbmwparts is the trader who won't respond and even more annoyingly he DID answer my question about the code card but either couldn't or wouldn't give me the version info

Standard speakers cope with the Colombus no problem

I wonder what the best deals are on this unit? They all seem to be about 530 quid, which is a lot of wonga.

I wonder what the best deals are on this unit? They all seem to be about 530 quid, which is a lot of wonga.

The thing is a VW unit is much cheaper as there are more of them. Its not necessarily about the cheapest unit though as I like to buy from high feedback traders hence my annoyance - this guy I'm chasing has over 3000 feedback points!!

There is the question of didgy units as well - looks like some people on here have caught a right cold trying to apply the latest firmware and this >could< very well be down to units of "questionable parentage" which have been modified to work with a replacement code rather than the original.

The thing is a VW unit is much cheaper as there are more of them. Its not necessarily about the cheapest unit though as I like to buy from high feedback traders hence my annoyance - this guy I'm chasing has over 3000 feedback points!!

There is the question of didgy units as well - looks like some people on here have caught a right cold trying to apply the latest firmware and this >could< very well be down to units of "questionable parentage" which have been modified to work with a replacement code rather than the original.

I think I will spend my next few hundred quid on a remap. Bluefin or P-Torque? MMMMMM.

Here is my take on the Bolero as an audiophile device, I have been comparing normal CDs with WAVs ripped onto them (normal CD & HDCD tracks), MP3 320kbps CDRs & SD with the same level of MP3 files. Well the standard Bolero unit in a word is superb, excellent separation and a slight tweak on the MP3 material (ie bass boost) makes them very listenable. Very impressed with the speakers in the VRS, only downside I have had is MP3 CDRs in the 6 slot Bolero unit “screeching” and sticking, only be a couple of time, I take this to be a laser problem reading the CDR surface on those MP3 data discs.

I am considering buying a SD recorder soon so that I can record material from Sky HD & Vinyl setup (LP12/Akito/Shure V15 III) directly onto the SD card and put into my Bolero, also copying from Spotufy on my PC across to the SD card, for those with SD cards this recording/deck may be on interest:

http://www.dmmusic.com/acatalog/info_HD_GEM101.html