Just bought a Octavia Mk 1 1.9 TDi and I absolutely love it!

However, I listen to a lot of music in the car and the factory-fitted stereo doesn't sound that great.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive way to beef up the stereo a bit? I don't know if it's better to replace the head unit or the speakers or if I really need to replace both.

The stereo just sounds a bit weak, and a lacking in bass.

I listen to all kinds of music, bit of funk, bit of rock but mainly a lot of jazz and classical so I don't really want loads of subs etc, just a good, punchy, versatile sound.

Also, the car has a multichanger fitted so ideally I'd like something that is compatible with this. A jack input would also be a bonus for ipods etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

I have the same tastes in music as you, so bearing in mind that it is all about opinions, here goes:

Change the head unit

Fit a (4 channel) amplifier. (for flexibility. You might not want a sub. woofer now, but you might later.)

Fit new component speakers to the front.

That is a minimum if you want a noticeable improvement in sound quality.

Don't fit cheapo stuff, it is a false economy. You will soon tire of it and you won't be able to sell it on.

Fit the best you can afford and make sure it is installed properly.

The install and set-up is very important.

Don't make the mistake of dismissing a sub. because you listen to classical and jazz. Both genres sound much, much better with a sub. and if you decide to go for one later the 4 channel amp. will cope.

If you insist on keeping the rear speakers (a bad idea from a sound-quality point of view) you will then be able to drive them from the amp. in the head unit.

To complete the install don't forget to fit sound-deadening to the doors.

OK, I know it's not the answer that you were looking for, but that's what it takes to get a good sound system which can last you for years and which can be transferred from car to car as you move on up.

Don't compromise - music is too important!

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by BOBAD

Sound deadening the doors makes a big difference to the bass from the front speakers.

Sound deadening the doors makes a big difference to the bass from the front speakers.

Thanks a lot for the info guys. Sorry, didn't realise anyone had responded to this until the other day.

I've got a Sony bluetooth head unit installed, and I'm planning on getting the following fitted at the end of the week:

Onyx 4 channel amp

Focal 165 A1 components

Herz Sub

Deadening of front doors

Does this seem like a good way to blow £500 (including fitting, cables etc)?

is it an estate or hatch, If estate i did a nice sub boot install and its been in about 3 months and sounds awesome! Ill find the link if you want it! should still be knocking around on here.

Hi mate, it's a hatchback I'm afraid, cheers though - wouldn't mind having a look a the install anyway!

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/171509-tdi-estate-boot-install/page__p__2078867entry2078867

theres the link bud, carpet all trimed up now and tweaked so all is working well!

I've got a Sony bluetooth head unit installed, and I'm planning on getting the following fitted at the end of the week:

Onyx 4 channel amp

Focal 165 A1 components

Herz Sub

Deadening of front doors

The Sony head unit would not be my choice, but if it is already fitted I can understand your wish to keep it.

At least it will be an upgrade project for the future and while not producing the best sound will not be as bad as many others.

Just don't be under any illusions about the source being the most important part of any sound system, because it is!

I can't comment on Onyx amps. as I have not heard one, but the fact that it is a 4-channel is a good thing.

Use 2 channels to drive the front components and 2 channels (bridged) to drive the sub.

The Focal components and Hertz sub are both good choices and you should not have any complaints regarding these.

The sound-deadening of the doors is a must, and will improve the mid-bass no end as well as getting the most benefit from your component speakers.

Don't cut any corners regarding the install, which together with the set-up is the most important bit.. !

And then...............happy listening... !

Nowt wrong with most sony headunits, my old one was alot better than the kenwood that the insurance company replaced it with

........Nowt wrong with most sony headunits,........

I quite agree.

Sony units are fine provided you demand very little of your headunit.and sound-quality is of no importance.

Different people have different standards.

You only have to see how many copies of The S*n newspaper are sold every day........

I'm not sure if the OP carries passengers often or not, but surely by fitting a sub (Presumably in the boot) and then removing the rear speakers, anyone sat in the back seats is going to be treated to far too bass heavy sound? I still use the rear speakers in my car so am unsure.

Edited 12 November, 201015 yr by Jcb.

....... surely by fitting a sub ..... and then removing the rear speakers, anyone sat in the back seats is going to be treated to far too bass heavy sound?..

Yes, this is true. You have to decide how important sound quality is to the person driving.

By fitting rear speakers you are dragging the sound stage backwards so decreasing the sound quality for the people sitting in the front seats.

So the options are:

1) Setup the system by not fitting rear speakers so it sounds good in front and bad in the rear.

or

2) Fit speakers in the rear so it sounds reasonable in the back and very poor in front.

Just how important is it to you that the opinion of rear seat passengers matters when listening to music in your car?

If they don't like it surely they can take a bus and an iPod or else buy a car of their own?

Don't settle for a compromise! - Music is too important for that !

another option is to fit rear speakers and use the fader when you have no rear passengers.

......another option is to fit rear speakers and use the fader.....

I prefer the option of not fitting rear speakers and having it sound good in the front ALL of the time......