Hi there Tim (or any others who might know)

I went for the upgraded sound system in my 170 Elegance, and am absolutely delighted with what I hear.

However, part of me regrets not going for the full Columbus system too, and I will explore retrofitting that, soon.

This query relates to the Sound System upgrade to a 12 speaker setup. Do you have access to a schematic diagram of how it functions. Detail is so scarce on this that we almost have to take it on trust that we have actually had a £350 benefit!! Where, and what, are the extra speakers? And where, and what, is the additional amplifier?

If you can help it would be just great. Thanks, as ever, and genuflections to your amazing knowledge of the Yeti Innards!!

George

Hi there Tim (or any others who might know)

I went for the upgraded sound system in my 170 Elegance, and am absolutely delighted with what I hear.

However, part of me regrets not going for the full Columbus system too, and I will explore retrofitting that, soon.

This query relates to the Sound System upgrade to a 12 speaker setup. Do you have access to a schematic diagram of how it functions. Detail is so scarce on this that we almost have to take it on trust that we have actually had a £350 benefit!! Where, and what, are the extra speakers? And where, and what, is the additional amplifier?

If you can help it would be just great. Thanks, as ever, and genuflections to your amazing knowledge of the Yeti Innards!!

George

George,

The extra speakers are starring you in the face. There are 4 of them and they all say 'sound system'.

The amp is underneath the front passenger seat.

The standard speakers are more hidden behind the grills in the door panels etc.

Mike

George,

The extra speakers are starring you in the face. There are 4 of them and they all say 'sound system'.

The amp is underneath the front passenger seat.

The standard speakers are more hidden behind the grills in the door panels etc.

Mike

Hey Mike!!

Fanx for that F1 reply!! (i.e. bluddy quick!!)

Most of that I sort of know - but was after a bit more of a tekky reply of info - like power handling, and power, and stuff.

I have stood on my head in the passenger footwell to try and find that amp - but can't recognise it. (mind - my glasses keep sliding off my nose......)

I'd like to know what its output is and the number of channels and - well - just more STUFF!!

Hey Mike!!

Fanx for that F1 reply!! (i.e. bluddy quick!!)

Most of that I sort of know - but was after a bit more of a tekky reply of info - like power handling, and power, and stuff.

I have stood on my head in the passenger footwell to try and find that amp - but can't recognise it. (mind - my glasses keep sliding off my nose......)

I'd like to know what its output is and the number of channels and - well - just more STUFF!!

look from behind the front seat looking forward, thats how I saw it.

As for power, it is quite a bit more than standard.

The extra speakers as you know give the sound a lift in the middle frequencies.

Loadswine listened to mine a while back and said that it was much better than his standard one, that he could hear more of what was going on in the music that I played.

I just know that it is brilliant, even if I don't use it that much.

The radio sounds fab - Swmbo loves the sound. Better than her radio inside (apart from not being DAB)

Mike

look from behind the front seat looking forward, thats how I saw it.

As for power, it is quite a bit more than standard.

The extra speakers as you know give the sound a lift in the middle frequencies.

Loadswine listened to mine a while back and said that it was much better than his standard one, that he could hear more of what was going on in the music that I played.

I just know that it is brilliant, even if I don't use it that much.

The radio sounds fab - Swmbo loves the sound. Better than her radio inside (apart from not being DAB)

Mike

I agree completely that the sound is exceptional. It is well balanced, full, with deep bass, and it over-rides any sound of the engine!!

I am very pleased that I spent the extra on the system, and given that I enjoy all types of music from the rockiest rock to the frothiest classical - that satisfies me hugely!!

And it certainly is loud enough to fill my ears.

I agree completely that the sound is exceptional. It is well balanced, full, with deep bass, and it over-rides any sound of the engine!!

I am very pleased that I spent the extra on the system, and given that I enjoy all types of music from the rockiest rock to the frothiest classical - that satisfies me hugely!!

And it certainly is loud enough to fill my ears.

 The loud speakers in the vehicle are matched to a power outputt of the radio and navigation system of 4x 20°W.

 For the equipment soundsystem*,the loudspeakers are matched to a power output of the amplifier of 4x40°W + 6x20 W.

This is a quote from the Yeti Manual.

Mike

Parts manual not that detailed and treble tweeters not listed as far as I can see; refers you from the speaker section to the doors but a door part is listed under the cross reference number. Also looked at Octavia II which has more detail for that model but again the same cross reference issue. Finally looked at Superb II which uses the same diagram as Yeti but at least there's a number for the Superb's tweeters.

Yeti

Octavia II

Superb II

TP

Bless ya, dat man! Dat TeePee man , he know ALL da stuff, an' I's grateful (a great fool -hahaha).

Thanks Tim, for that; it's exactly what I was wanting to look at!

Hope PAT's replacement isn't long in arriving. I don't know how you have survived without your own SM. Motoring for me has moved to a different level since acquiring my Yeti - suggested, believe it or not, by my 88year old Mother, who enormously enjoyed this weeks Top Gear to the point of watching each "repeat"!!!!

Thanks TP

So, my SM was made just before the change in speakers & amp. wonder what the differences are.

And all the speakers are different with the sound system, so they haven't just added 4 more speakers and an amp, but changed all the speakers as well.

Mike

Just had a look through the service manual (very early version covers late 09) and these diagrams may be of interest;

The manual also gives the following very general discription;

General description The basis of this system is the control unit for the digital sound package -J525- with ten channel audio amplifier. The loudspeaker arrangement is designed in three zones. Except bass speaker and treble speaker, the Sound System is additionally fitted out with midrange speakers which are installed in the front and rear doors. Altogether the Sound System is fitted out with twelve loudspeakers. The Sound System version is marked at the front door trim panel with the logo “SOUND SYSTEM” and is an equipment version for vehicles with radio “Bolero” and navigations “Amundsen” and “Columbus”.

No sound expert myself, although I believe FocusZetec is, so may be worth sending him a PM.

Regards,

TP

Oh regard Pats replacement got word from James today another 10 weeks to build now :( so May delivery; be one of the last MY11's

Just had a look through the service manual (very early version covers late 09) and these diagrams may be of interest;

The manual also gives the following very general discription;

General description The basis of this system is the control unit for the digital sound package -J525- with ten channel audio amplifier. The loudspeaker arrangement is designed in three zones. Except bass speaker and treble speaker, the Sound System is additionally fitted out with midrange speakers which are installed in the front and rear doors. Altogether the Sound System is fitted out with twelve loudspeakers. The Sound System version is marked at the front door trim panel with the logo “SOUND SYSTEM” and is an equipment version for vehicles with radio “Bolero” and navigations “Amundsen” and “Columbus”.

No sound expert myself, although I believe FocusZetec is, so may be worth sending him a PM.

Regards,

TP

Oh regard Pats replacement got word from James today another 10 weeks to build now :( so May delivery; be one of the last MY11's

From your previous post, the part numbers were different if I remember between the 'normal' system and the sound system bass and treble speakers.

Mike

George, re your OP, I have to say I have grown increasingly fond of the features and functioning of the Columbus over the past few months, as familiarity has grown. So I would now say - I would recommend it if it can be retrofitted - I wouldn't have said that shortly after acquisition, when I was still reflecting fondly on my old Tom Tom, and sort of regretting not having 'English Jane' looking after me. I have gradually warmed to the rather more sci-fi sounding girlie sitting behind my Columbus, and she does well. I have solved her deficiences, in terms of displaying sat. road speed, and warning me of speed cameras, by buying her a friend, Road Angel. They get on OK together, at least when I am in the car.

A Columbus can be retro-fitted and it's a LOT cheaper than buying it with the car.

Cost to spec on the car = £1500(ish)

Cost to buy on ebay, sealed with code = £550(ish)

You can fit it yourself in 5 minutes, the GPS antenna works fine under the dash (in my experience) and you can sell off the Bolero, so it costs you less than £400 to upgrade.

All you need is the new facia surround that Skoda dealers want about £20 for.

That's a saving of over £1000 !

We have done it as a retro fit and I'm glad we have.

But no way would I have paid £1500 for it!

That's nearly 10% of the value of the car.

Edited 28 January, 201115 yr by CT17

A Columbus can be retro-fitted and it's a LOT cheaper than buying it with the car.

Cost to spec on the car = £1500(ish)

Cost to buy on ebay, sealed with code = £550(ish)

You can fit it yourself in 5 minutes, the GPS antenna works fine under the dash (in my experience) and you can sell off the Bolero, so it costs you less than £400 to upgrade.

All you need is the new facia surround that Skoda dealers want about £20 for.

That's a saving of over £1000 !

We have done it as a retro fit and I'm glad we have.

But no way would I have paid £1500 for it!

That's nearly 10% of the value of the car.

I agree, and when I had my octavia I went that route.

This time I wanted all the functionality of the newer firmware, including voice control, v7 maps, parking sensors showing on screen. I decided that I would spend the extra and get it working, direct from factory. Mine cost me about 6%, but I did buy the most expensive model......with one or two extras.

I did have a few problems with my Columbus for the Octavia, the first one didn't work properly, so I returned it and it was replaced eventually, and then I tried unsuccessfully upgrading the firmware on the replacement to the latest and failed, almost making a £500 door stop. I managed to recover it, so never bothered to try again. I have sold it now, as it was too 'old' for Elsie and couldn't do all that the one installed in her can do.

So a word of caution. You need to know what you are doing and above all what you are buying, and buy from a reputable bay seller, or even somebody like My link.

Mike

I agree, and when I had my octavia I went that route.

This time I wanted all the functionality of the newer firmware, including voice control, v7 maps, parking sensors showing on screen. I decided that I would spend the extra and get it working, direct from factory. Mine cost me about 6%, but I did buy the most expensive model......with one or two extras.

I did have a few problems with my Columbus for the Octavia, the first one didn't work properly, so I returned it and it was replaced eventually, and then I tried unsuccessfully upgrading the firmware on the replacement to the latest and failed, almost making a £500 door stop. I managed to recover it, so never bothered to try again. I have sold it now, as it was too 'old' for Elsie and couldn't do all that the one installed in her can do.

So a word of caution. You need to know what you are doing and above all what you are buying, and buy from a reputable bay seller, or even somebody like My link.

Mike

Fortunately no problems here.

Plugged in and screen showed parking sensors back and front etc...

It seems plug and play if you get the latest version.

Fortunately no problems here.

Plugged in and screen showed parking sensors back and front etc...

It seems plug and play if you get the latest version.

It should be...as long as you get the latest one.

Have you got voice control of the Columbus working?

Mike

It should be...as long as you get the latest one.

Have you got voice control of the Columbus working?

Mike

Not tried as I didn't realise it had voice control.

Only really went for it as we sold the other car with built in sat-nav... and it was a (relatively) cheap upgrade.

I'll have to get the manual out.

I certainly agree that, if you had to pay £1500, it would be very expensive. Mine was sort of rolled into a p/ex deal on an ex-demo car, so I didn't feel the full blast. It is the full integration that constitutes much of the benefit of it - as a pure navigation tool it is hardly better than my old Tom Tom. But it does have a lot of extra features, while missing some...I am certainly very pleased to have it, and would miss it sorely now. I am a bit of a philistine with in-car sound so don't regret not having the full monty sound system - but it might be a case of what you haven't had you don't miss. I had what was available, but I am a sucker for features - given the choice I would have EVERYTHING, like the book the devil offered to Dr Faustus.

Not tried as I didn't realise it had voice control.

Only really went for it as we sold the other car with built in sat-nav... and it was a (relatively) cheap upgrade.

I'll have to get the manual out.

Don't bother.

To get voice control working you need to pull the columbus out, cut some wiring from the oem BT car kit and resolder to the back of the columbus.

If you look at this link or this link somewhere in there it will describe what you have to do.

Mike

Thanks Rockhopper,

Doubt I'd have used it much anyway. More for novelty value.

On the old Rangie I only used it a few times. By the time you press a button to give a command, waiting for the beep and then told it what you want to do you could already have pressed the button for what you wanted anyway. So I did.