Hi all

 

Fancy changing the Swing for something better / more interesting.  It won't be a VW group head unit / sat nav so most likely to be Sony / Pioneer / Alpine etc but wanted to find out your experiences of what is best?

 

Must have -

 

Bluetooth

CD

USB

Aux

Be stalk compatible

 

What is actually involved with changing it over?  Perhaps if it's too complex I won't bother!!

 

Also, is it the head unit that's holding back the speakers and will a decent HU sort this or are the speakers inherently crap (as they really are!)?

 

Can you advise please?

 

Cheers heaps

 

Dave

Hi Dave,

 

I think this might have been covered before on here but from previous post I think you are right in thinking the head unit holds it back.

 

Skoda do a kenwood upgrade - although I think reviews on the unit were pretty bad.

 

Personally I'm an alpine man by choice but hear good things about Pioneer.

 

I've just had to replace my previous rapid which had the swing unit, an alpine amp powering the front OEM speakers, and it had an 8" alpine sub. The speakers can indeed handle more power than what the swing unit was giving them, although the tweeters are the weak point being very HARSH or aggressive in there tonal range.

 

Our new rapid has the Amundsen Plus Sat Nav/DAB unit in which is a BIG improvement on the swing.  

 

Audison do a plug in and play upgrade for the golf mk6 but whats interesting is it powers the factory rear speakers with 35w RMS! I think the swing gives them 12w ish!

https://www.facebook.com/Audison.Official/photos/a.228070733889668.72432.225012997528775/1109759975720735/?type=3&theater

 

Anyway thats my thoughts... I'm waiting to get some money back from the third party's insurance before sound deadening out new one and installing the amps and sub again.

 

Jon

link to audison.... http://www.audison.eu

Cheers for the reply. Double DIN or single - I'm unsure and how easy is it to swap out?! Arrrgh! Lol

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/371359-cost-of-fitting-extras-to-non-new-car-i-want-the-touchscreen-radio/

Audison do a plug in and play upgrade for the golf mk6 but whats interesting is it powers the factory rear speakers with 35w RMS! I think the swing gives them 12w ish!

https://www.facebook.com/Audison.Official/photos/a.228070733889668.72432.225012997528775/1109759975720735/?type=3&theater

 

 

Jon

Different cars, different speakers, but our Rapid seems to have 30W rear speakers fitted -> http://allegro.pl/glosnik-skoda-rapid-5ja035411c-i5111976425.html

Different cars, different speakers, but our Rapid seems to have 30W rear speakers fitted -> http://allegro.pl/glosnik-skoda-rapid-5ja035411c-i5111976425.html

The head units don't supply the speakers with that much power is what I'm saying and that the speakers can handle a good 30watts. They may be different cars but I imagine they use the same audio manufacturers- as many of the components are in fact the same.

Hi all

Fancy changing the Swing for something better / more interesting. It won't be a VW group head unit / sat nav so most likely to be Sony / Pioneer / Alpine etc but wanted to find out your experiences of what is best?

Must have -

Bluetooth

CD

USB

Aux

Be stalk compatible

What is actually involved with changing it over? Perhaps if it's too complex I won't bother!!

Also, is it the head unit that's holding back the speakers and will a decent HU sort this or are the speakers inherently crap (as they really are!)?

Can you advise please?

Cheers heaps

Dave

It would be useful to know what features your car currently has in addition to the Swing, so we can advise what will stop working when you swap the head unit.

Do you have factory-fitted reversing sensors (with radar display on the Swing)?

Do you already have factory-fitted Bluetooth?

I'm assuming you already have a multi-function steering wheel?

Do you have an MDI module below the A/C controls?

If you have any of the above it will impact on your choices if you want to maintain their operation.

If you already have Bluetooth in the car, it is not built into the Swing, it is a separate module under the drivers seat and won't disappear when you remove the head unit.

To maintain reversing sensor and, if you have it, climatronic display compatibility, you'll need to consider another VAG head unit or one of the aftermarket units that have reverse engineered VAGs Canbus signals. Or go for the approved - but hideously expensive - Kenwood option.

Alpine does have a single Din option that will interface with Maxidot and will output the reversing sensor display there instead of on the head unit, so that might be an option if you only have reversing sensors to worry about.

The head units don't supply the speakers with that much power is what I'm saying and that the speakers can handle a good 30watts. They may be different cars but I imagine they use the same audio manufacturers- as many of the components are in fact the same.

 

Yes, I got that, and I believe you are right.

 

From what I gather from audiophiles, the problem with the Rapid and its sound is more with the placement of the speakers or with the doors' damping and less with the speakers.

MDI will still work

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mine never did properly - even with the factory HU.

 

It's a waste of space.

Edited 2 October, 201510 yr by camelspyyder

True it's very hit and miss.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

True it's very hit and miss.

Yes, it really is. However, if you have it, better that you have it fully operational, with a head unit that can display track data output from the connected device. I looked into it, actually stripping out the MDI altogether from a Rapid is messy.

Hi

Cheers guys!

I have the USB and aux below heating controls.

I have manual heating not climatronic.

I have factory Bluetooth

I don't have MFSW

What are the best options with this in mind do you think?

Oh, and no reverse park assist .

That's an odd config - factory Bluetooth and MDI usually includes steering wheel controls?

In which case, why does your new radio need to be steering wheel controls compatible?

For compatibility with the factory Bluetooth and MDI, a Bolero (basically a touchscreen head unit without the nav) or an Amundsen nav unit.

Sent from my iPhone 5S using Tapatalk, please excuse any typos.

It doesn't but DOES need to be stalk compatable :-)

My stalk does, settings, phone and trip computer

It doesn't but DOES need to be stalk compatable :-)

My stalk does, settings, phone and trip computer

Stalk/MFSW = same difference from a remote control perspective. Same signals, just routed to different button locations.

In terms of your options - you can go for pretty much ANY head unit that supports steering controls, you will just need the correct adaptor cable for the head unit you go for. These usually cost about £35 and will also convert from ISO (used by aftermarket head units) to quadlock (used by the Rapid) at the same time.

Just be mindful that the phone answering controls in your stalk will default to the on-board Bluetooth module fitted to the car, not to your new head unit.

A non-VAG head unit will also not prioritise the MDI and AUX inputs if you use them if it does not translate the CANBUS data for switching to them.

Have you had a look at the VAG compatible head units from Xtrons?

I'm now focused on your last sentence! Lol

No, I haven't to be honest. Are they good? Rough cost?

You can get the PX71MTV for about £160 on eBay - includes nav, BT, steering controls harness and VAG CANBUS compatible (as well as being VAG nav unit shape - same shape as an Amundsen or Columbus.

Sent from my iPad Mini with Retina using Tapatalk, please excuse any typos.

screen 8"

 

http://www.erisin.com/erisin-es8015v-vw-car-dvd-golf-cc-tiguan-sharan-eos-caddy-jetta-seat_p505.html

 

http://xtrons.co.uk/pf81mtv-8-inch-hd-touch-screen-in-car-dvd-player-with-sat-nav-for-volkswagen.html

screen 8"

http://www.erisin.com/erisin-es8015v-vw-car-dvd-golf-cc-tiguan-sharan-eos-caddy-jetta-seat_p505.html

http://xtrons.co.uk/pf81mtv-8-inch-hd-touch-screen-in-car-dvd-player-with-sat-nav-for-volkswagen.html

Wow there good!! Would you need a surround to go round the radio or fit straight in?

Wow there good!! Would you need a surround to go round the radio or fit straight in?

It depends what you got... The 're 3 types of fascia:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/372045-part-number-for-amundsencolumbus-radio-surround/

 

My car is 62 plate and it was P&P to change radio. My HU is 7"

 

Thanks everybody