Okay, so I hate just jumping on here and asking stupid questions, but I've now spent almost 2 hours scouring the web for an answer and it's not happening. My question is a simple one:

 

As the first step in a more ambitious overhaul I'm upgrading the head unit on my MK2 VRS to a double-din Sony unit with an output of 4x55W. My logic is that the Stream unit is pretty crap while the speakers seem good, so replacing it should be the easiest (and cheapest) way to get an instant improvement before full speaker upgrade later in the year. So does anyone know what the output wattage is of the Stream MP3 head unit? And perhaps more importantly, the wattage of the speakers already in the car>? 

Edited 12 October, 201510 yr by jronnquist

I wouldnt worry too much if youre upgrading the speakers later anyway.

Tbf, i think youll find it might be the speakers that are letting the system down.

Ive got the Swing in my Fabia. I was chatting to a car audio specialist last weekend and he was adamant that the weakest link is the speakers, and hes done thousands of em.

So ive taken his word for it and booked it in for a speaker upgrade on saturday.

I wouldnt worry too much if youre upgrading the speakers later anyway.

Tbf, i think youll find it might be the speakers that are letting the system down.

Ive got the Swing in my Fabia. I was chatting to a car audio specialist last weekend and he was adamant that the weakest link is the speakers, and hes done thousands of em.

So ive taken his word for it and booked it in for a speaker upgrade on saturday.

 

Usually I'd agree, the speakers are normally the weakest link in any audio system. However, Stream and Stream MP3 are particularly awful. I've had Bolero, RCD310, RNS315 and RNS510 coupled with the OE speakers, and all have sounded far superiour to Stream.

 

 

 

Jronnquist:

The most important thing to remember when going for a 3rd party headunit is, in this case, you will need to run a switched live from the fuse box, as the OE kit uses CANBus to turn on and off.

Usually I'd agree, the speakers are normally the weakest link in any audio system. However, Stream and Stream MP3 are particularly awful. I've had Bolero, RCD310, RNS315 and RNS510 coupled with the OE speakers, and all have sounded far superiour to Stream.

Jronnquist:

The most important thing to remember when going for a 3rd party headunit is, in this case, you will need to run a switched live from the fuse box, as the OE kit uses CANBus to turn on and off.

Ah okay! (: i thought all skoda OEM units used the same internal sound processor n what not, but obviously the Stream doesnt.

Be interested to hear how this goes then (:

Coming from a Stream to a Columbus I noticed a huge improvement in sounds quality.

 

I always thought the stereo was ok when we got the car but the one in our Cordoba was better (had a similar 8 speaker set-up as the Octavia).

 

With the Columbus the bass level is much better and no distortion when it's cranked up a bit. Also the tweeters aren't as piercing as with the Stream. They used to give me a headache listening at loud volumes as they just seemed too loud and high pitched.

 

Try with just a stereo upgrade as you may just be happy with that!

 

Phil

Thanks guys. 

 

My understanding is that the Octavia speaker array is actually quite decent in comparison to some of the smaller Skoda models. I haven't actually had a look, but I think they're proper plastic/rubber as opposed to the old paper membranes. Compared to every other car I've ever owned, the sound is impressive. The problem with the Stream unit is that it's very basic, the radio receiver is useless (although that could be the ariel) and there is no USB/Bluetooth capability.

 

I've ordered the following two components, which I think are all I should need.  

 

Head unit: http://goo.gl/wIzzi2

 

Fitting kit: https://goo.gl/gkzD4F

 

RainbowFire: The above kit includes a Sony-specific patch lead. I don't know what a CANBus is, but won't this kit be enough?

CANBus is essentially the electrical backbone of the car....these days everything is computer controlled and CANBus is the way they talk to each other. It's how the PDC is connected to the headunit, for example.

 

When it comes to the OE stereo (regardless of Stream, Bolero, RNS510 etc) the unit is always powered and it's the CANBus that says "time to play" when you put the key in the ignition.