**Updated 06/10/21**

 

There maybe certain circumstances where Skoda Surround will cause issues on a Columbus MIB2.5.  On my 2019 Scout, it has had a Columbus retro-fitted.  It caused NO ENDS of problems when I enabled up Skoda Surround (Byte 11 Hex 04).  When reverted back to Byte 11, Hex 01), the coding issues and went away and sound was much improved. 

 

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Dear all,

 

I am seeing lots of posting on all of the different models about poor sound from the MIB systems - particuarly in Octavia's, Kodiaks, Fabias etc. 

As the cars are in essence VW Polos, Golf, Passats etc etc, they all have hidden features that can be enabled.  I take absolutely no credit for this - it was @SashaGrace who initally gave us this via her excellent Octavia VRS posting.

 

As standard, MK3 Octavias & most Skodas come with 8 speakers (2 in each door - a tweeter and a bass).  Without Skoda Surround and virtual base, the sound is very hollow and the MIB system internal amplifier only seems to use the tweeter, so you can understand the frustration of folk who say the audio system is rubbish.

 

To get Skoda Surround and Virtual Base enabled, there are some cavaats that I want to make folk aware of:

 

1) I ~think~ this mod does work in a MIB1 system (cars from 2013 to 2016), but I've never tried it (SOP2.x 02xx) (@PetrolDave has confirmed it works on his car).

2) When the MIB2 systems came along, you do need the latest firmware to enable this properly (because the feature was broken on anything earlier than SOP3.x 0363 and SOP4.x 0478 for Bolero and Amunsden).

3) This mod does not work on systems with external amplifiers i.e. Canton systems.  We can rage all day about whether the sound is better with/without Canton amplifiers - this is not the place.

4) This mod will work with ALL of the MIB system range (Bolero, Amunsden + Columbus).

5) I haven't tried this mod with a Swing system - it is highly unlikely to work.

 

You will need:

 

a) To find somebody locally with either a genuine VCDS system or ODBEleven Pro dongles.

 

Coding

 

Skoda Surround settings are: Module 5F, Byte 11 and change to Hex 04

Perform a Hard Reset by pressing and Holding the Power Button for 8 seconds (until you hear a click) - press power button again to restart the unit

 

Enabling feature in Media/Radio - Settings

 

Go to either RADIO or MEDIA - go to Settings -> Tick the boxes for Skoda Surround + Virtual Base.

 

 

 

Edited 6 October, 20214 yr by varaderoguy
Updated with additional cavaats - Oct 2021

1 hour ago, varaderoguy said:

1) I ~think~ this mod does work in a MIB1 system (cars from 2013 to 2016), but I've never tried it (SOP2.x 02xx).

Definitely works on my MIB1 Amundsen.

Do you have the menu on the MIB1? I have done a few MIB1’s and I’m aware it works but there is no menu. There is also a control module incorrectly coded error if done on the Harman Columbus but it does work, though Columbus has 6 channel audio so centre speaker and sub upgrade as well as 5 channel EQ is doable on those.

13 hours ago, SashaGrace said:

Do you have the menu on the MIB1? I have done a few MIB1’s and I’m aware it works but there is no menu. 

I'm 99% sure it doesn't appear on the menu, but you certainly can hear the difference.