I want to make my system sound better, but do not want to replace the exisitng head unit or disc changer. What speakers front or rear would you recommend to replace those in my VRS. I do not really want to modify the panels.

You're starting the wrong way around... the HU is very poor and definately needs replacing

There is a wealth of info if you use the search facility but basically any aftermarket speakers from someone such as Infinity, Kenwood, Sony etc will improve things. Unfortunately you will only be putting off the inevitable. Replacing the head unit.

Standard HU & upgraded speakers sounds a bit better.

Quality HU & replacement speakers sounds a LOT better.

Panel mods arent necessary, you can get decent direct replacements

Just have a dig in the ICE forum, its all there

A couple of things to bear in mind:

Some aftermarket speakers (mainly components) will need much more power thant the standard HU can muster to sound decent, so check the specs before you buy!

Don't forget that any decent speaker always needs "running in" 50-100 hours before they sound like they should... :speaker:

Is the OEM stereo in the new Skoda's not just a facelifted version of the VW Gamma/Beta stereo?

The screen looks very similar!

Anyway, if it is, do they have the yellow din connector on the back that gives 4 phono and a remote lead?

Sorry if I'm barking up the wrong tree, but I run a VW Gamma (made by Blaupunkt) (and the screen looks almost exactly the same as the Skoda stereo) - amped, and it sounds great... Better than a fairly high end new Sony HU!

ANYWAY...

I digress!

I really really like Focal speakers.

I have the 16.5cm Polyflex speakers and they are lovely.

I actually ran them from the head unit for a short while when I first got the car and they were a dramatic improvement over the stock VAG speakers.

The

The Symphony is actually a Grundig HU.

Unfortunately appearances can be deceptive. Yes the Skoda Symphony unit looks very much like the Gamma/Beta in the VW's but that's about it. The Gamma in my wifes Polo sounds ten times better than my old Symphony. Let's face it, in a car like the RS that costs not far off what your Polo GTi probably cost you, corners will be cut. Luckily it was the stereo and those little lights on the sun visors. :sqwink:

Oh, and the blue dash lights!

Ahah, interesting...

IIRC, The VW Gamma and Beta HU's can be manufactured by Blaupunkt, Grundig and Sony... Blaupunkts being the best and Sony's being the worst!

There was a big debate about this topic on UK-MKIVS, as peoples views on the standard HU performance varied like chaulk and cheese!

Some people actually swapped HU's over to settle the argument, and it turned out that some were really good, and some were really bad!

Madness!

Oh yeah, the blue dash lights...

I'd have to do something about that if I got a Fabia VRS!! (no offence guys!)... I've grown to LOVE those blue lights!

:flowers:

And I've just noticed you're in Sheffield. :wave:

Well, near Sheffield, but I spend most of my time there!! So... Hello!!

i love the polo gti dash! pitty the octy vRS aint like that!

but if your looking for speaker advice etc on the octy search for "kenny" im sure you'll maybe find one or two.....eh guys!

Let's face it, in a car like the RS that costs not far off what your Polo GTi probably cost you, corners will be cut. Luckily it was the stereo and those little lights on the sun visors. :sqwink:

:rant:

WHAT ...MY NEW vRS WONT HAVE THOSE LITTLE LIGHTS ON THE SUN VISORS??????

I'm changing the order.....I've gotta have those little lights

How do they expect me to shave on the way to work? If I have to lean over to look in the rear veiw morror I might spill my coffee!

As well as looking for posts by Kenny, have a look for posts by FunkyJutel - he did a very, very nice install in his.

Anyway' date=' if it is, do they have the yellow din connector on the back that gives 4 phono and a remote lead?

[/quote']

Yes, it does. However, the voltage range on the line out of the unit tried was erratic to state mildly! Haven't been able to persuade anyone else to try it to see if it was a defect in the one unit though...

Rob.

Ahh, interesting!

I'm running a VW Gamma with phono outs, into an Audiobahn EQ/Pre Amp...

From there it goes into a Boston Acoustics Amp which feeds my Focal Polyflex components up front, and a Kicker Amp delivers power to my ageing but reasonable 12" Rockford Punch XLC sub!

It all sounds pretty sweet, and much better than when I was using my fancy Sony HU to run it all... Wierd innit, you'd have thought that a nice aftermarket Head Unit would run rings around a standard VW unit, but no...

Anyway, someone should try it out with another Symphony unit to see what it sounds like! Might have been just a duff unit like you said!

Anyway, someone should try it out with another Symphony unit to see what it sounds like! Might have been just a duff unit like you said!

Well, we did get it working briefly, and it sounded pretty much on the mark - I think the DAC on the standard HU isn't all that bad, it's just the amplification which lets it down...

Rob.