After reading this and similar forums about my Octavia 4 (2022. 1.5TSI), and thanks to some enthusiasts here I decided to do deadening doors, trunk, hood, wheel arches, pillars... and speaker upgrade (Focal IS VW 165 front + rear). I will post some pictures after about this. I'm super satisfied with results, but now realizing even more possible improvements.

Sound of front and rear speakers is completely different. Rears are - just bad, completely lacking power and low and high frequencies. This is especially not good at all if you want to install an DSP amplifier, you want to have "flat" outputs from head unit.

After hours of searching I found some interesting web links related to described "problem". The possible solution is to "play" and edit sound settings of MIB unit (see attached links).

In short: via diagnostics "extract" sound dataset from 5F Multimedia Control Unit (HEX code), edit hex code or import to Sound Settings Editor (Alex Strelets, MQB-BLOG), and write back to car.

This was confirmed working with MIB1,2,3 units but I didn't find anyone that succeeded with MIB3 and Octavia IV (NX).

I tried with OBDeleven (EEPROM) and Car Scanner Pro (DATASET DUMP) without success.

Some posts on Facebook without answer:

I hope that discussion can lead us to some solution....

Some useful links:

https://mqb-blog.com/

https://github.com/NumberOneBot/mqb-mib-sound-datasets

https://www-drive2-ru.translate.goog/l/634729646969064789/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

https://www-drive2-ru.translate.goog/l/611148421088161236/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsi80Yr3aoY&t=145s

Edited 27 April, 20251 yr by trinajstich

Hi @trinajstich , I guess nope, but any updates on the subject?

Quite interesting post.

I am in the same situation but with a DSP amp installed and yes, flat EQ is mandatory.

Hi @Mario_Delgado no update since my first post.

One of few possible solutions (workarounds) is to install AMP, for example Focal IMPULSE 4.320, which has ability to play signal from front speakers to rear speakers. With that you can bypass "bad" signal for rear speaker and have amplified all 4 speakers (FRONT L+R and REAR L+R) with "good" VW (Škoda) signal for front speakers. You will obviously lose "fader" ability on your head unit, but you can set it on Focal IMPULSE amp via front and rear "GAIN" knob. Probably you will have front sensors sound on both front and rear speakers, and you will loose rear sensors sound.

Other option is to try to modify multimedia dataset (0x007201 and 0x007204 for MIB3 units) like explained on this blog:

https://mqb-blog.com/

Trying to find someone who succeeded this on Octavia 4 2020-2024 (pre-facelift). On facelift 2024+ I believe for sure this is not possible.

Keep us posted and thanks a lot.

Then, If I have understood correctly, you can edit datasets with OBDEleven via EEPROM, right? That would be my only way of doing it.

Cheers

It theory, yes, you should able to do that, but I don't know how.

I’m also tackling the same problem. I have a VW Passat B8 FL (2021) and I’m getting the exact same error. I’ve tried using both Car Scanner (with Vgate iCar Pro 2s) and OBDeleven (EEPROM) – got the same errors you’re experiencing. At first, I thought it must be SFD-related, but after getting OBDeleven, I noticed it doesn’t prompt me to unlock anything. I did some more research, and it seems like my car isn’t locked.

Then I tried the VCTool app. I didn’t get far, as it requires a fairly expensive premium to access dataset coding. But one thing caught my attention – the DIAG firewall. It’s well known that for cars built after 2021, you need to open the hood and pull the handbrake to unlock the firewall. However, I believe there’s more to it. I read that there’s also some kind of voltage protection, and that VAG recommends having a charger connected during coding. It’s possible that the DIAG firewall requires 12.5V or more to unlock.

I’ve decided to get a new battery and try again. I’m still waiting for it to be delivered. Unfortunately, I don’t have a charger to test this theory, but if you do, it might be worth a shot. My current battery voltage drops below 12V with the ignition on, which could be the issue.

Also, did you manage to get access to the MQB dataset editor? It seems like Alex is no longer active, and I’m hesitant to pay since access has to be granted manually by him.

Edited 3 June, 20251 yr by 4mish

I have done many other coding with no additional charger or battery above 12,5V. So I don't believe this is request just for EEPROM or Dataset Dump section...

I can enter this page https://mqb-blog.com/sound/ , so it is working, but as I read some comments on his blog it seems Alex is not so active. I will not pay or contact him directly before I succeed to export dataset and play with it...

Yes, I was also able to do other coding with my battery at around 12V, so this might not be true—just something I read on other forums.

The VCTool app seems to be the most capable when it comes to reading and writing datasets. They even have a store where you can purchase factory datasets. They also recommend using different OBD adapters and explicitly advise against using ELM adapters, so there might be something to that.

Unfortunately, at this point, it seems like a dead end unless you’re willing to spend a lot of money on different adapters and software. I ended up ditching the Focal amp and going with a DSP so I could freely adjust everything. One thing I still want to do is get rid of the loudness settings—Focal speakers are much more sensitive, and at low volume, there’s way too much bass.

Edited 4 June, 20254 Jun by 4mish

I started researching this topic about sound settings, datasets, after installing Focal IS WV 165 speakers at all 4 doors and realizing that rear speakers setup is like they are not existing. I ended by buying Focal Impulse Amp and Focal SUB 10". Currently in process of making custom fiberglass enclosure in side of trunk.

With this experience, I would just buy front Focal 165mm speakers, deaden only front doors, boot and below rear seats and be happy with additional 1.000€ in my pocket..

Unfortunately, I have a similar experience. I did full sound deadening on all four doors and installed Focal IS VW 180 in the front and Focal IS VW 155 in the back. I hated how everything sounded from the first play — it felt worse than the factory setup. The Focal tweeters are just unpleasant to listen to, and the woofers are extremely boomy (a lot of resonance around ~120 Hz). This led me to tuning.

Now, I’m removing all the Focal speakers and replacing them with Eton. They sound much softer and are far less sensitive, which helps with the head unit’s aggressive tuning. I’m also adding an Axton A594DSP amp and a Hertz CBA 250 subwoofer. I’ll probably lose some money selling all the Focal gear, but if the end result is good, it’ll be worth it.

If I had to do everything again, I would add a DSP, a subwoofer, and maybe change the speakers (if a good fit could be found). I would skip the sound deadening or install it only behind and around the speaker opening. I know sound deadening is something everyone praises, but I couldn’t hear a difference. I had one side of my car sound deadened and drove like that for weeks — it felt the same. I installed 2.5 mm CLD with sound insulation on top. I did the outer door skin, the inner door skin, and added wave foam to the door card.

Well, far from being an expert on the subject, I would wait for the DSP installation and setup before removing them. I think I have finished with the EQ input and output setting and I am quite impress of the change, specially on the rear. Without DSP the rear, as @trinajstich said, is inexistent, but now yes they are.

Next step is subwoofer. In my case, I am going for a Rockford Fosgate Punch P300-8P. Maybe it's not the most powerful one, but it fits perfectly inside the box under the boot floor, so well hidden and boot clear.

I’m also no expert, but according to ChatGPT, anything above 200W is plenty for balanced listening. Maybe not roof-shaking power, but enough for a decent kick. I would suggest that you also check out the Audison APBX 10 AS2. It’s similarly sized, but a bit more powerful and in a sealed box.

I will definitely give the Focals another try with DSP.

Hi, I`m solving the same problem with octavia 4 2023, i use VCTool, they have one-click apps with almost 25 different audio datasets for mib3 units. It cost 1,5 euro for one car and you can try more datasets. Its more powerfull then stock. I use dataset 14. You can try it, its cheap. I use VAS 6154A cable, but they wrote that you can use ELM327.

But i still want to use alex editor, but i cant take out current dataset.. On site mibsolution . one is some datasets for mib3, maybe i take some dataset from this site, modify, and upload to my vehicle.

Does anybody try to buy subscription for editor, if its works?

Does anybody have any idea how to get current dataset from mib3 unit? carscanner wrote no compatible for this function. I have icar pro 2S. I dont want to pay expensive VCTool. I dont know if its posible to get by ODIS-E.

@petrbazant can you write these datasets without purchasing VCTool subscription or unlocking ZDCoder? I tried using the app, but it seemed that I would have to pay ~200 Eur to get it working. At that price, I better buy a DSP.

Did you contact the Car Scanner directly? I couldn't find any MIB3 compatibility info.

@petrbazant

As I see on their webpage "MIB Manager" module costs 78€? Is this correct?

Also, The generation of SFD tokens, requests to the Stock Service and FoD Tweaker module are not included in any subscription and are provided for an additional fee!

Can you please explain what did you done with VCTool?

The only cheap way that work for me is open vctool, connect car - click one-click-aplications. then found 5F - MIB3 audio parameters. on this they are about 20 different datasets. I dont know what they do, but I chose one out of twenty based on what I liked the most. They can't be adjusted, but my rear speakers have finally started working properly.

This think cost 1 VCtool coin - 1,5 euro for one car

Edited 25 June, 202525 Jun by petrbazant

9 minutes ago, trinajstich said:

@petrbazant

As I see on their webpage "MIB Manager" module costs 78€? Is this correct?

Also, The generation of SFD tokens, requests to the Stock Service and FoD Tweaker module are not included in any subscription and are provided for an additional fee!

Can you please explain what did you done with VCTool?

I dont pay 78. I pay only 1,5 euro for one-click-app. Work in my octavia 4 and Tiguan 2017

2 minutes ago, petrbazant said:

The only cheap way that work for me is open vctool, connect car - click one-click-aplications. then found 5F - MIB3 audio parameters. on this they are about 20 different datasets. I dont know what they do, but I chose one out of twenty based on what I liked the most. They can't be adjusted, but my rear speakers have finally started working properly.

This think cost 1 VCtool coin - 1,5 euro for one car

Is there option for setting back to default dataset? How many datasets did you tried?

Just now, trinajstich said:

Is there option for setting back to default dataset? How many datasets did you tried?

This might be the worse part. I wasn’t able to back up the current dataset, so I don’t know what I had in there before. I tried every single option — each one was better than what was originally there — and I ended up sticking with option 14. Apparently, the original dataset can be obtained online via ODIS-S, but I’ve never tried it myself. When I wanted to install the stock dataset, it told me to contact VCTool support and they would send it to me, but I didn’t really need it.

Today I received the ELM327 adapter so I could use CarScanner to read the current dataset and just tweak it to perfection — but unfortunately, it didn’t read anything, so I was disappointed and found this thread on a forum instead.

I’ll try taking a dataset from MIBSolution, modify it a bit, and then attempt to upload it to the car via CarScanner. But I don’t feel like paying for the Alex editor if it’s no longer active and can’t be reactivated. The only option then would be the templates he has on GitHub, and to dig through the HEX format and edit it manually that way

17 hours ago, petrbazant said:

Today I received the ELM327 adapter so I could use CarScanner to read the current dataset and just tweak it to perfection — but unfortunately, it didn’t read anything, so I was disappointed and found this thread on a forum instead.

I’ll try taking a dataset from MIBSolution, modify it a bit, and then attempt to upload it to the car via CarScanner. But I don’t feel like paying for the Alex editor if it’s no longer active and can’t be reactivated. The only option then would be the templates he has on GitHub, and to dig through the HEX format and edit it manually that way

Can you please try to connect to your Škoda with ELM327 + VCTool and confirm this combination works for changing MIB3 audio parameters?

I try it today. My notebook dont see ELM327 in bluetooth devices.. i dont know why..

Hello @petrbazant ,

You can use DoIP interface! Both Sk Mk4 and VcTool support this protocol.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EINwq3c

Can you share more details how did you find and changed the sound datasets with VcTool? Maybe if you have some spare time to create a DYI/video tutorial?

Thank you

Cheers

Edited 26 June, 202526 Jun by djmartzian

I will order this DoIP cable and try with VcTool. Will report in few weeks.

I made video how i change dataset template by vctool and my cable vas 6154a. you need to have internet connection or mobile hotspot connected. if you dont have it vctool get error server unrechable. the change cost 1,5euro for one car. if you pay one, you can change infinitly on one car.

youtube video link

for my setup i most like template 14. I have speakers audiosystem R 165, Sub awave ast11tv5 and soundproof door.

Get info what dataset you like most.