I was wondering what makes of speaker people have gone for in the Octy vRS ?

I'll be wanting to change them when i get one and wanted something to offer improved sound quality over the standard units. Does anyone know of any manufacturers that make direct replacements ?

Also has anyone fitted an amp into one ? how easy or hard is it to strip the interior to install power and RCA cables ?

I was wondering what makes of speaker people have gone for in the Octy vRS ?

Well, I don't drive the vRS, but I'm still going to answer...

In the fronts I have Infinitys - can't remember the model number now, but they've since been discontinued, with the replacement being too deep for the enclosure. With regard to "direct replacement", you just need a 17cm (6.5") unit - I know Pioneer have some nice "shallow basket" ones which fit.

In the rear, you need 13cm speakers, and if you get coaxial speakers you need to make sure the tweeter isn't going to hit the plastic grille. I went for a budget speaker as I was, er, doing it on a budget, but wanted something with a tweeter in (as I'd disconnected the rear tweeter), and also something better than standard.

Fitting an amp is easy enough, the plastic trims along the side prise off with persuasion and persistence. Fitting an amp to the Symphony head unit didn't work particularly well though, but if this is what you're planning on doing then I would be interested to see if it proves more reliable then when I tried it...

Rob.

Nigel,

If you just want better sound quality without spending a fortune, then you might want to consider the speakers i have...

Front - Pioneer TS-G1746

I believe Rob has the same rears

Indeed I do...though I'm pretty sure they were only 20 quid. Or maybe it was

I was thinking along the same lines now I am an owner

everybody seemed to recommend the infinty 652i?

if these are no longer available I would be interested to see what other options I have

the current fronts just sound a bit tinny..there is no "roundness" to the sound...it feels hollow..its hard to describe really

I am not an audiophile by any means and dislike dance music so its not like I am after huge bass response...just something with a little more richness and fullness of sound....preferably without replacing the head unit

just something with a little more richness and fullness of sound....preferably without replacing the head unit

Unfortunately replacing the head unit is the best guaranteed way to improve the sound - if you change the speakers the improvement is marginal. That said, even buying budget aftermarket speakers will be an upgrade, especially if you also disconnect the rather shrill tweeters...

Rob.

I can't comment myself as I haven't got round to changing my speakers in my fabia - just changed the head unit which already gives loads of improvement over the symphony.

However, this is an interesting thread on the talkaudio forum. It may be above your budget, but the most interesting point I found reading it is the real ice gurus recommend you don't spend any money on the rear speakers - just get really good front ones and add an amp + sub combo.

My old man had a 2-channel sub fitted by an ice installer professionally into his octavia, had one channel running the front speakers (still OEM) and the second channel running the sub in the boot. 'twas fantastic for a cheap(ish) upgrade.

the most interesting point I found reading it is the real ice gurus recommend you don't spend any money on the rear speakers - just get really good front ones and add an amp + sub combo.

Surely this would involve the rear speakers being disconnected? Otherwise you'll just have them distorting annoyingly...

Rob.

Ive Got Rockford Speakers At The Front, Very Pleased With The.

How have people got around the depth issue in the front doors?

I've some 17cm Polk Audio components from my last car and their HUGE to say the least!

I took the standard speakers out and looks like i'll struggle to get them in.

Can you buy spacer rings?

Blaupunkt Los Angeles MP72 hU.

Front - Infiinty 652i

Rear - Infinity 9603i (6x9)

Rear tweeters unplugged.

The 652i is now discontinued adn the replacements are too deep....check out Andre's (FunkyJutel) thread on his system instal for advice on speeker depth etc.

Si,

Depth isn't too much of a problem. I fitted these Focal 165 V2s yesterday / today with only a very little nip and tuck under the door panels.

I was quietly impressed by whoever designed the OE spacers that are already there !

I think that if you are going to do this, do it right. It all depends on budget but if you want to get something that really gives unrivalled quality, I would recommend Crystal component speakers.

Forget 2 way speakers, as they don't get close to proper components with crossovers. I have Crystal CSC60S's in mine, which have aluminium cones with a titanium bullet. The sound quite frankly is sublime and well worth the extra cash.

It willdepend on what set up you are running but true ICE setups always leave out 2-way speakers and 6x9's and go for decent components, sub, amp and ABOVE ALL DECENT WIRING. Forget that and you might as well not start.

Something like Autoleads or Phoenix Gold or Streetwires would be preferable. Ok it's not mega cheap but buy cheap, get cheap. I would highly recommend looking on e-bay or getting yourself onto www.caraudiodirect.co.uk and joining their forum, as many of the guys sell their stuff frequently and most of it is very new for silly money, barely used.

The CSC60's are 199.00 retail or you could try Focal components which weigh in at about 100 notes.

If you want more info PM me and I would be glad to help or pass on my friends details who are experienced Pro-Ice installers.

:mischievo

Thanks for the responses, at the moment i'm running alpine components in my 19 16v with a sub and amp in the boot but want to go for sound quality in the Octy.

I've got my eye on a Pioneer HU which i think will suit the interior of the Skoda better than the Kenwood i've got at the moment.

I suppose i'll look into this again when i get the car but wanted to know the experiences you guys had had already.

I was thinking about Focal or Kicker components for the front, maybe just upgrading the rears with some 2-ways or something and then using the sub/box i already have for the boot. Junking the 2 channel amp i have now and getting something to run the front compents and the sub leaving the rears to run off the HU.

Other Q i was wondering about, has anyone managed to use the standard CD changer with an aftermarket HU. ?

I couldn't find a way of keeping the existing changer and decided that

Indeed I do...though I'm pretty sure they were only 20 quid. Or maybe it was

They buzz like merry hell. Mine are coming out and the standard speakers going back in until I find something that can cope with a bit of music.

Mine used to buzz under heavy load, turned out it was clipping against the plastic grilles in the side-shelves. Mounting them lower fixed that, and also tightened up the bass.

Rob.

As do I, but I wouldn't recommend them to anybody. They may cope OK with the standard HU but anything with a bit of power is going to show them up awfully. They have a very bright sound which initially makes them seem better quality than the standard ones but they soon show their incompetence when any bassy stuff comes along. They buzz like merry hell. Mine are coming out and the standard speakers going back in until I find something that can cope with a bit of music.

Nick, they're not exactly intended for shedloads of bass, if you want that then fit a sub.

Those Pioneers cope quite nicely with anything i can throw at them, then again i don't have the bass cranked right up either. I'd rather listen to music than have the fillings rattled out of my teeth

Geoff you know me well enough to know I'm not a "shedloads of bass" kind of a guy :p

Rob thanks I'll look into whether they're fouling on the grilles before I chuck them in the bin. How did you lower them? Or did you cut off the silly little trumpets in the middle?

As do I, but I wouldn't recommend them to anybody. They may cope OK with the standard HU but anything with a bit of power is going to show them up awfully. They have a very bright sound which initially makes them seem better quality than the standard ones but they soon show their incompetence when any bassy stuff comes along. They buzz like merry hell. Mine are coming out and the standard speakers going back in until I find something that can cope with a bit of music.

but do they work ok with the standard head unit?

all I am looking for is a cheap way to give me better sound..I dont listen to thumping dance music..some nice relaxing Norah Jones tinkling away in the background does me

but at the minute it sounds like she's in a bucket with the standard speakers

Pioneer offer a few choices that will fit according to their website....

Geoff you know me well enough to know I'm not a "shedloads of bass" kind of a guy :p

Yeah yeah Nick, we all know you got a MaxPower subscription for :xmas:

Seriously though...

I can only think of a few tracks that i would listen too that will push them over the limit for bass handling. And thats with the Blaupunkt "X-Bass" in full effect.

Maybe its down to the dodgy installer :p

but do they work ok with the standard head unit?

I ran mine around for a week or 2 with the Skoda "Sympathy" still in place and the Pioneers speakers fitted.

They'll handle anything the standard HU can throw at them, have no fear of that

How did you lower them? Or did you cut off the silly little trumpets in the middle?

Lowered them - initially tried just loosening the screws a bit so they say lower, and it worked quite well, so I lowered them until it fixed it then the screws dropped out. So I bought some longer screws, and a bag of washers so I could stack about 6 washers between the speakers and the plastic bits on the sideshelves. Elegant.

Rob.

Lowered them - initially tried just loosening the screws a bit so they say lower' date=' and it worked quite well, so I lowered them until it fixed it then the screws dropped out. So I bought some longer screws, and a bag of washers so I could stack about 6 washers between the speakers and the plastic bits on the sideshelves. Elegant.

Rob.[/quote']

Roger dodge. :cheers:

Lowered them - initially tried just loosening the screws a bit so they say lower' date=' and it worked quite well, so I lowered them until it fixed it then the screws dropped out. So I bought some longer screws, and a bag of washers so I could stack about 6 washers between the speakers and the plastic bits on the sideshelves. Elegant.

Rob.[/quote']

Sorted. Thanks Rob. Think I may look for a way of sealing the air gap that's now appeared with something, but a huge improvement.

Ahem, as I was saying - the Pioneer TS-G1316 - a good budget alternative to the standard speakers. Rather bright sound but reasonable range. Seems to break up a little at really low frequencies (and no, Geoff, we're not talking anything esoteric or really high volumes here, just some old-fashioned bass guitar). :goodvibes