Hello

First post here as I've only had my '07 Octavia for a couple of months.

I really don't like the sound of the MP3 Stream HU and have been looking at options to upgrade it.

I don't want to replace the HU itself and have been told by my local car audio shop that the only way to get a really good sound without this is to install a JL Audio Cleansweep unit to provide a "clean" non-DSP signal to a new amp and then new speakers. Problem is, this comes in at about

I replaced the speakers on the old non-mp3 Stream and the difference was not huge to be honest. I then put in an Alpine 9853 (I think) head unit and the sound was awful. I just could not get it right. So back went the Stream and I guess I learnt to cope.

I have subsequently replaced the Stream with a MFD2 and to my old, jaded ears it sounds much better with the upgraded speakers. Since then I have swapped the CD changer for a Phatbox which is great.

If I were to do it again I would replace the head unit first and go from there.

Hope that helps, oh and welcome by the way.

I'm more than happy with the sound from the MFD2.

I'm guessing but your name suggests that perhaps you live somewhere in Hetfordshire (although there could be a Scottish connection!) but if you do there is a meet later today near Newbury (see mine or Stu's sig) where you could have a listen to an MFD2 which has the added benefit of satnav.

There are others on here that have changed to other HU's such as Alpine & Pioneer which may be more 'your thing'.

hello, i am also new to this site

i just bought a 2005 octavia 2 combi. i do not know a lot about the car in general. it has a stream indash cd player. i would like to add a subwoofer amp and subwoofer. i do not want to change the head unit. i just want to add some clean bass, and maybe upgrade the factory speakers.

i should mention that i have extensive experience with multichannel multiamplifier in car audio systems, but only in porsches and bmws.

does anyone know;

- where can i find an ipod connector at a good price? here in france the skoda dealer wants 120 euro for this simple adapter and installation.

- is there indeed a rca output that i can use to drive the subwoofer amp? otherwise i will have to use the low impedance outputs to derive a signal to feed the subwoofer. i read the iso post and it appears that the "c" connector has the necessary outputs, are there any other signal sources?

- does anyone know of any existing subwoofers that can be mounted in the back? - i imagine that someone or some company has done this already. - i want to preserve the storage space in back so i would prefer something that will fit into the small storage space on the left side behind the wheel arch and suspension. - if possible i would prefer a sealed, or isobaric woofer configuration.

thanks for any info or links that you can suggest. i have been reading and learning a lot already on this site.

daniel

The stream mp3 on its own, really is not that bad. What you need to do is play with the settings, all three of them (bass, mid and treble). It really is possible to get a reasonable sound out of the HU.

It maybe possible to add an external amp using line out connections, but its unknown if the output is present on the stream hu. The only way to get this would be to custom built the neccessary connections to the HU connector as no RCA jacks are present on the hu. The only other option, retaining the original hu is to use the speaker level outputs to drive the external amp.

Try living with the MK1 Symphony head unit and then you'll love the sound of yours. My mate has a new 4x4 Octavia and the stereo is amazing compared to mine.

Thanks for all your comments.

On this basis I think I'll probably go for a replacement HU and take it from there. The Skoda adaptor actually looks quite good from the pictures on this site, and I gain another cubby hole as well. Nice!

Good guess on the name Makefish, I am in Hertfordshire! . Thanks for the invite, hope it went well tonight.

The Skoda Single Din Conversion is very good, I fitted one recently for somone.

Just to let you know, I've now had fitted the Skoda fascia adaptor, and Alpine CDE-9871R with MP3 connector.

I've left the factory speakers but even with these in the difference in sound is amazing! Love controlling my iPod from the stereo too. Much better than the CD Changer I had before.

And the look of it is great. The Skoda adaptor looks really professional and the green buttons on the Alpine match really well with the dash at night.

Very happy! Thanks for the advice!

Just to let you know, I've now had fitted the Skoda fascia adaptor, and Alpine CDE-9871R with MP3 connector.

I've left the factory speakers but even with these in the difference in sound is amazing! Love controlling my iPod from the stereo too. Much better than the CD Changer I had before.

And the look of it is great. The Skoda adaptor looks really professional and the green buttons on the Alpine match really well with the dash at night.

Very happy! Thanks for the advice!

Hey you've done well. :thumbup:

I have just seen this thread for the first time and, reading from the top, find out that you have done EXACTLY AS I WAS ABOUT TO RECOMMEND.

Advice I received a while back from my village Car Hi-Fi shop was to upgrade the Head Unit of a system first and then play around with speakers, amps etc. later. I did this in my Fabia by replacing the OEM Blaupunt with an Alpine 9843.

On getting my Octy II recently, I was very disappointed with the Stream unit both for general sound and specifically MW radio reception.

I had though already planned to transfer my Alpine HU and the difference is fantastic! Playing my favourite CDs I now hear instrument lines that I've never ever heard before. The clarity and definition, particularly considering the cost, is not far shot of amazing.

I have an aux-in lead to connect my mp3 player (Creative Zen) and this comes through from the back into the cubby below the HU, where the Zen unit sits when in use.

A word of warning having read through the handbook. I guess your Alpine is at least 40W per channel. Well the OEM speakers in the Octy are only designed to handle (as far as I can remember as I haven't got my Stream handbook any more) 20W or 30W. So don't turn the volume up too far!

Final point; I agree the variable lighting, to give you green to go with the OEM instrument lighting, is cool.