pr0xZen

2002-2005 Audi A6/Allroad Symphony II Radio removal - YouTube

jcman

My 01 had the Bose Symphony I rated at 150watts with one sub driver, the current 04 has the Symphony II rated at 200watts (for sure) with two sub drivers, sedans and Avants are the same.

It's really not worth upgrading with the stock Bose equipment even with driver replacements, it's been done by a few with not-so-good results in this forum.

Audi would of been better offering an enhanced version of the Monsoon system like in the VW's......Audi's version of Bose is..is..well it's just so so and nothing really serious to compare to, now if I could get my 1982 Bose 501 series 5's in the car that would be a bit different because they don't suck.

pr0xZen

So the enclosure is part of the problem? What a shame. I've looking towards installing an aftermarket component system with a small'ish subwoofer, but I prefer a close-to-stock look, not a big box I have to move when I need full space. Thought maybe the Bose woofer box itself, stripped out, could make an OK enclosure.

jcman

Or you can make your own tool, print this image on a paper and make sure it is 5cm long when printed (should already be done for you but double check). Transfer to a card and use the outline to cut out your own set of Radio tool keys.

jcman

The enclosure is rated for the stock drivers that are small, I suppose if you can find the size, ohm rating, frequency range, coil diameter and excursion that is similar you might have better results but the area of the box has limits.

Now's the time to join AudioKarma, as a member too I have found quite a bit of excellent info about anything audio.

pr0xZen

Any difference in driver size, for the single and dual driver boxes? Small drivers utilized in a proper design, can make quite a lot better use of small space than Bose managed to do in this case. Some drivers are nigh-on flat.

Maybe one could split the enclosure, stiffen it up with a couple of layers with fiberglass... but I have no idea if the construction and material itself, or the box volume - is the bigger hinderance.

I've built custom fiberglass enclosures before, but those were to fill the void behind the wheelarch in a cupé hatchback. The A6 (avant) trunk has a flat trunk wall.
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Sorry, really thread-jacking here. I'll leave it there.

jcman

Oh don't kid yourself, I do know that Bose will get the most sound out of a small area "hands down" and their so-called research is really more then marketing that because Bose is correct in the math and design, but Bose drivers are not stellar by any degree so we get a trade-off in that balance.

Honestly I wouldn't waste a penny on car audio if it works IMHO, home sound system hell yes!

pr0xZen

Thats what I was suggesting - the bose drivers aren't exactly a stellar piece of hardware, in this case. Sometimes they do amazing things like their QuietComfort headsets, but here... the enclosure hardly says anything about the optimum performance of a speaker, it alone is like a chassis without engine and drivetrain. Can't just put anything in there and expect it to be ammount to a great experience.

I do have a great home stereo - but due to circumstances I rarely get to use it. Thus the car is my "personal space".

the_duke

Anyone every replace the factory amp with and aftermarket unit? I would think that more power and better crossovers could help.

N_Jay

Well, I guess I am not going to mess with it.
Not that into music, but I do know one thing for sure. Any part I don't grab will die on my car in the next 6 months.