Worrying trend?

[Glenn Richards]

Have noticed something a little worrying recently...

A number of manufacturers are starting to totally integrate the audio
system into the car, eg Audi with the A6 and A8 (with their MMI system),
BMW with the i-Drive, and apparently Peugeot are jumping on this
particular bandwagon as well.

This would all be fine if manufacturers would fit decent kit to the car
in the first place. But recently I had an A3 as a courtesy car, with the
Bose premium sound system. The Bose system served the primary purpose of
showing up just how bad the head unit was.

In this particular car it was the Symphony 6 CD, cassette and tuner
double height head unit. Which isn't too bad, but not a patch on say an
aftermarket HU from the likes of Sony, Alpine etc. Indeed when I got my
A4 back from the garage, the first thing I noticed when I got into it
was how much better the audio system was (factory speakers, Sony MEX-1HD
head unit, XM-4060 amp, twin JBL 10" subs).

In fact I'd go so far as to say that I wouldn't buy eg an A6 for this
reason, you can't replace the factory head unit with aftermarket, as
there isn't actually a "head unit" to replace.

Any comments?

[Worcestor]

Post by Glenn Richards
Have noticed something a little worrying recently...
A number of manufacturers are starting to totally integrate the audio
system into the car, eg Audi with the A6 and A8 (with their MMI system),
BMW with the i-Drive, and apparently Peugeot are jumping on this
particular bandwagon as well.
This would all be fine if manufacturers would fit decent kit to the car
in the first place. But recently I had an A3 as a courtesy car, with the
Bose premium sound system. The Bose system served the primary purpose of
showing up just how bad the head unit was.
In this particular car it was the Symphony 6 CD, cassette and tuner
double height head unit. Which isn't too bad, but not a patch on say an
aftermarket HU from the likes of Sony, Alpine etc. Indeed when I got my
A4 back from the garage, the first thing I noticed when I got into it
was how much better the audio system was (factory speakers, Sony MEX-1HD
head unit, XM-4060 amp, twin JBL 10" subs).
In fact I'd go so far as to say that I wouldn't buy eg an A6 for this
reason, you can't replace the factory head unit with aftermarket, as
there isn't actually a "head unit" to replace.
Any comments?

The after market producers should start creating many more double din units,
to compete.

[Glenn Richards]

Post by Worcestor
The after market producers should start creating many more double din
units, to compete.

If it were double-DIN it wouldn't be a problem. The A6 (and I believe
the A8) doesn't have a "head unit", everything's integrated into the
console. So there's nothing to actually replace.

[Avanti]

Post by Glenn Richards

Post by Worcestor
The after market producers should start creating many more double din
units, to compete.

If it were double-DIN it wouldn't be a problem. The A6 (and I believe
the A8) doesn't have a "head unit", everything's integrated into the
console. So there's nothing to actually replace.

I now have a Mk5 Golf and won't bother changing the HU, however my colleague
has an A4 and the sound is great from his set, I can't rememeber though if
it was changeable, prolly worth looking on the audi forums.

[Glenn Richards]

Post by Avanti
I now have a Mk5 Golf and won't bother changing the HU, however my
colleague has an A4 and the sound is great from his set, I can't
rememeber though if it was changeable, prolly worth looking on the
audi forums.

The A4 does have a separate head unit, and it's possible to replace it.
I've replaced mine with a Sony MEX-1HD.

Indeed the A2, A3 and TT also have a head unit that can be upgraded,
albeit with fascia adaptors etc.

I had an A3 as a courtesy car over new year which had the Symphony
double-DIN head unit (6 CD, radio, cassette) and the Bose sound system.
The Bose system served only to show up the limitations of the head unit...