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Cali sound systems

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DirkSquareJaw

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I'm interested in getting a quality sound system into the new Cali.
Have any of you invested in this area and if so what systems are you using?

I'm presuming the standard kit is pretty naf and I'm not interested in blue tooth or other tech...just top quality balanced sound.

My tastes cover folk through to hard rock/metal...even classical. Music is a passion and I hate crap sound!

Cheers for your help
 
I have a bose soundlink fed from my Mac or I pad but it is bluetooth.

I cannot do without music, it is playing in Albert as i type,
 
I'm with you Dirk - the standard kit is indeed naff - I wonder if someone could recommend an audio specialist with experience of just improving sound quality? I'm happy with other aspects of the head unit.
 
The standard speakers in the Cali are very good but the VW head units are rubbish. I have a JVC double DIN unit in mine with video, iPod/iphone connect, remote, bluetooth handsfree etc and it wasn't any more expensive than the top VW unit but is streets ahead in performance. It's 3 years old now so I'm sure even better head units are available.

So my advice is shop for a new head unit. The difference in sound is stunning.
 
Hi
Has anyone tried this speaker from Amazon ? ( Creative D100 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker ) I know it will not be as good as a Bose but at around £45 it may be better than the VW radio switching off after 20 mins. One can also a blue tooth connector for a laptop for about £3
 
I think we're developing discussions on two separate though related paths? - 1. Improving the sound quality of the "built in" installation 2. Using a "mobile/transportable" device to provide sound.
Which is fine I guess.
Anyway, I think from Dirk's original post and his reference to not being interested in Bluetooth, that like me, he's more interested in 1. Would others share calligraphy's view that the effective way to good sound quality is to change the head unit? It's an important question for me as I'm not keen on going away from the "pure VW" approach for aesthetic reasons - yup I'm sad :)
 
Do you mean change the head unit and leave the original speakers or change both.?
If driving would one notice the difference in sound quality????????
 
The sound that comes out of our (brochure option) Kenwood multimedia system isn't bad at all - could be better (I suspect speaker upgrades would help) but it's very acceptable.

Does anyone know the full specs of the standard fit system? Seems to have lots of speakers - any amp in there at all?
 
I think there's always going to be something better if you can afford it so that's why I'll stick with my Kenwood (unless my numbers come up).... :D
 
Ill be taking my kombi to the Cali meet in July, so you can all hear, and Ive had the system fully upgraded, including full dynamiting. It has a full JL sound speaker system, with a 2x 100 amp and separate subwoofer/amp. The sound is great, better than any Ive had in a car, and Ive paid fortunes for factory upgrades...... Obviously anything can be altered to fit the Cali.
 
What sort of cost for that Oli?

I've gone for an upgraded system in the car and the difference between that and the standard system is huge.
Not much space to stick subs in a Cali though. An amp, crossovers and better speakers would probably be fairly good.
 
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=5638&start=15

I went through some of the options discussed in the thread above and ended up with a drastically improved sound system based on the OEM head unit which is let down by poor amplifier output and no aux rear outputs. The quality of the rear top locker speakers is a major issue, they are a. bit fiddly to replace but the resultant improvement in sound quality is really very dramatic. Space for a small custom made sub that partially tucks under the gap to the side of the rear seat makes a huge diffence to bass extension I am very pleased with the result. And not easily easily satisfied by more average audio systems. And it didn't actually cost that much - less than £400.
 
BMVS-Camper-Hire said:
Ill be taking my kombi to the Cali meet in July, so you can all hear, and Ive had the system fully upgraded, including full dynamiting. It has a full JL sound speaker system, with a 2x 100 amp and separate subwoofer/amp. The sound is great, better than any Ive had in a car, and Ive paid fortunes for factory upgrades...... Obviously anything can be altered to fit the Cali.
Click to expand...

Hi sorry for digging up an old post but just really interested to know where you placed the amp and subwoofer as Auto Sounds are busy putting a quote together for me and they said that the usual amp/sub isn't really an option for me due to the limitations in space. Cheers
 
TimR said:
Hi sorry for digging up an old post but just really interested to know where you placed the amp and subwoofer as Auto Sounds are busy putting a quote together for me and they said that the usual amp/sub isn't really an option for me due to the limitations in space. Cheers
Click to expand...
If you can source a slim sub it will go under drivers seat. Search forum someone fitted one there.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 
TimR said:
Hi sorry for digging up an old post but just really interested to know where you placed the amp and subwoofer as Auto Sounds are busy putting a quote together for me and they said that the usual amp/sub isn't really an option for me due to the limitations in space. Cheers
Click to expand...

I've gone for keeping the head unit but replacing the front speakers and adding a sub under the front seat. The sub also amplifies the front speakers too. All speakers are Focal and cost £900 fitted........ Having said all that, I have no idea how they sound since it's all sitting on our unregistered/impounded van sitting at the dealer until further notice:Depressed! I'm pretty confident that they're going to sound great and all at a pretty reasonable price compared to Dynaudio.
 
Properjob said:
I've gone for keeping the head unit but replacing the front speakers and adding a sub under the front seat. The sub also amplifies the front speakers too. All speakers are Focal and cost £900 fitted........ Having said all that, I have no idea how they sound since it's all sitting on our unregistered/impounded van sitting at the dealer until further notice:Depressed! I'm pretty confident that they're going to sound great and all at a pretty reasonable price compared to Dynaudio.
Click to expand...
Who did you use for the work?

I had a quote for £2k from BCSS (four masters) for a sub under seat, front mids, tweeters, cross overs a 5 channel amp and the Ocean rear speakers... thats a tad pricey for me, but £900 is a decent price point depending on cost of speakers, etc
 
Mark Garrett said:
Who did you use for the work?

I had a quote for £2k from BCSS (four masters) for a sub under seat, front mids, tweeters, cross overs a 5 channel amp and the Ocean rear speakers... thats a tad pricey for me, but £900 is a decent price point depending on cost of speakers, etc
Click to expand...
A guy called Lee Duke of Fox Detailing http://www.foxdetailing.co.uk/ - Really good to deal with and he has done detailing, dash cam fitting and audio upgrade for me.... but, I haven't seen or heard any of it yet! :Nailbiting
 
I just picked up a couple of Bose Soundlink Micros for when parked up. They have a strap in the back so attach to the front head restraints and pair up to provide true stereo sound. There also surprisingly loud. Oh and they come in a tough rubber shell and are waterproof if your into that sort of stuff.
 
2into1 said:
His website says Tonbridge Wells Kent.
Click to expand...
Yes that's the guy, in Kent. I can confirm, having had the cali for a few weeks now, that the speaker upgrade made a huge difference, and that's without touching the rear ones. I figured I'd leave that for another time and just see how the others went first.
 
Recommended Jason many times, no personal affiliation but seen his work in the last couple of years, plus they specialise in T5/T6's http://absolut5.co.uk

Really helpful guy, top quality work, give him a call and he'll advise you.
 
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