Aftermarket Sound System Improvement for T6 Beach?

Batmobile · Dec 26, 2015

Hi, I have ordered a T6 Beach with the Discover Media navigation, so the music system is the 'Composition Media' one as I understand it. The fancy 'digital sound' system is hugely expensive and only available on the Ocean. The composition media comes with 8 speakers, but I understand no sub woofer.

I was totally spoilt on my Volvo V70 which came with the premium sound package and my goodness it was good! Does anyone know of specialists who would be able to upgrade the sound system in a Beach without making a mess and charging silly money? The £1200 asked by VW for the upgraded sound system struck me as steep to say the least. An upgrade appeals but preferably with people who will have dealt with Californias before.

reserves · Dec 26, 2015

Tom Stanworth said:
Hi, I have ordered a T6 Beach with the Discover Media navigation, so the music system is the 'Composition Media' one as I understand it. The fancy 'digital sound' system is hugely expensive and only available on the Ocean. The composition media comes with 8 speakers, but I understand no sub woofer.

I was totally spoilt on my Volvo V70 which came with the premium sound package and my goodness it was good! Does anyone know of specialists who would be able to upgrade the sound system in a Beach without making a mess and charging silly money? The £1200 asked by VW for the upgraded sound system struck me as steep to say the least. An upgrade appeals but preferably with people who will have dealt with Californias before.

Absolut Audio in Wiltshire do some great work on T5's

AndyFromTheBrac · Dec 27, 2015

Whereabouts are you Tom?

Batmobile · Dec 27, 2015

I'll be based in Chester when I have the Cali.

AndyFromTheBrac said:
Whereabouts are you Tom?

Jonke · Jan 27, 2016

What did you do in the end? I have just put an order in for a beach with the same discover nav system and interested to understand option. Still have time to change the option if it would be better to get an after market head unit (although what would this mean for bluetooth phone connectivity etc?)

reserves · Jan 27, 2016

Others have probably researched this more.

But if you App-Connect option I believe you get Apple CarPlay and whatever the Android option is, this gives you Sat Nav

Got to be worth the £100?

Batmobile · Jan 28, 2016

I have the discovery media system on order and will figure out what to do once I have it and have listened to it. I suspect I will go for the least invasive improvement to sound which will probably mean upgraded speakers and a sub. I'll get some advice and options from a specialist with experience of dealing with T5/T6 vehicles.

Jonke · Feb 1, 2016

Let us know how you get on, and where you get it done. Might go to the same place - even if it is a little out the way for me!

jonnyboy · Jan 15, 2017

Can anyone confirm the number of speakers in the current Beach please? Have the kit I was going to install in my Kombi that I'm now going to use in the new Beach still to be delivered. Have speakers to replace those in the cab together with an underseat sub and amp. Assuming the cab's the same, what speakers are in the rear please?

Stoneybroke · Jan 16, 2017

jonnyboy said:
Can anyone confirm the number of speakers in the current Beach please? Have the kit I was going to install in my Kombi that I'm now going to use in the new Beach still to be delivered. Have speakers to replace those in the cab together with an underseat sub and amp. Assuming the cab's the same, what speakers are in the rear please?

Two speakers towards the back, in the panels, about level with the rear seat, together with some in the front doors and built into the top of the dash. I think 8 in total.
Remember the is a leisure battery under the front passenger seat, so your amp and sub would be under the driver's seat (good vibrations?)
From a personal perspective the factory fitted system is clear and more than loud enough - too loud to play at anywhere near full volume without being uncomfortable, not no mention distracting. Plenty enough bass too. If there's a weak point, it's the DAB Ariel that, built into the mirror, doesn't seem to be up to the job.

reserves · Jan 16, 2017

Highly recommend talking to Jason at Absolut5, they do T5/T6 installs everyday. They also build custom enclosures for under the seat.

He'll be able to advise you on the best set up, worth a phone call for sure.

CooperSmith · Jan 18, 2017

After upgrading my front speakers for the Pioneer TS-H1703 which appear to be the preferred choice for many T5/6 upgraders I still wasn't happy with the amount of bass. I'm not a bass junkie by any means but I do like to hear it. After I was slightly disappointed at my £100 investment I decided to look at under seat subwoofer having used one in the past for another vehicle. I chose the JBL Base Pro SL which wasn't cheap at £200 but seemed to get decent reviews and also has a remote control. Fitting it took best part of a day as I had to make a solid enough cradle for it to sit on within the seat. The image below doesn't show the this cradle. If you're a competent DIY'er then this is quite an easy retrofit. Very please with the £200 investment as the sound is awesome now.