Digital Sound Upgrade Option

[Aidy P]

Hi. Does anyone know what the Digital Sound Upgrade + £1290 is please? I'm assuming it's upgraded speakers and possibly an amp? If it is, what's the spec and any idea of joint branding?

Also does anyone know what spec the standard 8 speaker system is please?

I've found this on the VW site and wondered if it's a Dynaudio upgrade?

Finally has anyone had any experience of after market audio upgrades on the T5 please?

(I do a lot of driving and listen to a lot of music)

Thank you

 

[AlanC]

That is one of those silly buzz phrases that are meaningless. Our ears are analogue and so are speakers.

I suspect it means a better speaker system, or a DAB radio option?

The standard system is OKish. Fine for Radio 4 on the motorway, which is what I use it for most of the time.

If you want to listen to a higher quality sound, then I would be more inclined to upgrade the system as a retrofit with a system of your own choosing rather than rely on a VW upgrade.

Alan

 

[Aidy P]

A dealer I have been talking too has had a response from VW below regarding the Digital Sound Package:

“The DYNAUDIO sound system includes 11 speakers calibrated to deliver the perfect sound experience including also a centre speaker in the instrument panel. The sound system uses a 11-channel amplifier and delivers up to 600 watt maximum power”.

I found this link when googling...

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/other-technologies/dynaudio

I've had a B&O system in an Audi and Harman Kardon system in a mini. Both delivered wonderful sounds so I'm tempted as I'm a bit of an audiophile.

Has anyone any experience of Dynaudio please?

 

[AlanC]

Dynaudio are one of the top speaker manufacturers.
Their speakers are used by the BBC in many of their radio studios as quality monitor speakers, so the pedigree is excellent.

I have used them and they do sound great.

I retract my previous comment about VW and audio quality.

Alan

 

[Bluestone]

Their speakers are used by the BBC in many of their radio studios as quality monitor speakers, so the pedigree is excellent.

Dynaudio are a low to mid range speaker in terms of monitoring - however, this little Danish company makes some good speakers and is a massive step up in terms of vehicle audio

 

[Aidy P]

Thanks Alan and Bluestone
I'm frustrated. If only I could see one in a dealership before ordering!
With discount it's probably c. a £1200 punt which is a lot of money but then will I be kicking myself afterwards?! I've spent more on my home hifi but then that's not with the rest of the expense of a new Cali. The ironic thing is with the hours I drive I'll spend more time listening to music in the van than I get time to do at home.

Has anyone upgraded their audio on on a T5? I'm opting for the navigation plus system so I guess I won't want to upgrade the front end. How integrated are the standard speakers. I won't want my new van being chopped to bits.

Decisions....Decisions....

 

[reserves]

The VW upgrade wasn't available on the T5.

The only official stereo upgrade I've had was an Audi with Bose. It sounded fine but I'd say if you were really fussy that £1200 given to a car audio specialist would blow anything VW can come up with out of the water.

However, do you want your brand new vehicle taken apart to fix such an aftermarket system?

Also aftermarket systems rarely increase the value of a vehicle whereas a official upgraded stereo will make a vehicle more attractive 2nd hand.

Guess that doesn't answer your question but food for thought.

 

[Aidy P]

The VW upgrade wasn't available on the T5.

However, do you want your brand new vehicle taken apart to fix such an aftermarket system?

Also aftermarket systems rarely increase the value of a vehicle whereas a official upgraded stereo will make a vehicle more attractive 2nd hand.
.

Good point about an after market system not adding value. I guess one of the reasons I'm buying a California instead of a T6 conversion is that I want the 'real deal' and not a tinkered van.

And no I won't want it taking apart!

Thank you

 

[Kevin&Becci]

Hi all. I am considering this option for the T6. We hope to keep the new T6 for a good few years and I am known to moan about sound quality so considering going for it. Listened to the standard radio in a VW van at dealership and wasn't impressed so want to find the right option and avoid going back for retro fitting.
Does anyone know if this is a complete system or if it is just speakers and amp?
Will it have all the bluetooth / app connect etc?
I have sent email to dealer as well so will post if get any additional information

 

[KernowLad]

I have upgraded kit on my BMW; more speakers, subs and an amp; a vast improvement. But it was only £300 more. This seems a heck of a lot more expensive; I'd want to know exactly what it is as many stereo upgrades aren't great.

I upgraded my Subaru speakers (proper install) to JL Audio and the difference was vast. The OEM speakers were dire!

 

[Bluestone]

I understand that Bluetooth comes as standard and the App connect is an option. Also bear in mind that if upgrading with an aftermarket system, it will only be the speakers and head unit/amp that will be changed so very little disruption and the old ones could easily be put back in.

A big upgrade would be using better speaker cable and isolating them - but this is a big job and certainly not worth it - that would mean massive wiring harness changes - I very much doubt if the upgrade includes wiring.

I wonder if the speakers in the Cali are bigger (more power) than other cars hence a small justification over smaller road cars?

Speakers these days are so much more efficient than even a few years ago so the sound is better and louder from a smaller speaker - this makes it nice and easy getting upgraded speakers that retro-fit perfectly where the OEM ones are

 

[KernowLad]

You just need the specs and you can easily do it plus add more sound deadening.

I find OEM speakers are generally poor, even upgraded ones. Volvo does brilliant systems though; their XC90 systems are amazing.

Good aftermarket kit, professionally installed, is the best option in most cases.

I found our Cali system okay (Kenwood head unit so a bit more power) but far from great.

Power is also not everything; headline wattage figures are often used but it's the quality of the fittings that counts.

 

[Beltram]

Got right under the van to see if anything was loose and when I prodded this heat shield it seemed to be hanging a bit low so pushed it back up but soon as I went out again it dropped so I'm guessing this is the culprit.