Replacing part of the RNS-D / Bose system

[GarethRS]

Hi all,

This is my first post on here after purchasing a 2003 RS6 saloon this week.

Bit of history;

For the last 10 years I've owned Impreza's with their paper speakers and cheap headunits, so I was quite pleased to have a decent setup in the Audi.

However, i'm not 100% struck.

In my last car, I fitted a middle of the range Alpine headunit and Infinity reference speakers all round (16cm mid + tweeter in front and 13cm full range in the rear), no amp. I liked this sound, could have done with a small sub, but I was impressed.

My question is, if I wanted to improve on the RS6's RNS-D / Bose system, which is the weaker part? Are the Infinity speakers better than the Bose or is the headunit's sound quality not as good as the Alpine. Of course, changing the speakers would be the cheaper option

Just interested in other people's views / experience.

Many thanks
Gareth

[PetrolDave]

The Bose systems in Audi's is basically a Bose-specced amplifier and Bose specced 2 ohm speakers.

So changing the speakers only would mean finding some 2 ohm ones.

[Balchy]

Looks like you're changing the speakers - looking forward to seeing if you hear an improvement ... I read (I think on here) that some people have worked on properly mounting the speakers because it's considered to be less than ideal to have them anchored just in the door bins...

[GarethRS]

Yes, I was surprised to find the speakers bolted to door cards, must kill the base.

I have taken my front door cards off and I'm pleased that my infinity 6510cs's will be an almost direct replacement. However, these are 4 ohm speakers and therefore would want to put the same in the back to keep it balanced. So, I'm now searching eBay as the current models, 6530 are 2 ohm. Doh!!!

[PetrolDave]

So, I'm now searching eBay as the current models, 6530 are 2 ohm. Doh!!!

What I said in my earlier post...

The Bose systems in Audi's is basically a Bose-specced amplifier and Bose specced 2 ohm speakers.

So changing the speakers only would mean finding some 2 ohm ones.

[GarethRS]

Agreed, but as long as they are all the same, all I will see or hear is a slight reduction in volume.

[Dippy]

I wish I had been able to afford something like an RS6 when I was in my 20s, when like every human being the response of my ears could appreciate the difference in sound quality. Now of course I know not to waste my money on more expensive sound equipment, knowing that any belief that there was an improvement would be purely psycological.

[GarethRS]

I have found me hearing to be the same as it was years ago, however I cannot pick up really high frequencies like I used to (my 6 year old can, theres a cool dog whistle app on the iphone).

I am quite sensitive to quality and find the Bose speakers have too much mid range. I tried to ignore it.

I have however developed selective hearing, could be that i've been married too long though.... lol