A3 Bose ?

[cazzo]

I have a 2004 A3, with 'Concert' CD player, when I got it I was going to order a car with the optional 'Bose' system but bought an 'in stock' car (better deal than order and no long delivery).

Does anyone know if the 'Bose' system can be retrofitted, I assume it is an Amp plus speakers? is the existing wiring OK, are the speakers different, is this the best (performance/value) sound system upgrade etc etc.

Any advice?

[plotloss]

For the amount it will cost to have Bose put in I would have thought that a competent car audio specialist can do a much better job personally.

Bose is good dont get me wrong, but there are much better options available...

[markda]

I would hate to think how much Audi might quote for fitting the Bose stereo now! As mentioned in the above post, go and see a car audio specialist.

They can probably retain the existing head unit for asthetic purposes. Add an amp, upgrade the speakers and fit a small sub. Provided they supply quality car audio equipment this will far out perform the Bose option also.

[iains]

As you say 2004, I guess you mean the new shape one? Don't know much about these directly as of yet, but in the old shape ones - the standard stereo consists 6 speakers (I think) which are powered off the amp in the stereo. Then there is a sub which sits below the CD changer which is connected to the RCA rear out of the stereo. This is an "active" sub.

The Bose systems does not use the on-board amplification of the head unit, but uses the front and rear RCA outputs of the head unit into a Bose amp which is situated behind the centre console. This feeds the speakers. The amp also feeds an uprated sub.

I agree with that has been said before - an Audi dealer will probably charge you a forture for this. Keep the same head unit - I think they are quite good and they also work the DIS in the instrument cluster. Get an Amp added to it, change the speakers and away you go.

[cazzo]

I was thinking that it would probably would be price prohibitive, especially if I have to get the kit from Audi. Not sure how many speakers there are (I think 7 or 8?) & it is the new A3 BTW. I'll check out the local 'ICE' centers for speaker/amp upgrades