Hey fellow audiophiles!

As a soon to be owner of an R56, and after discussing future possibilities and past experience with my R53 aftermarket audio mods with other members, I thought it would be interesting to get some takes on after market audio mods in the R56.

If you would... please share any audio mods you've done to your R56, whether or not your did the upgrades from the base or Hi Fi stock systems, and how difficult and/or expensive (if you're comfy with sharing prices) it was to get the mods done.

Thanks everyone!

 

I have the basic system, and, honestly its just as good as the hi-fi system in terms of cost savings if you know what to 'fix'.

If you are an audio do it yourself-er I'd recommend getting a $50 pair of halfway decent 6x9s for the rear off EBay, like Pioneer 3 ways. Honestly, there is absolutly no treble in the factory setup above ~12000hz without upgrading. The rear speakers are a PITA to replace, but its well documented on this message board. Fronts I believe are 6.5 components.

Next order on the non-hi-fi system is that the rear speakers have a high pass x-over so anything lower than abount 120hz will not be audible back there. There is a thread about swapping the front to rear channels so you might want to give it a try.

Finally, I had a pro-install Pioneer flat 10" into the trunk model TS-SW1041D, which eliminated my whimpy tool kit and only raised the trunk floor abount an inch and sounds awsome!! Depending on if your car has DSC and/or Satalite Radio there may be enough space under the front passenger seat for about an 8x12x2.5 inch aftermarket amplifier, much like my Pioneer GM-D7400M which is 8x8x2.25; just make sure you wire the hi-lo amp converter to the front speakers for full range. My car has DSC but no XM and there was -plenty- of room under there.

I'd say on a good song I can hit abount 110-115db, and its clean punchy and appreciative.

 

There's lots on the 2nd-Gen "Navigation & Audio" sub-board.

 

Best bet is to read thru the threads in the 2nd gen navigation and audio section. You can learn a lot there.

 

I've just changed out the fronts, but im getting bored.
I have my fairly new pioneer headunit that i replaced my whole bose system with in my old audi, which has ipod hookups, usb, bluetooth, etc-
so, im starting to plan out taking that headunit and using the secret compartment for it- as it looks just right for a single din h/u. it uses a remote, so theres no need to reach over when controlling it while driving which works. Also, thinking about the use of the remote, if it doesnt work through the wall of the secret compartment (Which is prob wont) , i may try to fabricate a plexiglass window in the compartment door (this would be the tricky part =p)
lastly, the last tricky part would be wiring everything back there- i think i could just tap off of the back of the stock radio and tap everything over to the aftermarket h/u. this would leave the stock radio there (disconnected from speakers, and connected to the new head unit, but the stock one would still be functional (physically, no sound) but would just not be used/heard. This way, I also lose the gong too =] and possibly all other annoying sounds? (ebrake, seatbelt, etc... maybe schatzy you can confirm this? i know you're pretty good with this electrical stuff...) =p

 

BostonR56

You will want to leave the OEM head unit in the car as it also controls many of the other computer functions such as trip odometer, MPG meter etc, and bluetooth (if you have it, this would be a problem if putting in another h/u) and yes you will loose all of the "sounds". The only one i am not sure about is the back up sensor if you have it installed. I am not sure if that comes thru the radio or not.

As for the infrared remote control problem you may have. What you may want to do is use a home style infrared transmitter system.

 

right, i would leave the stock one there and connected, but i'd just tap power and such wires off of the new h/u. i'm not sure where the 'problem' in putting in another h/u would be? it'd essentially be a standalone system, as the wiring from the speakers will be going to the new h/u and not to the original system.. maybe im missing something?

 

I could be wrong, but I think I read somewhere that all the sounds (i.e., warning beeps, etc.) also come through the head unit. That could be an issue (albeit a safety issue).

 

Do you have the comfort Bluetooth system? if so it will not longer work for you as that is integrated into the OEM head unit for sound output.

 

ah, yes, but no i don't have it, just base stereo and the aux input, but i have an ipod unit for my otther deck which is better anyways. plus an aux line and a usb input

 

As you do not have the Bluetooth option then you should be okay with what you want to do. You will lose all the "gong" and other warning bells.

 

Well, I just picked up my R56. And quite frankly... I was pleasantly surprised with the base audio system. It's not as good as the Infinity reference system I had in my 03 MC, but I think I'm just going to throw my 12" woofer and Fostgate amp in the back and just replace the rest with Infinity components after I blow a speaker.

 

If you replace the existing speakers with just about anything, you'll consider the OEM ones blown!

As others have suggested, read through the speaker swap thread -- the first sets of frequency response curves should convince you that the swap is worth doing.

The sub will add a lot that new speakers and doing the swap can't.

Have fun and let us know how it works out!

 

I had 1800 watts of 2x alpine type R 12" subs in my audi, with infinity speakers and pioneer headunit, dynamatted and everything, rewired a whole bose system... man that system sounded SWEEEET. had it all tuned perfectly- and if i wanted, i could bump the base up and be heard from 3 blocks away... you know, wheni wanted to deafen myself some more. and to schatzy, i will be just fine without the 'gong'- 90% of it is because of stupid stuff like having my laptop on the passenger seat, etc. and any beeping due to gas/cel lights etc, i am observant enough to notice it on my dash. it might have to wait till the spring though, as installs in 20 degree weather suxxxors