[Idiocratease]

Hi all, I am just in the process of kicking off an audio upgrade project on my Q3 (as my Audi warranty will soon be ending), and I am putting together a set of videos as I go along... they are not so professional and a bit rambling, but should have some pretty useful info in the end. Here are the 1st two videos, and more to come (installing when the weather is a bit warmer)

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happy new year... got to be better than 2020

 

[sm12five]

Very interesting! Will be following.

I’m in the process of sorting my audio out also, nothing even close to the level you’re attacking it at but it will still hands down beat the Bose and be very affordable.

I’ve gone with Hertz DSK 165 components for the fronts powered by a discreet 4x65w RMS amplifier that sits behind the glovebox and plugs in between the factory stereo and harness, currently sourcing the same speakers for the rears when I figure outwhat size they are (assume 5.25) and have a little 8” Kenwood underseat subwoofer that is piggybacked from the amplifier.

Desperately need to get it set up but not too familiar with that sort of stuff, the amp has gain settings for the fronts and rears as well high pass filters, the sun has a frequency dial and phase select? and then the EQ settings on the car so if you have any tips I’m all ears!

Cheers and happy new year.

 

[Idiocratease]

Very interesting! Will be following.

I’m in the process of sorting my audio out also, nothing even close to the level you’re attacking it at but it will still hands down beat the Bose and be very affordable.

I’ve gone with Hertz DSK 165 components for the fronts powered by a discreet 4x65w RMS amplifier that sits behind the glovebox and plugs in between the factory stereo and harness, currently sourcing the same speakers for the rears when I figure outwhat size they are (assume 5.25) and have a little 8” Kenwood underseat subwoofer that is piggybacked from the amplifier.

Desperately need to get it set up but not too familiar with that sort of stuff, the amp has gain settings for the fronts and rears as well high pass filters, the sun has a frequency dial and phase select? and then the EQ settings on the car so if you have any tips I’m all ears!

Cheers and happy new year.

On the rear doors they are 6.5inch format.
I see from JL audio they recommend 80hz as a good staring point for the crossover for the sub. I will try this and 150hz and play about to see what sounds best.

regarding EQ,I learn that it’s best used sparingly, only treat bad peaks, and avoid trying to fix nulls/suck-outs. Also EQ introduces phase shifts, which i think is why I have never got on with in on my HiFi set up... so, use sparingly to reduce peaks only is the general thinking...

 

[RSQ3John]

sm12five won't be back.

Found a picture from the Bose installation on one of my RSQ3s that you might mind interesting - this is where the Bose amp lives. RSQ3's don't have spare wheels so the foam boot liner is different.

 

[Idiocratease]

Hi all, I am just in the process of kicking off an audio upgrade project on my Q3 (as my Audi warranty will soon be ending), and I am putting together a set of videos as I go along... they are not so professional and a bit rambling, but should have some pretty useful info in the end. Here are the 1st two videos, and more to come (installing when the weather is a bit warmer)

please subscribe if you would like notifications when there are new posts...

happy new year... got to be better than 2020

Here is a small update...

 

[Idiocratease]

sm12five won't be back.

Found a picture from the Bose installation on one of my RSQ3s that you might mind interesting - this is where the Bose amp lives. RSQ3's don't have spare wheels so the foam boot liner is different.

Oh that is interesting, I have only just seen your post...I will check out this location as I have not made any hard decisions... could be that this is a much better location. Thanks v much... cheers alan

 

[Idiocratease]

Here is an update making use of RSQ3John’s suggestion...

 

[RSQ3John]

Thanks Alan, you are very kind. Glad the project is progressing well, looks super neat. Rs, John

 

[Idiocratease]

Ok, slightly warmer weather arrived and I have been itching to get this install underway... I have a couple of videos so far...

and a bit more detail on getting speaker wires into the doors..

 

[RSQ3John]

You are making impressive progress Alan....the slightly warmer weather comment seems to have invited an 'Arctic Trough' into the weather system.....Wednesday 31st of March was simply gorgeous, 21.5c here in Warwick, the following day...8c...

 

[Idiocratease]

You are making impressive progress Alan....the slightly warmer weather comment seems to have invited an 'Arctic Trough' into the weather system.....Wednesday 31st of March was simply gorgeous, 21.5c here in Warwick, the following day...8c...

Yes I am feeling this now... too cold to be working on passenger side loom, but at least I know exactly all the steps now

 

[Idiocratease]

Ok, I have finished the installation of the aftermarket sound system on my RS Q3...what I would say is it’s taken me twice as long as I expected, probably because I was being careful and trying not to screw up my car... but it all works, no faults, windows open ect. I would say the sound is lovely from the start, but as often is the case with speakers at different locations, and especially the sub at a distance in the boot, there is to my ear a timing coherence issues and I expect weird car boxy frequency anomalies.. fortunately this is totally expected and with the VX800/8i amp, there are all the features I would ever need to resolve these problems (channel level adjustment, crossover adjustment, time alignment, all pass filters, and parametric eq on all channel)... this is the part I have been really looking forward to, but message from me now is these components sound great 🤪

this is my final Video, and also please remember to disconnect the battery at the negative terminal and with the ignition switched on (especially when re-connecting the battery, have the key in the ignition in the on position; its Airbag and related hygiene).

 

[RSQ3John]

Thanks for the final video Alan - a truly remarkable effort, would love to hear at some point! In terms of total number of hours expended and the monetary cost - if another member encounters this fascinating thread?

 

[Idiocratease]

Thanks for the final video Alan - a truly remarkable effort, would love to hear at some point! In terms of total number of hours expended and the monetary cost - if another member encounters this fascinating thread?

Hi John, I really do believe your timely suggestion of the amp location was really decisive, so again thanks. In therms of the hardware, it was a little over £3,000. To finish it off you need a PC, some free softare, decent usb soundcard and a calibrated microphone, and a laptop.

in terms of the hours.. well I started this install on pm of 25 March, since then it’s been 7 whole days+ 3 evening session... I thought it would take me ca 4days, but really 8 days ish... there was also the prep of the amp base, and crossover base, sourcing and prepping the wires, other bits and bobs since Xmas... I suppose you might put a couple of days in for this...

i cannot think what it would cost to actually pay someone to do this... i can imagine some many thousands...

 

[RSQ3John]

Thanks Alan, you are very kind, There are many very helpful and experienced members here who will dive in and assist. Are you going to continue to drop in from time to time?

 

[Idiocratease]

Thanks Alan, you are very kind, There are many very helpful and experienced members here who will dive in and assist. Are you going to continue to drop in from time to time?

Oh yes... I plan to hang on to the Q3 for many years, cheers Alan

 

[spike107]

Fantastic effort there and you clearly know your stuff when it comes to all things "Audio". I doubt us mere mortals would certainly be able to accomplish this so well done. 👍

I have not watched all of your videos but how much "better" is this now over the Bose kit... 3k and 8 days graft is not cheap... would love to hear a "before" / "after comparison" if you can at some point.
On the plus side, you can get the Bose kit on flea Bay now to recoup some of the costs

 

[RSQ3John]

Alan didn't have Bose installed so he set about putting a high quality speaker and amplifier system into the RSQ3 - it certainly dwarfs the £690 factory option approach.

 

[spike107]

Alan didn't have Bose installed so he set about putting a high quality speaker and amplifier system into the RSQ3 - it certainly dwarfs the £690 factory option approach.

Ahh good point... I keep forgetting the Bose is still an option

 

[Idiocratease]

Ahh good point... I keep forgetting the Bose is still an option

I did not see this comment... I expect if I had a Bose system, I would probable be pretty happy.. I really quite like Bose rather warm and comfy sound. i was replacing the base system which honestly is quite rubbish... it’s a bit early I to be sure, and I am just starting to line out the system, but am hearing, when I switch it in, the Gala system having an effect on the sound at speed... I wonder if anyone knows the ins and outs of this, and I think it’s doing speed dependent DSP, I.e. much more than volume adjustment...

in terms of comparing with the Bose option, I think I would have the edge ... and my body is now recovering from the days of work, but I have really enjoyed every minute of it 🤪