Upgrading Speakers and MFD2 on my Octavia vRS - advice needed

[Steve237]

OK, so I am well chuffed with my 8 month old Octavia vRS which I bought nearly new, but the sound quality when playing CD/MP3 is dreadful! I thought upgrading the front speakers would help...and it has, but it still sounds nowhere good as when I upgraded the speakers in my previous car (Golf GT TDi with Sony head unit which I fitted).

I think the problem must lie with the head unit - the standard fitted MFD2. I have been told that car manufaturers fit stereo's which 'clip' the high and low frequencies so that the cheapo speakers they fit as standard won't tear and end up having to be replaced during the warranty period - is there any truth in this?

To be honest, I think the MFD2 is a bit dated anyway - but it seems to get a decent new system to take it's place will cost £1-2000!!

I was wondering if anyone could either offer some advice to improve sound quality (ie. would an amp and sub help, plus new rear seakers?) or is a new complete head unit required to get really good sound quality?

If so, how much would it cost to get hold of one of the new MFD3's which I just saw on these forums? Does this unit play DVD's? Or does anyone know of a reasonably priced, decent, replacement I should consider?

Many thanks for any assistance.

[VRStu]

There is nothing whatsoever wrong with the OEM speakers. I have the RNS510 (MFD3) which plays DVD's with Dolby DTS and the sound is awsome.

You can buy a DIN sized fascia kit for the Octy II which will allow you to fit your own head unit.

I have been trying to source some Skoda RNS510 for people and before Christmas it was looking promising however the trail has dried up a little but I still have hope.

[Hedge]

I have a MFD2, which is much better than the Stream it came with and aftermarket speakers which I am more than happy with.
The speakers are DLS6.5 components in the front doors and DLS coaxials in the rears.

[dstev2000]

I have the standard OEM speakers, the MFD2 and an ipod touch via a third party A/V adaptor and the sound is excellent, I did a side by side comparison with the Sony system in a Mondeo ST and all present agreed the Octavia was the better system.

And as for frequeny clipping- the setup I have gives the deepest bass and the highest treble, it makes the door mirrors rattle with no distortion whatsoever.

I play my AAC's at the highest possible bitrate to prevent that tinny sound you get from highly compressed sound files.

One more point:

Initially I thought the MFD2's sound output was rubbish but after some head unit and source fettling it is brilliant.

[marco2068]

i think its actually a pretty good system, was driving yesterday and turned up a song with lots of bass, couldn't actually handle it at full volume but for those 20 seconds there was no distortion, i can think of better things to spend a grand on like chip and panel filter, then listen to your engine.

[Dor]

Originally Posted by VRStu

There is nothing whatsoever wrong with the OEM speakers. I have the RNS510 (MFD3) which plays DVD's with Dolby DTS and the sound is awsome.

You can buy a DIN sized fascia kit for the Octy II which will allow you to fit your own head unit.

I have been trying to source some Skoda RNS510 for people and before Christmas it was looking promising however the trail has dried up a little but I still have hope.

Stu gave me a demo the other day using the DVD and to be honest it was pretty impressive. Bit frustating about the RNS source going cold though....

Chris

[VRStu]

Originally Posted by Dor

Bit frustating about the RNS source going cold though....

Chris

I'm on the case Chris

[Mater]

i disagree about the sound. my last car had a full bose setup inside and the sound quality in the Octavia is very good. yes it could do with a bit more mid range but im assured an MFD3 cures that. dunno what stereos you lot have been listening too

[Steve237]

There is a distinct improvement now I've fitted two new front speakers and some dynamat, but the sound quality was definitely better in my Golf.

Originally Posted by dstev2000

I have the standard OEM speakers, the MFD2 and an ipod touch via a third party A/V adaptor and the sound is excellent, I did a side by side comparison with the Sony system in a Mondeo ST and all present agreed the Octavia was the better system.

And as for frequeny clipping- the setup I have gives the deepest bass and the highest treble, it makes the door mirrors rattle with no distortion whatsoever.

I play my AAC's at the highest possible bitrate to prevent that tinny sound you get from highly compressed sound files.

One more point:

Initially I thought the MFD2's sound output was rubbish but after some head unit and source fettling it is brilliant.

dstev2000 - I have the Jumbo pack which includes MP3 input socket, but perhaps I could improve the sound quality by doing what you talk about in your last paragraph... sorry for the dumb question, but what is 'head unit and source fettling'?

[Steve237]

OK guys - I have identified what is causing the distortion!

I hope someone can help me with this!!

I thought it was the speakers distorting but it is in fact rattling - only on certain bass frequencies - and the rattling/vibrating is coming from the area between the door and the dashboard (adjacent to the side mirrors). When I jam something (fingers, wad of tissue) between the door and the dashboard when the door is closed, it almost completely stops this vibrating.

Can someone tell me what it could be, and what that hole in the side of the dash that meets with the hole in the door - is actually for? As it's this area that is causing the audio distortion and I would like to solve this problem without having to drive with my fingers stuck in there

Thanks for any guidance here

[kmc]

Isn't the hole in the sid eof the dash next to the door the hole for air to flow to the exit vent in the door next to the window for demistign purposes?

[skomaz]

Originally Posted by kmc

Isn't the hole in the side of the dash next to the door the hole for air to flow to the exit vent in the door next to the window for demistign purposes?

It is!

And what about a small stick-on rubber pad stuck on the side of the dash to keep the two pushed apart when the door is closed, as per the finger in the gap? I did this trick on the Mazda which has stainless speaker surrounds that used to rattle against the side of the dash and it worked a treat.

[Steve237]

Thanks chaps!

Skomaz - where did you buy these stick-on rubber pads? They sound perfect... the gap I need to fill is about 1cm (between the dash and the door)

I am very much looking forward to this and being able to drive around without it sounding like I've got torn speakers

[GAFF]

Originally Posted by Steve237

I thought it was the speakers distorting but it is in fact rattling - only on certain bass frequencies - and the rattling/vibrating is coming from the area between the door and the dashboard (adjacent to the side mirrors). When I jam something (fingers, wad of tissue) between the door and the dashboard when the door is closed, it almost completely stops this vibrating.

I found a similar issue myself, having the door card reseated twice seems to have sorted it.

[Steve237]

Originally Posted by GAFF

I found a similar issue myself, having the door card reseated twice seems to have sorted it.

How do you do that, then?

[skomaz]

Steve - Try somewhere like your local B&Q or similar - they tend to do a selection of assorted sizes and colours that can be used as stick on 'feet' for things and they are in the 'screws and nuts' aisle. I used some black rubber dome shaped ones and, having cleaned the location with isopropyl alcohol before I stuck them on, they haven't come off.

[Steve237]

thanks a lot for that info! Will bob down to B&Q