Surprised And Depressed

funkyjutel · 20-05-2003, 19:03

Have been driving a Fabia 1.4MPI today as mine is in at Forward Motors having the last coil pack replaced under Skoda warranty.

Should make a full set of new uns at long last!!

I am amazed and depressed at how much better the sound quality of the bass response and crispness of the speakers are against my pile of crap in my Octy RS.

I am really amazed and can't quite understand how they didn't put the same type of stereo in the Octy. I might have kept it if it had been that good.

I wonder why?

Fabpreza · 20-05-2003, 19:50

Someone has just drawn attention to looking at the FAQ section on here about a free way of imrpoving the bass. I've already replaced the speakers but will still have a look !

Stimps · 20-05-2003, 19:50

Just swap them over when no one's looking mate

Seriously though - despite what others have said, i've never encountered any problems with the speakers in my fab either, even if the volume is cranked up

Stimps · 20-05-2003, 20:03

BTW - what's this got to do with Meets/Events?

Quinten · 20-05-2003, 20:11

I was just wondering the same thing

. Guess Funky J is so excited about Sunday he can't stop posting in here

Q.

edit: 200 posts! Have I knocked DGW of the first spot yet?

Dutch4x4 · 20-05-2003, 20:39

And I just hit 300!

Hmm, have to do some more gratuitous posting - that bloody Dutchman is catching up with me fast.

BTW, you're not even in the Top 10, Q.!

devonutopia · 20-05-2003, 20:40

Fabia speakers have always been pretty good for me too. I need to turn my volume way up to a level even MY ears can;t cope with, for the speakers to start complaining. I'll give mine a good trashing at the Malt Shovel. But no nts-nts-nts-nts, I promise.

stopan1j · 20-05-2003, 20:50

An ex Skoda Mechanic (Bart) from a Holland Dealership on anther forum stated its not the speakers it the door construction. The internal construction/filling on the Octavia spoils the acoustics with not a lot that can be done. The Fabia and Superb share the same type of construction (different to Octavia) and give much better sound reproduction I guess its all to do with the sound box you create at the back of the speaker. The guy was an expert in most things Skoda and personally I wouldn't doubt his response.

John

Edited as I have now found the thread from Bart

Hello!

you know what is the best upgrade for front speaker problems in Octavia: buy a Fabia!
Explanation: they have the same standard speakers, but the structure of the door is different. That's a lot of quality diffenrence for the sound. Because the Octavia is an older development than the Fabia, the solutions for the doors is also more old fashioned in Octavia: the inner side of the door is sealed by foam plastic. The bass speaker is just in fornt of this. Absolutely crap! The Fabia has - like Passat and Superb- metal inner sealings of the doors and the speakers are mounted in there. Thereby the whole volume of the door will function as a good resonance chamber for the speaker. Guess what will happen when you will upgradce the sound system in that car....... yummy!

regards form the old skoda maniac in Holland,

Bart

**robmawer** · 20-05-2003, 22:29

I would concur with John and say that if it sounds much nicer it'll mainly be as
a result of better acoustics and probably less about the quality of the cones.

Heck, you could get a set of hifi speakers from Richer Sounds for the same
amount as I paid for my front composites alone, and they'd still sound better!

Rob.

FabiaTDi · 20-05-2003, 22:35

Must say i'm fairly impressed with the speakers in the fab.
They seem to take quite a bit of abuse before breaking up (usually between 50-55 on the volume control, which is LOUD anyway)

What I have noticed is that some CDs seem to distort at lower volumes than others.... not sure why though

**robmawer** · 20-05-2003, 22:52

Probably p1ss-poor mastering on the CD. Or just the range of frequencies on it
coinciding with the natural frequencies of the materials around the speaker...

Rob.

funkyjutel · 21-05-2003, 13:57

In that case is doing anything at all with the Octy (i.e adding a sub and new speakers) a complete waste of time. Surely there is someone who must have done something with their stereo system to make it sound better.

I can't belive that there is nothing that you can do at all to improve the sound.

Has anyone tried and done it successfully??

**robmawer** · 21-05-2003, 14:03

I wouldn't say it's a waste of time - 100 quid and I find mine very pleasant to listen to.
I have recently tried a track designed to test subs though, and it does rattle some of
the panels at certain frequencies. I'd imagine an amp/crossover would push these
frequencies through a sub if you had one, and not being fitted to wobbly plastic this
will sound better.

Not that I'm thinking of getting a sub and amp though...

I seem to recall DrPepper has a fairly "phat" ICE setup.

Rob.

***ncarring*** · 21-05-2003, 14:05

Who's DrPepper and what does "phat" mean? <insert grumpy old git smiley here>

Make sure you attend on Sunday for the plastering consultations so we can have a listen ...

**robmawer** · 21-05-2003, 14:10

He's a chap who hasn't posted on here since the 11th - think he went the whole
amp, sub, parcel shelf speakers route, and got good results.
And therein lies the definition of phat...

Rob.

devonutopia · 21-05-2003, 14:21

Nick - you bring the bag of plaster and I'll bring a bit of p/board. We can use water out of all our radiators to mix in.

PS: I seem to be bringing more baggage for the meet, than for the actual whole weekend. List now stands at CPU tower for Rob to help me with and stacks of MP3 CDs for people to "borrow".

Stimps · 21-05-2003, 14:25

I'd consider going for the parcel shelf approach one day if I could:
a) manage to build a replacement out of MDF
- or -
b) get a "stealth-shelf" ready-made

Somehow I don't think the standard fabia shelf would take much weight/punishment

devonutopia · 21-05-2003, 14:29

Stimps - The original parcel shelf is a bit weak isn't it... I've always thought the sound in the back is pretty good, but I suppose if you want the kind of bass output that someone 1/4 mile away can hear, then its necessary.

PS: You got my PM about those albums you wanted? I've printed the list off for me to act upon tonight

Dutch4x4 · 21-05-2003, 14:41

Quote:

Originally posted by ncarring in this post
what does "phat" mean? <insert grumpy old git smiley here>

Nick, that knowledge is wisely kept from people with an utter disregard for the correct spelling of Bizkit...

**robmawer** · 21-05-2003, 14:43

You mean that isn't the correct spelling?!

No wonder McVities turned me down...

Rob.

Stimps · 21-05-2003, 14:49

Jason - most parcel shelves do appear to be as strong as wet cardboard, so putting anything on them probably wouldn't last long

Anyway - I've vowed that any thing I do to the fab can be undone at a later date when it comes to trade-in time...

***ncarring*** · 21-05-2003, 14:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post
Nick, that knowledge is wisely kept from people with an utter disregard for the correct spelling of Bizkit...

Awww - and there was me making an effort to be "hip" and all that

**robmawer** · 21-05-2003, 14:53

I has a couple of small heavy Pioneer speakers fitted onto the rear shelf of a Micra
(now that was a flimsy shelf!). The held really well and due to the flimsiness of
the shelf it was pretty elastic and didn't get warped out of shape. At the time of
trade-in I just let them have the speakers as I hadn't paid for them anyway.

It would just be a case of getting a new shelf anyway, which will cost you proabably
about 30 quid to replace, or it might be cheaper to let the dealer do it!

Rob.

Dutch4x4 · 21-05-2003, 14:54

With that Porsche you're the Hipster himself, so I wouldn't worry too much.

That's a phat car, man!

***ncarring*** · 21-05-2003, 14:59

It is - I'll show you a pic of it in the garage sometime - about 2cm clearance either side

20-05-2003, 19:03	#1
funkyjutel Detail Doctor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Just round the corner from Willie Shakespeare, close to his mum's gaff and not far from the centre of england.... Posts: 646 Members Car: Yes it's a Skoda..Yes it's fast dear! Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Surprised And Depressed Have been driving a Fabia 1.4MPI today as mine is in at Forward Motors having the last coil pack replaced under Skoda warranty. Should make a full set of new uns at long last!! I am amazed and depressed at how much better the sound quality of the bass response and crispness of the speakers are against my pile of crap in my Octy RS. I am really amazed and can't quite understand how they didn't put the same type of stereo in the Octy. I might have kept it if it had been that good. I wonder why? __________________ Funky Fathering Is Where It's At

20-05-2003, 19:50	#3
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 16v Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just swap them over when no one's looking mate Seriously though - despite what others have said, i've never encountered any problems with the speakers in my fab either, even if the volume is cranked up __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

20-05-2003, 20:03	#4
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 16v Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	BTW - what's this got to do with Meets/Events? __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

20-05-2003, 20:11	#5
Quinten Crossdresser Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: fast lane Posts: 10,000 Members Car: Citroen C-Crosser 2.2HDI Thanks: 25 Thanked 40 Times in 37 Posts	I was just wondering the same thing . Guess Funky J is so excited about Sunday he can't stop posting in here Q. edit: 200 posts! Have I knocked DGW of the first spot yet? __________________ Awooga!!!

20-05-2003, 20:39	#6
Dutch4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: kicking up feet in the Formula Stealth paddock Posts: 3,153 Members Car: 1.8T Elegance Hatchback 4x4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	And I just hit 300! Hmm, have to do some more gratuitous posting - that bloody Dutchman is catching up with me fast. BTW, you're not even in the Top 10, Q.! __________________ Mrs D's Briskoda: Octavia 4x4 turbo (2003), Oettinger 210, Koni Sport, MAD Sportive, Dotz Le Mans 17", Bridgestone Potenza S-03, sports interior. And a Fiesta ST (2006) for myself...

20-05-2003, 19:50	#2
Fabpreza Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SE Posts: 1,523 Members Car: 4x4 Jabba Turbo estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Someone has just drawn attention to looking at the FAQ section on here about a free way of imrpoving the bass. I've already replaced the speakers but will still have a look !

20-05-2003, 20:40	#7
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,109 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 353 Times in 296 Posts	Fabia speakers have always been pretty good for me too. I need to turn my volume way up to a level even MY ears can;t cope with, for the speakers to start complaining. I'll give mine a good trashing at the Malt Shovel. But no nts-nts-nts-nts, I promise. __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

20-05-2003, 20:50	#8
stopan1j Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,215 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	An ex Skoda Mechanic (Bart) from a Holland Dealership on anther forum stated its not the speakers it the door construction. The internal construction/filling on the Octavia spoils the acoustics with not a lot that can be done. The Fabia and Superb share the same type of construction (different to Octavia) and give much better sound reproduction I guess its all to do with the sound box you create at the back of the speaker. The guy was an expert in most things Skoda and personally I wouldn't doubt his response. John Edited as I have now found the thread from Bart Hello! you know what is the best upgrade for front speaker problems in Octavia: buy a Fabia! Explanation: they have the same standard speakers, but the structure of the door is different. That's a lot of quality diffenrence for the sound. Because the Octavia is an older development than the Fabia, the solutions for the doors is also more old fashioned in Octavia: the inner side of the door is sealed by foam plastic. The bass speaker is just in fornt of this. Absolutely crap! The Fabia has - like Passat and Superb- metal inner sealings of the doors and the speakers are mounted in there. Thereby the whole volume of the door will function as a good resonance chamber for the speaker. Guess what will happen when you will upgradce the sound system in that car....... yummy! regards form the old skoda maniac in Holland, Bart Last edited by stopan1j; 20-05-2003 at 23:30.

20-05-2003, 22:29	#9
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	I would concur with John and say that if it sounds much nicer it'll mainly be as a result of better acoustics and probably less about the quality of the cones. Heck, you could get a set of hifi speakers from Richer Sounds for the same amount as I paid for my front composites alone, and they'd still sound better! Rob. __________________

20-05-2003, 22:35	#10
FabiaTDi VT5 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,001 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Must say i'm fairly impressed with the speakers in the fab. They seem to take quite a bit of abuse before breaking up (usually between 50-55 on the volume control, which is LOUD anyway) What I have noticed is that some CDs seem to distort at lower volumes than others.... not sure why though __________________ Was: 2003 Allard Tuned Fabia vRS VT5 Turbo Conversion Now: 2008 Audi A3 Sportback TDI

20-05-2003, 22:52	#11
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	Probably p1ss-poor mastering on the CD. Or just the range of frequencies on it coinciding with the natural frequencies of the materials around the speaker... Rob. __________________

21-05-2003, 13:57	#12
funkyjutel Detail Doctor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Just round the corner from Willie Shakespeare, close to his mum's gaff and not far from the centre of england.... Posts: 646 Members Car: Yes it's a Skoda..Yes it's fast dear! Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In that case is doing anything at all with the Octy (i.e adding a sub and new speakers) a complete waste of time. Surely there is someone who must have done something with their stereo system to make it sound better. I can't belive that there is nothing that you can do at all to improve the sound. Has anyone tried and done it successfully?? __________________ Funky Fathering Is Where It's At

21-05-2003, 14:03	#13
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	I wouldn't say it's a waste of time - 100 quid and I find mine very pleasant to listen to. I have recently tried a track designed to test subs though, and it does rattle some of the panels at certain frequencies. I'd imagine an amp/crossover would push these frequencies through a sub if you had one, and not being fitted to wobbly plastic this will sound better. Not that I'm thinking of getting a sub and amp though... I seem to recall DrPepper has a fairly "phat" ICE setup. Rob. __________________

21-05-2003, 14:05	#14
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,965 Members Car: 1983 Porsche 928S / 1972 MGB GT Thanks: 17 Thanked 96 Times in 79 Posts	Who's DrPepper and what does "phat" mean? <insert grumpy old git smiley here> Make sure you attend on Sunday for the plastering consultations so we can have a listen ... __________________ Nick North Wiltshire RoADAR

21-05-2003, 14:10	#15
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	He's a chap who hasn't posted on here since the 11th - think he went the whole amp, sub, parcel shelf speakers route, and got good results. And therein lies the definition of phat... Rob. __________________

21-05-2003, 14:21	#16
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,109 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 353 Times in 296 Posts	Nick - you bring the bag of plaster and I'll bring a bit of p/board. We can use water out of all our radiators to mix in. PS: I seem to be bringing more baggage for the meet, than for the actual whole weekend. List now stands at CPU tower for Rob to help me with and stacks of MP3 CDs for people to "borrow". __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

21-05-2003, 14:25	#17
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 16v Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'd consider going for the parcel shelf approach one day if I could: a) manage to build a replacement out of MDF - or - b) get a "stealth-shelf" ready-made Somehow I don't think the standard fabia shelf would take much weight/punishment __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

21-05-2003, 14:29	#18
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,109 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 75 Thanked 353 Times in 296 Posts	Stimps - The original parcel shelf is a bit weak isn't it... I've always thought the sound in the back is pretty good, but I suppose if you want the kind of bass output that someone 1/4 mile away can hear, then its necessary. PS: You got my PM about those albums you wanted? I've printed the list off for me to act upon tonight __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. Cheesy bonnet lifter video to "raise me up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnGECEi5Oc See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

21-05-2003, 14:43	#20
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	You mean that isn't the correct spelling?! No wonder McVities turned me down... Rob. __________________

21-05-2003, 14:49	#21
Stimps Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 5,091 Members Car: Fabia 1.4 16v Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jason - most parcel shelves do appear to be as strong as wet cardboard, so putting anything on them probably wouldn't last long Anyway - I've vowed that any thing I do to the fab can be undone at a later date when it comes to trade-in time... __________________ Steve « Nature Green 1.4 16v Fabia Comfort »

21-05-2003, 14:53	#23
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,476 Members Car: Octavia 1.6 Ambiente Thanks: 2 Thanked 74 Times in 67 Posts	I has a couple of small heavy Pioneer speakers fitted onto the rear shelf of a Micra (now that was a flimsy shelf!). The held really well and due to the flimsiness of the shelf it was pretty elastic and didn't get warped out of shape. At the time of trade-in I just let them have the speakers as I hadn't paid for them anyway. It would just be a case of getting a new shelf anyway, which will cost you proabably about 30 quid to replace, or it might be cheaper to let the dealer do it! Rob. __________________

21-05-2003, 14:54	#24
Dutch4x4 Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: kicking up feet in the Formula Stealth paddock Posts: 3,153 Members Car: 1.8T Elegance Hatchback 4x4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	With that Porsche you're the Hipster himself, so I wouldn't worry too much. That's a phat car, man! __________________ Mrs D's Briskoda: Octavia 4x4 turbo (2003), Oettinger 210, Koni Sport, MAD Sportive, Dotz Le Mans 17", Bridgestone Potenza S-03, sports interior. And a Fiesta ST (2006) for myself...

21-05-2003, 14:59	#25
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,965 Members Car: 1983 Porsche 928S / 1972 MGB GT Thanks: 17 Thanked 96 Times in 79 Posts	It is - I'll show you a pic of it in the garage sometime - about 2cm clearance either side __________________ Nick North Wiltshire RoADAR

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