New car, new install. Now how to do it?

I just got me a 1999 Audi A6, and I NEED my music! It has a Bose system which would mean lots of extra work. The stock HU will adjust volume based on road noise, which is pretty cool. From what I see it has a total of 8 speakers, but that is just glancing, I haven't looked thoroughly yet. Now let me describe the options that I see.

Here's my dash:


1. I can replace the stock HU with my empeg. Like I said this means a lot more work. Running new wiring, replacing the Bose speakers, and I would need at least 1 new amp. This is also good as my LED kit is on its way.

2. Add an AUX adapter in place of the 6-disc changer and use the stock speakers, but then no place to mount it. (Well... thinking about it maybe I need to look into the remote display options).

So do you guys have any suggestions? The current system sounds pretty good, although I think my old system sounded better. I do want to add a sub, because the current bass just isn't doing it for me.

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I would go for the rip it out option over a remote display. Rid your car of evil proprietary stereo equipment.

Is that factory headunit a standard din size or is there a kit available ?

It's wider than standard din size, and I have found several kits available. So putting the sled in there shouldn't be a problem. I haven't seen how much clearance in back I have yet, so that may make a difference.

If you decide to leave the factory system in, you can get the AUX-input adapter here.

I would probably take this approach if there was any way to integrate the empeg into the dash without removing your current system.

In reply to:

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I would probably take this approach if there was any way to integrate the empeg into the dash without removing your current system.

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After doing some searching on the car, one thing I can do is replace the trim, climate controls, and ashtray to get a double din opening... Then I believe I can keep the current deck, and add the empeg in the dash. Whatever I do, it looks like it will be quite a while before I get it in.

Have you checked any Audi BBS sites to see what other people are doing? Maybe you can tap into the Bose stuff.

What I have gathered is that each speaker is out of phase with the others, its the head unit that corrects this so the sound is normal. People have added an additional sub using line level inputs, but when they tried tapping into the rest the result was horrible.

What I have gathered is that each speaker is out of phase with the others, its the head unit that corrects this so the sound is normal.

That sounds unlikely to me. I don't see how the "head unit" can "correct" phase.

What controls the phase of the speakers is the +/- connection of the speaker wires. If the speakers are out of phase, it merely means the speaker wires have been connected wrong. To correct faulty phase, just swap +/- on one of the speakers.

If your speakers are out of phase, you will hear a strange lack of bass with the balance control centered, but when you change the balance control far to the left or right the bass comes back.

What I saw was a guy's experience with the bose system in his Audi S4 here

He says the bose amp, not head unit, my mistake. This is his experience, so my mileage may vary. It looks like I will be doing a total system install. I don't think I want to try to integrate the empeg into the bose system (are adapters even out there?) Well deciding is the first step!

Well, it's true that the bose system in these Audis are very odd. The fronts and rears *are* driven out of phase from the factory (with the Bose option, I believe {but haven't verified} the phase is reversed at the onboard amplifier).

When I installed my sub, I was very dissapointed until I reversed the phase (on the aftermarket sub) at the amplifier. The rear stock "sub" (if you can call it that; it's 4" I hear) and (I assume) rear door speakers were cancelling out a lot of the sound. I also noticed that adding a ~2ms delay to the sub's signal increased clarity and volume a bit more. Perhaps that's because I have my subs pointing backwards towards the rear of the trunk...

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I picked up a dash adapter, and wiring harness this week and put it all together. I've put pictures on RioCar.org. I installed it mainly to see how it fit and look as I still need new speakers and amps before I can install it for good. But this is how the dash looks. It does look nice, but now I am thinking about one of Belezeebub's new fascias.

So last night after I posted, I saw Morrisdl's TT install. My stock stereo was the exact same one. So using his install as a guide my empeg is finally in my car!!! I still plan to switch out the speakers and such, but it is now not as much of a priority. So thanks Morrisdl for your great install pictures!