Bora V6 4Motion - Is nice, I like.

**Dub_Star_V6** · 25-01-2009, 08:07 PM

Depending on what size you go for, you'll have to find a replica in the correct PCD and offset, as OEM Audi fitment for those ones is 5x112, so no good for our Boras (5x100).

**Dub_Star_V6** · 02-09-2009, 09:26 PM

Been a while lads...

Just had the boys down at AutoBarn MacGregor do an awesome audio install. Give Russell or Michael a call and make sure Adam looks after your install. I was always kept in the loop and nothing was too much trouble. There were a few kinks with the wiring (no pun intended) and they went to great lengths to get things right and sort them for me ASAP.

Special thanks also go to Andrew (RF 4Motion) for his invaluable advice regarding quality hardware and recommendations for the install, all while keeping the Minister for Finance happy

In keeping with the Super Stealth theme, I wanted to keep the OEM slots for all the hardware. This meant no crazy custom moldings, which also meant no cost blowouts (although I'll probably consider something similar to Andrew's awesome custom shallow 10" sub install somewhere down the track.)

I was looking forward to experiencing Maestro/MB Quart's German quality but (to my ears at least) I was surprised at how uncomfortably bright they were but mostly disappointed with the lack of depth and response. I also considered some Rockford Fosgate and Pioneer items but as I wasn't fitting a sub, opted for Clarion's Platinum Series SRP1620M splits front and rear. They weren't the most expensive, nor the cheapest, but to my ears they not only had great sound but unbelievably punchy, tight, deep and clean mid-bass response. 250w MAX, 70w RMS. A solid OEM replacement that won't break the budget.

To compensate for the rear tweeters being much closer to you than the fronts (practically sitting on the B pillar) we ended up backing them right off when adjusting the amp gains. Clean, crisp, balanced highs accompanied by solid, tight, responsive lows with fantastic depth are now the order of the day. While the original tweeters actually looked OK, I should have taken photos of the mids... shagged is an understatement.

As I was still running the OEM 6-stack (non-MP3) changer and really wanted something tuneable and reliable with MP3/AUX and possibly, USB capability, stumped for a Clarion CZ209A: detachable faceplate, endlessly tuneable logic controls (3-phase gain, centre frequency and Q curves all via the HU), 4-channel pre-out, Bluetooth ready. Is nice, I like.

Thankfully, the gorgeous Alphasonik PMZ6004A 4-channel amp running the show wasn't able to be installed under the seat due to the chassis bars, so it's now sitting in the boot!

75w x 4ch @ 4Ω, 120w x 4ch @ 2Ω. Even better performance and value than the Fusion FE-402 'Encounter Series' 2ch amp I had in the Subaru. The 6004A's are now discontinued, so I landed it for an absolute bargain.

Now for the kinks...

Long story short, rooftop antennas in VAG group vehicles (VW, Audi, Seat) have an aerial signal booster requiring 12V power. teh car audio n00bs (i.e. like me) please remember you'll need to plug in a VAG antenna adapter when swapping the HU to ensure you boost the signal, as this lead provides a power supply to the antenna pre-amp (via the 12v coax) and acts as an integrated signal booster for the aerial connection. This explained the total loss of MW and sketchy FM reception after the install because this lead was missing, as the aerial wasn't receiving adequate power. Not a big drama, just niggly and annoying.

Autoleads UK do them (PC5-52) and Aerpro also do them locally (40 EU 55)

I also wasn't particularly comfortable with the amount of electromagnetic interference in the system, so we also fitted a JayCar line isolator and a 40amp hotline filter. The EMI has all but disappeared with these filters in place

I'll take a few more photos once I get it back from JMac, but only after Jimmy finishes laying smack with his suppliers over parts that didn't turn up

**AusScare** · 02-09-2009, 09:42 PM

Car looks good, needs a tiny drop though!

**fuzion** · 02-09-2009, 09:50 PM

as he said! looks good..

you need centrecaps though on the wheels!!

**Dub_Star_V6** · 02-09-2009, 10:00 PM

Know where I can get some Pierre?

**fuzion** · 02-09-2009, 10:07 PM

i'll call tomorrow and see if i can scab you some, no promises tho!

ill be up your way in october actually, if your around let me know.. would love to see it dude!

**dubbed** · 02-09-2009, 10:39 PM

Nice dude. I considered the Clarion units but settled for a faithful Alpine. Just out of curiosity, does your head unit dim/reverse the lighting when you turn the headlights on?

In regards to the MB Quartzs being bright, you might find that the mid-low bass improves as the speakers are worn in. It'll probably take 50~ or so hours, so be patient!

**BI65ND** · 02-09-2009, 10:53 PM

Theyre different sounds for different music. The MB's/Maestro's are made more for like your jazz or classical type music, whereas the Clarions, Rockfords, Alpine type R's are all made for Rock music, so it all depends what you're into. If you try to play rock or heavy type music through the MB's/Maestro's, even the factory speakers up loud, you'll find that they get very pitchy, and sounds like everythings really screaming and clashing together up high. I work with car audio, and while I love the Rockford gear, IMO nothing comes close to Clarion speakers for their price range. Awesome bang for buck.

**Dub_Star_V6** · 03-09-2009, 10:08 AM

Thanks boys!

That would be great if you could hook me up Pierre

They are the bigger caps, so close to 100mm or thereabouts I think?

I considered an Alpine CDE-102Ei Luke (and also checked out their CDE-W203E 2DIN unit) but unfortunately these would have left less $$ for the other components. I wanted to try and spend as much on each to get good B4B so opted for the Clarion unit instead. I'm also pretty sure the HU stays as is (no reverse illumination when I turn the lights on) but I'm still learning the menus and how to access them so this revelation may well turn up over the next few weeks! I am teh n00b

And after hearing how bright the MBs were, the first thing I asked was how long they'd been played. Surprisingly, it was quite a bit more than 50 hours? But as Ian said, the type of music that was playing through them didn't really compliment their finesse, so perhaps that had something to do with it, too?

I'd imagine the MBs would shine in a home theatre-type setup when everything is sealed and quiet, with little background noise, so their finesse and clarity (especially for movie speech and background noise detail) would come to the fore. Your description is perfect Ian, as that's exactly how they sounded: like everything was trying to get out all at once, no clarity or definition and clashy almost to the point of discomfort. They didn't sound very nice at all.

I'm really happy with the Clarions Ian and cheers for your recommendation. There's better out there but I couldn't t find anything that could come close on quality and performance in that price range. I'm listening to tracks I've probably heard 100 times over and am picking up detail and nuance I'd never heard before. Great clarity, depth and response, helped by solid doors that seal decently as well.

I'm assuming the responsiveness of the Clarions will improve as the system beds in and for it to start sounding a bit smoother and more mellow as I build up some hours through the system? Does this mean readjusting the amp gains again after X hours, or should I just leave them as they are?