RNS 850 Poor sound quality

[Touacool]

Hi Everyone. In love with my new 2012 180 TDI Touareg. Gutted with audio quality though. Specifically when using fader between front and back. Back is only a fraction of the volume of front and resultant sound is very unbalanced. Quality between input devices is also variable. Is the fading issue a known issue/deficiency of the RNS 850? Just wondering what everyone elses experience with their RNS 850 is.

PS. The salesman is oblivious (clueless) and they dont have another 180 to compare to, so he basically doesnt want to know (he has made his money already). He gave me a number for head office and told me to call them - great points for customer service after I had taken time off work to take my car all the way in.

Called VW tech support and they cannot/will not say anything without seeing the car (which is fair enough), but they are not willing to confirm if there is an issue or this is a common complaint.

Took it into VW service (another day and more time off work), they acknowledge issue, but dont know if theres a problem or not, or if its normal or not. No coding issues.

So seems everyone agrees that its rather ghastly for a $85K car, but no-one cares or is going to take responsibility, and theres definitely not going to be any "admission of guilt" or admission of poor quality sound. Take it or leave it and expect to never know. Like a big black hole to an auditory void!

Have seen some other complaints on web but no clear confirmations. Perhaps some of the dealers that sponsor this forum (or 2012 180 owners) could confirm by checking the front vs rear volume when using the fader on the RNS 850.
Tip. Go to fader settings, set sound forward, turn sound up fairly loud, tap on rear seats to fade right back, compare sound.

[Transporter]

Welcome to the forum mate. I see from the end of your post that you probably red the RNS850 manual, other than that I don't know.

I'm not aware of that we have any dealer that would be a sponsor here.

I moved your post to audio section, there maybe someone with more knowledge.

[Flipper Dog]

Yeah just tried out the fader with the front and back, yes the back when turned all the way to the rear is low in sound output. But saying than why would you only want the rear speakers on? Kids sitting in the rear always are going on to turn "my" music down because they can't hear their various electronic devices.
I find the best position is the centre of the arm rear on the display, this allows very good sound quality and quantity.

Some other overseas users have spoken of their disapointment in the sound quality of the RNS850 and their fix was to replace the speakers, no known software fix as far as I know.

[Touacool]

Thanks for the replies and especially for Flipper Dog for taking time out to check it out. I suspected that the "issue" is just how it is. Need to research the RNS850 tech setup or install specs for the car. I expected a quality sound system and the way it is supplied just isnt that.

I dont want sound only out the back, but it would be nice to feel as if you are "immersed" in sound. The way it is, is that the sound comes from in front of the driver and is unbalanced in terms of auditory experience. To get it vaguely balanced (surround sound), you have to move the fader right to the back but then the back speaker setup is such that there is a lot of volume and quality loss. If the rear setup was the same as the front that would be a remarkable improvement already and probably sufficient.

I agree that it can still sound good with particular tracks or devices, but it is not the same quality as the rest of the car and its not a comprehensive sound experience. My wifes Multivan has a better system in it. But perhaps thats to override the noise coming from the kids