Different Bass/Treble settings

[MrPhilly]

Dear All,

Well, I've had my Golf MK5 for about a month or so now. Generally very pleased with it however, I now recognise everyones issues with Audio Quality.

Now, regarding the RCD300 (mp3) Head Unit (Yeah, I know.. It's not the best..) I have a little question..

I'm not too sure if anyone's noticed but there does appear to be more Bass response when CD's are being played. Then when switching back to the Radio, there's significantly less Bass response.

My thoughts lie with the probability that Radio Stations do not transmit as strong Bass against what gets recorded on a CD - Or something like that!

Ok, the Ford Focus I used to have featured the ability for the Bass & Treble to be set differently for the Radio and the CD. ie, when the Radio was playing, the Bass was set in "X" position and when the CD was playing, the Bass could be set in "Y" position automatically.. This was achieved by setting the Bass & Treble in both Radio and then setting in CD

Can this be replicated on the RCD units..? (I think I already know the answer..)

Many thanks

Phil Cain

[GDEvans]

I don't understand the issue people seem to have with the RCD300. It is a lot better quality than the head unit I had in my Focus (54 reg), and I had upgraded the speakers in that!

I have the 10 speaker system in the Golf. Maybe that is what makes the difference? Decent bass, good midrange and clear treble. And I haven't touched the bass/treble controls.

I know it isn't the last word in hifi - I'm used to a £10k system at home! But for in the car with all the other noises going on it sounds pretty good to me.

In answer to your question, I don't think that is possible. I suspect it is due to the compression on the radio broadcast. The problem is probably worse on Radio 1 than Radio 3 - R1 uses a lot more compression.

[MrPhilly]

I don't understand the issue people seem to have with the RCD300. It is a lot better quality than the head unit I had in my Focus (54 reg), and I had upgraded the speakers in that!

I have the 10 speaker system in the Golf. Maybe that is what makes the difference? Decent bass, good midrange and clear treble. And I haven't touched the bass/treble controls.

I know it isn't the last word in hifi - I'm used to a £10k system at home! But for in the car with all the other noises going on it sounds pretty good to me.

In answer to your question, I don't think that is possible. I suspect it is due to the compression on the radio broadcast. The problem is probably worse on Radio 1 than Radio 3 - R1 uses a lot more compression.

Hi DGEvans,

Thanks for your reply. I too have the 10 speaker system in the Golf.

I wasn't saying that the RCD300 system is rubbish - I'm just saying that it's not as good quality as I've previously had factory fitted in other cars.

Still, as I said beofre I think I knew the answer. I just wanted to ask. You never know..

[GDEvans]

Sorry - wasn't meant to be a criticism of you! A lot of people have said how bad the RCD300 is, but I think it is a world better than the Ford (pre Sony) head units!

Maybe I got the only good one!!!

[Juancho]

I don't see how anyone with a decent system at home can claim that the stock 10 speaker sound system in a Golf Mk 5 sounds even reasonable!

The head unit is not the biggest culprit; these are the mid range drivers in the front doors, which are plastic framed and have magnets the size of fridge magnets! Neither of these design features is conducive to good sound.

All the stock speakers are very cheap paper coned jobs incapable of any real expression, but the front mids are way and ahead the worst of the culprits. My wife's Polo 2 ways in the front provide a more satisfying sound then the stock 6 way fronts in the Mark 5.

Pretty well any upgrade to quality 2 ways or better will help here if you mainly listen to cd or radio.If ever you go to the States, go to Circuit City and buy some Polk 561s for around $100 per pair. A true bargain which I havn't seen here.

The stock unit of course does not provide much in the way of power-maybe 15 watts rms-so if you plan to stop at audio upgrades with better speakers then don't go for some of the less senitive more power hungry types.

The RCD 300 head unit really sucks tho if you want to use the VW I Pod adaptor and the resulting sound even with updgraded speakers is unsatisfying. In that case you should upgrade to an Alpine I Pod head unit or similar. That, with upgraded speakers will provide a very pleasant sound.

Of course, if you want to go really mad then upgrade the head unit and speakers and add an amp. Something like Focal 165VR3s, a Focal Solid 2 or similar and an Alpine head unit will give truly wonderful sound but you are talking around £1,000.

I hope I've sketched out a good upgrade route fo you,
Juancho

[MrPhilly]

Sorry - wasn't meant to be a criticism of you! A lot of people have said how bad the RCD300 is, but I think it is a world better than the Ford (pre Sony) head units!

Maybe I got the only good one!!!

Hey, No worries. I didn't take it as criticism.

I was more worried that you thought of me as someone who listens to Radio 1. You know, I'd rather have my finger nails pulled!

[MrPhilly]

I don't see how anyone with a decent system at home can claim that the stock 10 speaker sound system in a Golf Mk 5 sounds even reasonable!

The head unit is not the biggest culprit; these are the mid range drivers in the front doors, which are plastic framed and have magnets the size of fridge magnets! Neither of these design features is conducive to good sound.

All the stock speakers are very cheap paper coned jobs incapable of any real expression, but the front mids are way and ahead the worst of the culprits. My wife's Polo 2 ways in the front provide a more satisfying sound then the stock 6 way fronts in the Mark 5.

Pretty well any upgrade to quality 2 ways or better will help here if you mainly listen to cd or radio.If ever you go to the States, go to Circuit City and buy some Polk 561s for around $100 per pair. A true bargain which I havn't seen here.

The stock unit of course does not provide much in the way of power-maybe 15 watts rms-so if you plan to stop at audio upgrades with better speakers then don't go for some of the less senitive more power hungry types.

The RCD 300 head unit really sucks tho if you want to use the VW I Pod adaptor and the resulting sound even with updgraded speakers is unsatisfying. In that case you should upgrade to an Alpine I Pod head unit or similar. That, with upgraded speakers will provide a very pleasant sound.

Of course, if you want to go really mad then upgrade the head unit and speakers and add an amp. Something like Focal 165VR3s, a Focal Solid 2 or similar and an Alpine head unit will give truly wonderful sound but you are talking around £1,000.

I hope I've sketched out a good upgrade route fo you,
Juancho

Hi Juancho,

Indeed you have pointed me in the right direction. I think a speaker upgrade (at some point) will suit me just fine.

Radio & CD is all I really listen to in the car.

I'll look and see if there's a "How-to" on removing Door cards, etc and replacing speakers on here.

Oh yes, nore interestingly, do you have any tips to stop Door cards rattling post speaker upgrades..?

[Juancho]

Hi,
I'm a bit pushed today but can certainly tell you how to remove the door panels and also how to stop them rattling. Will do so tomorrow,
Cheers
Juancho

[MrPhilly]

Hi,
I'm a bit pushed today but can certainly tell you how to remove the door panels and also how to stop them rattling. Will do so tomorrow,
Cheers
Juancho

Thanks Juancho - Information wise, I need a bit of a Tesco's moment..

"Every little helps!"

[GDEvans]

I don't see how anyone with a decent system at home can claim that the stock 10 speaker sound system in a Golf Mk 5 sounds even reasonable!

Well now you've found somebody!

The stock system is certainly not the last word in hifi, but it is a lot better than some car systems I have listened to.

I do most of my music listening at home - that's why I've spent a lot on the system there, with no background noise to detract from my listening pleasure. I have never been able to bring myself to spend a lot of money on a car system - with the road & wind noise it doesn't seem worth it. Plus there is the insurance / theft problem - my home system is nicely protected by big locks and an alarm, plus it's completely covered by my insurance. £1000 on the car system - that would nearly buy me a new CD player at home!!!

Seriously though, I do consider the Golf system to be reasonable quality. Try comparing it to the stock unit that was in my Focus - it is a world better than the Ford one!

My one annoyance is the rattling door cards. A knee against them cures the problem, but makes it hard to drive with a foot on each door!!! I was going to look at them this weekend, and possibly apply some sound deadening to them, but the weather forecast look grotty.