RE: New Stereo for A4 (longish message)

[Mike Bradley <mikebrad@numega.com>]

I've replaced the stereo in my A4 with a DIN E size unit.

Knowing that Audi (to the best of my knowledge, he said to fend off incoming corrections) have never supplied UK spec cars with 'Audi' branded stereos, I looked into what they use on cars over there to block up the gaps left at each end.  I found that there is a  molded plastic part which fits in each side & screws into the chassis behind the wooden trim.  

My car has the Bose option (yes I bought the car off the lot!).  I used a pair of Peripheral Electronics Vendetta II interfaces to match the line level output of my Pioneer head unit to the Bose amps.  The factory fit stereo has both line level & amplified outputs, so I'm not sure whether the standard non-Bose stereo uses external or the built in amps.  I have Pioneer's optional hideaway digital signal processor  / equalizer on my system, which helps to tune out problem areas in the Bose speaker / amp setup.  This processor also has adjustable high pass filters on the front / rear outs and a sub-woofer output.  I use an amplified sub-woofer & dial-out the low bass from the main  front / rear. 
Speakers.  All in all, I'm very pleased with sound quality.  I'd probably be even more pleased with a completely custom amp / speaker install, but by then I'd have no trunk space & lots of holes in my car.

I also have a Pioneer 12 disc autochanger installed in the trunk, which fits neatly in place of the bit of fibreboard where the jack normally lives.

If anyone wants the Audi part no for the fascia filler pieces please mail me.  You will need to order these from a UK supplier, but they're not too expensive (about $10 a pair I think).

Mike Bradley

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