160w Stereo

Author
Discussion

Eddie Hitler

Original Poster:

1 posts

101 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Hi all,

As a regular visitor to the forums and checking the archives on the stereo in the Vantage a lot of the comments are from folks who have the premium sound and understandably rave about. Trying to find a used model in the spec I want is darn difficult as most models don't have the 700w stereo.

My question is to the folks on here who have cars with the 160w unit either by choice or compromise: has it been ok, not an issue, or a disappointment? Heading off tomorrow on a 3 hour drive to look at a model with 160w and a cracking spec although 20k over budget, funny how that happens after a 12 month hunt!

Omaruk

617 posts

159 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Having tried both, the 160W is actually fine, has a subwoofer too. Once you drive the car, trust me the audio will only be on for Motorway journeys...

Grumpydev

265 posts

101 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
The standard audio is absolutely fine imo, miles better than the (still ok) audio in my BM estate and it's not far off the BOSE audio in my TT to be honest.

If your're into your audio then you will probably want to track down the best audio you can get, but for "general" use it's plenty good quality and plenty loud enough imo.

Jon39

12,825 posts

143 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all

Any relation? Thought you might be more of a Porsche man? - smile

As you have already waited 12 months (it took me that long), you clearly have patience.

In your position, unless you are seeking a rare colour, I think I would wait for a 700w car. As you say, it is widely held in high regard, I marvel at the clarity, and you don't want to have any regrets after your purchase. The decision might also depend on how long you intend to keep the car.

I was surprised at your comment about most cars have the 160w, but I have never studied that point.

Good luck to you in finding your dream car. They are magnificent works of art to own. Even just looking at a Vantage with a cover on (in a minute, after coffee) I still think Wow!





Edited by Jon39 on Monday 23 November 11:16

Grumpydev

265 posts

101 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Jon39 said:
Any relation? Thought you might be more of a Porsche man? - smile

As you have already waited 12 months (it took me that long), you clearly have patience.

In your position, unless you are seeking a rare colour, I think I would wait for a 700w car. As you say, it is widely held in high regard, I marvel at the clarity, and you don't want to have any regrets after your purchase. The decision might also depend on how long you intend to keep the car.

I was surprised at your comment about most cars have the 160w, but I have never studied that point.

Good luck to you in finding your dream car. They are magnificent works of art to own. Even just looking at a Vantage with a cover on (in a minute, after coffee) I still think Wow!





Edited by Jon39 on Monday 23 November 11:16
Please excuse the thread hijack, but what cover to you have? Is it an indoor or an outdoor one and do you have any pics of it wrapped up? smile

ds2000

2,687 posts

192 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
I have it in my V12 and its absolutely fine. My V8 had Premium and while there is no doubt its a whole lot better I'd not make is a deal breaker.

The other option, if you find the exact car you want and it needs to be Premium, is to get get in touch with James (formally paralight) now trackaphone. The Premium system can be retro fitted for about £1800 although I'd bet for £1800 you could end up with something far far better.

Jon39

12,825 posts

143 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all

Grumpydev said:
Please excuse the thread hijack, but what cover to you have? Is it an indoor or an outdoor one and do you have any pics of it wrapped up? smile

Oh how embarrassing. You have caught me out now. - smile

Mine is only for indoor use only.
Two thick brushed cotton white sheets from Dunelm.
Fits perfectly.
Hugs the beautiful contours, but no Aston Martin badge of course.
Cannot remember the cost, but probably just a tiny fraction of the tailored covers.
Washable too. It might be a struggle to get an official cover into a washing mashing.



Grumpydev

265 posts

101 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Ha, if it works it works - I need an outdoor one though, although maybe a fitted sheet designed for someone with a weak bladder might fit the bill? biggrin

marknash99

661 posts

107 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
I've got the basic stereo in mine, I think it's actually pretty good. Better than the ones I've had in BMWs.

davek_964

8,812 posts

175 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
I had a number of must have options when I was looking for my car, and premium HiFi wasn't one - the 'premium' HiFi in previous cars was still pretty average so I figured it was fairly irrelevant.

As it happened, the car I bought has it - and it is fabulous. Would it stop me buying another car that ticked all other boxes? No. But if I was shopping again it would definitely be a 'very much like to have' even if it wasn't a must have..

renmure

4,242 posts

224 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Premium HiFi was on my list of "wants" but the car I bought didn't have it. I am not really an audiophile and I might be confirming my own bias, but to my ear the standard sound is great and I can't believe I am missing much.

bogie

16,381 posts

272 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
Its perfectly fine, ive not been tempted to upgrade the "standard" stereo over the last 8 years. Sure, if given the choice, I would go premium, but if an otherwise perfect spec car came up it wouldnt be a deal decider for me

DAVIDOXE

494 posts

114 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
quotequote all
I had a v8 with standard audio which seemed adequate but my V12 came with B & O which is stunning.
Cant comment on premium.

Tex

198 posts

219 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Sorry, but a slight thread hijack.... This is a bit of a numpty question, but, how would I confirm which hifi a v12v has? I'm considering buying a car that a friend is selling, but he isn't sure which hi-fi it has in it. Would the number of speakers or their placement, or badges confirm this for me?

Grumpydev

265 posts

101 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Switch it on and see what it says on the display, mine says Vantage Audio, premium (I believe) says Premium on startup - not sure about B&O but that stands out because there are turret speakers that popup near the corner of the windscreen when you power it up.

Tex

198 posts

219 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Excellent, thank you.

morty1961

379 posts

182 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
perfectly happy with the standard audio in my V8V. anyway why pay more for premium audio when you have all that glorious music under the bonnet and from the tailpipes :-) lol

CSK1

1,603 posts

124 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all
Standard stereo wouldn't put me off buying an otherwise perfectly specced car in the right colour. I have B&O and although great, I very rarely switch the audio on, I think the sound coming out of the exhaust is what you appreciate in these cars.

Jon39

12,825 posts

143 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all

morty1961 said:
perfectly happy with the standard audio in my V8V. anyway why pay more for premium audio when you have all that glorious music under the bonnet and from the tailpipes :-) lol

Agree, although with the exhaust sound in combination with the Living Daylights theme on a Premium, one can even start to dream of being .....


WBlohm

96 posts

107 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all
Has anyone looked at just fitting new speakers to the 160w system?