V8V standard audio

[V8VGerry]

I'd like to look in to the possibilities/options for upgrading the audio components (as they are st). Does anyone know of an installer that has good experience of Astons?

Thanks

[V8 Animal]

Too expensive so I have read

[divetheworld]

How good do you want it and how much are you prepared to throw at it?
There are lots of options.
Ive got the Premium audio and it's not what I'd call an audiophile system. I did consider a proper upgrade but I'd only enjoy it when parked up waiting for the missus.

[mikey k]

divetheworld said:

How good do you want it and how much are you prepared to throw at it?
There are lots of options.
Ive got the Premium audio and it's not what I'd call an audiophile system. I did consider a proper upgrade but I'd only enjoy it when parked up waiting for the missus.

Premium is the sweet spot but not audiophile level
Retrofitting Premium is A LOT of work and cost
Replacing it with aftermarket means butchering the console
IIRC a Kiwi guy had a system fitted in place of the SatNav that was interesting

[V8VGerry]

Thanks guys, I suppose just looking to spend under a grand. Sometimes you get car installers that have specific installs for a particluar make of car rather than each upgrade being a custom built one.
I am not looking for the AM Premium package as I relaise that is a lot of money for retrospective fitting. I think I am just looking for better speakers and an improved sound, hopefully without changing the head unit. I could just be talking rubbish though!!
It does annoy me on a car this expensive that they have fitted what a poor/average performing audio system.



Gerry

[divetheworld]

A grand is reasonable to spend and get an improvement. 2 grand would be noticeable.
Speakers change to something really musical like CDT Eurosport 42i or 52i in the doors will be a good choice. Shoehorning the 52i 5" units into the 4" hole will pay huge dividends.
The sub driver is an easy change to a JL or other.
Going any further would need that extra cash and consider an Audisson Bit-one and amps.
I ran an early version of the CDT's in one of my old motors and took home some IASCA trophies.

[897sma]

I recently had a quote from Source Sounds in Sheffield for speaker and amp upgrade on my DB9, came in at around £1k for sub-woofer and amp or £2k for the whole system. The guy seemed to know what he was talking about and had done Astons before. http://www.sourcesounds.com/gallery/aston-martin-d...
I've no affiliation to them, etc...

[burntout]

I have in the past spent thousands and I mean nearly £4K on an install back in my youth and they sounded amazing...

As far as the standard stereo in the V8V goes, I really think its very good..... But then again Kenny G sounds great played through anything I dont often listen to it though as usually have my window down and listen to my exhaust note......

[Ice27]

James from Paralight, somewhere on here used to specialise in Aston stereo upgrades as I recall.

[peterr96]

Ice27 said:

James from Paralight, somewhere on here used to specialise in Aston stereo upgrades as I recall.

I don't think he upgraded as such. He did some mods for things like DAB receivers and ipod integration, but the head unit and speakers remained the same so far as I'm aware.

[V8VGerry]

burntout said:

I have in the past spent thousands and I mean nearly £4K on an install back in my youth and they sounded amazing...

As far as the standard stereo in the V8V goes, I really think its very good..... But then again Kenny G sounds great played through anything I dont often listen to it though as usually have my window down and listen to my exhaust note......

Yes, I once spent £5k on a BMW 5 series audio upgrade! But not looking to waste that amount of money again!

[Ice27]

peterr96 said:

I don't think he upgraded as such. He did some mods for things like DAB receivers and ipod integration, but the head unit and speakers remained the same so far as I'm aware.

I'm sure he was offering a full upgrade to Premium and some other other alternative speaker/ amp upgrades.
Pretty sure, anyway...

[peterr96]

Ice27 said:

peterr96 said:

I don't think he upgraded as such. He did some mods for things like DAB receivers and ipod integration, but the head unit and speakers remained the same so far as I'm aware.

I'm sure he was offering a full upgrade to Premium and some other other alternative speaker/ amp upgrades.
Pretty sure, anyway...

Ah well in that case I may be wrong. I can recommend James. Thoroughly decent chap and he helped to sort out a from-new issue with my premium audio that two separate AM dealers with additional help directly from Gaydon failed to resolve. If you want his email address pm me.

[Grant3]

I would make a concerted effort to play with the set-up as the standard system can sound pretty good once you have the settings right. It doesn't have a separate control for the sub-woofer, but does still have one tucked under the rear seat, so with tweaking of bass/treble and volume you should be able to get decent depth/balance. But if you are an audiophile then I'm sure you have already done that!

Of course the Premium system is a lot better and the rear/centre speaker enclosures are empty on the standard audio, but I would be careful with who you use for any upgrade as Aston's easily fall prey to electrical drain issues and module crash problems caused by new equipment incorrectly fitted!

Best of luck

[Paralight]

I've priced up the bits to make the standard sound system to the premium sound system recently. Parts come in at £1250 approx. they will then need fitting and the config file altered to ensure the car knows it has premium sound.

The front door speakers are the same between standard and premium, premium adds rear quarter speakers (wiring is already in the car). The sub is changed for a beefier one and front centre speaker is added. The standard amp is changed for 2 amps, one to run the sub and another to run 4 speakers and centre.

Depth in the front doors is limited so choice of aftermarket speaker can be limited unless major door build work is undertaken.