JackMars
Well-known member
So far I'm not to happy with the performance of Fender audio system in my VW. Lot's of distortions and low frequency vibrations in the trunk. Some bolts must be loose or what? Shakes like hell.
These don't sound like Fender system issues. I find the sound quality to be excellent. Note that I'm not someone who requires bazooka style bass. I like classic rock and Jazz. I find the bass more than adequate. It appears to be tuned so that voices are presented in the front soundstage which I like. I also love the ability to play DVD's (including high resolution DVD-Audio disks)...now I don't have to be stuck on the couch to hear a concert.So far I'm not to happy with the performance of Fender audio system in my VW. Lot's of distortions and low frequency vibrations in the trunk. Some bolts must be loose or what? Shakes like hell.
Agree!Mine sounds great, albiet a few rattles here and there sometimes. I recognize that the audio source makes a huge difference. If I find myself listeing to Sirius for a long time... it sorta sucks. Put in a CD and the thing rocks.
Likewise. My iPod plays much better sound thru the system than the radio.Mine sounds great, albiet a few rattles here and there sometimes. I recognize that the audio source makes a huge difference. If I find myself listeing to Sirius for a long time... it sorta sucks. Put in a CD and the thing rocks.
The bluetooth mono is not an issue if you have an SEL TDI with the RNS-510.... just fyi. Mine plays perfectly. I think the issue pertains to the RCD-510 mostly. Not positive though.I don't own a Passat TDI yet, but I'm ordering a 2013 model soon. I've heard the Fender system, and I think it sounds really nice for a factory system, but the Bluetooth mono issue raises a lot of concern. That's a HUGE deal to me. I hope they fix that for next year.
No issues either in the RCD310 (Canada). Bluetooth Audio works great.The bluetooth mono is not an issue if you have an SEL TDI with the RNS-510.... just fyi. Mine plays perfectly. I think the issue pertains to the RCD-510 mostly. Not positive though.
Yeah, you're right. I have to assume soundstage was not on their check list.my 2014 Passat TDI SEL has the Fender system, great bass, but ZERO front sound stage. All sound comes from the far left and right. Any sound intended to come from the center, instead comes from the left and right, no center sound stage. This was a big selling point from Fender and VW, and I complained, the dealer could do nothing, zone rep never even listened to my car and VW customer service said they looked into it, but the systems are working properly. I confirmed that two other Passats had the same problem. Classic reversed phase in at least one or more speakers. A high quality test disk confirmed the problem. VW and Fender, Why won't you do the right thing and look into this? Why did I spend big money for a sound system that has a worse sound stage presence than my any other car I have owned with a stereo? If you love quality sound with proper sound stage placement, do NOT buy the Fender system, it will be a constant annoyance. One major artifact of this problem is that when a voice or instrument is supposed to be center stage, the sound appears to be coming from the left on some notes, and the right on others. Like the musician is in front of two mics and is turning the instrument, but this does not happen in my home system (high quality) or any other vehicle, even with rather lousy factory sound, but proper sound stage placement. The one thing the Fender system has is great bass, but it doesn't make up for this major flaw.
Yep, Sirius is just awful as far as sound quality goes. They compress the crap out of it. And it's not just in the VW's, in just Sirius in general.Mine sounds great, albiet a few rattles here and there sometimes. I recognize that the audio source makes a huge difference. If I find myself listeing to Sirius for a long time... it sorta sucks. Put in a CD and the thing rocks.
Agreed, love mine with CD's. Never had a problem with rattles, balance, fader, speakers. I drive about 20 hours a week and it's usually on. I like the phone integration that mutes the radio when the phone is in use. Agree about Sirius, convenience over quality. And the Sirius stations seem to have a limited repertoire. Hear the same songs too often.Yep, Sirius is just awful as far as sound quality goes. They compress the crap out of it. And it's not just in the VW's, in just Sirius in general.
My complaint is because I paid a bunch for the Fender system, and it was advertised as having such a great front soundstage! Test disks show it probably has a reversed polarity in some or all speakers, and VW/Fender/Panasonic etc should make it right. Either they all have their heads in the sand, or are deaf , or they just don't care. I mention it here because those considering buying the car should know what they are NOT going to get with the expensive Fender system. I should have done a much better listening session when test driving, but I didn't think something this basic could be screwed up this bad in a modern car. Not when my '91 SHO JBL system has near perfect front stage sound!Yeah, you're right. I have to assume soundstage was not on their check list.
The system is uninvolving. Tone sterile and unremarkable, all other expectations are marginal. I have just given up and accept it as a non audiophile system. My two speaker POS Dodge truck has better soundstaging.
But, I have to wonder why the major whine on this forum. There is nothing anyone can do about it here.