My left foot - the importance of the 'missing' T6.1 footrest

[Sasquatch]

I just accept that a vehicle, particularly a commecial one, is just about the worst place there is to listen to music.

If I can hear it and the reproduction is good enough to discern without effort then it's good enough, otherwise I'd disappear down an expensive rabbit hole and still wouldn't get remotely close to the experience of a modest £100 pair of headphones sat at home.

The best vehicle set ups won't come close to the fidelity I would want, and chuck in engine, road and wind noise and it's just not something I as an audiophile would bother chasing because it's an impossible dream.

 

[roadtripper]

As a fellow sound tech it's still worth spending a modest amount if music is important to you as that's where you likely listen to music a lot. In a similar way I have a ton of cameras but invest in a decent camera phone as that's the one that's with me all the time.

That said I don't find the sound in the Caravelle that bad, as you say given what it is. And that's compared to the top end system fitted in the XC70 and the Harmon Kardon system in the i3. I have run Sound Check across it with the meter to set the limited EQ flat and then tweaked it for the response I like. Right now it's good enough I'm not going to spend money on it beyond stock, though maybe replace the drivers in the front at some point as they don't sound like they are in good control at times.

I stopped spending on the home hifi years ago when I realised I was starting to hear too much of the production (or lack of it) and realised the only thing I was really enjoying at that point were live albums. Since then I've inherited the responsibility for the 5kw PA system in the village hall, which keeps me busy.

 

[JOG]

Too kind (and wrong!)

Ah, but Mrs @Bav and Mrs @Drive Wayne are always right!!!

 

[Drive Wayne]

Ah, but Mrs @Bav and Mrs @Drive Wayne are always right!!!

Most indubitably! Mine is not so good at stacking the dishwasher though...

 

[Bav]

Ah, but Mrs @Bav and Mrs @Drive Wayne are always right!!!

And so it will ever be.

 

[Drive Wayne]

I just accept that a vehicle, particularly a commecial one, is just about the worst place there is to listen to music.

If I can hear it and the reproduction is good enough to discern without effort then it's good enough, otherwise I'd disappear down an expensive rabbit hole and still wouldn't get remotely close to the experience of a modest £100 pair of headphones sat at home.

The best vehicle set ups won't come close to the fidelity I would want, and chuck in engine, road and wind noise and it's just not something I as an audiophile would bother chasing because it's an impossible dream.

When you get a chance @Sasquatch go and see Chris @Dav-Tec his 'in van' audio could seriously affect the contents of your wallet! Mind blowing quality, truly amazing.

 

[Dav-Tec]

I just accept that a vehicle, particularly a commecial one, is just about the worst place there is to listen to music.

If I can hear it and the reproduction is good enough to discern without effort then it's good enough, otherwise I'd disappear down an expensive rabbit hole and still wouldn't get remotely close to the experience of a modest £100 pair of headphones sat at home.

The best vehicle set ups won't come close to the fidelity I would want, and chuck in engine, road and wind noise and it's just not something I as an audiophile would bother chasing because it's an impossible dream.

I'd disagree with the last paragraph setup correctly with a descent DSP and tune an modern system with a 3 way setup can sound incredible just depends on how you grade yourself as an audiophile. As with everything there's limitations but there are some truly fantastic setups out there.

@Drive Wayne thanks for your kind words buddy

 

[PlanB]

No. The 6.1 door speakers are smaller than the t6

There you go!
Even a none classically trained ear can pick out shite quality from a perfectly good system.
Never saw the need to upgrade the last 5 VW vans, but the 6.1 is crap in stock form.

 

[PlanB]

As a fellow musician and former musical director, I will confirm that the last time a musician was wrong, was when they thought they were wrong!

Very much seems to be the case.

 

[Dav-Tec]

There you go!
Even a none classically trained ear can pick out shite quality from a perfectly good system.
Never saw the need to upgrade the last 5 VW vans, but the 6.1 is crap in stock form.

I've found it's due to the plastic inner door skin. Size wise the speakers are smaller. A metal cabinet is far from ideal for a speaker enclosure hence is banging on about how correct sound deadening is key and as for how far down they are again it's crap. It's why we tend to prefer doing 3 way builds so the mid base plays from the door but around 300hz upwards is played from the dash. Don't get me wrong you have issues like reflections, cancellations and phase issue but again if setup well you can over come these and make a truly great sound system.

I also agree it can get expensive... I'm about to remove my Hertz setup for a Morel Elate Carbon one.

I haven't found a OEM system that plays exceptionally well out the box anymore but maybe that due to what I usually listen to.

@Drive Wayne has heard both my systems in both demo vehicles and we've spoken about my background so he has a clear understanding of my knowledge and limits.

 

[Drive Wayne]

I've found it's due to the plastic inner door skin. Size wise the speakers are smaller. A metal cabinet is far from ideal for a speaker enclosure hence is banging on about how correct sound deadening is key and as for how far down they are again it's crap. It's why we tend to prefer doing 3 way builds so the mid base plays from the door but around 300hz upwards is played from the dash. Don't get me wrong you have issue like reflections, phase cancellations and phase issue but again if setup well you can over come these and make a truly great sound system.

I also agree it can get expensive... I'm about to remove my Hertz setup for a Morel Elate Carbon one.

I haven't found a OEM system that plays exceptionally well out the box anymore but maybe that due to what I usually listen to.

@Drive Wayne has heard both my systems in both demo vehicles and we've spoken about my background so he has a clear understanding of my knowledge and limits.

I wasn't aware you had limits Chris!!

 

[JOG]

I still rest my left foot on my lovely footrest but it doesn’t make any difference to the sound….am I doing something wrong?!!

 

[Drive Wayne]

I still rest my left foot on my lovely footrest but it doesn’t make any difference to the sound….am I doing something wrong?!!

Your foot needs to be turned the other way round....

 

[Bav]

I still rest my left foot on my lovely footrest but it doesn’t make any difference to the sound….am I doing something wrong?!!

As the OP, I'm not gonna complain about thread hijacking - it's something I'm often guilty of.

 

[JOG]

As the OP, I'm not gonna complain about thread hijacking - it's something I'm often guilty of.

Ah, left foot in mouth disease?!!

 

[DaveD]

It’s a great read. Poor bugger started life being starved of oxygen and ended it choking on a fish bone!

Bloody Hell, I hope the middle bit was better!

 

[PlanB]

I still rest my left foot on my lovely footrest but it doesn’t make any difference to the sound….am I doing something wrong?!!

Treat it like a puppy with a little tickle in the sweet spot - You only get out what you put in.