Audi A4 Bose Audio System

After years of offering technologically innovative but under-appreciated vehicles, Audi has hit a home run with the new A4. Replacing the Audi 80/90 range, the A4 sport sedan, especially when equipped with Audi's famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system, offers a unique combination of style, performance, and value in the near-luxury class.

Before venturing forth in an A4 equipped with the optional Bose system, we sampled one with the stock six-speaker unit. Utilizing the same uniquely styled, security-coded AM/FM/cassette deck as the Bose upgrade, the standard system offers satisfactory sound. The most noteworthy feature of this unit is what Audi refers to as "GALA," a speed-sensitive volume sensor. As road noise increases, relative sound output is maintained.

Front midranges are mounted low in the doors with tweeters mounted in the upper portion of the door panel. Two additional full-range speakers are mounted conventionally in the rear deck. Overall, the sound is a little thin in the bass at most volume levels. As it approaches its limits, the sound becomes grainy with a distinct lack of definition. The sound stage seems to hover almost directly in the center of the interior.

With the stock system as a reference, the 100-watt four-channel Bose system ($640) is a treat. Similar in concept to the Bose upgrade profiled in the Mercedes C-Class test (Autotronics, April '96), it immediately addresses the shortcomings of the stock system. The sound stage moves forward, in front of the front passengers (with the fader set in its center detent). Vocalists, on a variety of material, seemed to be projected from a point somewhere in front of the windshield. This is characteristic of Bose systems and seems to be even more pronounced when compared side-by-side to the C-Class application.

Up front, the A4 is equipped with 4.5-inch drivers in the lower front portion of the door panel. Two-inch tweeters are mounted in the same location as the stock tweeter. Cosmetic integration, especially on the tweeter, is excellent.

Because the A4's cabin is exceptionally quiet, all the power of the Bose amplified speaker is put to effective use. Bass response is exceptionally strong, right up to the limits of the system. Unlike the standard package, the Bose system uses two additional 3.5-inch speakers in the rear door. This provides rear passengers with a strong stereo image as well, although without the level of range the front passengers enjoy.

The head unit, which controls the trunk-mounted six-disc CD changer ($620, dealer installed) is effectively arranged. It's wider than conventional units, which complicates aftermarket upgrades (see sidebar below). The changer is easily accessible in the trunk, but it would be nice to have access to the changer from the rear cabin.

The A4 is an impressive blend of form, function, and performance. Sonically, the optional Bose system is on the top tier.

Making It BetterBecause Audi doesn't offer an in-dash CD deck, our A4 upgrade focuses on offering superior CD playback capabilities and the additional capacity of a trunk-mounted changer.