Beats Audio MK3 Leon vs SEAT Sound

[Major Tom]

I had a 280 ST with SSS and it was fine, but now I have a 300 ST with BA - and love it. I spend 2+ hours each day in the car and would certainly have noticed if BA had been sub par to SSS or if the tonal characteristics of the system would have been a major difference - I got straight out of the old car and into the new. But each to their own.

The amp in BA is a Panasonic placed under the drivers seat.

 

[BipedalMale]

I had a 280 ST with SSS and it was fine, but now I have a 300 ST with BA - and love it. I spend 2+ hours each day in the car and would certainly have noticed if BA had been sub par to SSS or if the tonal characteristics of the system would have been a major difference - I got straight out of the old car and into the new. But each to their own.

The amp in BA is a Kenwood placed under the drivers seat.

A minor point to many I am sure, but what does it sound like in the rear seats?

My daughter complains that the sound in Ibiza is worse while sat in the back.

 

[Jaco2k]

I had a 280 ST with SSS and it was fine, but now I have a 300 ST with BA - and love it. I spend 2+ hours each day in the car and would certainly have noticed if BA had been sub par to SSS or if the tonal characteristics of the system would have been a major difference - I got straight out of the old car and into the new. But each to their own.

The amp in BA is a Kenwood placed under the drivers seat.

Are we sure that the Pre-facelift SSS is the same as the post-facelift SSS?

Also, I think there were changes to the sound insulation on the later cars, which would also affect the sound reproduction.

 

[Blowski]

First world problems... I don't have either

My standard system isn't too bad though to be honest so the Seat Sound must be pretty good. I've got some beats headphones and earphones and they are focused on base, most beats things are. It was owned by Dre. after all.

My wife has a Bose system in her Kadjar, little Bose badges all over the place to let you know what it has and it's an awful system so take heart in that Seat aren't the only company to go down the style over substance route.

 

[Rainman]

Below are the part numbers for the speakers used in different sound systems.
The center speaker is always the same in both sound systems.

Seat Sound System
----------------------------
Center speaker 5F0035397
Front bass speakers 5F0035411
Rear speakers 5F0035411A
Subwoofer 5F0035382

Beats Audio System
-----------------------------
Center speaker 5F0035397
Front bass speakers 8V0035415A
Rear speakers 8V4035411C
Subwoofer 6C0035621
Amplifier 5Q0035456A

Looking at the Beats Audio systems speaker part numbers, you will see that the front and rear speakers are actually from an Audi A3 8V (2013-).

Leons with standard audio have the same front and rear speakers that are in the Seat Sound System.

My previous Leon had the Seat Sound System and my current one has the standard audio setup. The only difference I can hear between the two systems is that the Seat Sound System had a little more bass thanks to the subwoofer.

Exactly ... that's what I read also ...in the German forum ....that's why ppl recommend to save the money and invest in quality speakers instead ...but offcourse it's about preference ....

 

[KXL]

Leons with standard audio have the same front and rear speakers that are in the Seat Sound System.

My previous Leon had the Seat Sound System and my current one has the standard audio setup. The only difference I can hear between the two systems is that the Seat Sound System had a little more bass thanks to the subwoofer.

Ahh I thought so...I hopped from my '8 speaker setup (tech pack had this)' into a Cupra with SSS (took the same USB music stick with me), and besides a bit more bass and some sound coming from the centre, I was hard pressed to hear much difference. From the docs above, does it mean the SSS had the same sized rear speakers as the fronts? Or still fronts were 8" and rears were 6.5"?

 

[SitdownandhaveaCupratea]

Below are the part numbers for the speakers used in different sound systems.
The center speaker is always the same in both sound systems.

Seat Sound System
----------------------------
Center speaker 5F0035397
Front bass speakers 5F0035411
Rear speakers 5F0035411A
Subwoofer 5F0035382

Beats Audio System
-----------------------------
Center speaker 5F0035397
Front bass speakers 8V0035415A
Rear speakers 8V4035411C
Subwoofer 6C0035621
Amplifier 5Q0035456A

Looking at the Beats Audio systems speaker part numbers, you will see that the front and rear speakers are actually from an Audi A3 8V (2013-).

Leons with standard audio have the same front and rear speakers that are in the Seat Sound System.

My previous Leon had the Seat Sound System and my current one has the standard audio setup. The only difference I can hear between the two systems is that the Seat Sound System had a little more bass thanks to the subwoofer.

Very interesting thanks for posting that. So lets get this straight... the Beats speakers are the same as the STANDARD speakers in an Audi A3 8V? If I do understand that right then this tells me that they are not great quality at all, and may well not even be as good as the standard SEAT Leon ones. It seems like all Beats really gives you is a beefier subwoofer. Assuming I am on the right track then what an absolute con, and in no way worth the extra premium!

Exactly ... that's what I read also ...in the German forum ....that's why ppl recommend to save the money and invest in quality speakers instead ...but offcourse it's about preference ....

Is it easy to replace the speaker with high quality ones you purchase yourself? Can a garage do it quickly and easily?

 

[SitdownandhaveaCupratea]

Yes they are. The Audi A3 8V B&O (Bang & Olufsen) premium sound system speakers have different part numbers to the ones listed above. Audi A3 8V B&O front speakers are 8V0035415E but the rear speaker are same 8V4035411C.

The Beats Audio amplifier part number 5Q0035456A actually traces back to a Golf VII. I think the amplifier is the same part that is used in Golfs but has a different software and parameterisation for Beats Audio.

The Beats Audio system will give you an amplifier with more power per channel than the Seat Sound System head units amplifier. The Beats Audio subwoofer will also have more power because it is dual voice coil sub whereas the Seat Sound System subwoofer is single voice coil one.

Ok thanks for confirming. Basically then, in my eyes the Beats designation is bad value for the consumer and nothing more than a branding and marketing exercise with relatively low standards to be able to slap a Beats logo on it. Very disappointing, given how cheap those speakers are.

Seems like a real money spinner for SEAT and hard to avoid depending on which config you go for. I would even go so far as to call it a rip-off.

 

[Leonfr140]

Just to add, a couple of months ago I had a T-Roc with the Beats sound, honestly didn’t really think it was that good tbh , apart from being quite bassy, I’ve had a mini with H&K also recently and that knocked the beats in the water!! Miles apart quality wise


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SitdownandhaveaCupratea]

Just to add, a couple of months ago I had a T-Roc with the Beats sound, honestly didn’t really think it was that good tbh , apart from being quite bassy, I’ve had a mini with H&K also recently and that knocked the beats in the water!! Miles apart quality wise

Now that we have identified the speakers I think it is safe to say that the Beats sound system is worse than Seat Sound System (which uses some different speakers) and you are essentially paying only for the subwoofer which simply only further amplifies the poor sound.

I am very tempted to either spec my own Cupra without Beats, or if I do get Beats have the speakers swapped out for better ones at my own expense.

I'm actually a little pissed about this Beats branding thing as it is borderline deceitful putting a stronger amp and boomy subwoofer with low quality speakers and then selling it as a high-end package. Low quality speakers will ALWAYS sound low quality in the end no matter what is driving them!

 

[Rainman]

Very interesting thanks for posting that. So lets get this straight... the Beats speakers are the same as the STANDARD speakers in an Audi A3 8V? If I do understand that right then this tells me that they are not great quality at all, and may well not even be as good as the standard SEAT Leon ones. It seems like all Beats really gives you is a beefier subwoofer. Assuming I am on the right track then what an absolute con, and in no way worth the extra premium!



Is it easy to replace the speaker with high quality ones you purchase yourself? Can a garage do it quickly and easily?

Yes it's quite easy job .... plus you can take the chance and sound proof also the doors (there are couple of threads for this in the forum )
It took a specialist about 1 to 2 hours to change the speakers front and rear ...including the tweeters offcourse ...using size speakers that fit at the door cards no one can really tell any difference ...rather only by sound .. which is much better ... honestly ..if you are not in to much with the bass then you don't really need a sub ...offcourse for the extra bass ..if that's what you are looking for ..you will need the sub....
Saying this ... I think by having the beats ...which already has all the cables installed ( amplifier and sub ) then by changing the factory speakers which is as said just low to normal quality speakers with something more premium ...will make a clear difference at the sound ...but even with the factory system me personally by just changing the speakers as mentioned before ...and sound proof the doors ...it made a difference ... and fir me it's more than enough as I just like to listen clear and not loud music ... but each one to their taste ..

 

[Rainman]

Sitdownandhavecupratea

Found this video ...which shows how it's done ....have a look

 

[SitdownandhaveaCupratea]

Yes it's quite easy job .... plus you can take the chance and sound proof also the doors (there are couple of threads for this in the forum )
It took a specialist about 1 to 2 hours to change the speakers front and rear ...including the tweeters offcourse ...using size speakers that fit at the door cards no one can really tell any difference ...rather only by sound .. which is much better ... honestly ..if you are not in to much with the bass then you don't really need a sub ...offcourse for the extra bass ..if that's what you are looking for ..you will need the sub....
Saying this ... I think by having the beats ...which already has all the cables installed ( amplifier and sub ) then by changing the factory speakers which is as said just low to normal quality speakers with something more premium ...will make a clear difference at the sound ...but even with the factory system me personally by just changing the speakers as mentioned before ...and sound proof the doors ...it made a difference ... and fir me it's more than enough as I just like to listen clear and not loud music ... but each one to their taste ..

I'm exactly the same as you with my music preferences so I will likely buy replacement speakers and get them fitted.

 

[SitdownandhaveaCupratea]

Well guys, I specifically asked my local SEAT dealer about the difference between SEAT Sound and Beats and he received the following reply from a technician:

----------------------------------------------------

- How many speakers are in SEAT Sound and Beats (according to my info 10). Beats 10 and SEAT sound 10.

- What are the differences of the subwoofers? BEATS double coil (greater power). Seat SOUND single coil.

- What type of speakers have been used in beats, better or worse than in seat sound? Or A3? Better speakers have been used than in SEAT Sound and reused from the A3. More power. The central is also different and better performance. Beats also offers external amplifier (higher power, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and channels).

----------------------------------------------------

I may give Beats a try and see how it goes without swapping anything first.

 

[Lancashire Lad]

Could the beats sub be used with the Seat sound system? I've come from a previous car with planet audio kit and I think the Seat sub is a bit boomy.

 

[KXL]

Have anyone actually listened to Beats Headphones? They are all about the bass....do they even do speakers? I mean B&O, Bose, HK/JBL, Canton, Alpine, all do speakers as well, as others mentioned, amp is Panasonic, speakers are from A3 (not beats branded), perhaps only the sub's dual coil are truely 'beats' made.

Someone long ago (I can't rememeber where in the forum) metioned the SSS speakers are debranded Canton.

 

[Jordan McCabe]

Beats audio. The bass is really good in my Copra but the clarity is about on par with the standard MK7 Golf speakers. I’m glad I paid the extra for it at £250

 

[penyfai]

do they even do speakers?

Beats do 3 types of speakers. A white one. A black one. And a red one.

 

[Damo H]

Could the beats sub be used with the Seat sound system? I've come from a previous car with planet audio kit and I think the Seat sub is a bit boomy.

I’m far from an expert, but could the double coil of the beats one need the amplifier?

 

[SitdownandhaveaCupratea]

Have anyone actually listened to Beats Headphones? They are all about the bass....do they even do speakers? I mean B&O, Bose, HK/JBL, Canton, Alpine, all do speakers as well, as others mentioned, amp is Panasonic, speakers are from A3 (not beats branded), perhaps only the sub's dual coil are truely 'beats' made.

Someone long ago (I can't rememeber where in the forum) metioned the SSS speakers are debranded Canton.

As stated earlier in the thread, the Beats logo is just a branding exercise based on spec.

Beats audio. The bass is really good in my Copra but the clarity is about on par with the standard MK7 Golf speakers. I’m glad I paid the extra for it at £250

I hope I get along with it after my initial dissappointment!